White Grass Ski Resort, located in West Virginia’s Canaan Valley, is a hidden gem for cross-country skiers. The resort has approximately 50 kilometers of trails with beginner to high-difficulty levels and spectacular vistas of the Allegheny Mountains surrounding it. White Grass is noted for its natural snow, supplemented with snowmaking technology to offer excellent winter ski conditions.
The resort provides ski rentals, lessons, and guided excursions for those new to the sport or wishing to develop their skills. Other winter sports at White Grass include snowshoeing, ice skating, sledding, and skiing. Grab a hot chocolate cup to stay warm or a meal at the quaint lodge with a fireplace and a menu of hearty, locally sourced fare.
White Grass Ski Resort’s History
According to tradition, the transformation of Canaan Valley into a skier’s paradise began with snowless winters in Washington, DC. Members of a ski club pursued a famous snow basin hidden in the neighboring West Virginia mountains. To cut a long tale short, they discovered it. Fast forward a few years from the “discovery” to 1959, and the narrative of Bob and Anita Barton’s Weiss Knob Ski Area begins. Until the 1960s, the region served as a bare-bones ski club with a rope tow system before falling into disrepair.
Return to 1979, to a mountain top in the Shenandoah Valley on the boundary of Virginia and West Virginia, where Chip Chase ran the brief-lived White Grass Touring Center. Chip went in quest of a new location for his touring center after being dissatisfied with the short snow season. He discovered it on the old Weiss Knob slopes. As you might expect, Chip carried only the name White Grass when he moved to Canaan Valley, but it stayed. The facility is still operating today, honing its business year after year. Chip is the most well-known character in Canaan Valley.
Amenities
White Grass Ski Touring Center, run by Chip Chase, his wife Laurie Little, and their crew, knows how to provide the best on-snow experience available. While everyone thinks the snow is beautiful, they will tell you they return for the people.
Rentals and Instruction
White Grass provides an experience unlike any other valley downhill ski resort. As a result, the rental equipment provided here is second to none. Those who arrive without skis can hire them for backcountry or telemark skiing. Emphasizing the excellence of the best ski resorts in West Virginia is crucial for a memorable voyage. There are also skating skis and snowshoes, as well as pulk sleds. Because you’ll likely be trying a new kind of skiing, the team offers short mini-lessons and more advanced instruction to refine your skating, telemarketing, or downhill control skills.
Food and Drink
The healthy meal served at the White Grass Café is as popular as the skiing. Laurie Little, a culinary legend in her own right, has served the heartiest, downright best food since she and Chip opened their doors in the early 1980s. The cuisine emphasizes natural ingredients and includes hot soups, paninis, and freshly baked sweets.
Snowshoeing and Cross-Country Skiing
The White Grass Touring Center is located in West Virginia’s Canaan Valley (pronounced Ka-name) and the High Allegheny Mountains. It is a one-of-a-kind XC skiing destination with 150 inches of snow every year. Check out the “Backscatter” recommendations at Feedback if you don’t believe me. The “fleece and flannel” scene in White Grass, which dates back to the late 1970s, is still alive and well, with a popular natural foods cafe.
The White Grass Website is a popular stop, updated daily virtually all year. White Grass has 50 kilometers of groomed or maintained trails. The routes range in elevation from 3,200 to 4,400 feet. Backcountry skiers will enjoy the area’s 1,200 vertical feet, slopes, and meadows.
White Grass was developed in 1959 as an alpine ski resort and has been doing cross-country skiing since 1979 (making it one of the oldest XC ski locations in the US). White Grass received the West Virginia Environmental Council’s Green Entrepreneur Award in 2003 for its environmentally friendly operations. Typical is a 5 km snow fence that gathers larger volumes of snow shoveled to fix low regions. It’s known as “snow farming.”
Ski Touring Center White Grass
Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are enjoyable, simple to learn, affordable, and healthful winter activities. We’ve been proud of the wholesome natural foods cafe, unique laid-back ambiance, twisty, exciting routes, and backcountry ski specialty shop since 1979. The day lodge is adjacent to some of West Virginia’s most beautiful high country.
We get most of the 160″ yearly snowfall from the Great Lakes since they are in a snowy area of West Virginia’s High Alleghenies near the Cabin Mountain range. Bob and Anita Barton founded the Weiss Knob Ski Area in 1959 and operated four rope tows and snowmaking. They currently have 50 kilometers of trails ranging in elevation from 3200 to 4400 feet. Cross country up and over 1,200 vertical feet!
White Grass Cafe, open from December to March to feed hungry skiers, serves handcrafted substantial soups, sandwiches, cookies, cakes, and pies for lunch and foreign dishes from around the world for dinner. Two popular cookbooks based on the cuisine have been published to accompany this diverse and famous winter cafe.
FAQs About White Grass Ski Resort in West Virginia
1. What are the operating hours of White Grass Ski Resort?
During the ski season, White Grass Ski Resort is available seven days a week, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
2. How do I buy lift tickets?
Lift tickets can be purchased at the resort’s ticket office. You can also reserve them in advance on the resort’s website.
3. How much snow does White Grass Ski Resort get?
White Grass Ski Resort receives roughly 140 inches of snow yearly.
4. Does the resort have ski or snowboard rental shops?
Yes, the resort has a rental shop to hire skis and snowboards.
5. Do you have lodging at White Grass Ski Resort?
No, White Grass Ski Resort does not have on-site lodging. There are, however, various nearby lodging alternatives, including hotels, motels, and bed and breakfasts.
6. Does White Grass Ski Resort have any beginner slopes?
The resort has multiple beginning slopes, including a magic carpet lift for simple access.
7. Does White Grass Ski Resort have a ski school?
Yes, the resort provides ski and snowboard teachings for students of all ages and abilities.
8. Does White Grass Ski Resort have any food options?
Yes, the resort has a café serving various meals and drinks.
9. Does White Grass Ski Resort have any cross-country skiing trails?
White Grass Ski Resort is well-known for its large cross-country skiing tracks spanning over 50 kilometers.
10. When should you go to White Grass Ski Resort?
White Grass Ski Resort is best visited during winter when the ski season is complete, and the snow conditions are ideal. The resort also conducts several events throughout the season, such as races and festivals, which can enhance the whole experience.