Snowshoe

Cheat Mountain was logged from 1901 to 1960, transporting timber and men on the Shavers Fork of the Cheat River and on steam locomotives. The nearby company town of Cass housed workers in dozens of nearly-identical houses. After the mill closed in 1960, the area was somewhat forgotten, and later re-discovered by Thomas "Doc" Brigham (who had previously opened Sugar Mountain and Beech Mountain in Boone, North Carolina) as a site for a new ski resort, with Snowshoe opening in 1974 and Silver Creek (originally a separate resort) in 1983. The area's history of logging is preserved in the names of many of the ski trails and lifts. In the 1990s and 2000s Snowshoe merged with Silver Creek to form one large resort, and constructed the Village to provide on-mountain lodging, food, and shopping.

Amtrak at one point offered a "Ski Train" program that combined a train ticket from Washington, D.C., and a shuttle ride; it's not clear if this program still runs, but the train certainly does. The Amtrak Cardinal (connecting eastward to Charlottesville and Washington, and westward to Charleston all the way to Chicago) stops at White Sulphur Springs Station (WSS) near Lewisburg 3 times/week. From there you can rent a car or arrange a ride the remaining 70 miles to Snowshoe.

During summer and fall, you can ride the Cass Scenic Railroad (see § See and Do below) from Elkins into Cass, which is 10 miles (16 km) away from Snowshoe. However, the day-long trip is meant for sightseeing, not travel; a one-way is available, but you would then have to find another way out of town.

Snowshoe is not close to any major airports. The closest commercial airports are Lewisburg (LWB ^IATA, 1½ hours' drive, service on United to Chicago and Washington) and Clarksburg (CKB ^IATA, 2½ hours' drive, service on United to Chicago and Washington, on Allegiant to Orlando and seasonal to Myrtle Beach). The closest larger airports are Charleston (CRW ^IATA) and Roanoke (ROA ^IATA), both about 3 hours' drive away, both with service from American, Delta, and United.

Options for general aviation aren't any better. The closest public airfields include Elkins-Randolph County Airport (EKN ^IATA, 29 nm N, 1 hour's drive), Ingalls Field Airport (HSP ^IATA, 29 nm S, 2 hours' drive), Braxton County Airport (FAA LID: 48I, 35 nm NW, 2 hours' drive), and the aforementioned Lewisburg's Greenbriar Valley Airport (LWB ^IATA, 38 nm SW, 1½ hours' drive).

Lift tickets at Snowshoe are priced by demand. The price goes up as more tickets are sold for a given day, or the closer it is to the day of the ticket.

This means the best way to buy is on their website, as soon as you decide on your travel dates.

All lift tickets are valid for all 3 slopes (Snowshoe Basin, Silver Creek, and Western Territory) for the entire day (including night skiing at Silver Creek).

At the door, single day lift tickets (2015-2016 prices) are: weekends F-Su and holidays adult $89/day, student 13-17 $78, children 7-12 $74, midweek $79/$70/$66, value season (opening–Dec 17, Mar 13–closing) $59/$52/$49; children 6 and under and seniors 75 and over are always $10; military discount weekend 20%, midweek 40%. A 3-day ticket saves 20%. Proof of age is required for all non-adult tickets, including child tickets.

A season pass is available. Snowshoe Mountain is also part of the Ikon Pass, a multi-resort pass valid at more than two dozen U.S. ski destinations.

Summer activities passes, which includes climbing, lake activities, and lifts are: free for anyone lodging with Snowshow and for children 6 and under; 1-day $25, family (2 adults 2 children) $59 (extra family members $10/each), à-la-carte activities $10/each.

Bike park tickets (2014 prices) are: 1-day $40, 2-day $75, 3-day $99; Basin only (available M-W June 30–Aug 27) $25.

For golfing, greens fees (2014 prices) are listed online in a chart. To summarize: 18 holes $40-72, replay $30; 9 holes $29-45, replay $18.87. Prices after noon can be substantially cheaper ($40 versus $72 during the high season).

The Mountain Adventure Pass for $249/person (2014 price) gives you 3 days unlimited use of all summer activities, plus 1 day of "Bike Park 101" class or 1-day or bike rental.

• 🌍 Cass Scenic Railroad, 242 Main St, Cass. End of May to end of October. What was built as a railroad for transporting lumber is now a scenic ride through the mountains. Cars are open-air, so dress appropriately for the summer or fall weather. Available trips are a 2-hour round trip to Whittaker Station, a 5-hour round trip to Bald Knob (the third highest point in the state), and an overnight round trip to Elkins; another trip to the ghost town of Spruce no longer runs. Adult prices: Whittaker $41, Bald Knob $61, Elkins $151. (updated Jan 2019)
• 🌍 Green Bank Observatory, 155 Observatory Rd, Green Bank (From the main entrance to Snowshoe Dr, turn left to drive east on WV-66 15.3 miles, or from the back entrance 11 miles. Turn left on WV-28/WV-92 and drive 3 miles. The observatory is on the left.), ☏ +1 304-456-2150 (visitors), +1 304-456-2011 (reception). Summer 8:30AM-7PM (Memorial Day–Labor Day daily, Labor Day-October Th-M), tours every hour 9AM-6PM; winter Th-M 10AM-6PM, tours at 11AM, 1PM, 3PM. These radio astronomy telescopes are one of the main reasons the National Radio Quiet Zone was created and continues to be enforced. The largest is the 100-meter (328 ft) Green Bank Telescope, which is so sensitive that it can detect the electromagnetic equivalent of a single snowflake hitting the ground. Digital cameras and cell phones are not allowed near the telescopes, but film cameras are permitted anywhere. (The gift shop sells disposable film cameras.) It used to be part of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, but in October 2016 the site was defunded by the National Science Foundation. It continues to operate under a new private organization. Museum: free. Tours: adults $6, seniors $5, children 10 and under free. Special tours (reservations required): $5-40/person. (updated Mar 2018)

Snowshoe Mountain has 3 rental locations for basic equipment, and 1 for pro equipment. They do not rent jackets or pants, for hygienic reasons.

• When purchased in advance: basic package adult $40/day, children 12 and under $30 plus free helmet; value season $35/$25. Unclear whether you can pick up rentals the night before.
  • Expedition Rentals (Village), ☏ +1 304-572-5876. 
  • Top of the World Rentals (Top of the World), ☏ +1 304-572-5454. 
  • Silver Creek Rentals (Silver Creek), ☏ +1 304-572-6774. 
• High performance package $65/day, without boots $55/day. Boots alone $20/day. Optional $10/day insurance.
  • Mountain Adventure Center (Village), ☏ +1 304-572-5917. Also has items for purchase. 

Other rental shops not affiliated with Snowshoe Mountain include:

• Elk River. 10% off for reserving online. 
  • Elk River at Soaring Eagle Lodge (Top of the World), ☏ +1 304-572-2550. 8AM-10PM, busy days until midnight. Basic package adult $30-33/weekday, $34-37/weekend, children $26-27/$30. Pro package $59/day, ski-/board-only $49/day. Helmet $7/day. 
  • 🌍 Elk River in the Valley, 50 Cass Rd, Slatyfork (corner of US-219 & WV-66), ☏ +1 304-572-4173. Basic package adult $27-28/weekday, $30-32/weekend, children $22-25/$26-29. Pro board-only $45/day. Helmet $7/day. 
• 🌍 Route 66 Snowboard & Ski Shop, 598 Cass Rd, Slatyfork (WV-66, off the mountain, across from Inn at Snowshoe), ☏ +1 304-572-2200. Basic package adult $25-30/weekday, $33-34/weekend, children $17-25/$26-30. Bib $6/day, helmet $6. (updated Oct 2015)
• Snow Creek Mountain Sports. Basic package adult $30/weekday, $32/weekend, children 12 and under $25/$27. Sport/pro packages $34-40/weekday, $36-42/weekend. Bib $10/day, jacket $15, helmet $8. 10% off for reserving 24 hours in advanced. Free pickup the evening before your rental period begins. 25% discount for using your own boots. 
  • 🌍 Snow Creek Mountain Sports (Silver Creek), ☏ +1 304-572-4321. 8AM-11PM. 
  • 🌍 Ski Barn, Rt. 219 & Snowshoe Rd, Slatyfork (off the mountain, corner of US-219 and WV-66), ☏ +1 304-572-1234. 8AM-11PM. 

A few ATMs are available on the mountain:

• Citizens Bank of WV ATM (Village, Shaver's Center). 
• Citizens Bank of WV ATM (Village, next to Mountain Adventure Center). 
• ATM (Village, Shavers Centre). Unverified. 

Off the mountain, you can get full-service banking at 🌍 Citizens Bank of WV, 1 Citizens Plaza, PO Box 129, Slatyfork (WV-66, across from the Exxon gas station), ☏ +1 304-572-4095. M-Th 9AM-3PM, F 9AM-5PM; drive-thru M-Th 9AM-4PM, F 9AM-5PM, Sa 9AM-noon. 

Plan to purchase groceries and liquor elsewhere to bring with you. However, if your supplies run short, you can find some essentials at a price:

• 🌍 Wildcat Provisions (between Village and Top of the World, next to St. Bernard Chapel), ☏ +1 304-572-5901. Groceries and other essential items (such as over-the-counter drugs, cleaning supplies, etc.), plus other supplies like movie rentals. 
• 🌍 Par Mar Exxon, 1 Big Spring Plaza, Slatyfork (WV-66 next to US-219/WV-55), ☏ +1 304-572-3500. Daily 5AM-10PM. Gas station convenience store. 
• Cass Company Store, WV-66, Cass (WV-66, 6 miles east from the back entrance to Snowshoe Dr), ☏ +1 304-456-4300. (Unverified) Once the only store that timber loggers paid in company scrip could shop at, today the Company Store sells mainly tourist merchandise, including some locally homemade food stuffs. It also serves as a small general store. 

• 4848' (Village). Outer wear, casual wear, and accessories 
• Full Tilt (Village). Outer wear, casual wear, and accessories 
• Mountain Kids (Village). Outer wear, casual wear, and accessories 
• Pocahontas Supply Company (Village). Clothing, outerwear, footwear, accessories, and supplies 
• The Tool Shed (Top of the World). Ski and snowboard needs: outerwear, accessories, helmets, and hard goods. 

• Signatures of Snowshoe (Village). Gifts and souvenirs 
• WV Market (Village). Artisan products made in West Virginia, including pottery, glassware, jewelry, and gourmet foods. 

The lunch rush is roughly noon-1:30PM, and the dinner rush more spread out around 5PM (lifts stop running at 4:30PM). During these times, restaurants will be very crowded.

• Appalachia Kitchen (Corduroy Inn, across the street from Western Territory), ☏ +1 304-572-2030. F-Su 5-9PM. Upscale American. Mains $24-32. 
• AK Market (Corduroy Inn, across the street from Western Territory), ☏ +1 304-572-2030. Breakfast sandwiches; lunch soups and sandwiches. 
• 🌍 Arbuckles Cabin (bottom of Western Territory), ☏ +1 304-572-6528. 
• Basin Supper Club (Village, Mountain Lodge), ☏ +1 304-572-5650. Family style food. 
• 🌍 Black Run Sugar Shack (bottom of Silver Creek slopes near Mountaineer and Cascade lifts), ☏ +1 304-572-5776. Barbecue sandwiches and ribs 
• 🌍 The Boathouse (bottom of Snowshoe Basin near Ballhooter lift), ☏ +1 304-572-5746. 
• The Connection Nightclub, ☏ +1 304-572-3038. 
• 🌍 Cheat Mountain Pizza (Village), ☏ +1 304-572-5949. -9PM. Very good pizzas, and cheap beers to match. Take-out orders accepted. 16" cheese pizza $21 + $3/topping; 16" signature pizza $26; draft beer $3.50/glass, $12/pitcher. (updated Mar 2017)
• 🌍 Foxfire Grille (Village), ☏ +1 304-572-5555. 11AM-10PM, later on weekends; happy hour 4:30-6:30PM. Fairly good burgers and sandwiches. Barbecue is pretty good as well, and is served with multiple styles of sauce at the table. Live music sometimes. 
• Hoot's Bar & Grill (Top of the World), ☏ +1 304-572-5456. Food by day, DJs by night. 
• 🌍 The Junction Restaurant & Saloon (Village), ☏ +1 304-572-5800. Daily. 
• The Locker Room Sports Bar (Silver Creek), ☏ +1 304-572-6720. M-F 5-11PM, Sa Su noon-11PM. Bar food. Lots of TVs, billiards, foosball. Sometimes live music or karaoke. 
• Moonshine (Village, Shavers Center), ☏ +1 304-572-5411. 
• 🌍 Old Spruce Tavern (Village), ☏ +1 304-572-1020. 11AM-close; happy hour starts daily 4:30PM. Excellent sandwiches and salads, and no fried foods; everything is served with daily sides such as pasta salad. Great selection of craft beers in bottle, and a few local beers on tap. Smaller than most of the other restaurants, with just a few tables and a bar. Seating is self-serve, so if there isn't any available when you arrive, it's anyone's guess how long you could be waiting before someone leaves to make room. Sandwiches $8.95. 
• 🌍 South Mountain Grille (Top of the World, Soaring Eagle Lodge), ☏ +1 304-572-2990. Dinner W-M 5-10PM; brunch Su 10AM-3PM; Tap Room W-Sa 11AM-6PM. 
• Starbucks (Village), ☏ +1 304-572-5747. 
• Sunset Cantina (Village), ☏ +1 304-572-5710. Good but overpriced Tex-Mex food and drinks. Sandwiches $11-15; burritos or fajitas $18-24; sangria $29/pitcher. 
• Tuque's (Corduroy Inn, across the street from Western Territory, upstairs from Appalachia Kitchen), ☏ +1 304-572-2030. Th-Su 4PM-close. Lunch soups, sandwiches, and poutine, the French-Canadian dish of French fries with brown gravy and cheese curds. Dinner same as Appalachia Kitchen. Live music F Sa 4:30-6:30PM. 
• Waffle Cabin. Daily 9AM-4:30PM. Shacks offering Belgian sugar waffles, just big enough for a snack. Stand around and eat them while they're hot and crispy. Even plain they may be the best waffles you've had in a long time, but powdered sugar is free or you can add chocolate syrup if you crave a bit more flavor. (In the summer they offer ice cream waffle sandwiches.) Waffle $4.75, chocolate syrup $1. Hot and cold drinks $1.50-4.50. 
  • 🌍 Waffle Cabin (Village, top of Ballhooter lift). 
  • 🌍 Waffle Cabin (Silver Creek, Village, top of Ballhooter lift). 

• Brandi's (Inn at Snowshoe), ☏ +1 304-572-6508. 
• 🌍 Elk River Inn & Restaurant, 34037 Seneca Trail, Slatyfork, ☏ +1 304-572-3771, toll-free: +1-866-572-3771. Fine dining made with local produce. Salads and appetizers $7-13, mains $17-32. 
• 🌍 The Fiddlehead, 50 Cass Rd, Slatyfork (corner of US-219 & WV-66), ☏ +1 304-572-2121. W-Sa 4-10PM. A surprisingly good restaurant, good enough to get away with calling itself a "gastropub" despite the rural location. Burgers, excellent hand-cut fries, and artisan pizzas, as well as some good vegetarian options, and a good selection of local beers on tap. Live music some nights. There's also a telescope on the back patio. (updated Feb 2019)
• 🌍 The Last Run Restaurant, 242 Main St, WV-66, Cass (WV-66, 6 miles east from the back entrance to Snowshoe Dr), ☏ +1 304-456-9952. Daily 8AM-8PM. Reportedly good homestyle American meals, including some gluten-free items and farm-to-table foods. 
• Route 66 Subs & Pizza Shop, 598 Cass Rd (WV-66, HC 69 Box 24E), ☏ +1 304-572-2200. Pizza, sandwiches, and breakfast all day. Delivery, and carry-out beer. 16-inch specialty pizza $15-19, sandwiches $5-7. 

Almost all of the lodgings on the mountain are privately owned and maintained, but rented by the resort. As a result, search and booking are blissfully simple: just use Snowshoe Mountain's website to search for the type and quality of lodging you want. (You can also request a specific unit when you book [probably only by phone], so if you return to Snowshoe and like a unit you stayed at previously, you can stay at the exact same place again if it's available.)

However, because units are maintained by their individual owners, it's difficult to give recommendations, since even adjacent rooms may be of totally different quality. The good news is, it appears that even "Economy" quality lodgings are in excellent condition: good quality furnishing, "full" kitchens that really are full (dishes, pots and pans, and utensils), etc. Higher-ranked units may include niceties such as granite kitchen countertops.

Most lodgings that advertise ski-in ski-out aren't ski-in ski-out. They're still close, but you'll have a few minutes walk. Check the "Policies" at the bottom of each location's webpage. They all start with "Approximate distance to slopes", which varies from "adjacent" (which will only be true for certain units) to "short walk" (it will specify how many yards) to "take the shuttle".

• 🌍 Inn at Snowshoe, 10 Snowshoe Dr (adjacent to the entrance to Snowshoe Dr up the mountain), ☏ +1 304-572-1000. Managed and booked through Snowshoe Mountain. Standard hotel rooms and one-bedroom condos. Shuttles take you up and down the mountain. 
• 🌍 Bear Creek Lodge, Route 66, Cass (WV-66, 6.5 miles east from the back entrance to Snowshoe Dr). 
• 🌍 Brazenhead Inn, 29096 Seneca Trail, Mingo (US-219, 7 miles north from WV-66), ☏ +1 304-339-6917. Quaint wooden building with homey entryway and wrap-around patios to enjoy when the weather's suitable. All rooms have queen beds; upstairs rooms add a full bed in a loft reachable by a precariously steep and slippery ladder. Rooms are small, but adequate if all you want is a place to sleep. Meal package available, with dinner W-Su and breakfast and lunch Sa-Su. There's also a bar where you can have a pint with your friends or fellow travelers. Winter $99-119/night, summer $79-99/night. 
• 🌍 Cass Inn, 100 1st Ave, Cass (WV-66, 6 miles east from the back entrance to Snowshoe Dr). 
• 🌍 Elk River Inn & Restaurant, 34037 Seneca Trail, Slatyfork, ☏ +1 304-572-3771, toll-free: +1-866-572-3771. 
• 🌍 Morning Glory Inn, 71 Spring Rd, Slatyfork (US-219, 2 miles southeast from WV-66), ☏ +1 304-572-5000. 
• 🌍 Nakiska Chalet Bed & Breakfast, HC 73, Box 24, Dry Branch Rd, Valley Head, ☏ +1 304-339-6309. 
• 🌍 Sharp's Historical B&B (US-219, 1.5 miles north from WV-66). 

Most of the lodgings on the mountain offer free Wi-Fi. Whistlepunk also has wired Internet access.

Public Wi-Fi spots:

• Starbucks
• The Big Top
• Shavers Center
• 5Bars Connectivity Center (Village, Seneca). 10AM-8PM. Wi-Fi, wired Internet, and decent cell coverage, with desks and chairs so you can get some work done. Printer coming soon (as of 2015).