Whether it’s skiing, sledding or soaking in holiday lights, a West Virginia winter is pure magic.
By Amy Deal
HQ 128 | Winter 2025
Winter in West Virginia is a season of wonder, where landscapes transform into a snowy playground for both outdoor enthusiasts and those seeking a cozy, scenic retreat. While skiers of all ages carve their way down the slopes of West Virginia’s top resorts, snow tubing at Canaan Valley and Snowshoe offers non-skiers their own dose of winter excitement. When it’s time to slow down, the historic Greenbrier Resort offers a winter escape with sleigh rides and cozy fireside evenings, while the Oglebay Festival of Lights dazzles with 6 miles of enchanting holiday displays. From quiet moments to exhilarating memories, West Virginia does winter right.
Skiing at the Big Four
Canaan Valley Resort, with four lifts, 47 runs and 850 feet of elevation changes, is an ideal family-friendly ski destination. With more than half the terrain dedicated to beginner and intermediate slopes, it’s accessible to all levels. In addition to skiing, Canaan Valley offers snowboarding, tubing and ice skating.
Winterplace Ski Resort is conveniently located and easily accessible from Beckley, Charleston and Lewisburg. Located right off the interstate, it offers night skiing, making it a perfect after-hours destination.
Timberline Mountain, which recently underwent a $15 million renovation, includes West Virginia’s only six-person high-speed chair lift. With slopes for beginners to intermediates, there is something for the whole family to enjoy.
Snowshoe Mountain Resort is not only West Virginia’s largest ski resort, but it also offers the highest total elevation drop. With lifts serving 251 acres and runs that approach 1,500 feet, it boasts the longest and steepest slopes in the eastern U.S. south of New England.
Snow Skiing, Tubing and Sledding Galore
Snow sport enthusiasts from around the world come to West Virginia each winter to take advantage of the state’s tubing and sledding runs. Canaan Valley Resort offers runs that are 1,200 feet long, making it the longest tubing park in the region. Winterplace Resort, West Virginia’s largest snow tubing park, is home to 14 lanes of fun and two “magic carpet”-style lifts that function like conveyor belts, carrying visitors smoothly to the top of the slopes. For the ultimate thrill, visit Snowshoe Resort’s Coca-Cola Tube Park; this six-story, eight-lane park offers a spacious party deck that comes alive at night with an LED light show. At Blackwater Falls State Park, take a nostalgic ride down the hillsides in an old-time sled, enjoying the crisp mountain air as you descend the quarter-mile trail. You can also cross-country ski over 10 miles of trails.
The resorts offer deals and packages all winter long that often include accommodations and tickets for the tubing parks.
Historical Charm, Holiday Magic
The winter season provides a wonderful opportunity to explore what makes The Greenbrier “America’s resort,” featuring activities like sleigh rides, ice skating and fly fishing. For those who prefer indoor pursuits, the resort has plenty to offer, including cooking classes, family trivia nights, painting workshops for the kids and Wine & Design events. The excitement is heightened during themed weekends like Murder Mystery, Brews & Bourbon, Valentine’s Day and President’s Day. History Weekend is also a highlight, offering guests a glimpse into the history of the resort dating back to 1778, showing exactly why The Greenbrier was recently named Best Historical Hotel by Newsweek. For those wanting to start the New Year focused on health and well-being, the Greenbrier Mineral Spa and Greenbrier Clinic offer a weekend centered entirely on rejuvenation.
The Oglebay Festival of Lights is a 6-mile drive featuring more than 100 dazzling holiday displays. Attractions include a snowman family, American flag, country church and Hanukkah menorah — just to name a few. The displays come to life through synchronized music and sound effects. Open every night including holidays from dusk to midnight, the festival requests a donation of $30 per vehicle, which grants visitors a season pass to use throughout the holidays and an Oglebay Rewards Book. Experts suggest visiting early in the week to avoid crowds and following the website directions rather than GPS. Staying at the lodge? You can enjoy the lights from the comfort of the Oglebay Trolley. Afterward, the Winter Carnival awaits, with ice skating, wagon rides and the Snowflake Express Train.
