The snow starting falling yesterday afternoon (Nov. 4^th) and has been snowing off and on all day today!  This is the first true snow of the season.  The forecast says we should get 2-4 inches tonight and an additional 1-2 inches tomorrow.  I’m sure it won’t last long since the ground is not frozen.  But it’s still exciting to see the first snow of the season.  It’s time to start getting your winter gear out and ready for the season. This is Mother Nature’s reminder that Ski Season is around the corner.  Make your holiday reservations NOW!  Holidays always fill up fast and you don’t want to miss out.  Especially after the winter we had last year, over 250 inches of snow.    We are hoping for another winter just like it!  

On the way to work this morning and I passed a State Road crew headed out to Cortland Road in the Valley to start installing snow fencing!  It won’t be long now and we have already received a little of the white stuff! Which reminds me…If you are considering a ski/wintersports vacation over the Christmas – New Years holiday period, I would strongly suggest getting started on obtaining lodging.  The best properties tend to book fairly early and I would want you to have a good selection!  I spoke with one of the Vacation Rental companies and he indicated that the reservations were coming in fast and furious!!  Feel free to visit http://www.skithevalley.com to get information for vacation planning!  Timberline and Canaan Valley Resorts are gearing up for another fantastic season of winter fun!  Yes, the drive is a little longer than other ski areas, but skiing at Canaan Valley Resorts and Timberline offer a real “High Mountain Experience”!  Just ask anyone that was here last year!!

Bring in the New Year in Tucker County, WV there’s plenty going on.  Both ski resorts are open with 50+ trails between the two of them.  Night skiing is now offered and worth experiencing under the full moon for New Year’s Eve night. 

Timberline Resort will be hosting their annual Big New Year’s Extravaganza from 5pm to 2am.  The Extravaganza includes New Year’s Eve buffet dinner, live entertainment, party favors and a champagne toast at midnight!  For reservations and more information 304-866-4801 or 800-766-9464 www.timberlineresort.com

Canaan Valley Resort End of the Year Celebration includes something for the whole family.  The Family Bash begins at 6pm and lasts until 12:30am.  This celebration offers dinner, a DJ, family games, contests, and party favors.  For the adults the Hickory Room is hosting a New Year’s Eve menu, champagne toast, party favors and the midnight bash at the Laurel Lounge, all for $45!  If you are looking to just celebrate then head to the Laurel Lounge for the midnight bash with Brother Short from 9pm to 1am, $5 cover charge.  For reservations and more information 304-866-2141 ext. 2651 or 800-622-4121 www.canaanresort.com

White Grass Cross Country Touring Center and Café will be hosting a New Year’s Eve Carefree Snowshoe Tour at 1pm.  This is your chance to appreciate the simple beauty of snowshoeing.  At the café they will have a New Year’s Eve buffet and live music by Matt Lambert.  Reservations are strongly suggested.  Check out the dinner menu at www.whitegrass.com and call for reservations 304-866-4114

The Purple Fiddle is hosting the Hillbilly Gypsies and the Fox Hunt to open for their New Year’s Eve Celebration.  The show begins at 9pm and includes party favors and champagne at midnight.  Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 the day of the show.  For the late folks starting at 11:15pm tickets will be $10.  For more information and advance ticket purchases 304-463-4040 www.purplefiddle.com   We always suggest going early, seats fill up fast!

The Mountain State Brew Pub will be hosting a New Year’s Eve “Trailer Park” Party starting at 8pm.  Come out and party like your hanging in the trailer park!  Come in and costume and be ready to dance.  www.mountainstatebrewing.com 304-463-4500

Please be careful and have fun this New Year’s Eve and Happy New Year!

I had the opportunity to get out and enjoy some of the downhill ski offerings over the weekend and what a weekend it was!  By the end of the day on Saturday the 19^th, over 24” had fallen on the mountains and skiing was superb!  Deep pow-pow before the Holidays??  It has happened before, but not in a while.  Both Canaan and Timberline continue to open new terrain and the forecast is favorable straight through Christmas.

 

If you are considering a winter holiday vacation, start planning now!  There are still good lodging selections available and the ski hills are in fantastic shape!

Over 2 feet of snow has fallen in the last 2 days in Tucker County and it’s still snowing.  This is the 2^nd largest 2-day snow storm for the Canaan Valley area.  Canaan Valley Resort opened with 30 trails today, December 20^th!  Timberline Resort opened with 5 trails, but is working hard on getting more open.  Of course, White Grass Cross Country Touring Center is open with 44 trails.  Mother Nature has blessed us with an incredible snow storm!  Finally, our prayers have been answered.  The best part is it’s not over yet; snow is in the forecast for the beginning of next week too!  It’s time to come enjoy the record snow storm.  For all of those traveling in, please be careful.  Take your time and go slow!  The roads are still covered with snow. 

Round 2 of cleaning the side walks in Davis. Taken Saturday afternoon.

   

Official snow depths and current weather was provided by www.canaanweather.4t.com

For more pictures of the snow storm, go to our flickr page.

Ski Season has begun for Tucker County.  It was a blue bird day with impeccable conditions to start of the season.  Both resorts opened December 12-13^th, Timberline Resort has closed temporarily through the week to finish working on snowmaking and will reopen Friday, December 18^th.  Canaan Valley Resort is still open and looking at possibly opening night skiing a week early.  White Grass is rocking out the cross country as long as Mother Nature is cooperating.  They work very hard on maintaining their snow farm!

New to our valley, Snowboard Appreciation Day hosted by Highland Prospects.  Our very own outdoor resource store, Highland Prospects is now selling snowboards.  They will be hosting Snowboard Appreciation Days throughout the season at both Timberline and Canaan Valley Resort.  The started off at Canaan Valley Resort on Saturday with a 20ft box and ollie poles for everyone to jib on.  On display were their new lines of snowboards, Technine and Arbor.   We’ll keep you posted on the next Snowboard Appreciation Day. 

Owners, Ben and Jeremy from Highland Prospects

Go to our flickr page for more photos!

Both Ski Resorts, Timberline and Canaan Valley Resort, have changed their opening day to December 12^th!  After the foot of snow we received last weekend, the resorts are feeling very confident with their new opening day.  Please keep an eye on both resorts website for updates on opening day and hours of operation, www.timberlineresort.com and www.canaanresort.com   Things can change depending on weather.  So say a little prayer to Mother Nature and do your snow dance! 

Check out our Ski the Valley website for information on the Ski the Valley lift ticket.  On ONE easy ticket for ONE great price, you can ski TWO mountains for TWO days!

It’s Friday the 4^th of December and the weather is finally taking a turn for the better.  Continued cold and snow with the high today not exceeding the freezing point and 1”-3” expected tomorrow.  Both resorts (Canaan Valley and Timberline) are making snow at a frantic pace and both expect to be open for skiing and riding next weekend.  If you are considering visiting the Valley over the Christmas/New Years’ holiday, NOW would be a good time to start making lodging arrangements!  Check out this (short) clip of snowmaking at Timberline shot today. Snowmaking at Timberline Resort 12/4/09 Snowmaking at Timberline on our Flickr site

I hope your ski gear is pulled out and you’re getting ready for ski season because it’s SNOWING in Tucker County.  Thanksgiving weekend we received 6 inches of SNOW and more to come the rest of the week!  Canaan Valley Resort started to make snow over the weekend and Timberline is scheduled to make snow as early as this week.   Timberline’s scheduled opening day is December 10^th and Canaan Valley is scheduled for December 11^th, weather permitting.  Keep up with the snow dances and prayers, to insure a prompt opening day.  White Grass Cross Country Touring Center was able to open for a brief period this past weekend.  Their annual Jack Frost Celebration will take place December 5^th and 6^th.  This weekend is in honor of Jack Frost and the beginning of winter.  Trail work, Saturday evening Celebration and a Sunday brunch will ensure a fun filled weekend, with Adventure Tours available weather dependent.  Contact White Grass for more information at 304-866-41144 or www.whitegrass.com

I’m torn…between this beautiful weather and winter.  Tucker County has been enjoying highs in the 60’s with an abundant of sunshine and blue skies.  Who wouldn’t love this weather….well us winter lovers, that’s who.  But no reason to panic yet, there is still plenty of time to make snow.  With that being said…I guess the only thing left to do is enjoy this weather.  Come out and get a late season hike or bike ride in.  The weather is incredible!  Hurry though, because us winter lovers are doing our snow dances and prayers.  For those planning their winter holiday, make your reservations now.  Holidays always fill up first.  Pray for snow, but in the mean time enjoy the warm weather!