Timberline Mountain Opens

Beginners line up for the magic carpet and Timberline Mountains opening day.

Getting an Early Start

The first day of ski season has arrived in Canaan Valley as Timberline Mountain opens for the 2021/’22 ski season.  After a successful preview weekend on November 27th, where the resort opened up forty-five percent of their terrain to skiers and snowboarders, the official opening date of December 3rd was announced.

To the astonishment of seasoned veterans of Canaan Valley, the two-mile-long beginner trail Salamander and slope-side house lined Winterset Trail were open with abundant man-made snow. In past years these trails would not be open until after Christmas. In total four slopes were open from the top of the mountain to the bottom.

We have had natural snowfall here in the Allegheny Mountains but without snowmaking none of this would be possible.  Before the season got underway, I had the opportunity to meet up with the Director of Operations for Timberline Mountain to talk about all that goes into the snowmaking operation and getting Timberline Mountain open for the ’21/’22 winter. For the full story click the YouTube video below.

Ski Season is Here

Zipping up West Virginia’s only high speed six-person chairlift can be as exciting as the run down.  This behemoth travels at 11 miles per hour and will have you to the top of the mountain in less than 5 minutes. Instead of 3 runs per hour you can now do six!

The excitement for ski season was obvious with slope side houses filled up on Dew Drop, Winterset, and Salamander ski trails. Terrain Park enthusiasts were lapping two rail features set up so that even some good airtime could be had. Every way you looked there were smiles full of fun and faces kissed with vitamin D as the weather cooperated for a beautiful bluebird day.

When the lodge was redone in 2021 special attention was put towards the deck that was at one time multi-level.  Prime time viewing is had from the ground floor deck that is easily accessible to all or from the 2nd level Slippery Slope Bar and Grill.  The burgers could not be flipped fast enough for the enthusiastic snowboarders and skiers on opening day.

To learn more about Timberline Mountain and all the ski areas in Canaan Valley visit our website at canaanvalley.org. There is also loads more to do during winter like outdoor ice skating, browsing the cool towns of Davis and Thomas, or sledding on the east coasts longest sledding run. We hope to see you this year on the slopes!

Cheers,

Brian