It's a land that's as spectacular in summerand, swathed in green grass, as it is in fall, ablaze with orange and red, and in winter, blanketed with snow. Few sights are as awe-inspiring as the glistening wintry hills of West Virginia. Its mountains rise high above ancient rivers-the New, the Cheat and the Gauley-where fishing and white-water rafting attract thousands each year. More than a million acres of national and state forests protect the splendor of this land, where 'wash' is pronounced 'warsh,' fierce pride is abundant and warm greetings are a daily habit.
Charleston, West Virginia's capital, is a modern cultural mecca, home to museums and concert halls. This winter's lineup at Charleston's Clay Center for Arts and Sciences includes the comedic group Capitol Steps, Lily Tomlin, Barbara Eden and Hal Linden, as well as the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra.
Visitors from around the country also come to West Virginia for the best skiing east of the Rockies. Two of these visitors are Dale and Jan Ramsey, Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) level 3 instructors who live outside D.C. and teach at West Virginia's Snowshoe Mountain as often as they can. The skiing conditions and the locals' friendliness brought Dale back to the area 20 years after he lived there as a college student.
Dale says he and Jan have skied the country's best, but were drawn to West Virginia because of the conditions and the people. "The reason we're still there is that everyone was so friendly, and Jan was made to feel so welcome, she loved it."
North Carolina native Will Chandler, who honed his skiing skills in the West Virginia mountains years ago, recalls that the car ride seemed to take forever, but "I knew how much fun it was going to be, so I couldn't wait to get up there and get out in the cold air." He also praised the instructors, one of whom taught him to ski backwards. That instructor was among the many skiing enthusiasts who commute from the D.C. area each weekend to enjoy some of the best skiing in the country.
With four major resorts, there's a lot to love in West Virginia. Seventy-five percent of the state is forested, making it a wonderland of alpine and cross-country trails, terrain parks, first-class instruction, gourmet food and cozy accommodations.
SKI RESORTS
Oglebay Resort
While West Virginia skiing is best known for its challenging vertical runs, it also offers an ideal spot for beginners at the newly reopened Oglebay Resort. With a top elevation of 815 feet and a vertical drop of 168 feet, the resort provides instruction in skiing and snowboarding. Nearby Wilson Lodge features 212 rooms and suites, as well as 49 cottages. The resort is on Route 88N, four miles off I-70 at exit 2A in Wheeling.
Canaan Valley Resort
Celebrating its 35th anniversary, Canaan Valley Resort is offering a bevy of specials, including $35 lodging, 35-cent food and beverages, and more. The state's first commercial ski area, it offers free lodging, breakfast and skiing to children staying at the lodge through the 35th anniversary season.The resort introduced snow bodyboarding last year, and the sport has become very popular. Like an ocean-faring bodyboard, the Airboard® is inflatable and grooved on the underside. Although snow bodyboarding is easy to learn, the resort does require a one-hour lesson prior to heading out on the slopes. Get ready for some action: Jumps and bumps come with the territory. "Those brave enough will be able to catch major air and... try their hand at a barrel roll," says Troy Cardwell, the resort's general manager. Other improvements include added features in the ski and snowboard terrain parks, as well as night skiing and tubing on Friday and Saturday until 9 p.m.The lodge, which is Mobil three-star rated, includes 250 guest rooms, arcade, indoor pool and a large dining room where the food is moderately priced as well as tasty. There are also rental cabins and ice skating.
Timberline Four Seasons Resort
Only a mile or two from Canaan Valley sits Timberline Four Seasons Resort.Timberline's Herz Mountain has a peak elevation of 4,628 feet and a vertical rise of 1,000 feet. The resort's 36 trails, classified as easiest, intermediate and expert, offer something for everyone. Timberline also boasts the south's longest ski trail-two-mile Salamander Run. This season, the resort features an expanded trail system, 60 new stationary snow guns and a new surface lift. Upper White Lightning, a popular expert slope, has been widened along most of its length as well. The Fireside Grill and Timbers Pub are open for hungry and thirsty skiers.
Winterplace Ski Resort
Claiming both the longest skiing day and the highest snowmaking capacity in the southeast, Winterplace Ski Resort near Beckley offers 27 trails, a snowboarding park and tubing on 16 lanes. Skiers with an all-day lift ticket can play until 10 p.m. seven days a week.Emphasizing its commitment to instruction, the resort has made its teaching area eight times larger. Two new carpet lifts, much like airports' moving walkways, transport skiers safely to the top of the teaching area. The resort's Skiwee program, for kids aged four to 11, offers instruction in skiing and/or snowboarding, equipment and warm lunches.The resort is at exit 28 off I-77 near Beckley. Call 800-607-SNOW (7669). Visit their website at www.winterplace.com for more information and current specials.Coupled with Winterplace is the Resort at Glade Springs. Ski and lodge programs are available for individuals or groups of three dozen or more. Accommodations include private suites and manor houses. Don't miss out on the full-service spa's selection of therapeutic and beauty services, or the fitness center's Nautilus equipment and free weights. Resort guests are encouraged to hit the slopes early, so they have time to enjoy the ice-skating rink, the arcade or indoor basketball in the recreational center. This winter, the resort has added an indoor pool and bowling alley. When weather permits, the equestrian center offers trail rides, hay rides or sleigh rides around the resort.Glade Springs offers full breakfasts (which can be boxed to go) as well as buffets at the lodge and vouchers good at Winterplace. A shuttle between the two runs every hour. At peak times, especially holidays, the food court at Winterplace can be overly crowded. Prospective diners can bide their time on the food court's large outdoor deck or try out the mid-mountain restaurant, where sitting on the deck offers a fantastic view.
Snowshoe Resort
Farther north, near Elkins, the 11,000-acre Snowshoe Resort, which includes Silver Creek ski area, boasts 57 trails at an elevation of 4,848 feet. The region is also home to Cass Scenic Railroad, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Durbin & Green Railroad, Cranberry Mountain Nature Center and the birthplace of Pearl S. Buck.This November, Snowshoe Resort unveiled its new detachable quad lift, Soaring Eagle Express. It replaces the Widowmaker lift and reduces ride time from nine minutes to less than three, transporting 2,400 skiers every hour.Novices are often seen standing at the top of 1.5-mile-long black diamond Cupp Run, wondering what would possess someone to jump into that 1,500-foot vertical drop. Nevertheless, Cupp Run and its sister trail, Shay's Revenge, are two of the most popular runs on the east coast. For less daring vacationers, Snowshoe's 57 trails offer a range of possibilities: 41% easier, 36% more difficult and 23% most difficult.Snowboarding, tubing and snowmobiling are available at the resort, which features the largest all-snow halfpipe in the region at 450 feet. There's a 600-foot tubing hill at Silver Creek, and a shuttle that runs regularly between Snowshoe and Silver Creek for easy access to the 234 acres of skiable territory. Snowshoe closes at 4:30 p.m. each day; Silver Creek stays open until 9:00 p.m.Dale Ramsey recommends that beginners lodge at the top of Snowshoe Mountain, but ski at Silver Creek. "It's warmer; the snow's better; and it's not crowded," he says. Best of all, Silver Creek has an expert hot chocolate-maker who the Ramsey children have dubbed Whipped Cream Steve. "We're coming from the land of Type-A behavior [inside the DC Beltway]. We love it [in West Virginia] because everyone's friendly. I consider some of my best friends to be there," Dale says. He also says those folks returning to skiing after an extended absence should chuck their old skis in favor of the new shaped equipment. "We've learned a lot [about ski design] from the snowboarders."Renowned as a mountaintop village, Snowshoe has 20 restaurants, one nightclub, a 15,400-square-foot interactive family center, condos and lodge rooms as well as homes for rent.
OTHER RESORTS
The Retreat on White Rock Mountain (visit www.livesouth.com/west-virginia for more information)
Built on an expansive 900 acres at the top of White Rock Mountain (elevation 3,172 feet), The Retreat is located on one of the highest peaks in the Allegheny Mountains. The sweeping 360- degree views of the lush Greenbrier Valley and the horizon beyond offer a rare and unique perspective. The community is dedicated to preserving the natural beauty of the mountaintop and region through environmentally sensitive development methods.The Retreat is located in historic Lewisburg, West Virginia. Founded in 1782, Lewisburg includes a 235-acre historic district with a wealth of museums and historic sites. Lewisburg's allure is its appealing mix of small-town qualities-friendliness and a warm sense of community-and big city attractions like Carnegie Hall, the Greenbrier Valley Theatre, art galleries, specialty stores, restaurants and cafés. For more information call 866-303-8439.
The Greenbrier
The state's famed White Sulphur Springs have attracted visitors since 1778, when The Greenbrier was built around its healing waters. Fueled by railroad money, The Greenbrier has become one of the world's premiere luxury resorts. More than 50 recreational activities are offered here, including tennis, sporting clays, croquet, horseback riding, hot air ballooning, carriage rides, falconry, fishing, trap and skeet shooting, swimming and bowling. There's a movie theater, off-road driving school, golf academy, spa and three championship golf courses. While shopping at the 30 retail stores located around the property, be sure to visit the puzzle maker, a local gentleman who delights in making and selling his own designs guaranteed to keep you up at night.The resort's 6,500 acres include a culinary center with gourmet cooking classes, off-road driving school, and 55-foot Alpine Tower. Greenbrier's spa, expanded by more than 12,000 feet in 2000, delights guests with seasonal specials such as a pumpkin soufflé body treatment, along with Zephyr hydrotherapy tubs, Vichy showers, massages, facials, laser treatments for complexion improvement and hair removal, as well as Botox® and other medically-based services. A full-service medical clinic is attached to the spa.Underneath it all hides one of the resort's more interesting, and formerly secret, features. A relocation bunker was constructed during the Cold War to house Congress in the event of a nuclear incident. The government denied its existence until Washington Post writer Ted Gup exposed the truth in 1992. The newly-renovated bunker is open for tours from March through December.For an unusual overnight getaway, call the folks at Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad for a ride to remote Piney Island in the Durbin Rocket's Wabash Caboose. Once there, the caboose separates from the train, leaving you in the Hevener Station picnic area for the night. The caboose holds up to four adults and includes a refrigerator, range heat, linens, etc. and a modern shower and restroom from $200 per night.
Rather Tee Than Ski?
In addition to The Greenbrier resort's three championship courses, West Virginia boasts more than 100 golf courses. Here are a few:Glade Springs recently renovated their 18-hole George W. Cobb course to more than 7,000 yards and has opened Stonehaven at 7,203 yards. Both operate year-round, except when January or February snows freeze the ground. The resort offers ski/golf packages as well.Golf Digest awarded four stars to the Geoffrey Cornish course at Canaan Valley. Its 65 sand bunkers on 6,984 yards are open from April through mid-November. Gary Player designed Raven Golf at Snowshoe with 7,042 yards from the back tees and vertical drops of as much as 200 feet. Like the other courses mentioned here, Raven Golf has been recognized by industry magazines.Stonewall, the state's newest resort, is located in Stonewall Jackson Resort State Park. In addition to its Arnold Palmer-designed 18-hole championship golf course, the resort offers lakeside cottages, dining, indoor and outdoor pools, a full-service spa and nature programs. The resort and park are located just off the I-79 Roanoke exit in north-central West Virginia. Built on a reclaimed surface mine site, Twisted Gun is a 7,015-yard links-style course built by Arch Coal and Premium Energy Corporation. The U.S. Department of Interior named it one of the nation's best reclamation sites.
Oakhurst Resort (http://www.livesouth.com/west-virginia/oakhurst)
For an authentic golfing experience, travel to White Sulphur Springs, where Oakhurst Golf Club was established in 1884, restored in 1994, and placed on the Register of Historic Places in 2000. Property owner Lewis Keller and architect Bob Cupp painstakingly reconstructed the original 2,235-yard course to its true 19th-century appearance. The original farmhouse serves as clubhouse and museum. Golfers are given two balls made of period gutta-percha sap, imported from Birmingham, England, and a set of five hickory shafted clubs: driving spoon, long iron, lofted iron, long nose putter and rut iron. A gated community of some 350 homesites is being added to the property, along with a Nicklaus Design golf course and 7,500-square-foot clubhouse, projected to open in June 2007. The resort will emphasize luxury family amenities such as an equestrian center, ski trails and a spa and fitness center.
THERE'S MORE TO WEST VIRGINIA THAN SKIING AND GOLF.
At New River Gorge, adventurers can climb 1,600 routes, most suitable for advanced and expert climbers. Fishing here and in the state's other rivers is challenging and rewarding year-round. The gorge is crowned by a dramatic 876-foot-high, 3,030-foot-long bridge that cost $37 million to construct. Built in 1977, the bridge reduced a treacherous 40-minute drive down narrow mountain roads to a trip of less than one minute. On the third Saturday of October, 250,000 people celebrate Bridge Day with organized walks, parachuting and rappelling demonstrations, music and vendors.
The New River Gorge Preserve
This private community looks out at the river gorge and the New River Gorge Bridge. New River Gorge Preserve (www.livesouth.com/west-virginia/new-river-gorge-preserve) offers unequaled views and superior amenities within its two neighborhoods, Bridgeview Estates and the Ledges. Both are nestled inconspicuously within the New River Gorge along the border of the New River Gorge National River park boundary, offering breathtaking scenery in a secluded forest setting with modern conveniences nearby. For more information visit www.nrgpreserve.com or call 304-574-1802. New River Gorge National River Park is open year-round (except on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's) with visitor's centers at Canyon Rim and Sandstone. Several local outfitters provide equipment and expertise to make your river adventure truly memorable. Blackwater Falls State Park is a fantastic spot for fishing. A lodge and cabins are available, and the lodge restaurant is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with buffets on weekends and peak seasons. Make your stay complete with the indoor pool, hot tub and fitness room. ATVers, motorcyclists, off-road cyclists and equestrians won't want to miss out on the Hatfield McCoy Trail System, which boasts over 500 miles of trails through rocky, mountainous terrains. Rentals and trail maps are available and permits are required. The North Bend Rail Trail, operated by West Virginia State Parks, is open only to bicyclists, equestrians and hikers. This abandoned CSX spur stretches 72 miles from I-77 near Parkersburg to Harrison County, passing through 13 tunnels and 36 bridges. Camping and cabins are at North Bend State Park. Call 304-643-2931 or visit www.northbendsp.com.Dolly Sods Wilderness Area occupies 10,215 acres on the Alleghany Plateau. Open year-round except during winter storms, the area ranges from 2,600 to 4,000 feet in elevation. Sods aficionado Andy Hiltz says, "It's the only place I've visited on the East Coast where I could almost imagine I was in Alaska." (www.patc.net/hiking/destinations/dolysods.html) Located within Monongahela National Forest's 919,000 acres near Seneca Rocks, Dolly Sods is teeming with wildlife, among them black bear, whitetail deer, wild turkey, grouse, snowshoe hare, bobcats and a few snakes. Hikers should be very careful of unexploded mortars, as the area was used as a practice range for WWII troop training.Nearby Seneca Rocks is a 900-foot-high formation of white/gray Tuscarora quartzite, approximately 250 feet thick and 440 million years old, at the edge of an ancient ocean. Two climbing schools are located nearby, and an interpretative trail for non-climbers ends at a viewing platform. The visitor's center is closed from November 29th through March 5th. According to the Legend of Seneca Rocks, Snow Bird, an adventurous Seneca princess, challenged potential bridegrooms to climb the rocks with her. Only seven of the tribe's young men attempted the feat, and only one of them reached the top. He stumbled and teetered on the edge, almost toppling over until she reached out to rescue him, convinced that he was brave enough to be worthy of her love. Seneca Rocks is located near Highways 33 and 55. At 4,861 feet above sea level, Spruce Knob is West Virginia's highest peak. One-sided trees, deformed by the strong westerly winds, attest to the area's harsh environment. Even in summer, visitors to Spruce Knob can experience cold fogs and strong winds. Roads are sometimes closed in winter due to snow. Spectacular views await visitors from the stone and steel observation tower atop the mountain. A half-mile trail circles the Knob, complete with interpretive signs that describe the area's vegetation, geology and animal life. Slightly south is a picnic area often frequented by songbirds and red squirrels.
GETTING THERE AND GETTING AROUND
Three interstates, I-64, I-77 and I-79, facilitate travel through and within the state. Amtrak passes through West Virginia, making ten stops, including White Sulphur Springs. There are thirty small airports, several of which offer commercial flights, but the only major airport is in Charleston. For more information and reservation contacts visit www.LiveSouth.com/WV.
(Article originally appeared in Ideal Destinations Magazine, Winter 2007)
About the Author
Teresa McLamb is a contributing writer for Living Southern Style and Ideal Destinations Magazine. For more information visit www.livesouth.com or www.idealdestinations.com
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Charleston, West Virginia's capital, is a modern cultural mecca, home to museums and concert halls. This winter's lineup at Charleston's Clay Center for Arts and Sciences includes the comedic group Capitol Steps, Lily Tomlin, Barbara Eden and Hal Linden, as well as the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra.
Visitors from around the country also come to West Virginia for the best skiing east of the Rockies. Two of these visitors are Dale and Jan Ramsey, Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) level 3 instructors who live outside D.C. and teach at West Virginia's Snowshoe Mountain as often as they can. The skiing conditions and the locals' friendliness brought Dale back to the area 20 years after he lived there as a college student.
Dale says he and Jan have skied the country's best, but were drawn to West Virginia because of the conditions and the people. "The reason we're still there is that everyone was so friendly, and Jan was made to feel so welcome, she loved it."
North Carolina native Will Chandler, who honed his skiing skills in the West Virginia mountains years ago, recalls that the car ride seemed to take forever, but "I knew how much fun it was going to be, so I couldn't wait to get up there and get out in the cold air." He also praised the instructors, one of whom taught him to ski backwards. That instructor was among the many skiing enthusiasts who commute from the D.C. area each weekend to enjoy some of the best skiing in the country.
With four major resorts, there's a lot to love in West Virginia. Seventy-five percent of the state is forested, making it a wonderland of alpine and cross-country trails, terrain parks, first-class instruction, gourmet food and cozy accommodations.
SKI RESORTS
Oglebay Resort
While West Virginia skiing is best known for its challenging vertical runs, it also offers an ideal spot for beginners at the newly reopened Oglebay Resort. With a top elevation of 815 feet and a vertical drop of 168 feet, the resort provides instruction in skiing and snowboarding. Nearby Wilson Lodge features 212 rooms and suites, as well as 49 cottages. The resort is on Route 88N, four miles off I-70 at exit 2A in Wheeling.
Canaan Valley Resort
Celebrating its 35th anniversary, Canaan Valley Resort is offering a bevy of specials, including $35 lodging, 35-cent food and beverages, and more. The state's first commercial ski area, it offers free lodging, breakfast and skiing to children staying at the lodge through the 35th anniversary season.The resort introduced snow bodyboarding last year, and the sport has become very popular. Like an ocean-faring bodyboard, the Airboard® is inflatable and grooved on the underside. Although snow bodyboarding is easy to learn, the resort does require a one-hour lesson prior to heading out on the slopes. Get ready for some action: Jumps and bumps come with the territory. "Those brave enough will be able to catch major air and... try their hand at a barrel roll," says Troy Cardwell, the resort's general manager. Other improvements include added features in the ski and snowboard terrain parks, as well as night skiing and tubing on Friday and Saturday until 9 p.m.The lodge, which is Mobil three-star rated, includes 250 guest rooms, arcade, indoor pool and a large dining room where the food is moderately priced as well as tasty. There are also rental cabins and ice skating.
Timberline Four Seasons Resort
Only a mile or two from Canaan Valley sits Timberline Four Seasons Resort.Timberline's Herz Mountain has a peak elevation of 4,628 feet and a vertical rise of 1,000 feet. The resort's 36 trails, classified as easiest, intermediate and expert, offer something for everyone. Timberline also boasts the south's longest ski trail-two-mile Salamander Run. This season, the resort features an expanded trail system, 60 new stationary snow guns and a new surface lift. Upper White Lightning, a popular expert slope, has been widened along most of its length as well. The Fireside Grill and Timbers Pub are open for hungry and thirsty skiers.
Winterplace Ski Resort
Claiming both the longest skiing day and the highest snowmaking capacity in the southeast, Winterplace Ski Resort near Beckley offers 27 trails, a snowboarding park and tubing on 16 lanes. Skiers with an all-day lift ticket can play until 10 p.m. seven days a week.Emphasizing its commitment to instruction, the resort has made its teaching area eight times larger. Two new carpet lifts, much like airports' moving walkways, transport skiers safely to the top of the teaching area. The resort's Skiwee program, for kids aged four to 11, offers instruction in skiing and/or snowboarding, equipment and warm lunches.The resort is at exit 28 off I-77 near Beckley. Call 800-607-SNOW (7669). Visit their website at www.winterplace.com for more information and current specials.Coupled with Winterplace is the Resort at Glade Springs. Ski and lodge programs are available for individuals or groups of three dozen or more. Accommodations include private suites and manor houses. Don't miss out on the full-service spa's selection of therapeutic and beauty services, or the fitness center's Nautilus equipment and free weights. Resort guests are encouraged to hit the slopes early, so they have time to enjoy the ice-skating rink, the arcade or indoor basketball in the recreational center. This winter, the resort has added an indoor pool and bowling alley. When weather permits, the equestrian center offers trail rides, hay rides or sleigh rides around the resort.Glade Springs offers full breakfasts (which can be boxed to go) as well as buffets at the lodge and vouchers good at Winterplace. A shuttle between the two runs every hour. At peak times, especially holidays, the food court at Winterplace can be overly crowded. Prospective diners can bide their time on the food court's large outdoor deck or try out the mid-mountain restaurant, where sitting on the deck offers a fantastic view.
Snowshoe Resort
Farther north, near Elkins, the 11,000-acre Snowshoe Resort, which includes Silver Creek ski area, boasts 57 trails at an elevation of 4,848 feet. The region is also home to Cass Scenic Railroad, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Durbin & Green Railroad, Cranberry Mountain Nature Center and the birthplace of Pearl S. Buck.This November, Snowshoe Resort unveiled its new detachable quad lift, Soaring Eagle Express. It replaces the Widowmaker lift and reduces ride time from nine minutes to less than three, transporting 2,400 skiers every hour.Novices are often seen standing at the top of 1.5-mile-long black diamond Cupp Run, wondering what would possess someone to jump into that 1,500-foot vertical drop. Nevertheless, Cupp Run and its sister trail, Shay's Revenge, are two of the most popular runs on the east coast. For less daring vacationers, Snowshoe's 57 trails offer a range of possibilities: 41% easier, 36% more difficult and 23% most difficult.Snowboarding, tubing and snowmobiling are available at the resort, which features the largest all-snow halfpipe in the region at 450 feet. There's a 600-foot tubing hill at Silver Creek, and a shuttle that runs regularly between Snowshoe and Silver Creek for easy access to the 234 acres of skiable territory. Snowshoe closes at 4:30 p.m. each day; Silver Creek stays open until 9:00 p.m.Dale Ramsey recommends that beginners lodge at the top of Snowshoe Mountain, but ski at Silver Creek. "It's warmer; the snow's better; and it's not crowded," he says. Best of all, Silver Creek has an expert hot chocolate-maker who the Ramsey children have dubbed Whipped Cream Steve. "We're coming from the land of Type-A behavior [inside the DC Beltway]. We love it [in West Virginia] because everyone's friendly. I consider some of my best friends to be there," Dale says. He also says those folks returning to skiing after an extended absence should chuck their old skis in favor of the new shaped equipment. "We've learned a lot [about ski design] from the snowboarders."Renowned as a mountaintop village, Snowshoe has 20 restaurants, one nightclub, a 15,400-square-foot interactive family center, condos and lodge rooms as well as homes for rent.
OTHER RESORTS
The Retreat on White Rock Mountain (visit www.livesouth.com/west-virginia for more information)
Built on an expansive 900 acres at the top of White Rock Mountain (elevation 3,172 feet), The Retreat is located on one of the highest peaks in the Allegheny Mountains. The sweeping 360- degree views of the lush Greenbrier Valley and the horizon beyond offer a rare and unique perspective. The community is dedicated to preserving the natural beauty of the mountaintop and region through environmentally sensitive development methods.The Retreat is located in historic Lewisburg, West Virginia. Founded in 1782, Lewisburg includes a 235-acre historic district with a wealth of museums and historic sites. Lewisburg's allure is its appealing mix of small-town qualities-friendliness and a warm sense of community-and big city attractions like Carnegie Hall, the Greenbrier Valley Theatre, art galleries, specialty stores, restaurants and cafés. For more information call 866-303-8439.
The Greenbrier
The state's famed White Sulphur Springs have attracted visitors since 1778, when The Greenbrier was built around its healing waters. Fueled by railroad money, The Greenbrier has become one of the world's premiere luxury resorts. More than 50 recreational activities are offered here, including tennis, sporting clays, croquet, horseback riding, hot air ballooning, carriage rides, falconry, fishing, trap and skeet shooting, swimming and bowling. There's a movie theater, off-road driving school, golf academy, spa and three championship golf courses. While shopping at the 30 retail stores located around the property, be sure to visit the puzzle maker, a local gentleman who delights in making and selling his own designs guaranteed to keep you up at night.The resort's 6,500 acres include a culinary center with gourmet cooking classes, off-road driving school, and 55-foot Alpine Tower. Greenbrier's spa, expanded by more than 12,000 feet in 2000, delights guests with seasonal specials such as a pumpkin soufflé body treatment, along with Zephyr hydrotherapy tubs, Vichy showers, massages, facials, laser treatments for complexion improvement and hair removal, as well as Botox® and other medically-based services. A full-service medical clinic is attached to the spa.Underneath it all hides one of the resort's more interesting, and formerly secret, features. A relocation bunker was constructed during the Cold War to house Congress in the event of a nuclear incident. The government denied its existence until Washington Post writer Ted Gup exposed the truth in 1992. The newly-renovated bunker is open for tours from March through December.For an unusual overnight getaway, call the folks at Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad for a ride to remote Piney Island in the Durbin Rocket's Wabash Caboose. Once there, the caboose separates from the train, leaving you in the Hevener Station picnic area for the night. The caboose holds up to four adults and includes a refrigerator, range heat, linens, etc. and a modern shower and restroom from $200 per night.
Rather Tee Than Ski?
In addition to The Greenbrier resort's three championship courses, West Virginia boasts more than 100 golf courses. Here are a few:Glade Springs recently renovated their 18-hole George W. Cobb course to more than 7,000 yards and has opened Stonehaven at 7,203 yards. Both operate year-round, except when January or February snows freeze the ground. The resort offers ski/golf packages as well.Golf Digest awarded four stars to the Geoffrey Cornish course at Canaan Valley. Its 65 sand bunkers on 6,984 yards are open from April through mid-November. Gary Player designed Raven Golf at Snowshoe with 7,042 yards from the back tees and vertical drops of as much as 200 feet. Like the other courses mentioned here, Raven Golf has been recognized by industry magazines.Stonewall, the state's newest resort, is located in Stonewall Jackson Resort State Park. In addition to its Arnold Palmer-designed 18-hole championship golf course, the resort offers lakeside cottages, dining, indoor and outdoor pools, a full-service spa and nature programs. The resort and park are located just off the I-79 Roanoke exit in north-central West Virginia. Built on a reclaimed surface mine site, Twisted Gun is a 7,015-yard links-style course built by Arch Coal and Premium Energy Corporation. The U.S. Department of Interior named it one of the nation's best reclamation sites.
Oakhurst Resort (http://www.livesouth.com/west-virginia/oakhurst)
For an authentic golfing experience, travel to White Sulphur Springs, where Oakhurst Golf Club was established in 1884, restored in 1994, and placed on the Register of Historic Places in 2000. Property owner Lewis Keller and architect Bob Cupp painstakingly reconstructed the original 2,235-yard course to its true 19th-century appearance. The original farmhouse serves as clubhouse and museum. Golfers are given two balls made of period gutta-percha sap, imported from Birmingham, England, and a set of five hickory shafted clubs: driving spoon, long iron, lofted iron, long nose putter and rut iron. A gated community of some 350 homesites is being added to the property, along with a Nicklaus Design golf course and 7,500-square-foot clubhouse, projected to open in June 2007. The resort will emphasize luxury family amenities such as an equestrian center, ski trails and a spa and fitness center.
THERE'S MORE TO WEST VIRGINIA THAN SKIING AND GOLF.
At New River Gorge, adventurers can climb 1,600 routes, most suitable for advanced and expert climbers. Fishing here and in the state's other rivers is challenging and rewarding year-round. The gorge is crowned by a dramatic 876-foot-high, 3,030-foot-long bridge that cost $37 million to construct. Built in 1977, the bridge reduced a treacherous 40-minute drive down narrow mountain roads to a trip of less than one minute. On the third Saturday of October, 250,000 people celebrate Bridge Day with organized walks, parachuting and rappelling demonstrations, music and vendors.
The New River Gorge Preserve
This private community looks out at the river gorge and the New River Gorge Bridge. New River Gorge Preserve (www.livesouth.com/west-virginia/new-river-gorge-preserve) offers unequaled views and superior amenities within its two neighborhoods, Bridgeview Estates and the Ledges. Both are nestled inconspicuously within the New River Gorge along the border of the New River Gorge National River park boundary, offering breathtaking scenery in a secluded forest setting with modern conveniences nearby. For more information visit www.nrgpreserve.com or call 304-574-1802. New River Gorge National River Park is open year-round (except on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's) with visitor's centers at Canyon Rim and Sandstone. Several local outfitters provide equipment and expertise to make your river adventure truly memorable. Blackwater Falls State Park is a fantastic spot for fishing. A lodge and cabins are available, and the lodge restaurant is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with buffets on weekends and peak seasons. Make your stay complete with the indoor pool, hot tub and fitness room. ATVers, motorcyclists, off-road cyclists and equestrians won't want to miss out on the Hatfield McCoy Trail System, which boasts over 500 miles of trails through rocky, mountainous terrains. Rentals and trail maps are available and permits are required. The North Bend Rail Trail, operated by West Virginia State Parks, is open only to bicyclists, equestrians and hikers. This abandoned CSX spur stretches 72 miles from I-77 near Parkersburg to Harrison County, passing through 13 tunnels and 36 bridges. Camping and cabins are at North Bend State Park. Call 304-643-2931 or visit www.northbendsp.com.Dolly Sods Wilderness Area occupies 10,215 acres on the Alleghany Plateau. Open year-round except during winter storms, the area ranges from 2,600 to 4,000 feet in elevation. Sods aficionado Andy Hiltz says, "It's the only place I've visited on the East Coast where I could almost imagine I was in Alaska." (www.patc.net/hiking/destinations/dolysods.html) Located within Monongahela National Forest's 919,000 acres near Seneca Rocks, Dolly Sods is teeming with wildlife, among them black bear, whitetail deer, wild turkey, grouse, snowshoe hare, bobcats and a few snakes. Hikers should be very careful of unexploded mortars, as the area was used as a practice range for WWII troop training.Nearby Seneca Rocks is a 900-foot-high formation of white/gray Tuscarora quartzite, approximately 250 feet thick and 440 million years old, at the edge of an ancient ocean. Two climbing schools are located nearby, and an interpretative trail for non-climbers ends at a viewing platform. The visitor's center is closed from November 29th through March 5th. According to the Legend of Seneca Rocks, Snow Bird, an adventurous Seneca princess, challenged potential bridegrooms to climb the rocks with her. Only seven of the tribe's young men attempted the feat, and only one of them reached the top. He stumbled and teetered on the edge, almost toppling over until she reached out to rescue him, convinced that he was brave enough to be worthy of her love. Seneca Rocks is located near Highways 33 and 55. At 4,861 feet above sea level, Spruce Knob is West Virginia's highest peak. One-sided trees, deformed by the strong westerly winds, attest to the area's harsh environment. Even in summer, visitors to Spruce Knob can experience cold fogs and strong winds. Roads are sometimes closed in winter due to snow. Spectacular views await visitors from the stone and steel observation tower atop the mountain. A half-mile trail circles the Knob, complete with interpretive signs that describe the area's vegetation, geology and animal life. Slightly south is a picnic area often frequented by songbirds and red squirrels.
GETTING THERE AND GETTING AROUND
Three interstates, I-64, I-77 and I-79, facilitate travel through and within the state. Amtrak passes through West Virginia, making ten stops, including White Sulphur Springs. There are thirty small airports, several of which offer commercial flights, but the only major airport is in Charleston. For more information and reservation contacts visit www.LiveSouth.com/WV.
(Article originally appeared in Ideal Destinations Magazine, Winter 2007)
About the Author
Teresa McLamb is a contributing writer for Living Southern Style and Ideal Destinations Magazine. For more information visit www.livesouth.com or www.idealdestinations.com
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