11/29/2011
DAVIS, W.Va. –
Canaan Valley Resort State Park is celebrating
40 years of skiing opportunity in the mountains of West Virginia with special activities beginning in December. “Four decades of the park offering winter outdoor recreation is a nice milestone,” said Lisa Ratliff, spokeswoman for Canaan Valley Resort. “We’re encouraging people to visit the park and perhaps rediscover the valley for skiing and for scenic beauty.”
About 40th Anniversary Celebration
Toys for Tots is part of the holiday cheer. Guests bringing and donating a new, unwrapped toy during the Anniversary Celebration Dec. 9 - 11 will receive a $10 lift ticket.
The slopes open for the season on Saturday, Dec. 10. The Anniversary Celebration offers ski discounts: $20 lift tickets;
$40 lift/ski rentals; and $50 lift/board rental.
Lodging rates will be
$40 per night based on single or double occupancy. Demonstrations with snowshoes and airboards, games and more are planned.
The ski area will have a “soft opening” on Dec. 9 from 1 to 4:30 p.m. A reception Friday, Dec. 9 from 2 to 5 p.m. features the Davisson Brothers Band. A reception will be held in the Bear Paw Lodge at the ski area.
Entertainment featuring a ‘70s dance with DJ is also scheduled on Dec. 10 from 8 to 11 p.m. in the Maple Room located at the main lodge.
For more information about Canaan Valley Resort, ski conditions and events, call 304-866-4121 or visit,
www.canaanresort.com.
Wintery Slope Fun at Canaan Valley
Downhill Skiing
“Bunny Buster,” “Ramble Cutback,” “Hawthorne Bowl,” “Snowfields,” “Gravity,” “Weiss Drop” and “Shaft” are a few of the trail names of the 39 slopes at Canaan Valley. Slopes vary in difficulty so there are suitable trails for first-time skiers to advanced. “It’s a thrill with 850 feet of vertical drop,” said Ratliff. The summit elevation at Canaan Valley is 4,280 feet. The ski area features one quad and two triple lifts. Trail ratings are 30 percent beginner slopes, 40 percent intermediate challenge and 30 percent advanced and extreme sport. Slopes are open daily and also for night skiing on Fridays and Saturdays until 8 p.m. on 10 of the trails.
Airboarding
Airboarding is a high-tech twist on traditional winter sledding. Similar to riding a bodyboard in the ocean, the Airboard is inflatable and has grooves on the underside that allow riders to make sharp turns and stop quickly in the snow. Airboarding doesn’t require a lot of equipment and it’s very easy to learn. There is a minimum age of 9 years and minimum height requirement of at least 48 inches to airboard.
Cross Country Skiing and Snowshoeing
Perhaps the best way to experience the spectacular beauty of a “winter wonderland” is by XC Skiing and Snowshoeing. The 30 kilometers of marked, un-groomed trails and acres of wide open meadows to roam, all in a peaceful setting with no trail fees, are open at Canaan Valley.
Ice Skating
A covered, outdoor ice skating rink overlooking the valley and the Allegheny Mountains gives skaters a fabulous view while mastering figure eights. The rink features an outdoor fireplace.
Contact Information
Lisa Ratliff
304-866-4121
ratliffl@canaanresort.com