Snowshoe Mountain

A major ski resort in the eastern US with a summer bike park, near the Cass Scenic Railroad and the Green Bank Observatory.

Snowshoe Mountain sits in the Allegheny Mountains of Pocahontas County in eastern West Virginia, with a summit elevation of about 1,480 m. One of the largest ski resorts in the southeastern US, it is owned by Alterra Mountain Company. Unlike most ski areas, the village sits on the summit and the runs descend from it—about 60 trails with roughly 457 m of vertical, spread across three areas: Snowshoe Basin, Silver Creek and the Western Territory, known for its long, steep runs.

Winter (December–March) is all about skiing and snowboarding; in summer the slopes become one of America's top mountain bike parks, which has hosted the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup several times; in early to mid-October the Alleghenies blaze with fall color. The resort is surrounded by Monongahela National Forest: to the east are the Cass Scenic Railroad, where steam locomotives climb the mountains, and the Green Bank Observatory, home to the world's largest fully steerable radio telescope; southwest along the Highland Scenic Highway lie Cranberry Glades and Hills Creek Falls; and the valley town of Marlinton is the hub of the Greenbrier River Trail. Because of the National Radio Quiet Zone, cell service is weak, but the night skies are exceptionally dark, making for superb stargazing.

Getting there: the nearest airports are Roanoke and Charlottesville (about 3 hours' drive), and Washington, D.C. is about 4.5–5 hours by car; snow tires or chains are needed on snowy mountain roads in winter. Plan 3–4 days, adding 1–2 days in summer or fall to explore the area.

Top sights

Where to eat