Snowshoe Ski Resort
Snowshoe ski resort is located close to Snowshoe, West Virginia. Although visitors call the entire mountain the Snowshoe Mountain by the name of the resort but no such mountain is recognized by the USGS. In fact the mountain on which the resort is located is not a mountain it is a convergence of two mountains and is a bowl shaped area. The two mountains that form this bowl in which the resort is located are the Cheat and the Back Allegheny. This bowl shaped convergence is formed on the head of Shavers Fork. The mountain of Cheat gets to its peak elevation at this point and makes it the second highest point in the state of West Virginia. The series of mountains is called the Allegheny Mountains.
The Snowshoe mountain ski resort was not established over weeks. It took several people’s contribution to get this place to where it is today. The well known Snowshoe Mountain started offering skiing services in the winters of 1974. It was Thomas Brigham who realized the potential of the mountain and thought of turning it into a ski resort. He was the one who in fact discovered this mountain and noticed that it was barren and almost abandoned. History tells that this particular area on which the resort stands today was logged from 1905 to the 1960s and that is what caused the mountain to be clear and barren. Although Brigham was a dentist by profession and came from North Carolina he had experience in resort development. He had successfully opened two other resorts before Snow Shoe ski resort. His previous experience in resorts was with Sugar Mountain and Beech Mountain resorts and ski areas.
When the resort was being developed its trails and lifts were named as a tribute to the logging era that the mountain had seen. Grab hammer, ball hooter, skidder and J-hook were some names that the lifts and trails were given. Two other interesting names the Heisler Way and Shay’s revenge came from the steam locomotives that transported labor and logs around the mountain. Brigham has faith in the potential of the mountain and he knew that it would progress fast but the resort had to face some difficulties. After initial years of financial trouble the popularity of the resort grew and business improved. In 1992 the resort was capable of adding the Silver Creek ski area to it. The most dynamic changes came to the Snowshoe ski resort West Virginia in year 1995 when Interwest purchased the resort. Interwest developed a commercial style village that attracted people and brought in vacationers with opportunities to stay at the resort while they were in the area to enjoy skiing. Also the management indulged into condominium real estate development that attracted other hotel developers and lodging developers to help expand the lodging in Snowshoe ski resort. Interwest did not only develop lodging in the central village they also worked on two lodges in the outside neighborhood. This resort is one of it kinds as the village on this resort is not located on the base of the mountain like in other resorts it is situated on the summit.
Apart from Snowshoe mountain ski services the resort has a lot more to offer to visitors. Snowshoe ski is the most famous service of the resort other services and facilities include four season activities. It is due to all year round recreational facilities like mountain bike trails, golf course and other outdoor activities that vacationers keep the resort occupied throughout the year. These resorts also offer wedding areas and elaborate convention areas. Other information about this resort can be found in resort reviews and skiing report online.
