ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) — Winter is setting in, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to hibernate. December 5 is Snowshoe Mountains’ opening weekend, and 2024 marks the ski resort’s 50th anniversary season.
Snowshoe Mountain offers 56 trails, and 14 lifts, and usually sees 180 inches of snow yearly. Located on Cheat Mountain in West Virginia, the history of Snowshoe Mountain Resort started with logging operations by the West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company from January 1901 to December 1960. In April 1973, Thomas “Doc” Brigham, known as “the Father of Southern Skiing” for opening Beech and Sugar Mountains in North Carolina, flew over Snowshoe Mountain and decided to open a ski resort. Construction started in May of 1973 and in September 1973 Doc Brigham named the resort after the Snowshoe Hare. The first day of skiing on Snowshoe Mountain was on December 19, 1974.
The 2024/25 Winter Season Opening Day is set for Thursday, December 5 and the resort has been busy getting ready. The cold weather has been helping snowmakers and all reports indicate the mountain is “looking good!”
Free lift tickets are available to anyone with a valid West Virginia ID and a free group lesson is open to teenagers 13 and older. You can purchase a Flex 3 Pass after midnight on December 4 for $199 and the Coca-Cola Tubing Park will be open on Saturday, December 7, and Sunday, December 8.
50th Anniversary Celebration!
Anniversary Celebrations are taking place December 19 through 22 and there are exclusive golden perks available. Lodge bookings are available for $50 off each night with $50 Adult Lift Tickets during your stay.
Student tickets can be purchased for $45 (10% off) and children’s tickets for $42 (15% off).
Available From: Thursday Dec 19, 2024, until Sunday Dec 22, 2024
Book Until: Wednesday, Dec 18, 2024A
A 3-night stay is required.
Max length of stay: 3
Thursday Activities:
9 a.m. | Rope Drop | Top of Heisler’s Way and Gandy Dancer
9 a.m. | Boathouse Breakfast & Bloody Mary Bar | The Boathouse
2 p.m. | Village Bash begins | The Village
2 p.m. | Music and Games | The Village
Join us in the Village to kick off Anniversary Weekend. We’ll have music and games plus representatives from the West Virginia Snowsport Museum and patrollers from 1974
3 p.m. | Hot Cocoa and S’mores | The Village
4 p.m. | Cheers and Beers | The Village
4:30 p.m. | 1974 Trivia | The Village
7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. | Soul Train Dance Party with DJ Judd | The Village
10 p.m. | 1974 Hoot’s Afterparty | Hoot’s Bar and Grill
Head to Hoots for a 70’s themed after-party with special drinks, appetizers, games, and more. Don’t forget to bust out the retro gear for this one.
(Photo: Courtesy Snowshoe Mountain)
Snowshoe Shuttle:
On Thursday, December 19, Play Roanoke will be offering a shuttle to the mountain.
Price: $45
Time: 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Ages: 18+ or 10+ with adult
Location: Departs from Public Works
Public Works 1802 Courtland Rd NE Roanoke Va
1802 Courtland Rd NE, Roanoke, VA 24012-4708, United States
For more information, you can visit Snowshoe Mountain’s website.