PITTSBURGHERS
Just about 3 hours away from Pittsburgh sits what I believe is the best kept secret that Pittsburgh Skiers need to know about! The resorts are not commercialized but offer what is some of the absolute best skiing you will experience as a family with terrains of every sort for all members in your family. If you have only traveled for skiing locally, then you are missing out on a real treat. Many of you may never even have hear of Canaan Valley, in Tucker County, West Virginia because it is not a normal Pittsburgh tromping ground, but it should be. The lines are not ginormous, there is parking and there are plenty of great places to eat! Families are here because they enjoy time together, and because the skiing is sensational. You can rent skis from many of the local places(and they are all wonderful and helpful), we however, suggest Ski Barn because we got to try them out and they were absolutely quick, and helpful, not to mention keep great hours
The drive to Tucker County, West Virginia is a quick, easy 3 hour drive and the trade-off for the drive are GREAT ski conditions, lifts that are running, multiple trails you can take and either be with your family or split up and meet halfway down! You will find a laid back atmosphere here, no pushing or shoving or worrying about who is in line ahead of your or before you and no being shoved on a chairlift to just fill them because they are so darn busy! Pittsburghers, you will find a place, off the beaten path that has Pine Trees that are crested with snow and trails that offer a long run and scenery that is breath taking. Your kids can enjoy any of the trails with you, and there is even snow tubing!
The eating facilities on the ski grounds offer all the basics that families love and fireplaces to get warm. There is plenty of FREE parking and the price tags on the SKI THE VALLEY just can’t be beat. The SKI THE VALLEY are 2 days passes that can be used at either Canaan Valley Resort or Timberline Resort. If you are here on the weekends there is night skiing! The resorts themselves are only a few miles apart, so you could ski at both in the same day and repeat the same thing the next day—- we did.
If you are a family, looking for a great place to bring the kids to, this is it. You will not feel pressured to do anything, you can find great places to eat, hang out, and lodge. The skiing boasts scenery unparalleled to any ‘local’ skiing area and it is not commercialized! This is skiing for those of you who love the sport! Tucker County, West Virginia, Canaan Valley and Timberline Ski Resorts!
ICE SKATING @CANAAN VALLEY RESORT & CONFERENCE CENTER
WOW — What a beautiful day we had today in Tucker County, West Virginia spending time at Canaan Valley Resort. Behind the main lodge, and past all the deer on the road(yes we literally stopped our car while 7 passed next to our car, lies a beautiful outdoor skating ice arena with a warm outside fire pit and one inside the rental area as well!
We had so much fun today, I just have to share it with you. My sons love to skate because they play ice hockey so this was the part of the trip they were waiting for! The ice skating is under a pavilion, lit(at nighttime) and with a fire pit. There is no music, so don’t go expecting music, but do go expecting to meet a bunch of great people! My son was not even on the ice for a few minutes and he had a friend to skate with and talk to. The skating rink is for everyone, great skaters, not-so-great skaters, etc. The fire pit will provide you warmth in between skating. I became acutely aware that I am not longer as good as I want to be! This would be a great date night because of the lighting and the nostalgic look of the facility!
Here is what you want to know about Ice Skating:
Ice Skating is behind the main lodge at the Canaan Resort. It is a covered, outdoor ice skating rink that overlooks the valley and the Allegheny Mountains. If you need to rent skates they have them or you can bring your own. This will make a perfect background for photos! There are 2 hours sessions all day long until– you simply show up and your 2 hour session begins then! Stress free, easy, and fun! We skated for a bit today and really had fun, and we met a lot of great people! Thanks.
SKIING AT CANAAN VALLEY RESORT
Canaan is completely different from Timberline. 2 totally different ski places, however both are very family oriented and have great scenery as well as skiing, they are very different ski areas. I know this because I have just spent the few days visiting here. One of my new favorite thing to do is figure out who is with whom and I do this by coats, ski style or who has their kids in between their legs while they are skiing! I used to think it was only me that made the kids wear matching coats, or gloves or hats, but it is not, there are other moms and families that do the same thing to their kids. It is so reaffirming to see so many families teaching their kids how to ski and hang together!
Today at Canaan Valley Resort, I saw a very different resort hosting many different levels of trails. Canaan Valley Resort is great for Black Diamond Skiers, Snow Boarders and those who are just beginning skiing.
The Black Diamond Trails are very challenging, while the learn to ski hill are excellent because you can get up the hill quickly via the Schuss Triple Lift. You can repeat the same trail, Sissy Schuss at least 8 times in one and a half hours! This is the perfect way to practice your new ski techniques and the powder is PERFECT! There were every level of skiers on this trail. We went up and down the hills many times and so did so many other families. There are 3 lifts at Canaan Valley Resort State Park!
We also saw something almost unique called ‘airboarding’ down a hill. To keep it simple it looks like a tube, shaped rectangular and they were being ridden down the hill with skill as the bottoms on these ‘airboards’ allow for particular stopping and turning, you really have to see the people doing this to understand it, but it looks like fun!
Additionally, Canaan will be opening a new HUGE tubing park. This park will be the largest snow tubing park in the Mid-Atlantic! (this alone is worth the small drive)
HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
The top elevation 4,280 feet, while the Vertical is 850 Feet, and the longest run is 6,000 feet. The ski terrain boasts 42 slopes and trails. The lifts offer a variety from 1 quad, 2 triple lifts and 1 magic carpet. Night Skiing on Friday and Saturday Nights and on Holiday Sundays. We spent the majority of our time on the Schuss Lift, skiing Bunny Buster, Easy Does It and having a ball! We managed to get up and down the hill at least 8 times. This is the perfect place for beginners to learn their skill as Sissy Schuss is a perfect trail to ‘lightly’ go downhill, keep the ‘newbie’ skier challenged and let those who prefer easier trails to have a great downhill brief ski. The lift up is short and the ride down is great! es
If you prefer a bit more of a challenge, there are plenty of black diamond trails to ‘test’ out your ski skills and we saw an abundance of snow boarders at Canaan. The carved terrain is perfect for snowboarding. We also spent time on an intermediate slope known as Easy Does It which is the perfect blend of Easy and Intermediate downhill. The slope had just enough downhill to make it harder than an Easy, but it was also a challenge to descend. We loved this particular slope because when we were done skiing our car was right at that lift point so we skied back to the car!
We want to thank Canaan Valley Resort State Park for hosting our fun time at their slopes today as well.
Our day ended with a trip to Siriani’s for a dinner. Siriani’s has a huge menu and 2 great facilities to host you: Canaan Valley(literally minutes away from our lodging) as well as a location in Davis. Their claim to fame is a good Pizza Pie! They offer sandwiches and salads as well, but the pizza rocks! Come with an appetite and bring cash or checks because credit cards aren’t accepted here!
SKI RESORTS
I do want to make a particular note to all the other parents out there wondering: Both ski facilities are very well kept, with very helpful, staff personal. The facilities are well kept and the bathrooms were too. Access to the ski areas was easy(need to know this if you are bringing kids) and you can definitely count on relaxing because this is a small, quiet area. If you are looking for some great family down-time where it’s just you and them and the outdoors, you have found the best area, it is though it is what you have been looking for without even knowing it was here. Ski the Valley~
“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
