With a couple days already topping 70 degrees, spring is getting sprung in a major way here in the river valleys.
High in the mountains of West Virginia, the state’s ski resorts are not only holding onto a decent base of winter glory but could well get some fresh March snow. That awesome combo of just-enough snow and balmy temps make it prime time to head up to the mountains for a few more turns and tubing runs, soak up some rays and revel in the spring break party that is March skiing.
Here’s eight great reasons to hit the slopes in March
Wet and Wild – Spring Break Style!
End of season spring skiing and boarding has always gotten served with a slice of spring break wild. Embrace some spring Halloween for wild costume skiing on the mountain.
Timberline Mountain is hosting a Pool Party on Saturday, March 12 complete with a pool skim, rail jam and a scavenger hunt.
Snowshoe is hosting its College Days weekend kicking off on Friday, March 11 with a Onesie Bar Crawl. Put on your favorite Onesie and adventure to five different Snowshoe pubs throughout the Village. Registration is at 6:30 p.m. at Shaver’s Center on Friday with the pub crawl starting at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, Medicated Sunfish bring the jam to Connections Nightclub. Snowshoe is also hosting the Spring Send It Weekend March 18-20. At 5:30 p.m. Friday, March 18 meet up at Shavers Center to build out your cardboard sled. Cardboard and building supplies provided. Register for the infamous Pond Skim from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, March 19 at Lower Ballhooter Lift. Costume parade line up is at 12:45 p.m. with the Pond Skim at 1 p.m. Awards for King and Queen of the Pond (best skim across), Youth Division, Best Costume and Sorriest Swimmer will be handed out at the Boathouse following the skim. The cardboard race takes place on Sunday, March 20. Registration is 9 to 10:30 a.m., and then the race is at 11 a.m. at Skidder Slope. Awards for best decorated sled and fastest sled.
End of Season Pass Deals
Snowshoe Mountain led the charge a few years ago offering next year’s season pass and folding in March skiing into that as well. Go online at www.snowshoemtn.com for more info. Most other resorts have followed suit. Timberline Mountain has 40 percent off of 2022/2023 passes through April 1 at www.timberlinemountain.com. Winterplace, which is one for its final weekend 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, March 12 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 13, also has a good deal rolling for next year’s passes including a season Night Pass. Visit www.Winterplace.com. Canaan Resort is open through Sunday, March 13 and has an early bird season pass rate (including discounts for WV residents and youth) through April. Go online at www.canaanresort.com.
Less Clothes, Less Hassle
Particularly if you also have little kids, taking tykes skiing in the coldest months of winter is ridiculously difficult. From past experience, trying to dress more than one toddler to ski feels like it should be an Olympic sport itself. March skiing – when temps can hit 50-60 and even 70 on the mountain – makes for easy dressing for all! And is typically served with less whine and the opportunity to comfortably stay out way longer than you can in deep winter arctic temps.
Let There Be Light
March skiing means more light longer so while everyone in early season is doing as many hard-core laps as possible to beat the waning light in the heart of winter’s darkness. March skiing with more light, makes it easier – and safer – to hit night skiing when it’s not dark at 4:30. March’s extra light provides for more time to pop off the ski boots (the second best feeling in the world) and dive into some other mountain fun. Last weekend, our Man Scouts crew – after a day of skiing – hit Split Rock Pools one night and the next evening played the short, but challenging disc golf course tucked into the woods around Old Spruce Brewing at Silver Creek at Snowshoe Mountain. https://udisc.com/courses/old-spruce-brewery-XXWu
Other Great Deals!
Be sure and pop into the shops at the ski resorts and at the Ski Barns as well near the slopes for some sweet end-of-season markdowns on merch and gear – including skis and snowboards. Most of the resorts have some killer housing deals as well. Check out Canaan Resort’s WV Proud deal as West Virginia residents can get 30 percent off of lodge room stays between March 13 and May 26.
Mas Apres Ski
Twist our arms and our limes … More Apres Ski (after ski) drinks and hanging outside is the order of the day. It’s a tough job but someone has to do it. Last weekend with temps in the 60s throughout Snowshoe’s The Village, and at The Boathouse (which also had a patio DJ), we enjoyed multiple meals outside getting to meet a wild and wonderful range of folks from around the country and the world up on the mountain.
Mashed Potatoes = Slower Skiing
Everyone knows pizza and French fries from the ski school directions. In March, add mashed potatoes to the menu as most of the slopes in any kind of sun turn usually by the afternoon into some consistency of mashed potatoes. Not exactly ideal for folks used to only hitting prime conditions, but for beginners it means the snow is a LOT slower than more icy winter conditions so a bit easier to navigate for newbies worried about too much speed.
Ski Free
Snowshoe Mountain has its annual West Virginians Ski Free Day on March 27 (the last day of the season). Stop by The Depot with a proof of WV residency and they’ll hook you up with a free lift ticket.
Beat The Crowds to Spring Attractions
One of the great things to pair with March skiing is to go ahead and take a week for a Spring Break and dial up some of WV’s most popular parks during the shoulder season when crowds are thin, and spring waterfalls rocking. Blend in a trip to Canaan Valley or Timberline with a hike at the summer-packed Dolly Sods, or Cathedral State Forest, or nearby Blackwater Falls. Up in Pocahontas, pop over to Beartown Rocks (you may have to still walk in from the gate), Cranberry Glades, Falls of Hill Creek, Green Bank, Droop Mountain and Watoga State Park, all enjoyed without summertime-level crowds. Go online at https://wvtourism.com/spring-break/ for more info.
