SLATYFORK, W.Va. – Saturday afternoon holiday weekend crowds were growing by the second and suddenly the Ballhooter lift line at Snowshoe was more packed than the Internet was with Bernie Sanders memes after Inauguration Day.
With an abundance of “Cheat Mountain Magic,” (see endless sky of snow) three folks in our Huntington crew decided to hit the highway – literally.
About 30 minutes – and a world away – is no one just skis, skies, and panoramic views offered along the Highland Scenic Highway (WV150) a 45-mile natural area route from Richwood to US 219 on Elk Mountain, north of Marlinton.
It is not only West Virginia’s highest, longest and most limited access parkway, but it is the only United States Forest Service-managed parkway in the nation. Restricted by law to passenger cars and recreation vehicles, the Scenic Highway is not plowed in winter and thus is often used for cross country and backcountry skiers to explore.
With four major overlooks (all on the east side of the parkway) as well as an abundance of trails, and remote forest roads, the Scenic Highway offers a near endless amount of exploration.
Start Your Journey At Elk River Inn
For folks visiting Snowshoe Mountain and who don’t have cross country skis, and who want some great tips for Nordic skiing in the area, Elk River Inn and Restaurant (elkriverwv.com/304.572.3771) is located only five miles south of WV-66 (the Snowshoe turnoff) at 34037 Seneca Trail, Slatyfork, WV.
Tucked beyond a bridge at the headwaters of the Elk River and bordering a slice of the Monongahela National Forest, the Elk River Inn is a place where you can not only rent skis/boots/poles ($25 a day) but also have a chance to explore the more than 5 kilometers (including some field/beginner groomed trails) as well, which may be more than enough action for many, especially if there is great snow conditions.
When we were there (Jan. 16), the early season natural snow base was still a bit too thin so after a getting our ski legs on a quick ski around the field, up on the ridge and back, we took owner Gil Willis’ advice, loaded up our friend’s Jeep Wrangler and headed over and up for the short drive to get on top of the Highland Scenic Highway.
Getting On Up To Go Highway Sliding and Gliding
We accessed the HSH or WV 150 from the northern side entrance at the 3,780-foot tall Elk Mountain. We drove just a few miles up the road, past the Red Lick Overlook and then popped out to ski literally down the middle of the highway in grooved SUV tire tracks to drink in some epic views of the surrounding mountains (Red Lick Mountain at 4,686-feet and the 4,703-foot-tall Red Spruce Mountain).
With a good foot or more of snow packed hard into a solid on the road, we found ourselves alone up on what felt like the top of the world. There were within a couple hours of skiing only two SUVs that came down the road and although we never saw them again we did pass another pair of cross country skiers who parked at the bottom and were climbing up the Highway.
Although during the Pandemic, all three of us in our party have spent plenty of time in solitude this felt so different. I think we all felt the gratitude of being alive in this moment held by the beauty of the majestic mountains – and in a world always rushing and shouting – restored by the delicious hush of a world blanketed in white.
Only in West Virginia could taking the highway somehow be the road less traveled.
Get Your Cross Country Ski On:
If you’re headed to Snowshoe Mountain to downhill ski …
Elk River Inn and Restaurant (elkriverwv.com/304-572-3771) is located only five miles south of WV-66 (the Snowshoe turnoff) at 34037 Seneca Trail, Slatyfork, WV. Elk River is open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily (natural snow permitting). Equipment rates are $25 per day (skis,boots and poles), $15 for kids 12 and under. Snowshoes are $25 per day and the area use fee is $5. Elk River also has pull sleds for carrying small children.
There are five kilometers of trails adjacent to Elk River Inn and the national forest. Trails are packed by snowmobile. There is an additional 25K of trails at the Highland Scenic Highway. Elk River has maps and detailed information about these and other area cross country skiing opportunities. Go online at www.elkriverwv.com/cross-country-skiing/ or call 304.572.3771 or 304.376.9519
If you’re headed to Canaan Valley …
White Grass is located at 643 Weiss Knob Ski Road, Davis, WV. White Grass is open 9 a.m. to dark daily December through March (natural snow permitting). Located at the former Weiss Knob Ski Area (that dates to 1959), White Grass has more than 50 kilometers of maintained trails from 3,200 (at the cozy red lodge) up to Weiss Knob, which at 4,463 feet is Tucker County’s highest point. Rentals are $25 daily for crosscountry gear; $18 for snowshoes; $35 for backcountry; $40 for telemark; season pass is $140. Daily area use fee is $22. Go online at www.whitegrass.com or call 304.866.4114.
In Canaan Valley, there is also cross country skiing and rentals at Blackwater Falls State Park, which has 10 miles of cross country trails as well as a popular sled run. Go online at https://wvstateparks.com/park/blackwater-falls-state-park/
Nearby Canaan Resort has 35 kilometers of ungroomed trails for cross country skiing and snowshoeing. Go online at https://www.canaanresort.com/ski-winter-activities/cross-country-skiing-snowshoeing/
