Snowshoeing at Snowshoe Mountain

I’m on a quest to determine the best places in the United States to go snowshoeing. I am looking forward to my travels across this great country and checking out all of the wonderful areas and trails we have here to utilize and explore.

When beginning my search, the first place that popped into my head was Snowshoe, West Virginia. I mean a city named after snowshoeing has to be an amazing place for the sport. Located in Snowshoe, WV is a place called Snowshoe Mountain. I mean what could be more perfect for snowshoeing than a mountain named Snowshoe Mountain in a city named Snowshoe?

The area of Snowshoe Mtn covers 11,000 acres. This vast expanse is made up of a myriad of over 60 different snowshoe trails crisscrossing throughout the wooded mountain of spruce trees. The trails on Snowshoe Mountain can reach an altitude of 4,848 feet, which is the second highest point in the entire state of West Virginia.

Snowshoe Mountain receives an average of nearly 15 feet of snow each winter… so, you may want to break out the mountain snowshoes for some extra floatation in the deep snow. The temperatures don’t get too frigid up at Snowshoe Mountain as the average temperature in January hovers around 28 degrees. I would suggest wearing several light layers of clothing so that when you are out there hoofing it up the mountain; you can shed a layer or two to avoid overheating.

In the early 1900’s, Snowshoe Mountain was used mainly for logging, which left the landscape barren. Along came a dentist in the early 1970s who thought the mountain would be a perfect place for people to come and enjoy winter activities such as skiing and snowshoeing. His promotion of Snowshoe Mountain led to the popularity and vast system of trails seen there today.

There are many places in Snowshoe where you can rent both poles and snowshoes. So, if you don’t have mountain snowshoes, it won’t be a problem. Most rental places are open 7 days a week during the winter months. Make sure to grab a map while you are in the store so that you don’t get lost on your Snowshoe Mountain adventure. I would suggest packing a lunch as well so that you can make an entire day out of it, exploring as much of those 11,000 beautiful acres you can. If you are worried about getting lost, there are also guided tours available on the weekends.

There is a great trail out there called the Cheat Mountain Ridge Trail. It is slightly challenging, especially if you are out doing some snowshoe running. However, if you are out there taking a snowshoeing hike, you can feel free to stop and take in the scenery along the way, take a few sips out of your water bottle, and take your time. Once you get to the end of the trail, you will realize it has been worth all of the work you have put in as you will get amazing views of the Greenbrier River Valley. So, don’t forget your camera! Some of the other great trails at Snowshoe Mountain include the Lower Mountaineer, Skidder, Yew Pine, Greenway, the Upper Hootenanny, and Fire Tower Trail. If you are looking for a real challenge or want a true test for the crampons of your mountain snowshoes, you should check out Airport Runway. This trail can be extremely challenging as it is all uphill! Make sure to engage the heel lift on your mountain snowshoes in order to reduce cramping and calf fatigue.

For a beautiful place to take a lunch break, I would recommend heading out to Shavers Lake. While at the lake, you can pull out the snacks or lunch you packed up for your adventure, and just enjoy the peacefulness and serenity the frozen lake has to offer. You could even pack a thermos of hot coffee, tea, or hot chocolate for a nice treat to warm up on those extra cold days. Take a loop around the lake and then head back to the lodge. There are over 1,400 lodge hotel units and condominiums available for you to enjoy a nice, relaxing evening next to the fire after a long day out on the trails.