Canaan Valley Resort

Canaan Valley Resort
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1 review
100% Positive Reviews
Rated #3 in West Virginia
Pros:
“Abundant snowfall, affordable, lack of crowds, family friendly, back-country access”
Cons:
“No slopeside lodging, inefficient management, funky layout”
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Posted
By JohnL

Pros: Abundant snowfall, affordable, lack of crowds, family friendly, back-country access

Cons: No slopeside lodging, inefficient management, funky layout

This is the place to go for mid-week powder turns in virtual solitude. Less crowded than nearby Timberline. In general, less steep but some excellent powder stashes and tree skiing with much less competition for untracked snow. A bit less vertical drop than Timberline. Lifts are slow.

 

Single lift rides available for backcountry access.

 

Very nice, separated beginners area.

 

Affordable vacation.

 

More non-skiing activities than Timberline: tubing, snowshoeing, ice skating, air boarding, XC skiing.

 

Warning: accommodations at the Canaan Valley Lodge are several miles away, not slopeside.

 

The base infrastructure is reminiscent of quality Soviet-era styling. But it is roomier than that at Timberline.

 

There is a bit of a climb to access the lowest lift from the base lodge area.

 

The area is owned by the state of West Virginia and operated by a contractor. As a result, it is not the most efficient operation.

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Facts and Details

Canaan Valley Resort
By:
Description:

Location: Canaan Valley, WV (12 miles south of Davis, WV) Annual Snowfall: 150-200+ inches Vertical Drop: 850 feet Elevation: 4280 feet (summit), 3430 feet (base) Typical Season: Mid/Late December to mid March Trails/Skiable Acres: 42 trails (~12 primary paths down from summit) Lifts: 3 fixed grip chairlifts, 1 magic carpet Most Expensive Lift Ticket: $54 adult, $44 (12 and under) Children: Kids Korner (ages 2-6), Lessons (3 years minimum age), All Day Programs Backcountry/Special: Backcountry access (touring) and limited side country Night Skiing: Fri - Sat (peak season only), Holiday Periods Terrain Park: 1 small park Web Site: http://canaanresort.com/winter/ Perched on the northern edge of the Monongahela National Forest, 3,200' above sea level, Canaan Valley Resort and Conference Center boasts over 6,000 acres of woodlands, meadows, hills, and streams, and is minutes from the Nation's 500th Federal Wildlife Refuge. Downhill skiers of all levels will enjoy the slopes at Canaan Valley Resort. The 37 slopes include 30 percent beginner, 40 percent intermediate and 30 percent advanced runs. With a vertical drop of 850 feet and the longest run at 6,000 feet, the experience can be as challenging as guests want it to be. Night Skiing offered Thursday - Sunday (Prime Season) and special holiday nights. Excellent back-country access for telemark and AT skiers. Single lift rides offered. On a mid-week powder day, you can have the area to yourself. And I have. :) Some excellent tree skiing. Not as steep as neighboring Timberline, but much less skier traffic.

Details:
DetailValue
Snow making percent75% of trails
Lifts-Surface Lifts-Magic carpet2
Lifts-Surface Lifts-Rope tow
Lifts-Surface Lifts-Poma
Lifts-Surface Lifts-T bar
Lifts-Surface Lifts-J bar
Lifts-Chair Lifts-Single
Lifts-Chair Lifts-Double
Lifts-Chair Lifts-Triple2
Lifts-Chair Lifts-Quad1
Lifts-Chair Lifts-High speed quad
Lifts-Chair Lifts-Five person
Lifts-Chair Lifts-Six person
Lifts-Chair Lifts-Eight person
Lifts-Gondola
Lifts-Tram
Lifts-Coggle train
Lifts-Funicular
Lifts-Other
Lifts-Total number of lifts5
Lifts-Total lift capacity6,000 per hour
Trails-1-Beginner30%
Trails-2-Intermediate40%
Trails-3-Advanced30%
Trails-4-Expert only
Trails-5-Terrain park1
Trails-6-Half pipe
Trails-Total42
Runs-Steepest runGravity/Upper C Lift Line
Runs-Longest runDark Side of the Moon
General-Base elevation3430 ft
General-Vertical drop850 ft
General-Owner
General-Mountain rangeAllegheny
General-Annual skier visits
General-Back country accessYes, mostly touring but some side country. No gates.
General-Total area in bounds
General-Snow making coverage75% of trails
Models:
Model Name/TypeMPNEAN/UPC
Links:
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Guide: Canaan Valley Resort

skiericon.pngThis resort guide is maintained by EpicSki Ambassador: JohnL


skiericon.pngFor West Virginia Discussions, Meet and Greets: West Virginia Epic Group

 

JohnL's Unofficial Guide to Skiing Canaan Valley  Resort:

 

More content arriving shortly. Stay tuned.

 

General Information

 

View of the new Beer Paw base area from the parking lot.

 

The spacious, if spartan, dining area of Bear Paw.

 

The original lodges (above Bear Paw.)

 

The climb from the base area up to the Weiss Quad Lift.

 

View of the mountain from Timberline Access Road. Prosperity and Dark Side of the Moon are to the right (out of view.)

 

Beginner (Green) Terrain

 

 

The well-segregated Beginner's area.

 

Intermediate (Blue) Terrain

 

 

Valley Vista, Lower Valley Drop and Chute.

 

Looking at the top of Lift C from the Weiss Quad lift.

 

Valley Vista, Lower Valley Drop and Chute.

 

Expert (Black Diamond) Terrain

 

 

 

Low angle powder in Meadows III.

 

 

Low angle powder in Meadows III.

 

Classic tree-lined narrow run. Old Canaan Curve. Back on the trail map.

 

Looking up Gravity. One of the two steepest trails at Canaan.

 

Slow camera, fast skier. Matt in the headwall runout on Gravity.

Terrain Parks

TBD

 

 

arrow_down.png TRAIL MAP arrow_down.png CONDITIONS arrow_down.png TRANSPORTATION arrow_down.png LODGING arrow_down.png DINING arrow_down.png MORE

Trail Map
Trail Map
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Conditions
Canaan Valley Resort is now closed for the 2012-2013 ski season.
Last day of skiing was Sunday, March 17. (First day was Wednesday, December 26 or Saturday December 29? Later than normal opening.date.)
Daily snowfall and snow depth reports (this is the gold standard from a local weather buff in nearby Canaan Heights, WV): Canaan Valley Snowfall
Also, the Whitegrass conditions page is useful.
NOAA Point Forecast - 1 (approximate ski area location)
NOAA Point Forecast - 2 (Davis, WV, closest town)

 

Davis, WV weather (a bit warmer than at the mountain):


 
Average snowfall is 180 inches (http://data.canaanmtnsnow.com/)
For the weather and climate geeks (NOAA/Caanan Valley Institute Research Paper discussing some unique climate features of the area): PDF on Canaan Valley Climate
 
 

Lodging
Lodging
 
Name Description Maximum Occupancy Price Range

Canaan Valley Resort Lodge

 

 

The resort has 250 guest rooms and suites and 23 private cabins and cottages.

 

Extra person charges may apply 

 

$99 and up 

 

 

Canaan Valley Resort Cabins and Cottages

 

      
A campground is also available      
Timberline Four Seasons Reality Private homes, condos and townhouses throughout the area. Extra person charges may apply Call for pricing
       

 

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Dining

 

Canaan Valley Ski Area: The Bear Paw Food Court

 

Canaan Valley Ski Area: Caffe Siena
 

Canaan Valley Ski Area: Quenchers Pub

 

Canaan Valley Ski Area: The Laurel Lounge & Valley View Grill

 

Canaan Valley Lodge: Hickory Dining Room

 

Canaan Valley Golf Course Clubhouse: Clubhouse Grill

 

 

Timberline Ski Area: Timbers Pub and Fireside Grill (Upper level in Timberline's lodge.) Menu Live music.
Timberline Ski Area: Timberhaus Cafeteria (Main level in Timberline's lodge.)
Canaan Valley (near ski areas): White Grass Cafe   (Winter only. Reservations required for dinner - 6 PM / 8 PM sittings.)
Canaan Valley (near ski areas): Sirianni's Pizza and Cafe (304) 866-3388 (On Route 32 towards Davis)
Canaan Valley (near ski areas): Big Al's Pub and Grubberia (near Ski Barn, on Route 32 towards Harmon)

 

Canaan Valley (near ski areas): Big John's Family Fixin's (On Route 32 towards Davis) (304) 866-4418

Canaan Valley (near ski areas): Amelia's (At Winwood Fly-In Resort)
Canaan Valley (near ski areas): Breakfast Nook
Canaan Valley (near ski areas): Piccalo Paula's (On Route 32 towards Davis) 304-866-3825

Canaan Valley (near ski areas): Deerfield Village Resort Restaurant

Canaan Valley (near ski areas) Subway (On Route 32, located in BFS gas station)
Canaan Valley (near ski areas) Trail Mix (At T-Intersection on Timberline Road) 304-866-7080
Dryfork, WV: Golden Anchor Restaurant  (Seafood and more.)
Davis, WV: Sirianni's Pizza and Cafe (304) 259-5454
Davis, WV: Muttley's Downtown Bar and Grill  (Steaks are a specialty.)
Davis, WV: Restaurant at Blackwater Falls State Park
Davis, WV Boomtown Java
Thomas, WV: Blackwater Brewery and Restaurant (German, Italian and more.)
Thomas, WV: Purple Fiddle Cafe (Live music.)
Thomas, WV Tip Top  Coffe Shop - Bar - Cafe
Thomas, WV Flying Pigs Cafe 304-463-4292

 

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More

 

Canaan Valley Resort is scheduled to open for the 2012-13 ski season on Wednesday, December 26.

LIFT TICKETS

 

2012 - 2013 Lift Ticket Rates

 
REAL ESTATE
 
DEALS
 
 
WHAT'S NEW
 

Below are more details on what's new and exciting this winter (2012-2013):

• Upgraded snow-making system

• New Tubing Park with ticketing area
- Expanded number of lanes (10+) and longer lanes (1,200' long)
- Magic Carpet tube tow to the top of the tubing hill & new Warming Hut with concessions

• New Beginner Ski Slope
- Dedicated ski school teaching area
- Magic Carpet for beginner teachings

• Renovated Base Facilities
• New Warming Areas
• Ski Lift Renovations/Repairs
• Renovation of Ski Patrol Building
• Parking Lot Drainage Improvements

 
ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
SERVICES

 

2012 - 2013 Rental Equipment Rates


2012 - 2013 Lesson Rates


2013 - 2013 Snow Tubing Rates 

 

GOOD, BETTER, BEST
 
Good: low-angle wide-open powder skiing in The Meadows for skiers of all abilities.
Better: steeper lines on Gravity and C lift line.
Best: some stealth tree skiing.

 

OTHER