Snowshoe Mountain Resort - A Mountain Biker's Paradise

Snowshoe Mountain Resort

A Mountain Biker's Paradise

Publication Date: July 2000

Literally surrounded by the vast wilderness of the Monongehelia National Forest in West Virginia is a unique resort whose motto is 'Forever Wild'. Snowshoe Mountain Resort is not only known as one of the East's most popular winter resorts, but it has also garnered a reputation over the years as a legendary mountain biking destination.

Roots, rocks, boulders and drop-offs are only a few of the challenges that a Snowshoe mountain biker faces on a regular basis. Snowshoe has wide-open vistas, and offers punishing climbs followed by heart-pounding downhills. Snowshoe has pain and delight - you can scrape your shin and then enjoy the view from the summit.

Mountain bikers come to Snowshoe to explore more than 100 miles of trails and over 11,000 acres that cater to everyone from the hardcore downhiller to the active family looking for that unique summer vacation. The riding seems almost endless. You'll find everything from teeth-chattering descents to easy 'cruisers' along backcountry roads and turn of the century abandoned rail grades.

Snowshoe's extensive trail network was designed for mountain bikers by mountain bikers. With nearly 125 miles of trails at the resort, there isn't a challenge you can't find to satisfy your mountain fix. Just ask the Snowshoe's experienced Mountain Bike staff to point you in the right direction or even show you the way. These guys live, eat and breathe the sport of mountain biking and jump at every opportunity to get out and ride.

To compliment the unspoiled backcountry and spectacular scenery, Snowshoe offers two full-service Mountain Bike Centers with a talented staff providing expert advice, guided tours, bike rentals, clothing and accessory sales plus top-notch service to fix what's broken or twisted. Their staff can give you the inside track on where to ride and how to ride, not to mention where to find the best places to relax.

Their Bike Centers also offer bottom to top shuttle service eliminating the need to ride up the mountain along Snowshoe Road. The resort also provides daily lift access from Shavers Lake back to the center of the new Snowshoe Village. So if you wish, forget about those uphill battles...life can be all downhill from here!

And if you can't make it this summer, you haven't missed out. The fall's cool temperatures and spectacular foliage will only enhance the ride.

Here's a look at some of the more popular trails:

24 Hours Course - Ride on the same trails that the 24 Hours of Snowshoe riders competed on. It's a world class cross country course that has received a lot of high praise throughout the mountain biking community.

Poo's Plateau - This is the sweet spot for the more advanced biker. Drop onto this plateau from Red Gate Road or Shay Way and you'll find miles of technical singletrack with loots of roots and rocks sprinkled about. You can spend hours in here and it only gets better as you choose your path of descent.

Spruce Road to Bald Knob - A popular ride to one of the most scenic spots around. You might want to ask for a tour guide on this one. It's about a 14 mile round trip to Bald Knob, Cass Scenic Railroad's highest point, where you can take in the scenery from the lookout tower and see for miles.

The Cheat Mountain Ridge Trail & Sunrise Backcountry Hut - The new Cheat Mountain Ridge Trail meanders over six miles, along some of the most scenic territory at Snowshoe eventually passing by one of the tallest lookout towers in the state and terminating at the beautiful Shavers Lake. Along the trail are many scenic overlooks and a number of primitive campsites that can be rented by the night.

Patterned after the famous backcountry huts of Colorado and New England, The Sunrise Hut is a rustic cabin that provides comfortable overnight accommodation for up to 14 people in a pristine wilderness setting. Located at the three-mile mark along the Cheat Mountain Trail, the Sunrise Hut can be a true adventure in itself. Powered by a wind generator and heated by a classic wood stove, the Hut offers a very unique experience that cannot be duplicated anywhere in the region. The Hut's resident host and chef tends to your group's every need, creating a memorable mountain adventure for all. The cabin can be rented in a variety of ways from 'per person' to nightly cabin rates. Breakfast and dinner is optional at additional cost.

If mountain biking isn't your cup of tea, Snowshoe's Outdoor Adventure Center gives you the opportunity to try some exciting things for the first time. Take aim at a wide variety of targets at their sporting clays' range. Play a game of Xtreme golf that takes you down and around the resort's mountain trail system. Experience the excitement of a fighting rainbow trout after it hits your fly. See the sites of the backcountry without much effort; climb aboard a four legged steed or take a ride on a Hydrotraxx (a six-wheeled amphibious, all-terrain vehicle). Snowshoe also offers many water activities such as canoeing, kayaking, and sailboating. Or you can challenge your friends to a game of capture the flag, or an all out battle on their wooded paintball course. No matter what you decide to try, all activities have one thing in common...a spetacular view and some of the most beautiful scenery to be found.

For more information on mountain biking and the many other activities offered at Snowshoe Mountain Resort check out their website at: www.snowshoemtn.com