Family Fun
The mountains of West Virginia are majestic year-round, but they shine a little brighter as white snow blankets the peaks in winter. Cooler temperatures bring a new season of adventure in West Virginia’s state parks and forests, which host some of the best snow recreation in the region.
SLEDDING
Blackwater Falls State Park
The sled run at Blackwater Falls State Park is a one-of-a-kind winter attraction that delights visitors of all ages. Open mid-December through February, the sled run is the epitome of family-friendly fun. It provides an exhilarating rush of cold mountain air with a brisk ride down a quarter-mile of fresh powder surrounded by frosted evergreens.
Pipestem Resort State Park
At 200 yards long, this hill trumps any backyard bump. What’s more, Pipestem Resort State Park has a generous rental policy with low hourly fees. You’re allowed to bring your own sled, too. Staff will want to inspect it first, though, to make sure everything is “go for launch.”
Canaan Valley Resort State Park
Although it’s known for the skiing and snowboarding, Canaan Valley Resort has a popular tubing park and covered ice-skating rink as well. The impressive snow tubing park features runs that are 1,200 feet long – making it the longest multi-lane snow tubing park in the Mid-Atlantic. To reach the top of the tubing runs, the park offers visitors a “magic carpet” that will transport them up the mountain where they will be met with jaw-dropping panoramic views of Canaan Valley. The skating rink is open every week through the winter season and is surrounded by beautiful rolling mountains and plains.
