GHENT, W.Va. — With recent snowfalls in the past few weeks, Tom Wagner, the Executive Vice President of Winterplace Ski Resort, said there is plenty of anticipation and positive buzz surrounding the resort’s opening this weekend.
Wagner making those comments on MetroNews’ affiliate WMOV in Ravenswood on “The Valley Today with Joe Stevens.”
“There is an awful lot of excitement in the last couple weeks due to the natural snowfall across the region,” he said. “Our phones have been ringing and people want to know exactly when are we going to be opening up as they want to be there for the first turns. It’s one of the most exciting times of the year because it kicks off the whole winter fun.
“It’s really critical to have snow in the outlying areas. It tells everyone visually that looks out of their window that it is time to go to West Virginia and go skiing because we are known for the great snow that we have.”
Winterplace in Raleigh County is one of two ski resorts in West Virginia opening on Saturday as Canaan Valley Ski Area in Tucker County will be dropping the ropes as well. Both are set to offer skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing. Winterplace will be open this weekend with normal season hours, 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Wagner said that Winterplace is offering free skiing for anyone 12 years of age and younger through Sunday as a way of introducing young people to the sport.
“One of the things that we have found is that families that ski together have great experiences,” he said. “There is nothing like riding on a chairlift and having a chat with a family member or a close friend. It enhances that whole experience and puts you right in line for winter fun.”
Wagner urged anyone interested in getting into skiing or snowboarding to take lessons.
“It is critical to take a lesson from a professional instructor. Our instructors pride themselves on teaching people how to ski. It’s just like driving a car. If you don’t take a lesson you don’t know where to put the key. When you go out there it’s going to ensure you’re going to have a much more successful experience with the sport. Taking that lesson makes all the difference in the world.”
Snowshoe Mountain Resort in Pocahontas County which opened over the Thanksgiving holiday, will be opening its Silver Creek area on Friday. Oglebay Resort in Ohio County and Timberline Four Seasons Resort in Tucker County are planning to open on Friday, December 21.
In a release by Ski West Virginia, they estimate the five-month long ski season in West Virginia has an estimated economic impact of over $250 million and 5,000 jobs at the resorts and other related companies.