Snowshoe
61 runs, 1,502ft vertical, 257 acres in West Virginia's Alleghenies. Ikon Pass, summit village layout.
Season 2025 - 2026
Opens
28 Nov 2025
Closes
13 Apr 2026
Days open
136
Annual snow
15ft
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Snowshoe's summit reaches 4,848 feet, dropping 1,502 vertical feet to a base at 3,346 feet across 61 runs spread over 257 acres in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia. Terrain splits 38 per cent beginner, 30 per cent advanced, 24 per cent intermediate and 8 per cent expert. Average annual snowfall reaches roughly 180 inches, high for the Mid-Atlantic region. The resort operates on the Ikon Pass under Alterra Mountain Company ownership.
Snowshoe's defining feature is its Village, built near the summit rather than at the mountain's base, an unusual layout among North American resorts. Shuttle buses connect the summit village to the base lodge, roughly six miles and a 15-minute drive away. The 1,502-foot vertical drop and 180-inch average snowfall make Snowshoe the largest and snowiest resort in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast. Twelve lifts serve the 61-run network across the mountain.
The site was logged from around 1905 to 1960 before being abandoned, until dentist and ski area developer Thomas 'Doc' Brigham, who had previously built North Carolina's Sugar Mountain and Beech Mountain, identified it as a resort site. Snowshoe opened to skiing on 13 December 1974. Tokyo Tower Development Company, a Japanese leisure developer, bought the resort in 1990, selling it to Canadian operator Intrawest in 1995. Intrawest was acquired in 2017 by a joint venture of KSL Capital Partners and Henry Crown and Company, forming Alterra Mountain Company, Snowshoe's current owner and the operator of the Ikon Pass.
Ikon Pass holders receive access to Snowshoe alongside dozens of other Alterra-owned and partner resorts worldwide. Adult day tickets range from 89 to 125 US dollars depending on date, with multi-day and lodging package options also available. The resort suits Mid-Atlantic and Southeast skiers seeking the region's largest terrain and highest snowfall, without needing to travel to the Rockies or New England. Its summit-village layout gives it a distinctly different feel from base-village resorts elsewhere on the Ikon network.
1,503ft
Vertical
61
Runs
257 acres
Skiable
15ft
Annual snow
Ikon
Pass
The Terrain
61 runs across 257 acres skiable
Snowshoe spreads 61 runs across 257 acres skiable of terrain. It leans beginner at 38%, with 23 beginner runs to find your feet and 23 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.
Terrain split
61
runs
61 runs across 4 grades
Beginner23 runs · 38%
Intermediate15 runs · 24%
Advanced18 runs · 30%
Expert5 runs · 8%
Time it right
When to visit Snowshoe
The 2025-26 season at Snowshoe ran from 28 November 2025 to 13 April 2026, a roughly nineteen-week window, long for a Mid-Atlantic resort. The mountain's relatively high summit elevation of 4,848 feet for the region supports an extended season compared with lower Appalachian ski areas. Season dates can shift based on early and late-season snowfall and snowmaking capacity. This length places Snowshoe among the longer operating Mid-Atlantic seasons.
Average annual snowfall of roughly 180 inches is exceptional for the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast, a result of Snowshoe's high elevation within the Allegheny Mountains catching more snow than surrounding lower terrain. This natural snowfall advantage, combined with extensive snowmaking, gives Snowshoe more reliable conditions than most regional competitors. Base depth builds through midwinter, supported by both natural accumulation and machine-made snow. The mountain's position makes it something of a snow island relative to the broader Mid-Atlantic region.
January and February typically bring the most reliable natural and machine-made conditions, consistent with the broader Appalachian storm pattern. Holiday periods from Christmas through New Year bring the heaviest crowds given Snowshoe's role as the region's premier destination. March offers a balance of strong snow totals and improving weather, extending into the mid-April close. Weekday visits are generally quieter than weekends throughout the season.
Snowshoe's summit-village setting supports a range of on-mountain dining and lodging options through the season, distinct from base-village resorts elsewhere. As part of Alterra's Ikon Pass network, specific event programming ties into the broader Ikon calendar alongside local operations. The resort's Mid-Atlantic and Southeast draw means it functions as a true multi-day destination rather than a day-trip hill. Its scale and snowfall keep it distinct from smaller regional competitors throughout the season.
Season 2025 - 2026
28 Nov 2025
Opens
13 Apr 2026
Closes
136
Days open
15 ft
Annual snow
Getting there
Getting to Snowshoe, and where to stay
Snowshoe sits in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia, with a base elevation of 3,346 feet and a summit at 4,848 feet across a 1,502-foot vertical drop over 257 acres. The resort's Village sits close to the summit rather than the base, an unusual layout among North American ski areas. This is Pocahontas County, a rural, mountainous part of eastern West Virginia. The surrounding Monongahela National Forest adds to the area's remote, forested character.
There is no substantial town immediately adjacent to Snowshoe; the resort itself functions as the area's primary settlement, with the small community of Snowshoe, West Virginia, centred on the resort. Slatyfork and Marlinton are the nearest towns of any size, providing additional services beyond the resort itself. The broader region carries a rural Appalachian character rather than a ski-town identity. Charleston and other West Virginia cities lie a considerable drive away.
West Virginia state routes provide the main access to Snowshoe, climbing into the Allegheny Mountains from the surrounding lowlands. The drive from Charleston takes roughly three hours, while Washington DC is around four hours away, making Snowshoe accessible to a large Mid-Atlantic population. Winter driving on the mountain approach roads can include snowpack and ice, standard for a high-elevation Appalachian route. No public transport service reaches the resort, making a car necessary for access.
Yeager Airport in Charleston, West Virginia, is a regional option, though many visitors fly into Washington Dulles International Airport, roughly four hours away, given the larger range of flights available there. Pittsburgh International Airport in Pennsylvania offers another regional alternative. No rail service reaches Snowshoe directly. Most visitors drive from the Washington DC, Pittsburgh or Charlotte metropolitan areas rather than flying into a small regional airport near the resort.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Snowshoe, powered by Stay22.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
FIS Weighs Holding World Championships in Almost Every Winter, Starting 2032
The International Ski and Snowboard Federation is looking at a major shake-up to its title events calendar. From 2032, World Championships could run not just in odd-numbered years but in every non-Olympic winter too, effectively putting a global title event on the calendar almost every season. The FIS Council has approved the concept following a feasibility study, though an accelerated rollout as early as 2028 is also under consideration.
4 Sept 2026
Mount Buller Becomes Latest Australian Resort to Call Time Early on 2026
Mount Buller closes out its 2026 season this Sunday, joining Falls Creek, Hotham and Charlotte Pass in a cluster of closures landing almost simultaneously and roughly a month ahead of schedule. The culprit is stark: Spencers Creek's benchmark snow depth hit 31.2cm on 3 September, just 18% of the 73-year average and an all-time low for this point in the season. Six of Victoria and NSW's best-known resorts will have shut their lifts early within a span of about two and a half weeks.
4 Sept 2026
Tremblant to Add New Timber Summit Ski Sector for 2027/28 Season
Tremblant has confirmed a major expansion of its Quebec ski area, with a new Timber Summit sector adding 62 acres of terrain, eight trails and a high-speed quad chairlift for winter 2027/28. It's part of a CAD 42.5 million investment that also includes a new beginner learning zone at Versant Soleil opening this coming season. The project has grown considerably since it was first announced back in 2020, when it carried a far smaller budget and an opening date that never eventuated.
2 Sept 2026
Mount Hotham to Close for the 2026 Season on Sunday, September 6
We knew when the Bird Bath Pond Skim showed up on Hotham's Instagram that the season was on its way out. It's been a rough one - I only managed two days on snow all year, at Falls Creek - and now Baw Baw, Selwyn and Hotham have all called it, possibly the worst Australian season I've seen in a decade. Hotham's last day of lift operations is Sunday, 6 September, with a Retro Day, Father's Day après and closing sales before the lifts stop turning for good.
1 Sept 2026
Thredbo to Replace Ageing Gunbarrel Quad With New Six-Seat Chairlift for 2028
Thredbo Alpine Resort has confirmed plans to replace its 37-year-old Gunbarrel quad chairlift with a new six-seat Doppelmayr D-Line, targeting winter 2028. The AUD 35 million project will keep travel time roughly the same but lift capacity from 2,800 to 3,000 skiers per hour. It's part of a broader investment push that also includes doubled snowmaking capacity at Friday Flat for 2027, with the ageing Kosciuszko Express now flagged as the resort's next major lift replacement after Gunbarrel.
31 Aug 2026
Aerial Tram Collides With Crane at Alpe d'Huez: 23 Injured
An aerial tram carrying around fifty passengers struck the boom of a construction crane on the route to Pic Blanc at Alpe d'Huez on Wednesday morning, injuring 23 people, three seriously. The cabin tipped on impact before the operator reversed it to right the car. Most of the injured were treated on site, with five taken to hospital in Grenoble, including a pregnant woman assessed as a precaution.
28 Aug 2026
Why Glaciers Are Collapsing - And What Happens When They Do
A deadly flood on the Nepal-China border, a decade-old tragedy on Italy's Marmolada, and an unstable glacier right now above a village near Zermatt - three very different mountain ranges, the same underlying story. Warming ice is destabilising terrain that was considered settled for generations, and the results range from catastrophic floods to slow-motion monitoring situations that could go either way.
27 Aug 2026
Pitztal Glacier Set to Reopen for the 2026/27 Ski Season on 26 September
Tyrol's highest ski area is gearing up to open a full month ahead of most of the Alps. The Pitztal Glacier is scheduled to start its 2026/27 season on Saturday 26 September, running through to 2 May 2027, with the lower-altitude Rifflsee area following in December. High-altitude terrain up to 3,440 metres gives the glacier a head start on snow, though as always, the actual opening extent will depend on how September's weather plays out. Early online ski pass bookings can save up to 30%.
26 Aug 2026
Snowshoe Lift Tickets
Snowshoe lift tickets & passes
The 2025 - 2026 season at Snowshoe closed on Apr 13, 2026. Check back for next season's opening date and ticket pricing.
Day passes start from US$45, with peak rates up to US$140.
Ikon11 pass options
Single-day passes
Adult 18–64
Adult Full Day
US$89up to US$125 peak
Full day access to Snowshoe Mountain Resort with 61 slopes and 14 lifts. West Virginia's premier ski destination offers the best skiing and snowboarding in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Buy passYouth 13–17
Youth Full Day
US$79up to US$110 peak
Youth daily ticket for Snowshoe Mountain in West Virginia. Experience Mid-Atlantic skiing with varied terrain and excellent snow conditions near Washington DC.
Buy passChild 7–12
Child Full Day
US$69up to US$95 peak
Children's lift ticket at Snowshoe Mountain Resort. Family-friendly West Virginia skiing with beginner terrain and excellent ski school programs in the Allegheny Mountains.
Buy passChild 0–6
Child (6 & Under)
Free
Free skiing for children 6 and under at Snowshoe Mountain. West Virginia's largest ski resort welcomes families with convenient access from the Mid-Atlantic region.
Buy passSenior 65–99
Senior Full Day
US$79up to US$110 peak
Senior lift ticket for Snowshoe Mountain Resort. Discounted access to West Virginia's premier skiing with 61 slopes across two mountain areas in the Allegheny Mountains.
Buy passAdult 18–64
Freedom Lift Ticket
US$105up to US$140 peak
Freedom ticket provides access to both Snowshoe and Silver Creek areas during the day plus night skiing at Silver Creek. Best value for full mountain access.
Buy passAdult 18–64
Lodging Package Deal
US$67up to US$94 peak
Package lift tickets with Snowshoe Mountain lodging for up to 25% off daily ticket rates. Includes access to Snowshoe Mountain Hotel amenities and on-mountain dining.
Buy passHalf-day passes
Adult 18–64
Half Day
US$69up to US$95 peak
Half day skiing at Snowshoe Mountain starting in the afternoon. Perfect for shorter visits to West Virginia's largest ski resort with access to both resort areas.
Buy passAdult 18–64
Night Skiing
US$45up to US$65 peak
Night skiing at Silver Creek area of Snowshoe Mountain. West Virginia's premier night skiing experience with lighted slopes and terrain park features.
Buy passMulti-day passes
Adult 18–64
Multi-Day (3-Day)
US$225up to US$315 peak
Three-day lift ticket package at Snowshoe Mountain with savings over daily rates. Perfect for extended West Virginia ski vacations in the Allegheny Mountains.
Buy passSeason passes
Adult 18–64
Unlimited Season Pass
US$899
Unlimited access to Snowshoe Mountain all season with no blackout dates. Includes retail discounts, lodging benefits, and access to partner resort discounts.
Buy passLift tickets FAQ
How much does a Snowshoe day pass cost?
Snowshoe day passes range from US$45 to US$140 depending on the date and advance booking.
Can I buy Snowshoe lift tickets online?
Yes, you can purchase tickets directly from the resort website or at the resort ticket office.
Are there discounts for multi-day passes?
Yes, multi-day packages typically offer significant savings compared to individual day passes. The per-day cost decreases with longer stays.
What is included with a Snowshoe lift ticket?
Full access to all lifts and trails at Snowshoe, including mountain safety and patrol services.
What is the difference between Snowshoe lift tickets and ski passes?
"Lift tickets" and "ski passes" refer to the same thing at Snowshoe - your access to the mountain's lifts and trails for your chosen duration.
When should I buy Snowshoe lift tickets for the best price?
Purchase tickets at least 7 days in advance for the best rates, and consider weekday visits for further savings over weekend rates.
Does Snowshoe offer group discounts on lift tickets?
Group discounts are typically available for parties of 10 or more. Contact Snowshoe directly for group booking information and rates.
How can I check current conditions before buying tickets?
Before purchasing, check the live snow report and mountain webcams to see current weather, snow conditions, and lift operations at Snowshoe.
More Snowshoe intelligence: snow report, webcams, resort overview.