Weekender: Winterplace Ski Resort

The family-friendly resort in West Virginia that delivers a mountain of fun

February 13, 2024

Michael Solender,

Takingonwinterplacecourtesywinterplaceskiresort — Photos courtesy Winterplace Ski Resort

For skiers, snowboarders, tubers, and snow-loving families, winter in Charlotte is more of a concept than a reality within the climate constraints of the Queen City. Well-schooled QC moms and dads, however, know mountains of seasonal outdoor fun are only a 3.5-hour drive north and just five minutes off I-77 at West Virginia’s Winterplace. For more than 40 years, the family-centric ski resort has rested atop the developed portion of Huff Knob, a southwestern West Virginia peak in the Appalachian that towers over the Bluestone Valley. It’s where kids (and kids-at-heart) can leave digital life behind, catch some big air, experience vast mountain vistas—and love every minute of it.

STAY

Experience two resorts in one at The Resort at Glade Springs. The expansive property has 200 rooms, suites (many adjoining), and multi-bedroom cabins, and puts you less than 20 minutes from Winterplace. Selected accommodations accept pets up to 50 pounds, and complimentary shuttles from Glade Springs to the ski area maximize family time on the slopes. Onsite amenities include bowling, an indoor pool, pickleball, tennis, archery, geo caching, hiking trails, laser tag, an arcade, and two spooky-fun escape room experiences. Adults can take advantage of the full service-spa and salon and fitness center.

EAT

Glade Springs has four distinct dining options ranging from casual to formal. Small Talk Café has coffee, bakery items, and light fare. Bunker’s Sports Bar is a full-service pub that serves burgers, nachos, salads, soups, and a large kid’s menu. Glade’s Grill & Bar offers more upscale dining with steaks, chops, and seafood. The Rotunda serves a hearty breakfast buffet daily. On-mountain dining is food court-style at Mountain Mama’s with pizza, burgers, sandwiches, and chili. For mid-mountain snacks or a hot cocoa, warm up at MountainHouse, where adults can enjoy spirited beverages and sweeping views of the slopes at the Snowdrift Lounge. If you venture offsite, visit The Dish Café in Daniels for falafel, lettuce wraps, inventive burgers (the Hey Jack Burger with pimento cheese and fried egg is a knockout), and Shrimp Po’ Boys. Farmers Kountry Kitchen in Ghent serves Philly-style cheesesteaks, wings, subs, and sliders.

PLAY

The resort has 27 ski trails and a Terrain Park with jumps, rails, and features for advanced trick skiing and snowboarding. The entire mountain is lit for night skiing, which is offered five days a week until 9 p.m. One all-day ticket (9 a.m. – 9 p.m.) means families can leave Charlotte before noon and be on the slopes with hours of same-day skiing. Full rentals are available for skis, boots, boards, poles, helmets, and even ski pants. The longest run is 1.25 miles, and lifts accommodate more than 13,000 skiers per hour. Translation: Short lift lines and more time on the slopes. Book individual, group, and family lessons, or Ski Wee and Snow Explorers programs for kids ages 5 -12 are half day and designed to jump-start skiing fundamentals. If you came for the Snowtubing, take advantage of the 20 lanes of slippery fun on the largest snowtubing park in the Mountain State. Two 800-foot Super Carpet lifts transport tubers to the top so all that energy is spent laughing down the hill.

SKI SEASON

Winterplace’s season typically runs from just after Thanksgiving though mid to late March, pending Mother Nature’s cooperation. The comprehensive snowmaking means 100 percent coverage, weather permitting.

MICHAEL J. SOLENDER is a Charlotte-based features writer. Reach him at michaeljsolender@gmail.com or through his website, michaeljwrites.com.

Familiesshineatwinterplacecourtesywinterplaceskiresort

With 85 percent of the runs categorized as beginner or intermediate, the mountain is well suited for novice and casual skiers. Seasoned skiers need not worry, as 15 percent of runs designated for experts offer a solid test for the veterans.