Archive for December, 2009

West Virginia Ski Area Review

Tuesday, December 29th, 2009

What, you thought all we did was go rafting?

Nope.  We’re pretty avid snow junkies, too.  The New River Gorge is kinda-sorta central to the ski scene in West Virginia (or at least it is for us), and it’s a good place to lay your head while planning your next day on the slopes.

Spoiler Alert: This Is Not West Virginia

Spoiler Alert: This Is Not West Virginia

So, in light of the fact that we’re involved in all things recreation, here’s our quick rundown of the ski resorts here in the mountain state:

WinterPlace Ski Resort: Close to our homes and close to our hearts, WinterPlace Ski Resort is just down the road from the New River Gorge.  We affectionately refer to it (with a big grin) as “The Walmart Of Skiing”.  That’s because it’s right next to highway access- you can drive right in, get what you need, and drive right back out.

Verdict:  The perfect place if you are a never-ever-before first time skier or rider.  Or if you’re taking one.

Canaan Valley Resort And Conference Center: It’s up in the valley between Davis and Elkins, which means Canaan Valley Resort is one of the prettiest places in the state.  Also, it looks across the valley at Timberline, so there’s a little sibling rivalry thing going on, which is always fun.  Canaan is the only place in West Virginia that you can go Air Boarding, which means you should check it out because… hey… Air Boarding!

Verdict:  Fun in the snow for not much dough + Air Boards = awesome.

Timberline Four Seasons Resort: Here’s the thing about Timberline Four Seasons:  If you didn’t know any better, you’d swear it was a small resort out in California somewhere.  T-line’s got that funky, down home vibe (one of the lifts comes from Colorado’s Crested Butte), and the skiing is better than anything in West Virginia has a right to be.  Long, single fall line runs, great trees, nice steeps, and a top notch, super friendly ski school make Timberline a favorite.

Verdict:  You might see Norman Rockwell ski by.  Or Shawn White.

Snowshoe Mountain: Snowshoe Mountain is the closest West Virginia gets to “out west” skiing.  Maybe it’s because it was owned by a huge ski resort developer for the last 15 years or so.  Or maybe it’s just because it’s great.  Snowshoe is the only resort in the state with high speed lifts, and two mile-long Black Diamond trails.  Locals secret:  When the conditions or crowds get bad on the Snowshoe side of the hill, head to Silver Creek, the resort’s smaller sister hill, on the same ticket.

Verdict:  If you want the resort experience, Snowshoe is for you, hands down.

And don’t dare forget about…

White Grass Cross Country Skiing: They call themselves the most exciting cross country skiing in the east, and it’s no lie.  For starters, White Grass is a whole mountain that features every single ability level from rank beginner to oh-my-lawd expert.  It helps that the folks that run the place have been on the double top secret list of coolest, funnest (?), and all-around-bestest people in West Virginia forever.  Lessons are the most fun you’ll have on XC skis, probably, and the restaurant is worth the trip in and of itself.

Verdict:   Honest-to-goodness winter fun for all ages.  Don’t miss it.

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Twas The Night Before Rafting…

Monday, December 14th, 2009

‘Twas the night before rafting, and all through the gorge

The waves were a’crashing in rapids so large.

The moon in the sky, so big and so bright

Shone down on whitewater that cold winter’s night.

Christmas Lights

Christmas Lights

There were no hoots and hollers from summertime rafters

No raft videos playing at big party-afters.

The only things stirring along the New River

Were birds in their nests from the occasional shiver.

When out of the West Virginia sky did appear

A 4×4 sleigh pulled by eight whitetail deer.

Santa pulled into Songer, and jumped out while laughing,

“I been workin’ all night… I wanna go raftin’!”

The Songer guides all were asleep in their beds

While visions of Pillow Rock danced in their heads.

Santa yelled, “Load the boats! We need to go fast!”

And the guides replied, “Santa, we’ll freeze off our… um… it’s going to be really cold.”

Cried Santa, “No matter if the rapids are cold!

I’m ready to paddle- I’m from the North Pole!”

So they ran the great river in the freezing cold night

(The deer almost flipped at Suckers Go Right).

Santa said, “That was cool! Can the elves come ride soon?”

The guides said, “Well, most kids don’t come until June.”

“That blows,” cried the big man.  He said, “What a bummer,

That the whole world waits to go rafting ‘til summer.”

“Well,” said the guides, “Just give rafting for later,

Everyone loves the summer- don’t be such a hater.”

Said Santa, “Gift certificates?  For Songer?  For fun?

I can give this whole rafting experience to someone?”

“Well, that would be awesome as something to give,

Those people would thank me as long as they live!”

Said the guides, “Not just rafting- ATV riding, too,

And biking and climbing- everything that we do!”

Santa laughed as he took off up over the ridge

And flew underneath the New River Gorge Bridge

So if you find Songer in your stocking this season,

You’ll know Santa’s first rafting trip was the reason,

And remember this rhyme, no matter how far you roam:

Merry Christmas to all!  Go big or go home!

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The Essential Gear For Winter Rafting

Thursday, December 10th, 2009

Not many folks want to go rafting in the New River Gorge during the winter.

That’s understandable.  The water is freezing cold.  So’s the air, most of the time.  We get some snow, too.

Like this, but with snow

Like this, but with snow

Winter rafting is not exactly a day at the beach.

We don’t run commercial raft trips in the winter (no one in WV does), but if we did, you’d need lots of gear before you showed up.

Of course, we still do a lot of winter paddling.  Just because you don’t come doesn’t mean we’re not running the river.  Plus, we’re crazy :-)

Here’s a list of some stuff we use…

  • Beanies-  Mom was right. Don’t go out without a hat on.  Essential.
  • Booties-  Sandals don’t work in January.  We use big thick neoprene ones.
  • Bunny Suit-  This is like a one piece fuzzy fleece, a 21st century union suit.
  • Just using this bullet to say how some of the gear we use sounds like baby stuff.  Coincidence?
  • Dry Suit- Oh, it’s so much better than a wetsuit.  This is a whole body shell with gaskets on the ankles, wrists, and neck to keep the chilly water out.
  • Pogies-  Don’t know where the name comes from, but pogies are mittens that you can attach with velcro to your paddle.

So, if you’re looking to add winter whitewater to your Christmas list of things you need gear for, this should get you started.  It’s worth it:  The New River in the gorge today is over 60,000 CFS.

How much water is that?  In scientific terms, it’s called a crap ton.

And if you are interested in starting to do some winter rafting, give us a call.  We’d love to talk about some sub-freezing runs over a cup of hot chocolate, next to the fire.

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Shopping And Rafting And Gifts, Oh My

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009

So, how’s your Christmas shopping going?  Personally, I’m making myself crazy.  I’ve begged family members for ideas, I’ve looked at web sites, I’ve tried to compare prices- no luck.  The New River Gorge was too pretty for me to spend the day inside a mall, so… I went to Chicago.

Pretty good shopping, not much whitewater.

Pretty good shopping, not much whitewater.

Ok, I didn’t go there just to shop.  It was a very special time spending Thanksgiving with my family.  But hey, the Miracle Mile is right there, and who could resist?  We didn’t go on Black Friday, thank goodness. We waited until sunny Saturday.

I’m a West Virginia girl, so there’s some culture shock.  I never saw so many people crowded onto sidewalks in my life.   There were street entertainers, which was nice, but lots of people crowded around them created lovely opportunities for pick pockets (we were warned) and more congestion.

Once inside the stores, look out.  Those shoppers were out for blood.   Finally, around 3:30, when I was weak from hunger, my feet hurt and I had bruises, I came to a decision:  gift certificates.

My family thinks I’m cheap if I give them Songer Gift Certificates because they can get river trips for free.  But I actually give them because it’s a really great gift.  And hat could be easier?  Believe me, downtown shopping isn’t!  Do you think my family would get over the cheap idea if I gave them socks instead?

Anyway, I thought the culture shift was interesting.  We spend most of the summer talking to people about what it’s like for them to visit the mountains.  I almost forgot how different it is when I visit the city.

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