Making the trek to Snowshoe is rewarded with beautiful scenery, great snow conditions, and 60 trails spread over a 1,500-foot vertical. The drive became more palatable a few years ago, when Snowshoe opened a new entrance road to the resort from the town of Cass. This shaves about 30 minutes off the drive from the D.C. area and is the road used from our B & B.

Snowshoe has 60 trails, and they're usually all open by early January, with a handful opening before Thanksgiving. The trails are spread across three distinct areas: the main Snowshoe area, with 41 trails and an 800-foot vertical drop; the Silver Creek area, with 17 trails and a 660-foot vertical; and the Western Territory, with 2 trails and a 1,500-foot vertical. The Western Territory features Cupp Run and Shay's Revenge, two 1.5-mile expert slopes serviced by their own high-speed lift. The Western Territory is just across the street from the main Snowshoe area. Silver Creek is down the road (and reached by a free shuttle), featuring tamer trails and usually less crowds. Silver Creek is home to the Ruckus Ridge tubing park, a snowboard park, and is lit for night skiing.

On weekends, the main Snowshoe area can become crowded (with the base of the Ballhooter Express chairlift becoming a choking point), but the Western Territory and Silver Creek areas are rarely crowded. The installation of a third high-speed quad in 2006, replacing the older Widowmaker lift at the main Snowshoe area, has helped to reduce crowding. If you can swing a trip to Snowshoe mid-week, you'll find significantly discounted prices and might have the slopes to yourself.

As a full-blown destination resort, Snowshoe doesn't lack amenities as there are 21 dining establishments. There are also many winter activities that do not involve skis and snowboards, such as snowmobiling and snowshoeing.

The name Beartown comes from the many cave-like openings in the rocks make ideal winter dens for the black bears of the area. Also, the many deep, narrow crevasses were formed in a somewhat regular criss-cross pattern and appear from above like the streets of a small town. Ice and snow commonly remain in the deeper crevasses until mid to late summer. Vegetation clings tenaciously to life, sending roots into mere cracks in the rocks. Entrance and parking is free and the Park is open daily from April to October. The closed winter season, foot travel to the boardwalk area is welcome, with parking available at the closed entrance gate. We are 30 minutes from the Park.

Located in Hillsboro, Pocahontas County is the restored Birthplace of Pearl S. Buck. Writing under her married name of Pearl S. Buck, she won the hearts of Americans with her famous novel, THE GOOD EARTH, for which she won the PULITZER PRIZE FOR LITERATURE in 1932. For the high quality of her literary work, she was awarded the NOBEL PRIZE FOR LITERATURE in 1938. Pearl Buck was the first American woman to ever receive both of these awards.Open year around, except Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years Day, Monday - Saturday, 9:00 - 4:30. Adults $6.00, Seniors(60+) $5.00, Students $1.00. The tour takes about 45 minutes please try to arrive by 4:00 so you'll have time to enjoy everything. our Inn is about 40 minutes from here.

The site of West Virginia's last significant Civil War battle. The Battle of Droop Mountain Reenactment is October 11 & 12, 2008. On November 6, 1863, the federal army of Brigadier General William W. Averell, in his second attempt to disrupt the Virginia-Tennessee Railroad at Salem, Virginia, faced again the Confederate troops of Brigadier General John Echols. Throughout the morning, Echols' smaller confederate army held the high ground and blocked the highway with artillery, but in the afternoon was overwhelmed by the crushing advance of federal infantry on his left flank. Following the collapse of his lines, General Echols retreated south into Virginia with the remnants of his command. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built the Museum and the Lookout Tower. The Battle of Droop Mountain Reenactment is in October. Our Inn is about 35 minutes fro here.

This popular 114 acre area contains three waterfalls - 25 feet, 45 feet, and 63 feet. The lower falls, at 63 feet is the second highest waterfall in West Virginia. A three quarter mile trail leads visitors to spectacular views of the three waterfalls as Hills Creek descends 220 feet between the upper and lower falls. The first 1700 feet of trail is a paved, wheelchair accessible path to the upper falls viewing platform. The remainder of the trail is more strenuous with stairways and boardwalks leading to the lower falls. The complete trip takes about an hour. The park is open year round, parking and entrance is free. Our Inn is about 45 minutes from here.

Cass Scenic Railroad State Park is about six miles from our B & B. Cass Scenic Railroad has several early 20th century destinations, as the Shay steam locomotive traverses the 11% grade to a logging station; where passengers enjoy the view all the way to the top of the mountain. Round trip is two hours to Whitaker station and leaves at noon and 2:30PM each day. Round trip is two hours to Whitaker station and leaves at noon and 2:30PM each day. Round trip to the abandoned logging town of Spruce (Fridays only), takes five hours and leaves at 11AM. The trip to Bald Knob, the highest elevation on the train ride at 4900ft, also takes five hours and leaves at 11AM. Fiddles & Viddles Train Ride start Sat, May 24th and continue every Sat starting June 14th thru Sept 27th. Murder Mystery Train runs the Fridays of May 23rd, June 27th, July 4th, July 25th, Aug 29th and Sept 26th.

The Durbin Rocket Excursion Train (opening Day is Friday, May 2nd) starts its trip thru the Monogahela Forest at Durbin, 20 miles north of our B & B, a trip lasting 2 hours.

The Greenbrier River Trail is three miles from our B & B, accessible at Sillington on the north edge of Seneca State Forest and runs for 78 miles to Greenbrier County just east of Lewisburg at North Caldwell. The trail is available to bicycles, hikers and horses and follows the Greenbrier River. The 22nd Annual Great Greeenbrier River Race, Sat April 26th, will be a triathlon of riding, hiking and canoeing with prizes awarded and fun for all, to support the Trail and its upkeep. The American Lung Association Greenbrier Trail Bike Trek, a 100 mile, 3-day event to support the Association. Event runs Fri, May 15th thru Sun, May 17th.

Fishing is the best kept secret of Pocahontas County, where eight rivers claim their headwaters. The Greenbrier River is just three miles from our B & B and offers trout and bass fishing. Deer Creek is within walking distance and offers good trout fishing. Trout streams of the Cranberry, Williams and Shavers Fork are prime for fly-fishing. Lake fishing is also abundant in Pocahontas County, with lakes at Watoga State Park, Seneca State Forest, Buffalo Lake and Shavers Lake, all within a few miles from our B & B.

Favored activity in Pocahontas County on the Greenbrier, with outfitters available to provide all the necessary equipment. Of course, just ask and we will be able to help with contacts and arranging your activities to wild, wonderful West Virginia!

The telescope is the National Radio Telescope in Green Bank, located five miles north on Rt92 from our B & B. Radio telescopes produce images of celestial bodies by recording radio emissions. As the world's largest fully maneuverable telescope, it is used by scientists around the world. Free daily tours are available on the hour starting Memorial Day thru Labor Day and Wednesday thru Sunday all other times.

The Opera House offers weekly events of local musicians, plays and cultural events on the weekend. The cost is usually low (about $6) and the parking is easy and the production quality is first class. Enjoy the local charm of a small opera house while enjoying great entertainment.

This 88-mile (approximately 6.5-hour) round trip includes many interesting features such as a long tunnel built with an "S" curve far underneath Cheat Mountain, numerous long mountain vistas, and many opportunities to view exotic wildlife including bald eagle and black bear. Stops will be made at the inspirational "High Falls of the Cheat" as well as Cheat Bridge. Trip starts at the Elkins Train Depot, which is about 55 minutes from our B & B.