Timberline Mountain is one of West Virginia's top ski destinations. Here's a look at what's available in this winter-focused corner of the state.
Photos by Matthew Durfee
West Virginia's Tucker County is a great home base for snow lovers. It's home to Canaan Valley, the highest elevation valley of its size east of the Mississippi River.
With a snow pack that can average two to four feet by late winter, the valley sustains three different ski destinations. One of these is Timberline Mountain, which has 22 runs, two terrain parks, a hotel, and a ski lodge.
This resort partners with Perfect North in Indiana and Swiss Valley in Michigan. If your winter travels take you that far afield, you can buy a pass that gives you a discount at the other locations (or even a pass that includes all three).
Perfect North acquired Timberline in 2019 and Swiss Valley in 2025 and then set about upgrading and redesigning several aspects of the slopes.
Timberline Mountain for Beginners
A number of the trails here are beginner friendly, and lessons are available for both skiing and snowboarding. Group lessons happen throughout the day. You should try to book them at least a couple of days before your visit.
Your lift ticket will be loaded on to an RFID card. There's a small fee for a new card, so once you get one, hold on to it for future visits!
Be sure to also consider the different options for receiving credits (short days, late days, mid-week visits, or a day spent entirely on the beginner hill — these all may be eligible for getting small credits loaded back on to your card, which you can then use for future purchases on the mountain).
Check the lift hours before you go; sometimes night skiing is an option.
Here are some tips on gear for beginners, as well as things I learned as a new skier.
Struggling to find ski attire that fits? Check our suggestions for wide calf ski boots and snow pants for curvy women.
Other Snow Sports to Try
The slopes here at Timberline are home to two terrain parks, so more experienced skiers and snowboarders can work on jumps, rails, and other skills.
For snow tubing or ice skating, head over to Canaan Valley State Park, just a few miles away.
For cross country skiing or snowshoeing, you'll want to visit White Grass Ski Touring Center or Blackwater Falls State Park, which are both only a short drive from Timberline. Blackwater Falls also has a quarter-mile long sled run.
Places to Stay + Eat
Timberline has a small hotel on site at the foot of the slope, including some rooms with decks that allow you to come and go on skis.
You could also stay at the resort at Canaan Valley or the lodge at Blackwater Falls.
A handful of other area hotels and lodges offer packages that include lift tickets to Timberline.
For food at Timberline Ski Lodge, you can either choose the second-floor cafeteria (for a quick bite — of the burgers and pizza variety) or the third-floor restaurant, Slippery Slope Bar and Grill.
The restaurant has a small menu of made-to-order items and a bar offering specialty cocktails, beer, wine and cider. There's a great view of the mountain to be had from this vantage point. And live music is often scheduled on the weekends.
Mountain Owl Market is a small shop located just outside Timberline, and it's another place you can pick up sandwiches, soup, pastries, and more for your day on the slopes.
If it's been many years since you've visited Timberline, you may want to give it a try again under its newest ownership!
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