Spend a winter weekend in Elkins.
One of the gateways to the Monongahela National Forest, Elkins has updated its old lumber and railroad town vibe—and it’s close to some of the best winter adventuring in the state.
Stay at the stylishly revived 1906 Tygart Hotel for a downtown base, or head just outside town to The Inn at the Forks to be wrapped in rustic elegance. To be close to the snow, book your room an hour from town at Elk River Inn and Cabins or Snowshoe Mountain.
Then, make time to stroll through Elkins’ boutiques and galleries, and you’ll find yourself warmed by the town’s artsy, welcoming feel. Mountain Rail West Virginia runs nostalgic holiday rail excursions through the mountains, complete with carols and cocoa. And the Gandy Dancer Theatre lights up winter nights with Branson-style live music, comedy, and variety shows that draw audiences from across the region.
When you’re ready to play in the snow, you’ve got options. The famous slopes of Snowshoe Mountain offer downhill enthusiasts every type of thrill, and Elk River Touring Center sends cross-country skiers out on crisp tracks—or head into the vast Monongahela National Forest for endless skiing, snowshoeing, or walking in the winter wilderness.
Dining is as much part of the Elkins experience as the scenery. Stop in at Clementine’s Cantina for a splash of south-of-the-border color and spice or Smoke on the Water for barbecue and comfort food overlooking the Shavers Fork River. Forks Inn and Restaurant gives hearty Appalachian-inspired dishes an elevated flair, and the Oxley House serves refined American plates in a setting that feels like a special occasion. Stop in at Big Timber Brewing, a staple of the state’s craft beer scene, or sample small-batch creativity at
Fox Hops Brewing.
Whether you’re cozied up after a rail ride, savoring a candlelit dinner, or raising a fresh-brewed pint, Elkins is a winter retreat that offers warmth in every sense—and plenty of reasons to go back next year.
Woo-Hoo! At Snowshoe
When winter hits West Virginia, Snowshoe Mountain turns into the mid-Atlantic’s premier playground. 4,848 feet means serious powder, and every kind of snow adventure is on the menu—from adrenaline-fueled thrills to laid-back, family-friendly fun.
Downhill is the star. With nearly 250 acres of skiable terrain and three distinct areas, Snowshoe offers something for every skill level. Beginners can find their balance on gentle greens, while intermediates carve turns on cruisy blues. The experts can head straight for Cupp Run, a black diamond beast designed by Olympic legend Jean-Claude Killy, or to Soaring Eagle, with its wide-open drop and spectacular views. Night skiing? No problem.
But the fun doesn’t stop at skis and snowboards. The tube park turns the mountain into a giant slide—just plop down and laugh your way to the bottom. For a throwback thrill, grab a sled and hit one of the sledding hills under the glow of evening lights.
Snowshoe can also turn up the adventure factor. Guided snowmobile tours let you rocket through forest trails, and families love the mountaintop adventure center, where kids can climb, bounce, and burn off energy between snow sessions. Or book a woodsy horse-drawn sleigh ride with Autumn Breeze Stables.
If your perfect snow day means less adrenaline and more après, Snowshoe has you covered. Cozy firepits, hot cocoa in the Village, and spa treatments at the resort offer plenty of ways to relax those muscles after a day outside.
Tracks Through the Trees
Wake up breathing mountain air, then strap your skis on or lace up some snowshoes—you’re right at the doorstep of winter adventure at Elk River Inn & Cabins. Ten kilometers of trails border the inn and wind through the edge of the Monongahela National Forest. For even more terrain, the Highland Scenic Highway isn’t plowed in winter—meaning 25 kilometers of unspoiled forest roads and high ridgelines all to yourself.
Whether you want a gentle glide along a scenic river or elevation change between 2,700 and 4,700 feet, there’s plenty of variety. Elk River supplies rentals: snowshoes as well as Nordic ski packages with skis, boots, and poles. Trails around the center are groomed when possible, although you won’t find skate-grooming—ambient snow and light snowmobile grooming are the rule. For solitude, scenery, and simple winter joy, it’s hard to beat what’s just outside the door at Elk River Inn.
READ MORE STORIES FROM OUR WINTER 2025 ISSUE
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