White Grass, Wv: Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing

OVERVIEW

Now’s your chance to try some cross-country skiing or snowshoeing before the season is over! White Grass is one of the best places in the east coast for either of these, offering 50km of trails right next to Dolly Sods, easy classes, and an awesome cafe for lunch.

Check out www.whitegrass.com for more background info.

Here’s our game plan:
>>3:00 pm Saturday – Meet at the wall outside of Echols to gather gear and arrange carpools
>>7:00 pm – Meet at White Grass, WV
>>7:30 pm – Free, guided, full moon cross-country ski
>>9:00 pm – Dinner at Hellbender Burritos in Davis, WV ($10)
>>10:00 pm – Head to the lodge at Blackwater Falls State Park (at least one room is reserved and we can cram or get extra rooms depending on the number of people, $25-40 per person)
>>Sunday – Snowshoe hike up the ridge to Bald Knob or get some xc skiing time at White Grass ($20 day pass if skiing, another $15 if you need to rent gear), eat at the cafe, then return to Cville in the early evening. Alternatively, there are a ton of hiking, skiing, and snowshoeing options in the area, all of which can be done for free out the back door of the lodge!

What you need to bring:
>>Warm, waterproof gear similar to what you’d wear while skiing or snowboarding. Temps will be around 25 Sat and 32 on Sun, but you’ll get warm, so aim for layers (thermal base layer, fleece, coat, wool socks, waterproof pants, hat, gloves).
>>Skis or snowshoes if ya got ’em, otherwise the club has some and there are rentals. Rentals include boots, otherwise bring your own pair if snowshoeing.
>>$$ for food, lodging, etc
>>Snacks and water for Sunday, maybe a thermos for a hot bev on the trail
>>Overnight stuff, sleeping bag if a room fills up
>>Bathing suit (the lodge has a pool/hot tub…)