Major city · United States
Snowshoe
Go for 2–3 nights if you ski or ride; day-tripping from elsewhere is a 3 h drive each way on mountain roads, so sleep on the mountain.
Snowshoe is a purpose-built ski resort on Cheat Mountain in West Virginia, not a town. Everything sits on one ridge: the Village at the top, Snowshoe Basin and Western Territory on the main face, Silver Creek and Top of the World further out. You come here to ski, ride or ride bikes, and you sleep where you park. There is no real off-mountain town within walking distance, and cell coverage is close to zero.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Dec–Mar for snow; Jun–Sep for biking and hiking
- avoid Apr–May and Nov (mud season, lifts closed, check opening dates)
- Airports
- LWB · CKB · CRW · ROA
- Nights
- 2–3
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Snowshoe911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Snowshoe, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyThe mountain is well-run and patrolled; the real risks are winter driving on WV-66, no cell signal for dozens of miles…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportLWB Greenbrier Valley (Lewisburg) (About 1 h 30 min by car; United to Chicago and Washington.).
- Getting aroundOn the mountain you walk: the Village takes a minute or two end to end, and most lodgings are 5–10 min from it.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or hot drink in the Village$4–7
- Sit-down mealSit-down dinner, main course$18–35
- Street or quick mealDeli sandwich or bowl of chili$10–16
- BeerDraught beer in a Village bar$6–9
- Budget bedTwo-bedroom condo (up to 4), a night, per roomUS$220
- Mid-range bedStandard hotel room or one-bedroom condo, a night, per roomUS$220
- High-end bedStandard hotel room or one-bedroom condo, a night, per roomUS$420
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$120 · Mid US$220 · High US$400
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LWB Greenbrier Valley (Lewisburg) (About 1 h 30 min by car; United to Chicago and Washington.) · CKB North Central West Virginia (Clarksburg) (About 2 h 30 min by car; United, Allegiant.) · CRW Yeager (Charleston) (About 3 h by car; American, Delta, United.) · ROA Roanoke–Blacksburg (About 3 h by car; American, Delta, United.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
Feb
Best
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Mar
Best
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Apr
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
May
Avoid
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jun
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jul
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Aug
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Sep
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Oct
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Nov
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Dec
Best
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Best: Jun–Sep, Dec–Mar. Avoid: Apr–May, Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)), coolest Jan (−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C) low), wettest Jan (6 rain days), driest Sep (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Snowshoe: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
6 rd
Feb
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
5 rd
Mar
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
6 rd
Apr
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
5 rd
May
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
6 rd
Jun
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
6 rd
Jul
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5 rd
Aug
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5 rd
Sep
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
4 rd
Oct
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
4 rd
Nov
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
5 rd
Dec
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
On the mountain you walk: the Village takes a minute or two end to end, and most lodgings are 5–10 min from it. Free shuttle buses run Snowshoe Drive on roughly a 20-minute loop; not every bus goes to Silver Creek, so read the sign. A car is needed for anything off the mountain — groceries, Cass, the observatory.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Cass Scenic Railroad State Park
goDoor to door: About 30 min
WV-66 east, about 10 miles from the back entrance to Snowshoe Drive
Summer and fall only; the steam trip is a sightseeing day, not transport.
Green Bank Observatory
goDoor to door: About 1 h
By car via WV-66 and US-219
Inside the Radio Quiet Zone: leave phones and anything transmitting in the car.
Elkins
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
By car via US-219/WV-66
A real town for supplies and a rail depot; not worth the round trip unless you are passing through.
White Sulphur Springs (Amtrak)
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 45 min
By car via US-219 and I-64
The Cardinal calls three times a week; only useful if you are arriving or leaving by train.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
The Village
Top of the mountain, pedestrian walkway, most restaurants and shops; walk to lifts in 1–2 min.
Snowshoe Basin / Powderidge
Main ski face lodgings; 5–10 min walk to the Village, some units near the Powderidge lift.
Top of the World
Further up the ridge; free general parking, but longer to the Village — use the shuttle.
Silver Creek
Separate area with its own lifts and night skiing; paid parking, shuttle to the main basin.
Off the mountain (Slatyfork, Cass, Valley Head)
Inn at Snowshoe and small inns near US-219/WV-66; cheaper, but you drive or shuttle up each day.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $120–180 excl. bed
- Mid
- $180–300 excl. bed
- High
- $300+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Standard hotel room or one-bedroom condo1 × 3 nights × US$220 | US$660 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × US$220 | US$1,320 |
| Basic ski or snowboard rental, adult, one day2 × US$40 · check | US$80 |
| High-performance rental package, one day2 × US$65 · check | US$130 |
| Helmet rental, one day2 × US$7 · check | US$14 |
| Parking at Silver Creek, one day3 × US$15 · check; free general parking at Top of the World | US$45 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$225 |
| Trip total≈ US$412 per person per day, bed included | US$2,474 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; lift tickets, rentals and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or hot drink in the Village | $4–7 |
| Deli sandwich or bowl of chili | $10–16 |
| Sit-down dinner, main course | $18–35 |
| Draught beer in a Village bar | $6–9 |
| Basic ski or snowboard rental, adult, one day | $25–40 (check) |
| High-performance rental package, one day | $55–65 (check) |
| On-mountain groceries (Wildcat Provisions) | expect a markup on town prices |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Cell service is extremely limited inside the National Radio Quiet Zone; AT&T is the only network with coverage on the mountain and even many lodgings have none. Download offline maps before you drive in.
- Check in at the Inn at Snowshoe at the bottom of the mountain before driving up, and collect pre-ordered lift passes there.
- Most lodgings advertising ski-in ski-out are a short walk from the slopes, not on them — read the distance line on each unit's page.
- Roads up are plowed and fine in a normal car if you are used to snow; carry chains or winter tyres in a storm.
- Buy groceries and alcohol before you arrive; on-mountain provisions are limited and priced accordingly.
- Lift, rental and lodging prices move with season and date — treat all figures here as 2026 estimates and confirm on the resort's own site.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
SnowshoeSnowshoe
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No consulates on the mountain; the nearest full-service banking and services are in Slatyfork and Elkins. Most foreign visitors handle visas and passports before flying into Washington, D.C. or Charleston.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Parking, Silver Creek: $5–25/day; free general parking at Top of the World (check)
- Basic rental, adult, one day: $25–40 depending on shop and weekday/weekend (check)
- Shuttle on Snowshoe Drive: free, about a 20-minute loop
Say or show
- Where is the lift? — Where is the lift?
- I need ski patrol. — I need ski patrol.
- Is this trail for beginners? — Is this trail for beginners?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Where is the shuttle stop? — Where is the shuttle stop?
- I have no phone signal — can you help? — I have no phone signal — can you help?
Cell coverage is close to zero on and around the mountain. Save an offline map and a screenshot of your booking before you drive in.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Snowshoe. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–Mar for snow; Jun–Sep for biking and hiking · avoid Apr–May and Nov (mud season, lifts closed, check opening dates) · month by month →
- 4 airports and 5 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 6 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for LWB, CKB, CRW and ROA: drive times, last rental-car desk, winter-road fallback.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Village, Snowshoe Basin/Powderidge, Top of the World, Silver Creek.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Snowshoe Basin lifts, Western Territory, Silver Creek night skiing, Cass Scenic Railroad) and eat pages with last orders.
- Offline-navigation and no-signal fixtures so the arrival gates can go green.