- Map to some of the locations below and more. (many thanks to Katy for putting this together)
- Pandapas Pond (5 mi) - requires a fair amount of snow due to tree cover and rocky trails. Maybe 12" or more. Currently (2-19-2010) in good condition especially if you go out a mile or so on the Basin trail.
- Mountain Lake (about 25 mi, 35 minutes) - higher altitude than Blacksburg so the snow tends to stay around a little longer than in Blacksburg. The Mt. Lake Conservancy is a good source for snow conditions the Conservancy Facebook page often has snow/skiing conditions. Weather in Pembroke, VA is the closest weather I could find. (Mt. Lake is over 2000' higher than Pembroke and I've been told by Tangent Outfitters that there's often more snow @Mt. Lake than in Pembroke.
- VT Golf Course (0 mi) - Don't be a golf course snob (like I was). The VT golf course is fairly pretty, very accessible, and takes only a few inches of snow to be ski-able. And if the current tracks are icy you can easily lay down new tracks. There are hills to practice on or you can stay on level trails. Some folks park at the Inn @ VT (which is on the edge of the golf course).
- Pipestem State Park (Pipestem, WV) Fairly easy drive of 1.25 hrs west of Blacksburg. They have a nice golf course you can ski on (requires 4" + of snow). Weather Forecast. Phone: 304-466-1800
Locations more than 2 hours away
- White Grass, WV (about 5 hours North)
- Boone, NC seems to get a lot of snow. 3 hrs from Blacksburg and the very informative Boone Cross Country Skiing page boasts that they get a lot of snow. The High Country Ski Shop in Pineola (south of Linville on US 221; 828-733-2008 or 4979
- Roan Mountain State Park (Roan Mountain, TN) about 3-4 hours from Blacksburg. I read about this in Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine. (Phone: 1-800-250-8620). Roan Mt. has a high elevation which is an advantage. The Boone CC skiing page claimes they get 100" of snow at 6000+ elevation.
- Moses Cone Memorial Park (also 3 hours SW of Blacksburg). Looks like it's near Roan Mt. State park. This place sounds like it has a lot of skiing potential, but having a hard time finding information (e.g., a State Park to contact). Here is a topo map you can buy and here is a free trail map. Big Bear Cabins looks to be nearby.
- Slayty Fork, WV (3 hours north). Weather in Slatyty Fork. I've stayed at the Elk River Touring Center, which you can XC ski right out of (it has a restaurant and inn/hotel).
Web Page listing skiing south of here:
More Resources
Southern Snow - old book (1986) on skiing in the south. I just ordered it from Amazon but have no idea how it is.
