Jefferson County is visited by thousands of guests every year in the warm weather months, but many folks are discovering that the county has so much to offer in the winter season as well.
There’s a whole new reason to venture to Harpers Ferry with the opening of Snow Riders, one of the longer tubing slopes in the East. Located on the River Riders Family Adventure Resort campus, Snow Riders opened in February 2023 and is transforming the outdoor adventure industry in the Eastern Panhandle.
“The addition of the snow tubing park to our adventure resort makes us a true four-season destination,” says River Riders CEO Matt Knott. “The 16-lane, 900-foot hill is the one of the longest tubing hills in the mid-Atlantic and will attract a whole new clientele to the area.”
Snow Riders is the perfect family adventure. The Magic Carpet conveyor lift returns tubers and their tubes back to the top of the hill quickly so they can relax and tube down again. Tubers need to be at least 42 inches tall and 4 years of age to take the ride down the hill.
The fun does not stop when the sun goes down. After dark, enjoy Downhill Disco, a unique light show with LED lights that change to the beat of the music. Enjoy the music and the ever-changing lights as you slide down.
Doesn’t seem snowy enough? Snow Riders has planned ahead to ensure a great experience even if Mother Nature is not being overly cooperative. “Our state-of-the-art snowmaking system from HKD has 17 guns to cover the 2-acre tubing hill. We invested in a substantial system with redundant pumps and compressors so that we can really pump out the snow when conditions are right,” says Knott. “Any nights that the temperatures dip below freezing, we can quickly add a couple inches to keep the snow fresh.” Tickets for 90-minute time slots must be purchased online in advance. After tubing, you can relax in the guest area with fire pits, grab a hot chocolate, and a bite to eat.
The last weekend in January, enjoy a new festival that celebrates the joys of the winter months. Frostyfest is a weekend of family-friendly events and entertainment throughout the county that saw great success in its inaugural celebration in January of 2023. The new event is a collaborative effort between the towns of Bolivar, Charles Town, Harpers Ferry, Shepherdstown, and the Jefferson County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Jefferson Arts Council, Jefferson County West Virginia Chamber of Commerce, Shepherd University and Jefferson County Parks and Recreation Commission.
Frostyfest 2024 will take place on January 26, 27, and 28. Events include ice skating, a scavenger hunt, dinner theater, winter-themed movie showings, and many special activities in each town. If you need to duck inside to a local restaurant, many will feature special Frostyfest drinks and delicacies. Local merchants also embrace the weekend with special deals and events. A new Cocoa Crawl will be part of Frostyfest for 2024. Taste the best cocoa throughout the county on the chocolate lovers trail.
Frostyfest weekend is a great way to celebrate winter fun with your family and friends. Spend the weekend, enjoy the fun, and visit the incredible array of restaurants in Bolivar, Charles Town, Harpers Ferry, and Shepherdstown.
Learn more about Jefferson County at WhereAlmostHeavenBegins.com
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