Snowshoe Mountain Resort celebrates 50 years, ’70s-style.
50 YEARS AGO, ON DECEMBER 19, 1974, Snowshoe Mountain opened to the public after a serendipitous flight over the logging-bared mountains inspired Thomas “Doc” Brigham to build a ski resort atop one, named in a nod to the snowshoe hare whose white winter coat allows it to blend into the fallen snow.
To honor the snowy decades of delight and development that have followed, the resort will kick off a celebration on December 19 with dozens of festive and nostalgic events lined up for guests. “We’re kind of leaning into the ’70s,” says Shawn Cassell, marketing director at Snowshoe. Nods to the decade include plans for block parties at the village, a Bloody Mary bar in the mornings, an Eagles tribute band, and a Soul Train Dance Party. The Snow Sports Museum of West Virginia will set up in the village, with patrollers from the first season there to share their experiences. A Golden Ticket Rail Jam will be held, as well as a scavenger hunt the whole family can enjoy. “It’s going to be really fun,” Cassell promises.
Throughout the season, Snowshoe is also running a throwback series called Snowshoe Stories in which those whose lives were shaped by the mountain and resort are sharing their memories of happy days and nights spent there; former guests and employees who wish to submit their own story of treasured times can do so on Snowshoe’s website. While there, they can also check out the 50th Anniversary Archive—a vast and glorious catalog of classic pictures spanning the eras since the mountain first opened.
“Looking back through Snowshoe’s history, it has just continued to grow and add more offerings. It’s a lot different now than it was in the ’70s,” says Cassell, who is marking his 10th winter season at Snowshoe this year. “In the early days, it was more of a serious skier’s mountain and basically had one building up here for the first two seasons. People were sleeping in sleeping bags—it wasn’t really like a family destination like it is today.” Luckily, sleeping bags are no longer necessary. Today, the resort offers a wide range of lodging, from junior studio units to luxury homes, to accommodate the needs of any group of travelers.
Snowshoe boasts a wide variety of winter activities for guests to make the most of their time on the mountain, ranging far beyond skiing. Snow tubing, snowmobiling, RZR adventure dining tours, and more are available seasonally. But whatever time of year guests are hoping to escape, they’ll find Snowshoe nestled away in the sublime mountains of Pocahontas County, ready to welcome them with open arms.
10 Snowshoe Drive, Snowshoe, snowshoemtn.com, @snowshoemountainresort on FB
READ MORE ARTICLES FROM WV LIVING’S WINTER 2024 ISSUE
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