On January 24th, our high school students ventured out to a special corner of West Virginia for an incredible day of cross-country skiing! With the last bits of local snow melting off from the big storm that hit Alexandria three weeks ago, snowy days once again seemed far away. However, our students learned that a winter wonderland is closer to home than many may think. Canaan Valley, a high-elevation region on the Allegheny plateau that is also known as the “snow belt”, is home to several winter sport destinations, including the famous White Grass Ski Touring Center.
Our group of 12 students arrived at the cozy base lodge that was bustling with people who had come from all over the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond, excited for snow and adventure. After getting fitted for skis, boots and poles, they headed out to the ski trails to explore and learn different skiing techniques. For many students, this was their first time on any sort of skis, and it was everyone’s first time on cross-country skis! (Some of these students had first stepped into skis last year with Wilderness Kids on a downhill trip to Massanutten). With the help of several Wilderness Kids instructors and volunteers, along with a White Grass ski instructor, they quickly took to free-heel skiing and were striding through the tracks with more and more glide as the afternoon progressed.
Though White Grass has been around as a cross-country ski area for over 40 years, it sits on what used to be an old downhill ski area in the 1950s! One downhill trail still remains on the main face of the mountain, and some of our more thrill-seeking students tested their control at speed by climbing partway up the slope on their skis and zooming down the hill! The group skied through relay races and obstacle courses as well, gaining more confidence on snow while also having fun and enjoying the winter wonderland.
During breaks from the action, students warmed up in the lodge, enjoying lunch and plenty of nourishing snacks in a unique, rustic atmosphere. Students stayed out as long as they could, skiing and simply enjoying the fresh snowflakes that fell throughout the afternoon. The newly fallen snow coated the entire valley, which is a mighty 3500 feet in elevation at the bottom. The ski slope provided our students a spectacular view of these fields, red spruce forests, and rolling mountains beyond.
Clockwise from top-left: Wilderness Kids Outdoor Educator Matt pauses with Stacey, grade 11, experiencing her first time on skis; Oscar gazes down mountain as his friends Sandra, 9th, and Adil laze in the snow; Jackie, poses with her skis before a break for lunch; Adil, Oscar, Sandra and Matt pose for an "us-ie."
At day's end, the group piled into the van and rolled out of the snowy parking lot. Many of the students enjoyed a long snooze on the ride back, tired but satisfied with a day well spent, with a mixture of activities that seemed to suit everyone’s preferences and abilities. Such a memorable day for Wilderness Kids like this was only possible due to the terrific support and knowledge from White Grass founder Chip Chase, along with all of his incredible, patient and kind staff. The folks at White Grass manage a delicate balance with nature and the land, as they navigate unpredictable weather and volatile snow conditions, yet still consistently deliver an amazing and welcoming experience to all visitors. The ski area operates on several different domains of land management, including private land, State Park land, and National Forest Wilderness Area, and they make it all work with terrific trails and warming huts throughout the forest.
We are excited to explore it all on future skiing trips! #LetItSnow!
Students striking poses during a great day of skiing at White Grass. From left to right: Adil, Jimmy (10th), Arafa (9th), Douha (9th) and Dara (9th).
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