May Days So Much To See

Winter Web Cams * Our NWS Forecast * USFS Canaan Web Cam * 24 Hour Hi/Low * Dave's Local Snowfall

White Grass is celebrating one of our best ski seasons ever! Mostly from all the happy skiers that we hope will return next autumn to slide all over again. See you on the summer trails.

Art Spring this weekend! * White Room Party this Sunday night * Ski THe East Year In Review * Ramps In Decline/NPR sent by Garry Green

Really good Tiny Desk Concert! * Adele Tiny Desk Concert * Brookside Inn Menu * WV Scout Reserve Update * Thomas ,Popping / Wash Post

Mtn Yoga / Thomas WV * SMokE Hole Canyon by Caz * The Mtn Dance Trail * WV River Levels * Del Fest

NeW! TrailSide Lodge @ WG * Redbull Nordix...maybe Morgan...Morgan Chase can SKi! * WG maps Mobile * Skiing Old Trails New Deal Doug Milam

Hold on to what is good, Even if it's a handful of earth. Hold on to what you believe, Even if it's a tree that stands by itself. Hold on to what you must do, Even if it's a long way from here. Hold on to your life, Even if it's easier to let go. Hold on to my hand, Even if someday I'll be gone away from you. ~Pueblo prayer...sent by Chanda CHIPPIE DO NOT MISS FIDDLE SHOWS: May 24 Big Leg Emma May 25 Sol Driven Train * June 8 Funk Ark June 15 Zach Brock June 21 the Black Lillies June 22 Cabinet July 12 the Wiyos July 13 Yarn July 14 Sweetback Sisters...there will be more! April WG / Late March / Mad Pow Disease / Sweet WG soulful by Todd * Davis History * Thomas History * Early WV Ski Pics * Nils Powder Creek, BC * Geo Opus Hut, CO * Geo Powder Creek Tucker Co Utube * skiing this time of the year like getting free frequent flyer miles * turn skis in for snowshoes * snowtastic, snowlicious Diane Rader * SUI - skiing under influence * this time last year it was 60 Laurie* snowverwhelmed & snowquestered * If you don't think commerce, recreation, and conservation can co-exist peacefully, you've never been to White Grass. Mike Messenger * what does a wgrasser do when there is no snow...clear more tele glades, what to do when there is snow...maintain them * tired of skiing off to other things....send us recruits * know all the trails at WG you are the owner/manager * March XC by Todd * Life is good but even better on skis Christi Dant * how many face plants does it take 'til you get it? * Joel * captures WG * We've skied WG as late as April Fool's Day Margaret Ramsey * Luke calls it corn powder * BackBone Farm Max * I fall in the liftlines * WG is like a finely choreographed ballet Cat Evans * I'm so short face shots are easier to get Vic Moore * no gluten crust free skiing * Pele woulda made a hellevah telemarker Henry * Daring to hope for another fresh coating. Gary McMichael * Maple Production Begins * makes an old Norwegian feel right at home. Jo * WG Race Results * Refuge March Events * Dave F. Local Ski Bum * Checkin' In WG Utube * snow plowed more today than in the last five years Peg * Like this new March, more snow and more light Sarah Anderson * call in sick, got the ski flue * One of those runs where you said thank you on every turn Max * I'm a child of the 60's and I am so glad there are places like this still * Thank God it's spring Ken Cremer * Please carve up a glade for me Spencer * WG is my favorite place to ski; heck, it's one of my favorite places period! Strat Douglas * We had a blast at White Grass! The snow, the vibe, the food ... all fabulous! Kirstin Walcott Corris * good things to say about John and Peg Sims & our all guests! * Teton Gravity Research/WG * Skied my brains off, nothing left * Gettin' Winter In * Valley High * WG/SkiThe East * NWS has been spectacularly wrong lately Casey * Doggieski Todd * Save Green Bank Telescope * keepin' track of these kids is more exercise than xc skiing Alan * Every time we visit it just gets better and better! Gabrielle * Thanks for supporting skiing without snowmaking and lifts...cheapo, inc.* skied all the wg trails by now? How about the escalator, elevator, baldy crest, don't get me started, tip of iceberg...* chickadees on payroll * eskimos have 72 names for snow * Sandy Ski Interview Utube * CV remain wild & wonderful * locals, long time friends, and repeat customers make good business great * Gargantuan-Emporium * Chip, the website is your Mona Lisa Tony Denucci * local School Funder SoLd OuT * Want to introduce you to some rookie bark eaters and they just passed the test Stevie W * Sam Lamont Trio rocks wg cafe * Those are the worst kinda falls when you're standin' still Tom Roat * Thomas is like one block of Asheville * Heart of the Highlands Story * Winter Living In Canaan * We've learned a lot and come a long way since then. Balsam Fir Restoration in WV Dave Saville * Canaan Balsam Fir * Denis Bogan dcski.com * HomeMade Terrain PArk * Sinks of Gandy * don't have to ski the glaze, just follow somebody...Karl * Life is available only in the present moment Thich Nhat Hanh * to every season turn turn turn * Chip's Jan 2013 Utube * Satellite Map of WV * Geo Map of WV * Canaan Valley home of Canada Gone Astray thanks Ron Fortney * XC Snow Making nyt sent by Sue Haywood * Timberline Association Page * Chaga local medicine * Trevar tele WG Utube *Scary Snow nyt Richard Garstka * never knew you could neti pot with snow. Ben Able * I plowed the face with my face * Weiss Knob Skiing * WV Special Olympians * Beautiful XC skiing from Norway from Eric Thompson * unlike places like vermont or colorado we like fresh base in wv * got all 4 seasons in one day * XC Halfpipe CHase Boys * WG SANDY Pow Vim * Boom Town Java * Tip Top Coffee * Allegheny Holistic Health Care * Skicenter.com * It takes a tree 250 years to live and 500 years to die Amy Cimarolli * ask izzy, she can smell snow! bella * you've got all the dog trails marked in yellow ink. Luke Fleischman * Davisson Bros. Band * Swix Kick Tape * Tucker County, WV * Living In Canaan Valley * Sandy Snow Cams * WV Plant Nursery sent by Dave Saville * a waste of good water Jamie after a nite of 33 drizzle * WG Mon. Snowboards * Jack Frost Vimeo * Sandy Superstorm Skiing * WG Earliest Opening * Nature Valley Granola Bars / CCSAA sponsor WG * Cheat Mtn Salamander local endangered * Brookside Inn nearby is AMaZing * Attracting Ullr Crede * More local Forest Land * Powder Mag SaNDy * Raven Map of WV * I need one set of skis for goin' up and one for goin' down * Vermont Mtn Bike I bet our numbers are similar Jenny * Tucker Co growing renaissance * Wolf Creek Printing * Huffington Post & WG * PA snow webcams * Off Piste/Sandy * Stray Birds played the Fiddle last sat. . featured on npr * our Yurt is up * worried you're gonna nick your old rock skis * West By Ullr Virginia * Famous Skiers Facebook * Red Spruce Restoration * New tube park Canaan Valley * WV Ski History * Pharis Knob,WV * More Pharis Knob Sandy * Snowshoe opening Wednesday * Halloween Skiing in Appalachia * Sandy gives resorts a head start * Sandy Sign Of Winter Ahead/ ACCU * TWC Cold WV Winter * Ski Improvements Canaan * BackCountry's White Lining Sandy Superstorm* Friends Of Blackwater * Ski History of WV * Cabin Mtn Ski Area * More Early Skiing * East West Printing in Davis * Blister Pine Conservation Success Story * Blister Pine Plantings * Good tree ID siteVaTech *13 Incredibly Lucky Earth Facts * Get out the sleds snow falling on Mars * WV Highlands Conservancy * * WV Highlands Artisans * WV leads hardwood * Logging WV Virgin Forests * Big Trees of WV * Laurel Fork Cheat by Scotty * Local Longboarders by Evan Supak * Mtn Biking with Shenandoah,VA Crew * Made me smile. Skiin' Town sent by David Crossley * Aurora Celtic...new album * WV Mushroom Club * Porte Crayon history alive * WV 6TH WARMEST WINTER * Somebody That I Used to Know sent by Tony B. Fungi Perfecti* Slow Burn Of Coal's Demise * Mushroom Foray Successful* Rising Shale Water Complicates Fracking Debate * Free Solo 5.6 at Seneca * 10th Highlands Sky Run YEAH! * Canaan Ski Area improvements..snowfall only. canaanmtnsnow.com Dave Great climbing * Gendarme * I am still holding you responsible for spreading a joy and good humor pandemic. * Ski History of WV * Cabin Mtn Ski Area * Early WV Ski Pics * More Early WV Skiing all sent by Josh Barrett, long time whitegrasser * WV Ski History / Canaan.org * Farmer's Almanac * Seneca Rocks Climbing WV Living Mag * Remember, go outside and play today! Wild & Wonderful, LLC wildwonderfulwalks.com* Janie Tele Girl...one of Chip's soon-to-be 4 grand children * Thomas, WV * wv stronghold against climate change * Frank Salzano * The Appalachian Center of Agroforestry * Camp Barefoot Aug 23-26 * Tucker County, WV * WV Raptor Center * CV PSD unveils 2 wastewater plants * El Nino More Snow for Upcoming Winter * Hiking the Allegheny Trail Sara Bird * Adele Live At Albert Hall Trailer * WV Farm 2U blog * W.Va. stronghold against climate change * Choose to be optimistic, it feels better. The Dalai Lama XIV * 127 bird species one day here * 10 Great Places to ski in a national wildlife refuge * Whippoorwill Fest * Anna has died @ Crystal Lakes XC Center, PA * WV Steepest Creek * Wintergreen Resort purchased By Greenbrier * Brief History of Rock N Roll 100 Songs *5.11b Seneca climbing Drop Zone by John Wright * Upper Seneca, falling off wv tallest mtn. in kayaks * Edible Blue Ridge * Mark-Clare Anderson Smug Mug * Close Encounters Gas Well Drilling * WV School Gardens * Olympians sign letter opposing development of B.C.'s Jumbo ski resort * The First Lady Cultivates 'American Grown' Gardening * Smokehole Geo sent by Abby * Banff Films this year * Oldest table mountain pine in Pendleton * Canaan Valley tract to become DNR Wildlife Area * Hike up scooter down * WV Senator Pulls Support For Nat'l Park * backstage at Floyd Fest again * NY Lakes showing signs of warming * Smithsonian Channel begins aerial shoot of W.Va. * Aerial America comes to West Virginia * Michael Doig, artist and D&E Dept.Art Chair * Burning Man 2012 a memory * OTR Cavers * Caving in the era of white nose syndrome WOW! 135 skiable days with 103 all 50 km. OPEN * 321 season passers * 225" snowfall * started 10/30 off on thru 4/12, almost 5.5 months!

Send A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions. Oliver Wendell Holmes

wg library

Todd...ride at Five LE Herrick

Sidling Hill Creek, down from Rt. 40, is a scenic gem of a canyon. Cliffs, rocks and anticlines galore. Ledge drops for surfing, the class II action never stops. Mike Hall and Walter Haydel

Cheat Mtn Salamander, local rare and endangered and along the upper WG trails

brief, sunny window of time between snowmelt and leaf-out of the hardwood forest canopy. From early April into early May, the ground is awash in subtle hues of white, yellow, pink, and other colors as the small forest floor herbs race to complete their flowering before the emerging tree leaves block the sunlight.

Scott Pleban, America's fastest ski orienteer racer has been hit by a motorist while cycling and is just coming out of a coma in Northern Virginia. Send him your healing energy...scottpleban@yahoo.com...I noticed on your White Grass Daily Report page that there is mention of Scott's tragic accident last month. Unfortunately, he is still in a coma at Inova Fairfax, but I am happy he is stable, has progressed to less intensive care, and he is now able to accept visitors on a regular basis. There is a now a community web site set up to provide updates on his progress from folks who are able to visit and to lend Scott, his family, and each other support. If you could include the link on the White Grass site, I think that would be great, as it would help his community of XC friends informed. Here's the link: https://www.lotsahelpinghands.com/c/704269/...Scott absolutely loves White Grass, and I had the pleasure to join him this Jan and then again, solo, on Easter weekend. What a fantastic season you had, and Scott used the word "magical" to describe how fantastic the snow conditions were while he trained and prepped for his World Ranking Events and then the World Ski Orienteering championships in Kazakhstan.

Trail Crew Leader for Heart of the Highlands Trail System (HoH): Seasonal, contractual position requires ability to work independently or lead small crew in trail maintenance/construction; plan & run logistics of trail projects; prep construction materials; maintain tools; keep records; cooperate with project admin & board of directors. Prefer training & experience in sustainable trail construction, USFS trail building/maintenance specs, chainsaw operation, backcountry crew leadership, first aid, and familiarity with trails in HoH project area. Requires valid driver's license, personal vehicle & cell phone, ability to navigate difficult terrain, and outdoor work in all weather. For more info, or to submit proposal with qualifications, resources, and compensation, contact info@heartofthehighlandstrail.org. Proposals must be received by May 15.

Geo sent some late winter ski memories, THANKS!

Sue Haywood inspirational * As They Fall sent by Richard Peterson Cremer * MTn Dance Trail

I love it and all of you. Thanks for a great winter. Maggie * a team is only as strong as its leader(s)!! so much love to you all too! one hellova winter, it was!! and thanks for pulling together a mighty fine dinner and party last night! xoxoxoxo, kimmy * You ALL are the best family a girl could ask for! Thank you for a terrific party, Laurie and Chip...so good to be together. Love you dearly, Linnie

Thanks, Chip, for all you do to make the Smoke-In happen. Then there's execution. You, and the others, really delivered for Courtney. I'm thankful for your assist. If he was a little crotchety while standing in the river, know its just his way. I called him yesterday, he's thankful too. We'd likely caught up to you at lunch, but Mitch and I were lookin' out for Matt. He took a couple if spills too. To his credit, he said he's never had more fun "...messing about in boats". Me too. Mike Hall * Ja ja, allt ar bra. All is good. Motivated paddlers got us to Eagle's Nest by 2:30. Guitar dry as a bone, paddlers not so much. When I laid down at night I still felt the rocking of the canoe. Tusen tack, (a thousand thanks) Stephan * Brook and I had a great weekend--it was another epic Smokehole run!! We both thought it worked well to sleep on the river for the first night. My son went almost 48 hours with no access to his iPhone or other tech stuff--pretty unbelievable for 14-year-old! We had an especially good father/son weekend, in spite of the rain and chill yesterday. It was very pretty on the river in the rain and mist Brook paddled most of the day so that helped keep him from getting chilled. He had fun but he said there are some good parts to this being a once-a-year event! We were home by 5 pm and I got all the camping gear spread out to dry, a load of wet stuff in the washer, and most of the paddling gear semi-put away or hanging to dry before I collapsed into bed. I was back at work in Silver Spring at 6 am this morning wishing I was still somewhere on the South Branch.....Steve Leathery * Awesome weekend with a great crew. Glad to cross that one off the bucket list and know I'll be back. Attached are a couple photos I took. Enjoy the rest of your spring and hope to catch you again before next winter. Cheers, Andrew * Great seeing you and the crew! What a great trip. I'll put some pics here: https://www.facebook.com/martinradiganphotography See you again soon. In the mean time have a great spring! Feel free to share the pic link. Martin Radigan http://www.martinradigan.com * if it's not Scottish Straps, it's CRAP! Kevin Moore.

chip sunday mornin' Smoke Hole chorus! by Robert Goo...low water, all kinds of sun and rain, 30 boats and 43 paddlers braved the natural elements and Appalachian Spring.

Tuckerman's Ravine with John Regan

Thanks to you and everyone at Whitegrass for a super ski season. Sure a nice change after the 2011-2012 winter. Woke up this morning (4/25) to a dusting of snow on my deck. Snow up in Flatrock Bowl/Mt. Porte Crayon. It takes a while for spring to get up there. Rick and Karen Watson

Hansi local stoke Duluth! Record April snows.

Trent still a WG fan after all these years and living so far away... Hok Ski / Powder Creek

Thanks to you Chip, for that endless to-do list that keeps making Whitegrass better and better. Looking forward to Smokehole this year as always. Stro * Thank you for making Whitegrass a place we can come and feel joy and beauty and leave feeling whole again. * Going to Whitegrass is always a big highlight for me, and I thank everyone there for making it one of the greatest places in the world. * Much love and thanks to you and Laurie for bringing the magic to the enchanted forests of White Grass. Your love and inspiration shines through in all of our smiling faces as we traverse White Grass trails. Great season and great memories!!! Facebook Friends of WG

Canaan Valley Institute (CVI) is currently seeking applicants for the position of Stream Restoration Specialist to plan, design, and implement grant-funded and fee-based restoration projects. We are looking for an ecologically-minded professional with experience in natural stream and wetland design to lead and support projects as part of a small, fast-paced, and dynamic team. Project goals may include mitigation, habitat enhancement, stream bank stabilization, sediment load reduction, and water quality improvement. This work often involves close cooperation with project partners, agencies, and landowners; field work in remote locations; and budget constraints and deadlines. The position may be based in Davis, WV or another suitable location with regular travel to Davis, and will require significant travel throughout the Mid-Atlantic Highlands region.

Great trip!!!! Thanks for all the fun! Have fun in Colorado. Hugs, Cathy Love

George Bell Igloo @ Powder Creek, BC

Opus Lodge

even I can ski in these conditions * pOLE wAX (what you use when skis don't) * Vermont Maple Syrup Farmer...When you rely on Mother Nature you become an eternal optimist * what does a buff snowman have? an ice pack * got a daughter in Montreal and she is jealous of the snow we have here

2012-2013 WG grooming update. This winter saw Whitegrass trails groomed by 2 snowmobiles for 1106 miles and the Pisten Bully was out for 183 hours. with almost 1000 hours on it since it was added to the line up. I'd like to give a special thanks to Robbie Linthicum Jr, Adam Chase, Lester and Chip Chase for not tearing up equipment too bad but still giving me enough repair work to last unti it starts all over again next fall. Robbie was the big winner with 700 miles on the yamaha alone. I'm looking forward to next season with a new bearcat snowmobile groomer and operators with another year under their belts. I'd also like to add a special thanks to Laurie and all the cafe staff for keeping my belly full with the best food anywhere! WG Fix It Guru Dave Markgraf

Silver Lake, CO (April 14-15 1921) Most intense U.S. snowfall. Silver Lake, near Boulder, CO, at an altitude of 10,220 feet had 75.8" in 24 hours, 87" in 27-1/2 hours; 95" total from storm (32-1/2 hours).

Chip, Mike, everyone at WG: Thanks for a great season – cant believe it began for us on November 2 and just ended on April 7. The attached photo is from Saturday, April 6, when James and I skied up to Bald Knob with backpacks (along with Ed Rader who was traveling lighter) and spent the night snow camping in Dolly Sods. Still several feet of snow, plenty of sun, and a great way to end the year. Just wish I had been able to ski WG even more this winter (and spring). And Mike said he was hanging out the closed sign on Sunday when we skied down, so I'm proudly claiming to be the last official WG customers of the year! Thanks for a fantastic season of Nordic nirvana. Bill Berlin

Since we haven't gotten to White Grass yet this year, we took advantage of his speaking to the students in the Adventure Sports Program at Garrett College in McHenry. The Olde Professor himself, a bit gray of beard and head, the guy was every bit as great as he was when we first met him 27 years ago. He was supposed to talk about White Grass as a example small business model, but you know Chip so you know this was not a dry lecture but as usual a real learning experience for the students. The more he spoke, the more you recognized that he spoke from the heart and let the folks know his philosophical views on most everything and his approach to work as a life journey. If the assembled students took to heart and really heard what he said, each one learned more in that 55 minutes than they ever could from 4 years of studying business administration even at Harvard. Hats off to a great gut who still has the vision, enthusiasm, and charisma to make folks young and old out of the box. Thanks Chip, ken & lee fisher

last kids clinic! Shannon Anderson grand daughter and son by Margaret (Estoria / Morgan)

Managed to get up here this in late March and I'm not disappointed in the least!! Wow great weather. I just posted a few in my gallery of the Sods (Cabin Mt) and if you want to share any of them in your report page, please do! I'd be honored! This one might be my fav of the bunch. Hope you are doing well! Your report page looks awesome so you must be. J. Jessup

folks go out of their way to be nice Powder Creek

on website & uncanny resemblance. Matt Lambert

A great season keeps going...Laura and I are so glad for the Chases and Whitegrass crew.We're heading the wrong way next week, as the white between our toes will be the sand of the Sea of Cortez in La Paz. I continue to send folks who don't know of the Whitegrass experience. Kindest regards, Bill Fischer Richmond, VA

Fat Lady Singing (end of season) Dave Crossley, Vermont

shelter National Nordic on 4/2. Thick! Thanks for all the hospitality this year. Happy Easter. Joe

I sneaked down to WG this weekend with a buddy from PA. Saturday was fantastic with mashed potato softies and some corn powder... I had one of my best runs ever down a nearly untracked upper springer! I'm loving the Madshus epochs, what a ski for soft crud! Anyway sorry to miss you this time. But Mike, Todd, Jamie, Sheena and Max held up the hospitality spirit in fine style. Oh and Cabinet was a blast at the pfiddle! When you get back, check with Sheena for some PA goodies. Until then enjoy your ski. See you next year and thanks! Matt from PA

Andy and Stacy

My daughter is on spring break and timing is perfect with more snow on the way. Can we use the area for skiing/snowshoeing/and hike a snowboard? By the way, the tree skiing at your place is some of the best to be found. You all have done a wonderful job of clearing and kudos to you and your staff for all the hard work. It's paying off in a big way! Cheers, A Whitegrass lover and supporter! Tim

I am all for simplified and stripped down...lol...but I love your website with all the details, pictures and info, it will be hard to improve on the perfection that it is. I'm playin hooky tomorrow to get what may be my last White Grass day of the season. Hope to see you and your crew to say 'Hi' and 'Thanks'...simply love love love WG...so happy I discovered it! Jane

I was jumping for joy to get Kia out for some spring skiing.What a weekend! Spring skiing at its best. Powder in the shade and sunshine everywhere else. Sunday brought fabulous mixed conditions. Effortless skating on slick crust followed by a blizzard which provided enough powder to ski the steeps in perfect sine waves.May Ullr bring the promised foot of snow today! Goo

Every year more than one billion people participate in Earth Day. To celebrate the 43rd anniversary of Earth Day, Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge will host a red spruce tree planting on April 20th and 21st. Volunteers are needed to help plant nearly 5,000 red spruce trees during this two day event. Anyone wanting to participate should arrive at the Refuge Visitor Center in Canaan Valley at 10 a.m. on both days. Volunteers are asked to bring gloves, sturdy shoes, water and appropriate clothes for the weather. Lunch will be provided to volunteers by the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy. Red spruce once covered hundreds of thousands of acres in the higher elevation areas of the state. Prized for its straight, unknotted light wood, spruce was used in everything from paper to pianos. The Wright brothers even used spruce in the construction of the first airplanes. Many spruce forest wetlands are now listed as globally impaired and are a high conservation priority for the state. After heavy industrial logging, red spruce stands were reduced to less than 10 percent of their original size. Now a group known as the Central Appalachian Spruce Restoration Initiative (CASRI) works to restore this important ecosystem. Red spruce ecosystems are home to the federally threatened Cheat Mountain salamander and the recently delisted Northern flying squirrel. Planting spruce in riparian areas also ensures cold water streams will remain shaded and provide spawning areas for native brook trout. By planting spruce seedlings, the Refuge seeks to expand and improve habitat for these important species. Spruce tree seedlings for this project were provided in part by support from the Arbor Day Foundation. For more information about this volunteer event or to learn more about red spruce restoration in West Virginia, contact Dawn Washington, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biologist, at 304-866-3858.

I was so focused on re-skiing Barton's with new skis. They smell like the WG kitchen, by the way. What do you marinate them in? Enjoy vacay... Rush * Freeland Rd. is a bastion of the human spirit. My unbounded gratitude as always. Alex Ford

Paul Sully Floyd, VA

WV ranked #50, Vermont #5, highest in the east. Shoulda called me, coulda tipped the scales in one person's enthusiasm

Mike Miller * Thanks for all that you do to make Tucker County awesome. Matt

Sarah Anderson

David calls White Grass "The Enchanted Forest". By far my very favorite place to enjoy the out of doors in the winter. Kristen Staley

I drove the whole way home to PA with a big smile on my face. I really feel like the stars aligned just right to deliver the ideal Whitegrass weekend...Perfect conditions, and nothing but kindness from the moment i set foot in the parking lot! Skiing with you and the home gang really made it special.  And what snow!!! Thanks again to you and the crew for your awesome hospitality. WG is the best!  See you again as soon as I can! Farmer Matt 3/17/13

Timberline Ski Area with tows, these things that haul you up so you do not experience it...

White Grass Cafe's WV Culinary Scholarship * To create a high quality standard in our food and lifestyles here in Tucker County and West Virginia. Scholarship available to a WV resident attending culinary school or cooking education classes. Apply for the $500 scholarship provided by White Grass Cafe through the Tucker Community Foundation. For more information, apply for a "traditional scholarship" at ww.tuckerfoundation.net or contact Robert Burns at 304-478-2930.The deadline for the application is April 5, 2013.

I'm so glad I was able to make it down last weekend. Friday especially was one of the best days I've ever had there, and to make it better, I was able to introduce a friend to the glory of Whitegrass under a purple powder alert. I'm attaching a few pics. Here's to winter lasting through April! Aaron Burkholder

Mark Andrews/adaptive ski & Mark Vorhees/UVA Rec...we appreciate our skiers more than you can imagine. * Apr 21 Rasta Rafiki @ Brew Pub

Thanks for the skiing and have fun out West. Kathleen Brooks (fr/ tues.)

Whitegrass is paradise. In transit from Alta. Will arrive soon. * I saw that there were around 800 people at Whitegrass during the weekend. Jennifer and I saw only six of them on Saturday. From Weiss Knob, all around National Nordic for much of the day, then over to Ashram, (where we proceeded to lose Heaven's Gate trail after a few hundred yards and never did re-find it), to Boundary and Upper Springer, and finally down Springer at sunset, where we only saw one skunk roaming around the middle of the field as darkness arrived. Heavenly even without Heaven's Gate. Among the masses, a day of solitude in the powder. Thanks for all the work on those trails in National Nordic. There seems to be a new set of blue ribbons taking us to new places every time we enter that paradise. You and your staff are amazing. Daring to hope for another fresh coating, Gary McMichael

We couldn't make it this year but are missing our annual dinner there. We made this from your cookbook to help carry us thru to next year. Also need a shot-ski!!!! The Takoma Park Crew (10 years in a row) Promise

nos estamos divirtiendo mucho! robertos small mountain town of jalcomuco is amazing. there is rock climbing right out the back door and a river with big whitewater that runs through town. we have been climbing alot already in 85 degree weather! we visited rio blanco for a climbing trip and met some great people. few speak english, but i'm trying to decipher their language. tomorrow we head to the nearby city, jalapa, to visit robertos parents, our new climbing partners, the skatepark, a friends music venue, bouldering, and explore. in the future we are going to visit ancient mayan ruins and go see ziggy marley and smashing pumpkins! everyone we've met is super friendly and the food is awesome. tortas, tostadas, tamales, enchiladas, sopes, and endless fruit. no such thing as burritos in mexico! just made chile rellenos with the neighbor which are my favorite. dave rause is here for two weeks as well. traveling is great for the soul and everyone should get out of the country. can't believe i haven't got out more. hope you guys are doing good. hasta luego. adam and morgan chase

A skier is born! Robert Chiappetta Another great hike to the top of Bald Knob....and then your fabulous kitchen for dinner. Too bad I didn't get any pics of you and your honey dancing, or of you playing harmonica in the band (great band BTW)...cocktail before dinner Mike Fleckenstein

What's not to love about cold blowing snow in the Dolly Sods? Kate * Being 6 hours away...Sarah

A Whitegrasser in Montana Check out those fatties! Denis Bogan Andy

To any fans of nordic skiing with the proximity and/or time to get out to Canaan Valley, West Virginia, I highly recommend making the journey this week. Whitegrass is a magical enough place any time, but when the conditions are as ideal as right now, it's indescribably wonderful. It's killing me that I'm not there. Spencer Lee

Whitegrass with fresh powder, snazzy rental skis, friendly chickadees, and cans of Sierra Nevada. First order of ski business, 4.8 miles up to Round Top! Second order of ski business, long rest and snacks. Fish tacos Whitegrass Cafe style in support of Friends of Blackwater. Mountain State Miner's Daughter Oatmeal Stout X 3 or 4. Shine and time with Chip. And THAT is what I did with my bonus. — Amanda Pitzer

corny corn... soooo much fun today on a gentle ski w/ Dorothy and then later w/ some friends new to the sport. Stoke! P Sully

What radio station do you guys listen to in the lodge? (WYEP) Also, I wanted to say thanks to you all for running a great operation. WG is really as good as it gets anywhere in the country. I love the place. I'm getting ready to move this summer, probably to Miami, and I miss the place already. Thanks, Eric Carpenter

As you can see the Allegheny Trail Heart of the HIghlands needs some trail maintenance so it necessitated some radical cross country maneuvers. I hope to see you before the snow melts. Robert Goo

Bridger (6) getting his first taste of air friday in Cathedral Cliffs. Andrew Gault

Here is the correct way to hang the Korean flag: red (yin) side up. Luckily someone went back on Sunday and fixed it. ;o) The yin/yang in the middle represents the origin of all things in the universe. The 4 sets of bars in each corner stand for the sky, moon earth and sun. Kind of like Whitegrass. x Anne

Talked to you briefly in line this morning, Saturday. I have never seen this many cars at WG must be a new record?.. Anyways a big attaboy for your groomers, they had 3-mile and powderline just super this morning! Friday I used my old woodskis since the temp stayed below 30 F all day. Just super skiing. Today Saturday what a difference one day can make. I used my non-wax 'plastic' skiis today- just perfect just like an early easter skitour back home in Norway, below freezing and dry morning snow, then the sun softens things up a bit in the PM. Keep up the good work. You and your crew are just the best, when the snow is there and thanks to you all it makes an old Norwegian feel right at home. Did you know there was even a woman from Argentina skiing at WG today? Have a nice Sunday and see you again next season. Jo

shelter stoke * Jack Kangas T'Line Ski Hash * Chef Rich Spence getting ready Canaan Winter style * Chris Fewster missing the storm yet cookin' up wg recipes in beautiful Floyd, VA

Prairie Stream

Amazing weekend at White Grass, UT. Ullr exceeded expectations. Thank WG staffers for your guardianship of this slice of heaven. You do a great service to the grumpy, overworked nation. We all leave grinning and glowing. Happy sliding! See you this weekend! Christi Dant

Snow, snow and more snow - yes, please! Shannon

Please save some of that snow for me as I plan to visit next week (Tuesday or Wednesday)! Having a good but busy season. We (Mt Lake boys) had a great yurt trip in Montana at the end of January with 20+" of snow while there. Just got back from the Adirondack back country ski festival in Keene Valley NY. Worked the beacon park at the gear demo on Saturday then toured the Wright Peak ski trail on Sunday followed by some turns at Whiteface on Monday morning before driving home. Say hello to all the awesome WG people and hope to see you soon! Cheers! - Doug Reilley /Mtn Lake Marketing

Going up was only half the fun! The trip down is rewarded with soup. Thanks for the great skiing. Susan Renda

WV Highlands Conservancy Highlands Voice Newsletter * Adam and Morgan Chase on their way to Mexico for the spring....stopped off in New Orleans and met up with WGrasser & ARTIST Sean Conroy *
Awesomeness March 2 & 3 * At Crested Butte, an uphill pass costs $10 a day, $100 for the season, and $40 for the remainder of the current season, since approval of the Crested Butte program by the U.S. Forest Service in mid-February, while skiers who already have a downhill mountain pass may ski uphill for free.

It was awesome skiing this past weekend and we want more purple powder freshies in the bowls--Carl D. gave me a tour of the trees, which was the first time I'd ever skied any of that stuff, and I'm afraid I'm now a tree whore! Matthew Wikswo

Purple powder eater! Never seen so many Tele skiers on Whitegrass! Our friends from Florida took to xc like otters to waters. Best glade skiing I have ever experienced and all the while celebrating with the wild mountain nation. Thanks to you and your team for a wonderful day! DK * And it just kept on snowing! Love how this season just keeps getting better. Another amazing weekend, thanks for all you do, Chip and friends! Abby * It looks like a bunch more snow in the forecast - it makes my mind wander......Jim Dunham, Gambier, OH * are we missing school today? Yes, Son you have a case of white lung Paul Hess

Papa Chip Amigo! Saw the boys flew the coop & you guys are skiing it up there in powder paradise! So good, so good! We're up in the north of Spain; Austurias, land of Celtic spaniards, where bagpipes echo and apple cider flows like a river. We can see the snow from here, but it's a stretch to ski it... Maybe allegheny will hold some for us on the return, otherwise see you in the smoke hole! Corey Bonasso

hey chipper - I'm still buzzing after as good as it gets weekend with you all. Skating, kiting, face shots bombing down upper Springer with my son on skis and snowboards…never stopped snowing...don't know what else to say. - SKIP...gave up a lot of hall passes to be out there last weekend

You make one feel welcome, relaxed, and part of the crowd. There is nothing else like it. You both have given skiing back to the people. Rachel, Andy, and Isaac Willis

Maple Syrup

I always consider it a disappointing year when I don't ski White Grass, but this year there are compensations. This shot, in the parking lot at the base of the "skinning trail" up Mt Yoeti on the northern island of Hokkaido shows you what the 36 feet of accumulated snowfall this year looks like! Wish I could bring some back for you! Ged Smith..We were just blabbing about the deep Japanese pow this eve while skiing hard corn and then this! Great powder here Wed.Thurs to drizzle fri and corn sat to frozen sun and mon with some sunny loose spots today....diversity inc. Our love for skiing has gone viral...you won't believe all the new glades when you get back. Be careful and thanks for making your fine contribution to our family. Love you. chipper

Pharis Knob,WV * Hope momma nature is gonna give us more! I am diggin' the pics of the inverted skinny skis. AMAZING! JR

We had three great days of skiing at your place! White Grass is a genuine and fascinating place we have to come back to another time. The good conditions at WG helped us immensely in our races in Wisconsin. In the Junior Birkie, Margrethe (Maggie) missed the 1st place with two inches, while Harald became number 6. I finished the Classic Birkie in 3:32 and was 105 out of 1800, which i´m very satisfied with. As you described to me, the Birkie course was awesome! Cheers, Margrethe, Harald and Rune from Norway * That's as fast as I skated it and this was diagonal stride! chip

By the way, I enjoyed seeing my picture on today's report! The attachment is from two weekends ago with Paul Gideon, me, Bob Livingston, Stacy & Heather Waggy. I'm sure Paul has already gotten into the moonshine! Jim Dunham, Gambier, OH

Good times as always. Martin

Just want to say that I have enjoyed taking my girls 9 and 11 out to Whitegrass for XC skiing the past month. With Whitegrass you have created a scene of serenity, an ambiance of friendliness, and a space for young people to appreciate nature and simplicity. Thank you! My daugther Mia Kristensen from yesterday, feeding the Black-capped Chickadee on the 3-mile run. All the best, Peter

Planet White Grass by Marc Shaffer

Lindsay Mulliken Kids Ski Klinic 2/2/13

BB BIATHLON RESULTS February 16th* 1) Mikie Allen, Age 13; 9 hits 6:35 * 2) Phillip Allen, Age 11; 9 hits 6:34 * 3) Elka Longstreth, Age 9; 7 hits 8:03 * 4) Travis Ashby, Age 8; 8 hits 8:14 * 5) Nina Wenzler, Age 8; 9 hits 8:27 * 6) David Brehl, Age 10; 9 hits 8:30 * 7) Michael Agren, Age 11; 8 hits 9:28 * 8) Emma Vjvagi, Age 5; 3 hits 16:14 * 9) Sage Greed, Age 9; 9 hits 17:15 * 10) Kevin Ahearn, Age 12; 6 hits 17:45 * 11) Isiah Longstreth, Age 6; 9 hits 18:24 * 12) Serk Czarnecki, Age 13; 9 hits 19:02 * 13) Mia Wheedleton, Age 7; 3 hits 20:13 * 14) Matt Freed, Age 10; 6 hits 27:07 * 11) Silas Longstreth, Age 4; --

BB Biathlon Results Feb 2 * 1) Andre Thornton, Age 11 5 hits; 6:11 * 2) Maeve Hoffman, 11 7 hits; 7:03 * 3) Travis Ashby, 8 9 hits; 9:43 * 4) Xzandra Ashby, 10 3 hits; 12:01 * 5) Emma Ujvagi, 5 5 hits; 12:40

30th Annual Mtn State Marathon RACE RESULTS 1/27/13...way to go Ken, Robbie, Stephan and all the racers to brave the warmish day and the dicey thin snow conditions.

25K SKATE MEN * 1) Scott Pleban, Colonial Beach, VA 1:36:22 2) Gerald Audet, Mogantown, WV 1:55:25 3) Don Nichter, Carlisle, PA 1:58:06
25K SKATE WOMEN * 1) Carolyn Bramante, Baltimore, MD 1:48:30
25K CLASSIC MEN * 1) Sean Kelly, Pittsburg, PA 2:08:25 2) Bill Pope, Lake Park, MD 3:38:59 3) Louis Hart, Wheeling, WV 4:14:38
10K SKATE MEN * 1) Newt Rogers, King of Prussia, PA 49:06 2) Johnny Garder, Washington, DC 1:08:40 3) Ian Beckner, Harrisonburg, VA 1:11:10 4) Anthony Bramante, Baltimore, MD, 1:13:18
10K SKATE WOMEN * 1) Charlie Waters, Davis, WV 59:29 2) Andy Notopoulos, Red Creek, WV --
10K CLASSIC MEN * 1) Zachary Adams, Harrisonburg, VA 1:17:06 2) Mike Buchness, Reston, VA 1:17:08 3) Tom Drake, Catharpin, VA 1:43:52
10K CLASSIC WOMEN * 1) Michelle Kelly, Pittsburg, PA 1:27:20 2) Carly Audet, Morgantown, WV 2:00:28 3) Mimi Costley, Catharpin, VA 2:29:40
KIDS 2.4km * 1) Martin Moylan, Age 9 13:50 2) Roland Moylan, Age 10 14:07 3) Georgy Meredith, Age 6 14:25

BB Biathlon Jan 19th 1) Maeve Hoffman 7/9 hits 12:10 * 2) Octavia Hoffman 5/9 13:25 * 3) Cameron Hoffman 1/9 22:07
January 26th 1) Leon Dubansky, Age 13 5:27 * 2) Garry Mogge, 13 5:56 * 3) Martin Moylan, 9 5:56 * 4) Grace Dubansky, 15 6:21 * 5) Roland Moylan, 10 6:49 * 6) Philip Allen, 11 7:05 * 7) Mike Allen, 13 7:13

some snapshots from this past weekend. good times!! P Sully

Check out the little Waags shralping Sunrise Ridge and Sugar Bowl over New Year's Dave Waag /Off Piste Mag (getting back to a reunion with all these friends in early April, Yeah!)

Ruthie East West ad queen... saw you skiing and singing Chip, you looked like the energizer bunny of to-do trail work! My friend amy and I had such a nice day in your snowy world there. Thank you for curing my cabin fever. xoxo Frances Cole Toro

Friends Of WG (not my card)

There are SO many friends, skiers, trail crews, staff, and about everyone we know that have been helping with the trail work lately. Sandy has been the largest overnight tree fall event of our 32 year experience. Every trail impacted and some beyond recognition. Hundreds of hours are going into this project. Thanks for being part of the solution. November/December Trail crews: Jim & Jeanne, Andy, Tons O' Todd, Jeff, Athey, Maggie, Morgan, Trey, Chuck, Joan, Ed, Bob, Bruce, Evan, Robbie, Adam, Chip, Ann, Gracie, Matthew, Johnny, Jessica, Kate, and Tom, Joel, Casey, Dan and his bros., Robert and friends, Jamie, a lot of Kevin Moore year after year, and oh yeah the PATC crews and especially Barry Chainsaw Weston...there are more and thanks again!

The Eastern Continental Divide, Mt. Porte Crayon, and the Roaring Plains: The highest hump about 4 miles south of here is the summit of Mt. Porte Crayon. At 4,770 feet elevation, it is the highest elevation on the Eastern Continental Divide in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. It's name honors one of the first white explorers who documented his visits to the area in the mid-and-late 1800's. The flat topped ridge to the left of the summit hump is the Roaring Plains, named for the fierce winds that frequent the high plateau. This wilderness area contains 5.5 square miles above 4,500 feet. The Valley of Red Creek below is nearly 3,000 feet below the top of Mt. Porte Crayon. Red creek's waters flow into the Ohio and then Mississippi Rivers. Precipitation falling on the east side of the Eastern Continental Divide flows into the Potomac River and the Atlantic Ocean. sent by Bob Leffler on task to get a sign and overlook area south of Canaan Valley

Facebook Remembering Old Canaan ...Chip Chase videotaping the mountainbike trials events - barefooted no matter the rocks underfoot or the weather. Roger Bird...where'd it go? WG Archive Tomb Page JuNk

Most important muscle in skiing is the one in your cheek that makes your lips shape into a smile. Dickie Hall

Some of the secrets to slowing down on xc skis is having the skills to create even shape, pressure, and a balanced 50/50 treatment to each ski, never favor or lean and be politically correct to yourself...you have two legs, feet, and two long skis....treat um equally and you will love skiing hills from then on...be flat center in the middle of that well shaped "V". Tilt your skis on edge to cross a sidehill i.e anywhere at WG. Place your weight firmly over each step like monster-giant stomping and again travel forward and be the boss. Basic athletic flexed ankle and knee position throughout your skiing and when you stride your body needs to up out and forward and your knees should lead the way. Concentrate weight and steering to the back ski in the tele turn and you MUST turn the back knee and ski up into the hill.