Sarah Kelley-Spearing is in the corner of this Voile ad and a grad school student at Georgetown yet here this weekend skiing with the Chase Boys

I skied Whitegrass Feb 2nd-4th with buddy Skip Coulter who has been talking up your place for years. Enjoyed it as best ski-touring experience I have had. Skip explained the "snow farming" system and it reminded me of a poem I wrote years ago in Limerick style (although not ribald): Snow fences on farms near the road Help a snow-burdened wind to unload; By sifting and sighing, Without even trying, They harvest what winter has sowed. Keep up the good work-play. (Ideally it's all the same) Namaste. Dave Opilo

Vic / Visit Canaan.com

Whitegrass is the home of West Virginia cross-country skiing and one of the best places for backcountry fun on the entire East Coast. Chip and Mikey will ensure you have the gear you need, and lessons are available all day for beginners and experts alike. Try your hand (and knees) at Telemark skiing, wind up through the trees to fabulous views from the top of Bald Knob, or stay low in the snow farm where the drifts are high and are guaranteed to last all season. Relax and warm up after your exertions with a bowl of Laurie’s fabulous chili at the ski barn, then go out and do it all again. A-Frame of Mind

It's back up the east coast this weekend to 1 new place (Martin's in Roanoke, VA) and 2 of our most beloved places The Purple Fiddle in Thomas, WV and Cafe Nola in Frederick, MD. Christabel and the Jons

you and Niki in the Whitegrass shop in 2002. You two make a beautiful couple.Niki and I think of you and the Whitegrass crew often and still check your website to see how the conditions are and to see photos of the site and the gang. We still use the two Cafe cookbooks we bought (and have given away a number of each to family and friends. We will need to visit just to buy more.)The closest cross country skiing we have found in Southern California is Rim Nordic in Running Springs, about 90 minutes from us and close to Big Bear. It only has 10 km of groomed trails and all of it is pretty flat. What they call Blue is almost like Gandalf's, and what the call Black is not even as steep or twisty as Three Mile. And there ain't nothin' like Wild Bill's! Hope you and intrepid skiers had a great Full Moon Ski last night with the Wolf Moon shining bright. Wish we had been with you. Jerry Kappel & Niki Patterson (Whitegrass denizens 1995-2005)

Thank you for taking the time to meet with the New Germany crew. We enjoyed seeing your grooming equipment and getting tips on techniques and appropriate conditions. We also got some new ideas for snow reporting and website design. We even took a look at your signs and shelters while we enjoyed skiing that afternoon. One question we thought of:Do you do anything about hard-packed ice? I decided to go out last Saturday and try to break it up as things started warming up. It really put a drag on the snowmobile and it almost started overheating, so I only did 1 mile up and back. Despite the strain on the equipment, it became the only safely skiable trail that day.Melissa D. McCormick, New Germany State Park, MD & Allegany Expeditions, Cumberland,MD

This may just be a coincidence, but the snow dance at Roundtop on New Year's Day came at the beginning of early January's WG powderfest...mha

I have traveled pretty much two thirds of the country in search of good kiting and work of course since the new year and have my best session in the dark under the lites of my home base. Big snow comin' this weekend. We are rockin' round here! JR.

One student commented to me after 15 minutes in the cafe that he loved the great vibe. Thanks for all the help from the staff in quickly getting us set-up. We had a blast and I hope to see you again this weekend! Gene Lewis, Shenandoah University

Robish

Sunday was a stellar day at White Grass. Kelly, Hop and I traveled down for the 25K Marathon and saw several familiar faces. Chip put on a wonderful race and the course conditions were very good. The sunshine made for a perfect day. Thanks Chip! The karma is fantastic at White Grass and everyone is like family. It truly proves that X-C skiing is a sport that stretches across the generations. If you haven't been here be sure to give it a try. It won't disappoint. We were already planning our next visit on the way home. Sandy Kruper

Winter is back by popular demand Kelly D. (sweet VA)

I hope all is well with you and your family. My wife and I have been skiing4 days in a row right here in Yogaville! We got 12-14 inches of nice powder snow. I just finished cutting and splitting my firewood for next year and I'm feeling pretty good. Have fun:) Reggie Dion

VA BC is real right now! Haven’t been out to whitegrass in too long, but VA backcountry is a real thing right now! I skied an 800 vertical foot shot off of the AT this past weekend and it’s only getting covered up more now with this weeks storms. This is an incredible Mid-Atlantic winter! Marty Quinn Charlottesville, VA

"This was my first time at Whitegrass and it made quite a first impression! I walked into a building packed full of character…huge woodstove burning in the corner, live fiddle and banjo, room packed full of energetic outdoors folk, jovial staff, wonderful scents of soups infusing the scene---I’ll definitely be back." Dr. Steve Godshall

My experiences with you guys at White Grass got me hooked on backcountry hiking and camping that spurred me on to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail in 2008. Spencer

Faunce

Enjoying the white wonderland surprisingly here in southwest VA!! live it and love it. alli

Todd 40 turns in 7" snow @ US Naval Academy...Looks like you are breaking all the records this year. Craig

It's gonna be like Santa, but even better-a group of 7 WYEP-ers are coming to get our ski on! Kathi (our local npr station) * Sledding at Blackwater

I hope that my email finds you well. I had my first experience at White Grass over MLK weekend -- and am officially in love! We had an amazing time and truly enjoyed every little detail of your place. The trails, the people, the food -- everything was incredible. We are honestly counting down the days until we can come back. One thing that we didn't get to experience was dinner at your cafe! We had no idea this was even an option, however, all of the reservations were booked. (Now I can see why!) We bought our own copy of your cookbook, however, would definitely like to have dinner with you during our next visit.-- Many thanks! Lauren Kopcha

Here’s to the next 20! Dave from Park School

...just wanted to thank you and all the amazing people that make Whitegrass such a special place to visit. Years ago I learned to telemark at the NATO course and I was able to bring my wife and dog Jake to see what Whitegrass is all about - they had a blast! keep up the great work and the blazing harmonica skills. All the best - Adam Spivak

stro Had a great time skiing and love the vibe at Whitegrass. Remember, when the frog jumps, the snow has turned to corn. Cheers, geo

Just a big, friendly "thanks" to your staff who helped make Saturday great for our entire family. It's tough to find activities you can all truly enjoy together when you have two toddlers. So in desperate need of exercise, fresh air, and "the WG vibe", we packed up the crew and drove the 3 hours Saturday only to find you were packed (great to see!) and there were no more pulks available to rent. We were absolutely crushed. But rather than simply turn us away, your kind and accomodating staff dragged several old rigs (and one pulk!) from the shed until he found something that would work and adjusted the seat so we could fit both our children. We had a blast! Time and again we commented that so many places may have had one "policy" or another that wouldn't have allowed such a move; or simply wouldn't have staff motivated enough to trouble-shoot a solution. Instead, you not only accomodated us with HUGE smiles, but didn't charge us for the rental. Typical WG. Can't say enough about how much that meant to us all. Best day we've had as a family in a LONG time. Priceless, right? Warm regards- Emily, Gary, Brigs (3) and Curry (1) , Ligonier, PA

dave saville Todd Words can't even begin to describe, yeehaa!.Tomi feeling all the joy and bliss Corey B turned our humble hills into cathedrals. Long live the birch-barkers! Daniel Kirkwood

Thanks for running such an awsome place, I never enjoy skiing more than when i'm at white grass! Jacob Lutz

. pics of Colo by Geo Bell * Clare's Colorado photos with Chipper and the gang * Dan's Picaso Colo pics from Dec 09

13. It's how many cups o' Joe you would need to drink in order to even come close to matching the energy level of one Canaan Valley hermit snow gnome many call Chipper. Hypno

* Hansi's blog WG visit * ...and watch this video. Short and beautifully done. Elizabeth Gilespie

by Bert JR's Canaan Valley wedding pics Late 70's in Canaan by Tool

Us on g. earth sent by Mark Blumenstein fond memories from winter Marc and Kara

Nils Larsen mastering his Altai ski techniques Powder Creek BC Rare Merlin catch at Dolly Sods

On my way to work. Anne Wanted to help to extend your season. Where do you want it? TeleBruce

MooseWood vs. WG Cafe