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All roads lead to White Grass! Located at 643 Weiss Knob Ski Road, off Route 32 and at the end of Freeland Road in Canaan Valley, WV. Winter can make driving difficult – please use caution on Freeland Road and in our parking lot!
WhaT WhiTegrass Offers
Groom and zoom!
We regularly groom 25-30 km of trails with machine-set and rolled track. We go off at times and pack more. We operate a Pisten Bulley 100 snowcat, two large four-stroke snowmobiles and a tracked 4 wheeler. Yellowstone Tracking pull-behind groomers do most of our work. Skaters may find us on the narrow side, so consider bringing diagonal stride skis as well as a backcountry setup in your quiver. First-timers will feel our trails are groomed with them in mind.
Winter in Canaan Valley
XC exploration is fun at our neighboring Canaan Valley and Blackwater Falls state parks. XC skiers can also purchase one-way lift tickets at Canaan Valley ski resort and come over the top to White Grass, mostly all downhill.
The Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge provides many learning opportunities as well, including guided natural history snowshoe trips and hikes. All together, the Canaan Valley region offers one of the finest Nordic networks in the eastern U.S. with well over 100 km of trails. Check out the amazing topography on our maps, also available for free in the lodge.
Not that easy to figure out on your own learning right from the start is the best idea. Offering lessons every day at any time you need makes it even easier to learn. Short simple mini lessons, 1 hour with lots of personal help, or request downhill control. One of the keys is to simply flex your ankles like most sports and dancing. The trail map has a section on ski technique that nobody reads.
We sell new and used ski gear of just about every type! Skis, bindings, boots, poles, and accessories like skins and various base care products. We invite you to try it before you buy it with our rental fleet. Due to present supply shortages we may not be able to sell.
We proudly carry Rossignol, Fischer, Madshus and Alpina skis and boots as well as nnnbc bindings. Any set of our skis works well well with featured Leki tapered aluminum poles.
Beef up your setup - we also carry metal-edged skis by Rossi, Madshus, Alpina, Voile and Fischer, plastic boots by Scott and Scarpa and adjustable poles by Black Diamond.
All rental/demo gear is for sale: short-wide ski packages at an average price of $500 with nnnbc boots and Leki aluminum poles. Let's make a deal!
Head cold? Hats we have by the hundreds! Cold feet? We’ve got gaiters! Fashionista? Browse our line of quality White Grass apparel! Long and short-sleeve shirts, fleeces, gloves, mittens, and a bunch of other notable Nordic stuff – all adorned with a range of White Grass logos.
Get your kiddos started young at an affordable price of $250 with our buy-once, upgrade-for-free program for kids’ skis.
Come in to the shop at any time to demo and bargain for a pair of skis and boots that upgrade your present gear.
Because deeper snows and cooler conditions prevail in our highest north-facing mountains, we offer special guided treks for those who want to venture deep into the backcountry. Instruction as well as local lore fill an afternoon of adventure.
Find the beaten paths off the beaten paths with our knowledgeable guides who’ve probably skied the high country more times than they can count.
Kick and glide on masterfully maintained trails fed by natural snow collected by 5 km of snow fence. Drift lines are maintained adjacent to the lodge with a rise of almost 400 vertical feet. Catching greater amounts of snowfall, these practice loops and teaching areas usually assure skiing possibilities from December all the way through March.
We shovel snow if needed to patch our snow farm when Ullr won’t cooperate. We move madmax fence sections to fill up the fields with snow when the wind blows. Our snow-snatching location combined with our time-tested techniques usually captures tons of fresh, natural snow with a low carbon footprint.
Strap in and go anywhere you want! When using our XC ski trails, please walk to one side as your tracks may chop things up.
We feature the MSR brand for most of our rentals, poles included. White Grass even features some snowshoe-only trails that lead to specially scenic areas. Rent, demo, or buy snowshoes here.
Explore, explore some more, and take shelter from the storm! From the snow farm to Bald Knob, ski to any of our eleven shelters where we regularly stock snacks and bird seed – some even have wood stoves. The rumors about black-capped chickadees eating from your hand are true.
When the powder piles up, head for the trees! Throughout our forty year history, we’ve been known to nip the forest for fast fun skiing.
Old abandoned downhill ski areas are perfect for this. Hundreds of hours of volunteer help maintain the NATO Breakfast Bowl, Cathedral Glades, Baldy Steeps, Jack Frost Glades and so many more.
We proudly carry Rossignol, Fischer, Madshus and Alpina skis and boots. Sturdy tapered Leki poles have WG logo!
Beef up your setup with metal-edged skis by Rossi, Madshus, Alpina, and Fischer. Even fatter with telemark skis by Voile and plastic boots by Scott and Scarpa.
All rental / demo gear is for sale: short-wide ski packages at an average price of $500. Let's Make A Deal!
Due to global shortages we may be holding our gear. As soon as resupply trickles in we want to sell to you.
Buy once $250 kids sizes and trade up at no additional charge until ready for adult sizes, then another $250 for full-size gear. $500 lifetime investment. Like getting a free Christmas present every year!
Cabin Mountain: Our Home in Canaan Valley
- Home to our Nation’s 500th National Wildlife Refuge
- 48 trails covering over 60 km
- 12 shelters, several with wood stoves
- Over 1200-foot vertical rise & drop: 3250’ – 4460′
- Annual precipitation: 53″, about an inch per week
- Average Snowfall: 160″, over 13 feet
- Mean Annual Temperature: 44 degrees F
- Average January Temperature: 23 degrees F
- Coldest Temperature: -24 degrees F
- Warmest Temperature Ever: 95 degrees F
- Average Skiable Days on the shady side at 4000′: 95
- Best Skiing: mid January – early March. It can be sunny and 50 or cloudy and 20 below on any day in winter. Sorry, if it was colder none of us could afford to live here…this is not Utah. We get rain!
Dog Policy
We allow pooches on certain designated trails that lead to Forest Road 80 and the Dolly Sods. NO DOGS IN MAIN PARKING LOT! Please use our Freeland Run lot at the corner and stay off 3 Mile, Springer, etc. We do this to keep your pooch safe and our trails in good shape. No one loves dogs more than we do. Thank you!
SafeTy and Emergency Procedures
Check posted trail conditions and weather forecast before heading out.
Dress warmly in layered clothing, protect your extremities and be aware of the onset of darkness, stormy weather, and differences in elevation.
Carry plenty of water and snacks, a headlamp, and a compass.
Avoid skiing too far.
Stay on terrain well within your abilities as a skier.
IF INJURED: Stay calm. If possible don’t leave injured skier alone. Keep them warm and hydrated. Check their location on a map and send for help. First aid will be dispatched. Call (304) 866-4114 or 911 for emergencies
This is our 4th year going for XC skiing and we love it here. The past two years we have taken our kids, and now they ask to go every year. Chip and his staff are super helpful and patient with beginners. Reasonable rental rates. The cafe has amazing food with both gluten free and vegetarian options. Definitely need to check them out.
— Kristen Foster