Winter Driving Tips: It may be warm and sunny at your house, but you’re headed for snow country.  Snowshoe is in the middle of a 17 million acre National Forest.  Pocahontas County has the highest average elevation east of the Mississippi River.  Snowshoe Village is at 4,800' above sea level.  Cell phone service is not dependable nor even available along major stretches of the mountain roads you'll be taking to get here.  This is truly the boonies !  

Here’s what we locals do in the winter: We keep our fuel tank full and we add a can of gas-line antifreeze. It costs $2.00 a can and prevents fuel line freeze-up. We carry a flashlight. We have a windshield scraper. Have some food and drink with you, just in case. There are few restaurants or C-marts once you get in the mountains. If you have a 4 wheel drive, or AWD vehicle, switch into that mode when you’re driving on snowy roads, and especially once you get to Snowshoe Mtn. itself.

The main entrance to Snowshoe is ½ mile east of  Rt. 219 on Rt. 66.   The is another entrance if you are coming in from Cass, WV.   Both are well marked.  Our Marketing Partner for rental equipment, Elk River Snowboard and Ski has shops at both ends of the mountain.  

EXPRESS CHECK-IN:  We arrange for you to get into your unit directly, and there is no Check In or Check out required.  We cover that with each individual reservation prior to your arrival.   

FROM VIRGINIA/Washington, DC: While there are several ways to get here from Virginia, we find this route the easiest: Take I-81 south to Staunton. Then, VA 250 west to Monterey (This is your last dependable fuel stop/grocery stop, so as we say when the kids are in the car “Let’s fill one and drain the other”). Then, left on VA 220 south. About 4 miles south of Monterey, right on VA 84 to Frost, WV. Then, right on WV 92 north. Then, left on WV 66 west to Cass, and continue on to Snowshoe. At Snowshoe, there are 2 entrances to the resort itself. On dry road, it’s about 2 hours from Staunton.

From Southern VA: Take I-64 to White Sulphur Springs, WV and then north on WV 92 to Cass. (White Sulphur Springs is your last dependable fuel stop/grocery stop).

FROM MARYLAND / PENNSYLVANIA / OHIO: Take your best route to Morganton, WV. Then, I-79 South to WV 33 (Weston/Buckhannon exit 99). WV 33 East to Elkins (take the second exit - marked WV 219). Take WV 219 south through Elkins and on to Snowshoe. (This is your last dependable fuel stop. Also, for groceries you’ll go right by a Wal-Mart Supercenter on the south end of town.) From Elkins, continue south on WV 219 (just past Huttonsville, watch for WV 219 to turn right at an Exxon C-Mart – it’s easy to miss the turn). Continue south to WV 66, and you’ve arrived. On dry road, it’s about 1 hour from Elkins.

OR:  IF it is easier to get to I-81 from eastern parts of PA and Maryland, then see the Virginia driving instructions above, and get off I-81 in Staunton, VA.

From OHIO: You can also take I-77 to Parkersburg, WV and then WV 50 East to Clarksburg and pick up I-79. WV 50 is divided 4 lane highway.

FROM NORTH CAROLINA AND POINTS SOUTH: The easiest way is I-77 North to Beckley, WV, and then I-64 East about 40 miles to Lewisburg, WV. At Lewisburg, WV take WV 219 North to Rt. 66 and Snowshoe. On dry road, it’s about 1.5 hours from Lewisburg. (Top your tank in Lewisburg. For groceries, there is a Wal-Mart Supercenter right at the exit when you get off I-64).

If the weather in the mountains looks threatening, an alternative we prefer is to continue another 8 miles east to White Sulphur Springs and take WV 92 north to Cass. 219 is a mountainous route, 92 runs through the valleys and is easier driving if you’re worried about the driving conditions.

From Raleigh/Greensboro – Some people take Rt 220 north from Greensboro, through Roanoke and on to Clifton Forge, VA where they pick up I-64 west to White Sulphur Springs WV, and then north on WV 92.  Its about a half hour shorter, but the driving is more demanding, especially at night or on wet roads. 

All Guests use our Direct Entry System, and do not need to check in or out at our office.  We'll give each guest the specifics on that a few days prior to your arrival.

BAD WEATHER? Don’t freak. This is mountain country and the roads are well maintained in any conditions. Generally, the roads are in better shape once you get into the mountains. Both Rts. 219 and 66 are primary state hiqhways and the highway department has lots of equipment in use.

BE CAREFUL OF GOOGLE, MAPQUEST, ETC:  Computer mapping often selects obscure routings over remote 2 lane roads which may appear to the computer to be shorter and faster, but are in fact much more difficult. 

If you have travel questions, give us a call. Over the years, we’ve tried every route there is and we’ll be happy to help out. See you soon. Drive safe.