David Sibray

David Sibray is the founder, publisher and editor-in-chief of West Virginia Explorer, a news and travel magazine devoted to the state’s history, tourism, outdoor recreation and economic development. For more information, he may be reached at 304-575-7390 or at editor@wvexplorer.com
Skiers celebrate the beginning of ski season 2019-2020 at Snowshoe Mountain.

Ski season 2019-’20 opens at Snowshoe Mountain

Ski season in West Virginia launched Friday morning at Snowshoe Mountain, where more than 12 slopes have opened to skiers and far more snow than usually lies on the ground. Despite a brief drizzle, more than 100 skiers attended the opening day festivities, and thousands are expected to arrive as autumn gives way to winter, … Read more

Hikers on Bald Knob survey they ski area at Canaan Valley Resort State Park.

Canaan Valley skiing opens Dec. 14 with new capacity

Opening on December 14, 2019, Canaan Valley Resort has invested in upgrades that will see more trails open earlier in the season and help crowds move faster. The resort located high in the Canaan Valley in the Allegheny Mountains of eastern West Virginia has invested in nine fan guns, four tower guns, and five moveable … Read more

The Mountaineer Marching Band performs during pregame of a WVU football game.

West Virginia University to build marching band facility

An institution itself for more than a century, the Mountaineer Marching Band at West Virginia University will soon have a home of its own in Morgantown, West Virginia. Dedicated alumni and university officials are working together to pursue a practice facility for the 330-member band, which currently practices in the parking lot at the WVU … Read more

A statue of folk hero John Henry stands outside the Big Bend Tunnel.

John Henry Historical Park gaining national attention

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the construction of the Big Bend Tunnel in southern West Virginia—the enterprise that legendarily took the life of folk-hero John Henry, believed by many to have been a flesh-and-blood railroad worker. According to most versions of the tale, Henry was employed to help dig the tunnel for … Read more

The campus at West Virginia Wesleyan welcomes another fresh winter snow.

W.Va. Wesleyan kicks off winter with concert series

West Virginia Wesleyan College is welcoming winter in north-central West Virginia with a series of nine free musical performances in November and December, including a celebration of 50 years of jazz at the school. Including four large hallmark performances, the public series is being held principally at the school’s campus in Buckhannon, West Virginia, and … Read more

Goldenrod at Healthberry Farm helps produce excellent honey.

Randolph County farm wins national medal for mead

Healthberry Farm has been awarded a silver medal in the sweet varietal mead category for its Honey River Basswood Mead, made with raw honey and spring water sourced on the farm in the Allegheny Mountains. Healthberry Farm owner Benjamin McKean says he’s honored to represent the state’s honey industry. “It is an honor to be … Read more

Visitors from world-over are visiting Tucker County, here at Lindy Point.

Scenic expressway leading D.C. tourists into Tucker County

Approaching completion, the new U.S. Route 48 expressway is dramatically changing tourism in the Tucker County highlands. Now a drive of fewer than three hours from Washington, D.C., the region—long known as an outdoor-recreation paradise—is welcoming an influx of new travelers, and more are on their way, according to the marketing director for the Tucker … Read more

Snow-making commenced on schedule Nov. 1 at Snowshoe Mountain.

Now making snow, Snowshoe posts 2019-2020 events

Snowmaking has commenced on Snowshoe Mountain in the mountains of eastern West Virginia, and officials at the resort complex have announced its 2019-2020 calendar of winter events. “We were able to start making snow overnight in preparation for the upcoming ski season, which we hope to kick-off Friday, Nov. 22,” resort spokesman Shawn Cassell said … Read more

Rusty Hutson, Sr., and David Dean of Diversified Gas & Oil Corporation inspect a well pad in West Virginia.

Partnership provides oil, gas training for high school seniors

Four hundred West Virginia high school seniors will be able to enter a pipeline of future workers in the oil and gas industry through a training program initiated by the West Virginia University Extension Service Safety and Health Extension. The SafeLandUSA orientation program will offer job-readiness training, online and hands-on ATV safety course, and medical-response … Read more