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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
Carbon-fiber composite helicopters allow for easier and less-expensive repairs.
Communities

West Virginia now manufactures unique composite helicopters

by David Sibray

The result of a collaboration among Safari Helicopters, Carbon Fiber Composites,  and the Robert C. Byrd Institute at Marshall University, a new helicopter is now commercially available and has made its first sales. Brian Alley, owner of Carbon Fiber Composites, in Ona, near Barboursville, West Virginia, says its unique composite construction is rare and expedites … Read more

Hungry Beech Nature Preserve, Roane County, West Virginia.
Arts

Gallery: Autumn in West Virginia by Jesse Thornton

by David Sibray

Each season the staff at West Virginia Explorer asks a photographer to help us express the beauty of West Virginia. This year we’ve asked Jesse Thorton to provide us his take on autumn. Much of Thornton’s work is for sale on his website, Reflection in a Pool. Wreck of remarkable aircraft may remain in the … Read more

Students at Bethany College stroll the Parkinson Forest.
Hiking

Bethany’s Parkinson Forest added to old-growth network

by David Sibray

The Parkinson Forest at Bethany College has been added to the national Old-Growth Forest Network—the eleventh site in West Virginia to be included and the first in the state’s northern panhandle. Joan Maloof, Ph.D., founder of the Old-Growth Forest Network, said the forest was ideally suited to the network. “In each county, we look for … Read more

A paddler in an inflatable kayak challenges the Dries of the New River.
Communities

W.Va. tourism outpaces national growth by 58 percent

by David Sibray

Governor Jim Justice announced today that West Virginia’s tourism industry grew for the second consecutive year in 2018. The two-year growth trend reverses years of decline and outpaces national growth by 58 percent, he said. The finding comes from yearly economic impact research released just on the heels of the industry’s annual Governor’s Conference on … Read more

Families gather in the village atop Snowshoe Mountain in eastern West Virginia.
Recreation

Snowshoe Mountain to open ski areas November 22

by David Sibray

Making more snow than ever before, Snowshoe Mountain will open for skiing and snowboarding on November 22, weather permitting. Overnight temperatures are already dipping into the 30s in the Alleghenies, and resort officials are feeling confident following upgrades to the mountain’s snowmaking system. “We invested nearly $4 million into our snowmaking system in 2018, and … Read more

A raft launches into the Gauley River during an exciting excursion with River Expeditions.
Recreation

Cool autumn weather could super-charge Gauley River rafting

by David Sibray

The return of autumn could result in an end-of-season boom for whitewater rafting on the Gauley River, the legendary West Virginia destination for paddling in fall. “I expect that after temperatures cool off, we could see a more traditional Gauley season,” says Heather Johnson, co-owner of River Expeditions. “It’s been a beautiful fall, but I … Read more

West Virginia University has announced plans to open a new facility in the Equities House in downtown Charleston, West Virginia.
Communities

WVU expanding its Charleston presence with new office space

by David Sibray

West Virginia University is expanding its presence in Charleston, West Virginia, leasing two floors in Equities House, a central downtown office building that will become home to several university offices. President Gordon Gee lauded the university’s move secure its presence in the state’s capital city. “Charleston is the business and cultural heart of West Virginia,” … Read more

The Five River Campground extends along the valley of the Cheat River north of Parsons, West Virginia.
Culture

October pow-wow in Tucker County moves, expands

by David Sibray

To accommodate a larger attendance, the inaugural gathering of Native Americans for song and dance on the Cheat River on October 5-6 has been moved to a larger venue. The “We Are Still Here” pow-wow—celebrating the native history of West Virginia—has been moved to the Five River Campground at Parsons, in Tucker County, which will … Read more

Whitney Bsharah, marketing consultant for WVExplorer Magazine.
Arts

W.Va. tourism marketer looking for industry insights

by David Sibray

Distance is helping Whitney Bsharah help West Virginians reach tourists, and as a native living abroad she’s observed changes in what audiences think about the Mountain State. “I will always miss home, but I think living in Richmond helps give me insight into how people feel about visiting the state,” she says, “and that’s turned … Read more