SNOWSHOE, W.Va. — One to two inches of wet snow fell overnight at Snowshoe Mountain in West Virginia, where crews began making snow Friday in preparation for the November 25 opening of ski season.
The snowfall covered the resort’s 4,848-foot summit, where temperatures dropped sufficiently for natural snow to accumulate and snowmaking equipment to operate.
The National Weather Service in Charleston issued a statement early Friday warning that rain would change to snow across the higher mountains. Forecasters expected accumulations of one to two inches at elevations around or above 3,500 feet, including Snowshoe.
“The only thing better than seeing the snowguns in action is some natural snowfall, and today we’re enjoying both,” said Ken Gaitor, Snowshoe’s vice president of mountain operations.
“We’ll continue making snow as long as these cold temperatures hang around. This should be a strong start towards getting us open for skiing and snowboarding, hopefully in the next few weeks if the weather cooperates.”
Snowshoe shares winter weather with mountains far to the north
Snow arrived at Snowshoe during a period of winter weather in the Adirondack Mountains of northern New York, hundreds of miles farther north.
The National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center forecast widespread snow accumulation across higher elevations of upstate New York, Pennsylvania, and New England from November 12–15.
Although Snowshoe lies considerably farther south, its summit reaches elevations comparable to many mountains in the Adirondacks. Temperatures generally decrease with altitude, allowing snow to fall on high ridges while nearby valleys receive rain.
Mountain slopes can also enhance precipitation as moist air rises and cools, a process known as orographic lifting. Snowshoe’s location in West Virginia’s Allegheny Highlands exposes it to cold air and moisture that can produce substantial snowfall during favorable weather patterns.
The similar timing does not mean Snowshoe and the Adirondacks always receive their first snow together. Differences in storm tracks, moisture, elevation, and local temperatures can produce substantially different snowfall patterns.
Snowmaking begins ahead of Thanksgiving opening
Snowshoe’s snowmaking crews began operating Friday as the resort worked toward its scheduled November 25 opening, the day before Thanksgiving.
Snowmaking timing depends on both temperature and humidity. In a November 12 interview with Ski Southeast, Snowshoe’s director of mountain operations, Ty Tegtmeyer, said crews generally begin making snow when the wet-bulb temperature reaches 28 degrees Fahrenheit.
Wet-bulb temperature accounts for the cooling effect of evaporation, making it a useful measure of whether conditions will support snow production.
Tegtmeyer said the resort seeks to establish enough snow cover to remain open even if warmer weather follows its initial opening.
Snowshoe also expects to open its new Shavers Center on November 25, weather permitting. The facility will serve as the resort’s main day lodge, with dining, après-ski activities, and space for its Ski & Ride School and Pre-Ski programs.
The new building replaces a longtime gathering place on the mountain. WVExplorer detailed its design and planned facilities in an earlier report on the Shavers Center project.
Silver Creek, the resort’s second major skiing area, is scheduled to open December 18, adding night skiing and snow tubing.
Other West Virginia ski areas are preparing for early December openings. According to OnTheSnow’s projected opening schedule, Timberline Mountain is targeting December 4, Winterplace Ski Resort December 5, and Canaan Valley Resort December 11. These are projections, not confirmed opening dates.
West Virginia Explorer recently reported that Timberline ranked among the nation’s 10 most affordable ski destinations for the 2026–27 season. Visitors can also consult the magazine’s guide to skiing in West Virginia for information about the state’s downhill and cross-country ski areas.
Snowshoe’s winter calendar includes West Virginia Ski Free Day on December 6, Winter Brewfest on December 12, and skiing and snowboarding competitions through March. The resort has set March 21 as its tentative closing date.
The Snowshoe Mountain Resort website provides current conditions, operating schedules, and event information.