A Winter Wonderland in the Highlands
Old Man Winter will soon grace West Virginia with his presence again, and small-town Grant County will be alight with holiday cheer—after all, there’s no better place to celebrate the season than the Potomac Highlands.
Courtesy West Virginia Department of Tourism
Hit the Slopes
Whether you're a downhill beginner or you've been carving fresh tracks since you could walk, there's a day trip in store for you. Nearby Canaan Valley has not just one, but two of the state’s best spots to ski or snowboard.
Canaan Valley Resort State Park, with a summit elevation of 4,280 feet, has 47 slopes and trails to explore, for all experience levels. If skiing and snowboarding aren’t your speed, the resort has plenty of winter sport opportunities, including snow tubing, ice skating, and snowshoeing.
Timberline Mountain is another must-see destination for winter in West Virginia. 22 trails wind through the Monongahela National Forest and the Allegheny Mountains, and the resort is known for its long, scenic runs and its high-speed, six-passenger chairlift—the fastest in the state. From gentle greens to exhilarating black diamonds, Timberline offers a little something for everyone who loves crisp mountain air and snowy adventure.
Home for the Holidays
Make Petersburg your home for the holidays and experience the type of holiday spirit that can only be found in small-town West Virginia. Enjoy a Christmas Parade on December 6 at 3 p.m., then bring the whole family to the city park between 4 and 7 p.m. for a Hometown Christmas celebration. Fuel up with toasty treats like cookies, hot chocolate, and s’mores, take an ATV ride around the park, enjoy a live nativity and caroling, and meet Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus.
Local businesses are celebrating the season, too. Stop by South Side Studios at South Side Depot on December 6 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. for the Hometown Handmade Artist Market. Grab some one-of-a-kind, handmade gifts. Feel free to pick something up for yourself, while you’re at it—and don’t even try to resist the food specials at the new Station Cafe.
Courtesy of the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad
All Aboard!
The season wouldn’t be the same without some good old-fashioned holiday magic—and nothing delivers it quite like the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad’s North Pole Express. Climb aboard this enchanting Christmas train for a journey filled with twinkling lights, joyful music, cookies, cocoa, and a special visit from Santa Claus himself. As you wind along the South Branch of the Potomac River, the ride turns into a full holiday adventure the whole family will remember.
Bundle up, breathe in the mountain air, and enjoy the wonder that winter brings. In Grant County, the season shines a little brighter, and the memories last long after the snow melts.