West Virginia's Biggest Ski Resort Just Set Opening Day and a New Lodge
Snowshoe Mountain is targeting Nov. 25, the day before Thanksgiving, to open for 2026-27, with its rebuilt Shavers Center day lodge set to debut the same day.
Snowshoe Mountain is targeting Wednesday, Nov. 25, the day before Thanksgiving, to open its 2026-27 ski season, weather permitting. The resort announced the date on Oct. 6, and it plans to open a rebuilt Shavers Center day lodge the same day, according to West Virginia Explorer.
Snowshoe is West Virginia's largest ski destination, sitting at 4,848 feet on the summit of Cheat Mountain in Pocahontas County. It is owned by Alterra Mountain Company and is part of the Ikon Pass, which makes it the main Ikon option for skiers driving in from Washington, Pittsburgh, Columbus and Richmond.
What the new Shavers Center changes
The new building replaces the original Shavers Center, a longtime gathering spot near the resort's mountaintop operations. Marketing director Shawn Cassell said it will be Snowshoe's main day lodge, with cafeteria-style dining, après programming, and indoor and outdoor event space with mountain views. The Ski and Ride School and Pre-Ski programs will also run out of the building, so families checking in for lessons will start their day there. Winter Brewfest on Dec. 12 is expected to be one of the first big events in the new space.
Key dates for the season
- Nov. 25: opening day target for the Snowshoe Basin and the new Shavers Center.
- Dec. 18: Silver Creek opens, adding night skiing on 12 trails and snow tubing.
- Feb. 1: the Cupp Run Challenge in the Western Territory, home of the resort's 1,500-foot vertical.
- March 8 to 14: Kids Ski Free Week for children 12 and under.
- March 21: targeted closing day.
The deals with a deadline
Snowshoe's Flex 3 Pass, good for three non-holiday days that do not need to be picked in advance, costs $199 now and rises to $249 on Nov. 1. It is only sold before opening day, and holiday blackouts apply. The resort's Flurry of Savings sale runs through Oct. 12, with up to 20 percent off lodging and rentals plus lower advance lift ticket prices.
President and COO Patti Duncan said the resort is hopeful about natural snow in an El Niño winter, noting that past El Niño seasons "have often made for some incredible ski conditions here at Snowshoe, especially compared to elsewhere in the East." Either way, she said, the snowmakers are ready.
Read the full West Virginia Explorer report, then see terrain, lodging and driving details on the Snowshoe Mountain encyclopedia page. Ikon Base Pass holders should check their access on the Ikon Base Pass page before planning a Thanksgiving trip.