A day of skiing once reportedly cost a single dollar here, and that was the club member rate. Non-members paid a whopping dollar fifty.
Two rope tows hauled skiers up about 300 vertical feet.
That was the early 1950s, high on a snowy plateau in West Virginia. A group from the Washington Ski Club found deep drifts and decided to build something.
Their little operation is often called the first private ski area south of the Mason-Dixon Line.
I love that the whole story started with grit and a rope. Nobody had chairlifts or snow guns yet.
They had cold hands, big hopes, and a mountain that held snow.
Today, that same valley still pulls skiers uphill, just with a lot less tugging. So what grew out of that humble slope?
The Old Ski Slope That Grew Into A Mountain State Favorite
Some resorts start with a big investor and a glossy brochure. Canaan Valley Resort State Park started with skiers who simply refused to stop climbing hills.
The park sits on a high plateau in the Allegheny Mountains near the small town of Davis. It’s one of West Virginia’s largest state parks, and it runs as a year-round ski and golf resort.
Winter is still the headliner here, though. The slopes offer 47 trails, a terrain park, and a snow tubing area.
Modern chairlifts do the heavy lifting now, and a magic carpet helps beginners find their feet.
Summer and fall bring a whole different crowd. Golfers, hikers, mountain bikers, and families on vacation all find reasons to show up.
The park also offers a full-service lodge, cabins, and a campground. That means you can stay a weekend or a whole week without running out of things to do.
What makes the place special is the history under your boots. Those early rope tows helped teach a whole region how to ski.
The slopes you see today grew out of that stubborn little dream, one tug at a time.
Rope Tows, A T-Bar, And A Man Named Bob Barton
A dollar a day for skiing sounds like a typo now. Back in the early 1950s, that was reportedly the club rate at Driftland, also called the Cabin Mountain Ski Area.
Members of the Washington Ski Club found the snowy slopes of Cabin Mountain in Tucker County. Their two rope tows served about 40 acres of terrain, and sources date the start to 1951 or 1954.
Then came Robert “Bob” Barton. In 1955, he opened Weiss Knob Ski Area, often called the first commercial ski area south of the Mason-Dixon Line.
He started with a T-bar and three rope tows.
The state bought that land in 1959. Those original Weiss Knob slopes are now part of The Meadows area at Canaan Valley Resort.
Barton didn’t quit, though. He moved to nearby Bald Knob and installed the first snowmaking equipment in West Virginia.
Skiers there rode four rope tows.
That second Weiss Knob closed in 1970. The state park opened its ski area in 1971, with chairlifts and an 850-foot vertical drop.
Quite the upgrade from holding onto a moving rope with frozen mittens.
Tubing Lanes And Trails For Every Kind Of Winter Kid
Not everybody wants to strap on skis, and that’s perfectly fine here. The snow tubing area gives non-skiers a fast, giggly way to enjoy the hill.
Tubing comes up a lot when folks talk about winter at Canaan. It’s easy to see why.
No lessons are needed, and grandparents can join the fun right alongside the grandkids.
Skiers and snowboarders have plenty to chew on, too. The 47 trails range across the mountain, and the terrain park adds jumps and features for the bolder crowd.
First-timers get a gentler start. A magic carpet carries beginners up the learning area, so nobody has to wrestle a rope like the old days.
Snowshoeing is another quiet option. The park has trails that work well for it when the snow piles up.
Back at the lodge or cabin, the winter day keeps going. Think warm drinks, a crackling fireplace, and wet socks drying by the door.
Honestly, the pioneers of Cabin Mountain would probably be thrilled. Their sport grew into something the whole family can share, no frostbitten fingers required.
Stone Fireplaces Waiting In The Cabins And Lodge Rooms
Firewood delivered right to your cabin door? That’s one of the small perks staff provide for cabin guests here.
Canaan Valley Resort State Park offers 23 cabins and cottages. Many feature stone fireplaces and well-equipped kitchens, with pots, pans, dishes, and even a coffee maker.
Some cabins are pet friendly, too.
Prefer the lodge? It holds 160 guest rooms and suites, and many look out toward the mountains.
Rooms include a microwave, mini-fridge, television, hair dryer, and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Larger suites give groups room to spread out for game nights. Balcony rooms are also available as an add-on, so ask early if you want one.
Campers have choices as well. The campground has 34 sites, some under the trees and some in the open.
A bathhouse, laundry, and playground sit on site.
So which one fits you? Families who love cooking together might lean toward a cabin.
Folks who want the pool and dining steps away will probably like the lodge.
Either way, you’ll wake up in the West Virginia mountains. That’s a pretty good start to any morning.
Valley Views From The Dining Room Windows
A good meal tastes better with a mountain staring back at you. The lodge dining areas at Canaan look out over the valley, and those windows earn their keep.
The Hickory Room handles full-service dining. It’s the spot for a hearty supper after skiing, golfing, or a long hike in the woods.
Want something quicker? Seasons Café offers more casual fare.
The Laurel Lounge sits nearby as a relaxed place to unwind, with views of its own.
The lodge also puts on holiday spreads. Thanksgiving dinner at the resort draws families who stay elsewhere but still want that view with their turkey.
Buffets show up for breakfast and dinner at times, too. Menus can change by season, so check before you go.
Here’s what I like about it. You don’t have to drive down the mountain to eat after a cold day.
Just peel off the boots and walk to a warm table.
Those early skiers on Cabin Mountain surely dreamed about a hot meal after a day of rope tows. Now it’s right there waiting.
Summer Chairlift Rides, Golf, And Plenty Of Deer
Deer wander around this park like they pay rent. Visitors often spot them in the meadows, along with wildflowers and butterflies in warmer months.
When the snow melts, the chairlift keeps running for scenic rides. At the top, there’s a viewing area with sweeping looks across the valley.
Some folks ride up and hike back down.
Golfers get an 18-hole championship course designed by Geoffrey Cornish. It’s a peaceful way to spend a mountain morning.
Hikers can explore about 20 miles of trails winding through forest and meadow. Bikers have roughly 18 miles, including a 6.2-mile NICA certified multi-use mountain bike trail.
There’s more, too. The park offers a nature center, sporting clays, tennis, pickleball, a basketball court, and playgrounds.
Back at the lodge, indoor and outdoor pools give kids a place to burn off energy. A hot tub and game room round things out on rainy afternoons.
Summer evenings sometimes bring live music at the ski area. Just bring a lawn chair, and keep an eye out for those curious deer.
Getting Up Onto The High Plateau Near Davis
Finding the place is half the adventure. You’ll head into Tucker County, high in West Virginia’s Allegheny Mountains.
The full address is 230 Main Lodge Road, Davis, WV 26260. The park sits near Davis, a small mountain town with its own easygoing charm.
The surroundings are worth the trip on their own. Monongahela National Forest wraps around the plateau.
The Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge and Dolly Sods Wilderness sit right next door.
Nearby day trips add even more. Blackwater Falls State Park is close, and Seneca Rocks makes a fine drive on a clear day.
The Blackwater River trail is a scenic pick, too.
History buffs should note White Grass Touring Center down the road. It sits on the site of Bob Barton’s second Weiss Knob, and it’s been a cross-country skiing spot since 1979.
Hours, lift tickets, and room rates shift with the seasons. It’s smart to check with the resort before you pack the car.
Winter drivers should come prepared. Mountain roads can turn snowy fast, which is exactly why skiers came here in the first place.
A Rope Tow Legacy Worth Riding Today
Snowshoe gets plenty of headlines, and fair enough. But the story of skiing in West Virginia really picks up steam right here.
Canaan Valley Resort State Park carries that history without making a fuss about it. You can ski where rope tows once pulled hardy folks uphill, then warm up by a fire that night.
The park suits a wide mix of people. Families like the tubing and pools.
Couples might love a quiet cabin, and outdoor fans can stay busy all year.
The lodge is older, and it isn’t a fancy luxury resort. Still, the setting does a lot of the talking, with meadows, mountains, and those wandering deer.
I think that’s the real charm. It feels like a West Virginia state park first, not a glossy getaway trying to impress anybody.
So next time someone brags about the big modern slopes, smile and mention the dollar-a-day rope tow. Then tell them where it all began.
Grab your mittens, or your hiking boots. This old valley has been welcoming adventurers for more than seventy years.
