Getaway gifts (that won’t break the bank)

Give the gift of a mountain escape.

Treat someone special in your life to a Mountain State retreat, full of snow sports, spa treatments, gourmet cuisine and more.

Whether you share a trip to make lasting memories together, or gift a solo journey for someone on your list who needs a good vacation, here are some perfect present-worthy getaway ideas:

Winter Valley

1. Canaan Valley Resort State Park

Let the winter games begin! Tuck into this snowy wonderland in the mountain valleys. It’s easy and affordable to book a night at Canaan Valley’s modern 160-room lodge, or a secluded cabin in the woods.

Canaan Valley’s ungroomed cross-country and snowshoeing trails take you past romantic landscapes, or you can slap on some skates and hit the outdoor rink. Prefer the indoors? Spend your time at the whirlpool spa and indoor pool. The resort even has a full-service bar, dining room and cafe.

There’s plenty more in the area, so it’s a versatile gift for groups that might want to explore different things— frozen waterfalls at Blackwater Falls State Park, lively small towns like Thomas, and even other acclaimed downhill and cross-country skiing destinations.

Palace of Gold, West Virginia

2. Palace of Gold

All you have to do for an overseas experience is head to Moundsville, where a lavish palace glitters like something from a fairytale.

The Palace of Gold, originally designed for the founder of Hare Krishna, is an architectural masterpiece. Wander past extensive mosaics, exotic gardens and stained-glass windows. An enormous crystal ceiling coats the underside of the dome, too.

When you’re done exploring, cozy up at the Palace Lodge or in a quaint cabin, complete with a kitchenette. The vegetarian cafe gets rave reviews, too, so you can easily spend a few days discovering all the intricacies of this stunning, relaxing place, or explore nearby Moundsville and Wheeling.

Yoga in West Virginia

3. The Salt Cave and Spa

For a lavish day trip, check out this wildly unique underground spa in White Sulphur Springs. Kick back inside a man-made cave and let the cleansing effects of halotherapy get to work. You can also take a yoga class in the cavern.

Or, splurge on a spa package. Decadent treatments include “Mountain Memories,” a head-to-toe experience to wash away every worry. Start off with a foot soak with organic herbs, essential oils and mineral salts. Then get a body rub, scalp massage and facial aromatherapy.

There’s also “Revive,” which combines aromatherapy with pressure-point foot treatment and massage techniques. Sample other specialties like reflexology, reiki and ion foot detox.

Woman getting a facial at a spa, West Virginia

4. Pipestem Spa and Event Center

Does someone in your family need to decompress after the holidays? Treat ‘em to a carefree, luxurious break.

Pipestem Spa and Event Center has an entire menu of massages, facials, scrubs and body wraps. You can even order a fine drink at the nail bar and hair salon! If you can’t make up your mind, get a gift card instead— easy.

Pipestem Spa has mountain chalets you can rent, too, for a bit of a longer retreat. Each has modern comforts like flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi and gourmet kitchens. Reserve one to get a discount at the spa!

Where in WV are you sending everyone on your list?

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This post was last updated on March 16, 2022