Winter Family Fun

Wintertime in West Virginia is serene and breathtaking. Snow settles into cozy mountain towns and families come together to celebrate what matters most. This season, find the joy that being in Almost Heaven brings.

Sleigh Rides

Kids of all ages (and even the adults) will love this timeless tradition. Snow covered trees and beautiful scenery await. Bundle up the family and get cozy under a blanket as you glide through a winter wonderland.

Explore Snowshoe Mountain Resort on horseback or by a horse-drawn sleigh. Autumn Breeze Stables will take you through the Potomac Highlands wilderness at Snowshoe. You’ll see scenic views of Silver Creek Lake and valley views towards Cass Scenic Railroad.

A sleigh ride through the snow is the perfect way to experience winter in West Virginia.

Christmas Tree Farms

Picking out a Christmas tree with your family is the highlight of the winter season. With many choose-and-cut Christmas tree farms around the state, you’re sure to find the centerpiece for your living room.

Bluestone Nursery offers several different varieties like Canaan Fir and White Pines. It’s located in Camp Creek State Park so you and the family can explore the park after you get your tree.

Visit the Brushy Mountain Tree Farm for Fraiser Fir and Colorado Blue Spruce. They also have free wagon rides out to the fields to make your trip even easier. 

Most farms across the state are open from Thanksgiving until Christmas Eve. The memories made cutting down and decorating your tree will last a lifetime.

Light Shows

West Virginia lights up like a Christmas tree during these winter season festivals. Visitors from near and far travel to the state to see the twinkling exhibits in all their glory. This is must-add to your holiday tradition list and the perfect socially-distanced activity this season.

Oglebay’s Festival of Lights is one of the largest in the country with more than a million LED lights. This dazzling display covers over 300 acres of land in an easy six mile drive. The magic of the holiday is amplified with their 3D glasses, which transforms the lights into a delightful display.

Fairmont boasts a festival with an impressive 475 displays! The Celebration of Lights is sure to warm your heart and create lifelong memories for your family. Don’t forget to grab some hot cocoa before you wind through Morris Park.

Family Snow

Winter is the perfect season to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the everyday and reconnect with what, and who, matters most. You never know what you might find if you step outside and enjoy the snowflakes.

Blackwater Falls State Park is known for its beautiful waterfall & hiking trails. But in the winter the park transforms into a snow-filled paradise. Take the family to the east coast’s longest sled run. It’s more than a quarter mile long and will keep the kids wanting more. Afterwards roast some marshmallows over an open fire and recount the day’s adventure.

Or take the family ice skating for a day. The Memorial Ice Skating Rink at Wheeling Park is a popular option in the winter. While you’re in Wheeling, visit Wesbanco Arena and cheer on the Wheeling Nailers. The Nailers are an affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Where will you head with your family this winter?

Mountain Resorts

Avoid the winter slump by getting the whole family active this season. get back into your skiing groove or take a risk by trying out a new winter sport.

Make your way to breathtaking Pocahontas County to hit the slopes at Snowshoe Mountain Resort. Snowshoe Mountain Ski and Snowboard School offers private lessons, group lessons and kids lessons for both skiing and snowboarding. Or try out tubing for a change at the Coca Cola Tube Park.

Voted the #1 place to ski/snowboard by Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine, Winterplace Ski Resort is arguably one of the best places to get a taste of winter in the Mountain State. This resort offers 90 minute professional-led skiing snowboarding classes, as well as, snow tubing classes. The snow tubing hill even offers 2 Super Carpet Lifts so you can get right back to the slopes.

Located in Wheeling, Oglebay Resort is also a great place to brush up on your skiing/snowboarding skills. The resort offers ski and snowboard lessons for both adults and children during the week.

Holiday Train Rides

All aboard a holiday express to a whimsical wonderland! Enjoy a winter train ride through Almost Heaven with the whole family.

Book your tickets and experience a Classic Country Christmas this year with the Potomac Eagle’s North Pole Express. This interactive train ride is filled with Christmas caroling, storytelling and fresh baked cookies from Mrs. Claus.

The Cass Scenic Railroad State Park also features a great Christmas train that runs during the first two weekends of December. Each child that joins Christmas at Cass will receive a special surprise gift at no additional cost.

Make this a holiday tradition and bring your family back every year to experience the magic of wintertime in West Virginia.

Hello Winter

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