A Winter Adventure in Southern West Virginia: Skiing, Waterfalls & Hidden Gems

By Family Adventures VA – @familyadventuresva

Our family recently went on an unforgettable adventure to Southern West Virginia, packed with outdoor thrills, delicious eats, and cozy accommodations. This trip was made possible in partnership with the West Virginia Department of Tourism, Visit Southern West Virginia, Winterplace, and The Resort at Glade Springs.

Feel free to borrow our 3-day itinerary.

Day 1: Road Trip & Snow Tubing Fun

We left Fredericksburg, Virginia, early in the morning and headed west. Our first stop upon entering West Virginia was the West Virginia Welcome Center, where we picked up brochures to help guide our journey.

I’ve always wanted to visit one of West Virginia’s Almost Heaven swings, and since the one at Bluestone State Park was just a short drive from our route to The Resort at Glade Springs, we made a stop.

Our adventure began at the Sandstone Visitor Center – New River Gorge National Park, where we learned more about the area’s natural beauty. From there, we headed to the Sandstone Falls Overlook and Brooks Overlook, taking in breathtaking views along the way.

Afterward, we grabbed lunch at The Market in Hinton, a charming small-town spot serving pizza, burgers, and other classic American fare. Their retail shelves are stocked with local and West Virginia-made foods, so you can take a little taste of West Virginia home with you!

Next, we walked the Sandstone Falls Boardwalk, which offers stunning views of the largest waterfall on the New River. Finally, we made our way to the Almost Heaven Swing at Bluestone State Park, where we soaked in the beautiful scenery and snapped some unforgettable photos.

After a full day of exploring, we checked into The Resort at Glade Springs, where we stayed in a spacious three-room suite—perfect for our group of five. The suite had plenty of room to spread out, featuring a king-sized bed with a pullout sofa in one room and two queen beds in another. It was the ideal spot to relax and recharge for more adventures ahead!

After unpacking and relaxing for a bit, we headed to Winterplace Ski Resort for a family snow tubing adventure. Known as the #1 place to learn to ski in the Southeast, Winterplace also boasts West Virginia’s largest snow tubing park, and we had an absolute blast!  Since we went tubing on a Monday, we took advantage of their Monday/Thursday “All-You-Can-Tube” deal, which offers six hours of tubing for just $30—a fantastic deal! To save time, we also signed our waivers online in advance, making check-in a breeze.

To end the day, we enjoyed dinner at The Dish in Daniels, WV. The host, waitress, and manager were incredibly friendly, making the dining experience even more enjoyable. If you only order one thing, make sure it’s the peanut butter pie—it’s a must-try!

Day 2: Skiing & Escape Room Challenge

We started the day with a buffet breakfast at The Resort at Glade Springs (included with our stay) before heading back to Winterplace to get our ski rentals. Our group then participated in a ski lesson, which was a fantastic way to build confidence on the slopes.

The ski lessons at Winterplace are divided by ability level, making it easy for everyone in our family to find the right fit—my three kids had never skied before, and I hadn’t been on the slopes since high school. Even though my husband hadn’t skied in years, his beginner class ended up being more of an intermediate lesson, which he loved!

After our lesson, we grabbed lunch at the food court and spent the afternoon practicing our skiing. Since the resort closed at 4 PM that day, we had plenty of time to enjoy another fun activity in the evening.

That night, we took on the resort’s escape room challenge, choosing the “Secrets of the Haunted Manor” room. It was a tough challenge, and while we didn’t escape, we had so much fun trying! Their escape rooms are only 45-minutes long, making them a perfect evening activity. We wrapped up the day with dinner at Bunkers, a cozy dining spot at the resort.

Tips for a Great Visit to Winterplace

If you’re planning a ski trip to Winterplace Resort, here are a few tips to make the most of your visit:

• Book in Advance: Whether you need lift tickets, equipment rentals, or lessons, reserving ahead of time can save you money and ensure availability during peak times.
• Dress in Layers: The weather on the slopes can change quickly. Wear moisture-wicking base layers, an insulating mid-layer, and a waterproof outer layer to stay warm and dry.
• Rent Gear On-Site: If you don’t own ski or snowboard equipment, Winterplace’s rental shop offers everything you need. The staff is friendly and helpful, making the process easy for newcomers.
• Arrive Early: Getting to the resort early lets you beat the crowds, especially on weekends and holidays. Plus, you’ll have more time to enjoy the slopes!

Day 3: Waterfalls, Climbing, & Local Finds

We started the morning with breakfast at Small Talk Café at the resort before heading to Grandview, part of the New River Gorge National Park. The views of the New River were absolutely stunning! We had hoped to do the Tunnel Trail, the easiest trail at Grandview, but unfortunately, it was too icy. Note that the visitor center here is seasonal, so it wasn’t open during our visit.

Next, we set out to chase waterfalls in Beckley, stopping at Cranberry Creek Cascades and Little White Stick Falls. Both were absolutely beautiful and well worth the visit. Thankfully, we were able to find directions to both waterfalls on the WVTourism site, as they are both located in Piney Creek Preserve.

After chasing waterfalls, we headed to The Chocolate Moose, a cozy spot with a unique coffee menu, delicious Hershey’s ice cream, and refreshing smoothies. The kids had a blast doing some indoor rock climbing—there were so many cool routes packed into such a tiny space! We even spotted Mothman while climbing! Be sure to call ahead for a rock-climbing reservation, as it gets busy. Our belayer, Trevor, was awesome—he shared so many cool insights about the climbing gym, making the experience even more fun and informative.

Before heading home, we made a stop at Tamarack Marketplace, a must-see artisan center filled with unique, locally made crafts. We spotted several Mothman items—a fun nod to the region’s folklore! We also grabbed lunch, savoring some delicious Appalachian-inspired dishes and regional flavors.

The marketplace features five resident artisan studios, and you can often catch craft demonstrations most weekends from spring through fall. Unfortunately, since we were visiting during the winter, we didn’t get to see the artisans in action, but it’s definitely on our list for next time!

As we made our way back to Virginia, we had to stop at the New River Gorge Bridge, one of West Virginia’s most iconic and photographed landmarks. Next time, I’d love to walk on the catwalk under the bridge for a whole new perspective of this stunning landmark! Our very last stop was the Almost Heaven Swing at Babcock State Park, located near the famous gristmill. I couldn’t resist getting in one last swing before we left!

Final Thoughts

Our trip to Southern West Virginia was an unforgettable experience filled with adventure, relaxation, and delicious food. From skiing and snow tubing at Winterplace to exploring waterfalls and artisan markets, there was something for everyone. If you’re looking for a perfect winter getaway, this region is a must-visit!

#AlmostHeaven #WinterplaceSkiResort #VisitSouthernWV #ExploreWV