When rafting's done and the first flake of snow touches the ground in the New River Gorge, the second wave of outdoor excitement is ON. Can you try to imagine the serenity of the famous Gorge scenery when you add the glitz of fresh, sparkling snow? It's a difficult task, only possible for those who have seen its full breathtaking impact for themselves.

Get Out There

The same trails you trek in the summer will have a new essence during the chilly months. Take in the beauty with a peek over the Gorge's deepest point at Grandview, grab a glance from directly above the river as you stroll the catwalk on a BridgeWalk, or harness up for an aerial overview of the land with a winter zipline tour.

If you're looking for an adventurous winter hike, try biking, snowshoeing or geocaching. Several treasure boxes are stashed around, tucked away off the beaten path. Just be careful around slick ice!

Strap On Your Skis

We even have our own snow season playground here, Winterplace, a ski (and snowboarding) resort with slopes for all skill levels, including some safe enough to send the kids down. Experienced snow gliders can swish down the challenging advanced trails, and beginners can start with a lesson before testing their skill on the bunny runs.

The certified instruction program is guaranteed to teach you to sweep the slopes all by yourself, or you get to re-take it for free. If you just don't trust yourself with ski-legs, the tubing trips are equally exhilarating, no balance required.

Be Adventurous

Babcock State Park offers great cross-country skiing terrain. Horseback and ATV riding are both available year-round, too. Nearby Organ Cave and Lost World Caverns maintain the same temperatures in the winter months as they do in the summer, so you can crawl through them any time of year.

The best part about visiting the Gorge in the winter is that even though it is still alive and full of activity, you can find deep discounts on cozy cabins with fireplaces or hot tubs to warm up in once you're done snow-venturing.

What are you waiting for? Snow melts!