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A group of friends posing together with their skis and snowboards in the snow at Snowshoe Mountain under a clear blue skyA group of friends posing together with their skis and snowboards in the snow at Snowshoe Mountain under a clear blue sky

My Snowshoe Mountain ski holiday: beginner-friendly slopes, fresh powder, and a weekend with friends

A weekend at Snowshoe Mountain with university friends: fresh powder, an apartment with its own arcade, and a resort that makes life easy for beginners.
21st October, 2026
4 min read time

Marnie hadn't skied in years when she headed to Snowshoe Mountain for a weekend in February, celebrating a birthday and a final year at university with friends. Some of them were trying snowboarding for the first time. Here's what she made of West Virginia's mountains, and why she'd point beginners the same way.

Marnie Adelkopf sitting on the snow beside her skis at sunset

Meet the skier

Marnie Adelkopf

Beginner skier · 5 years on the slopes

I grew up without a lot of exposure to skiing, and once I started, it became all about the people I experience it with.

New York, USA

Destination
Snowshoe Mountain, USA
When
February
Travelled with
Friends
Stay
Apartment in town
Five friends standing in a line on the snow at Snowshoe Mountain at dusk, with a wooded ridgeline and an orange sky behind them
Marnie Adelkopf / Snowshoe Mountain, February 2022

"West Virginia is a beautiful place tucked away on the East Coast, with mountains that are more beautiful than you might think."

What surprised you most about skiing at Snowshoe Mountain?

It had been many years since I last skied, and it surprised me that I was able to pick it back up like no time had passed (of course, after falling a few times first).

What was your favourite run?

I decided to ski, which I had experience with, while some of my friends decided to learn snowboarding for the first time. My favourite run was gliding down the slopes with my other skiing friend while we watched our friends attempt their snowboarding lessons, falling down, and laughing together with them while they struggled down the mountain.

Skiers on a wide beginner slope at Snowshoe Mountain at sunset, one of them sitting down in the snow mid-fall, with the resort buildings behind
Marnie Adelkopf / Snowshoe Mountain, February 2022

Where did you stay, and how did you spend your evenings?

I stayed in an apartment in town, with plenty of space for a group of friends and the flexibility to spend our weekend however we wanted. We were there to celebrate a birthday and our final year at university, and what mattered most was spending time together. So we spent most of our evenings in the apartment, cooking and ordering in pizza. The basement was an arcade with video games, a pool table, air hockey, ping pong, and balloons: so many opportunities for us to enjoy each other's company.

What do you wish you'd known before going?

I wish I'd remembered that it can be hard to walk around in ski boots, and I would tell a friend to try to get ski-in ski-out accommodation.

How was the snow and weather in February?

The weather was perfect during my visit. It had snowed just before we arrived, so we had a fresh layer of powder, but the sun was shining for us to enjoy.

What was the highlight of your trip?

The Winter Olympics were happening at the same time as our trip, and I have a family friend who was competing in the games. One night, after a full day on the slopes, we sat down to watch the Olympics and cheer on my friend all together as a group. It felt like a big family moment for us, and I cherish the small moments with my friends, sitting together and enjoying each other's company.

Marnie sitting on the snow beside her skis at the end of the day, with the sun setting over the ridgeline behind her
Marnie Adelkopf / Snowshoe Mountain, February 2022

Would you go back, and who would you recommend Snowshoe Mountain to?

I would return to this resort, mostly because of the amazing people I enjoyed my trip with. West Virginia is a beautiful place tucked away on the East Coast, with mountains that are more beautiful than you might think. This resort is great for anybody, and very good for beginners.

How Marnie rated Snowshoe Mountain

Overall
4/5
Skiing and pistes
3/5
Après-ski
2/5
Value for money
3/5
Accommodation
4/5
Atmosphere
3/5
Getting there
4/5

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