cross country skiing and snowshoeing In West Virginia, Maryland and PEnnsylvania

PENNSYLVANIA

Crystal Lake Cross Country Center in Hughesville, PA is on 960 acres of woodlands, lakes and ponds at an elevation ranging from 1,550 - 2,100 feet.There are cottages for accommodations. Rental equipment and lessons are available.

The Inn at Starlight Lake in Starlight, PA is a B & B resort under new management with recently upgraded cross-country and snowshoe trails. The inn is situated with scenic views in the Moosic Range of the Appalachian Mountains. It has a main house with lodging in 13 rooms and suites and there are 3 cottages on site. The Inn has a game room, restaurant and a bar. CCSAA member

The Inn has rental equipment for xc skiing and snowshoeing. One of the focuses at the Inn at Starlight Lake is on families and there is no extra charge for kids that they stay overnight in their parent's room at the inn. There also are complimentary meals for the young ones from the children's menu, when the child is with a paying adult.

The Hidden Valley Touring Center is located at the Hidden Valley Resort in PA. There are 30 miles of mellow and rolling trails surrounded by PA state parks and forests. Some of the trails are on the golf course and the center is located in the new Outback Park Winter Fun Playground. Rental equipment and lessons are available.

Oil Creek State Park is off PA 8 (305 State Park Road in Oil City in the northwest corner of PA and is known as the location where the world's first commercial oil well was developed. There are 20 km of groomed ski trails and 50 km of separate snowshoe trails. The park has a parking area, warming hut, and restrooms. There is a winter report available to get trail conditions through the PA DNR. The Drake Well Museum and other historical sites are in the area along with accommodations.

WEST VIRGINIA

Closer to the Washington DC and Baltimore area is the White Grass Touring Center (304-866-4114, www.whitegrass.com) in the Canaan Valley in Davis, WV. White Grass has 50 km of groomed trails, 3 km of lighted trails and glades for telemark skiing. This area is a Mid Atlantic xc ski mecca known for great karma! There is a cozy lodge and a popular cafe featuring homemade natural food cuisine. Lessons, xc ski, snowshoe and telemark rental equipment are available. Click for a full page about White Grass.

Timberline Ski Area is an alpine ski area with 17 km of ungroomed backcountry trails that offer 1,000 feet of vertical and are in the Dolly Sods Wilderness area. Day care, lodging, lessons, xc ski and telemark equipment rentals are available. CCSAA member

The resort's nordic skiing operates out of the Snowshoe Outdoor Adventure Center between Snowshoe and Silver Creek. The trail system covers 40 km along the Cheat Mountain Ridge Trail, as well as through the nearby backcountry. The center is fully equipped with rentals and offers instruction. Snowshoeing is also available with treks and lessons.

The Elk River Inn in Slatyfork, WV is about 5 miles from the bottom of the Snowshoe Ski Area access road. It has a touring center and immediate access to 5 km of adjacent cross-country skiing groomed trails. Another 35 km can be accessed nearby. The Inn offers ski rentals and will give instruction by appointment and has lodging and a restaurant. Cross-country skiing in the Monongahela National Forest. There is a trail fee to ski the groomed trails.

MARYLAND

The Savage River Lodge in Grantsville, MD is in the Allegheny Mountains of western Maryland on 42 acres encircled by 700 acres of the Savage River State Forest. There are 15 miles of packed trails. XC ski and snowshoe rental equipment available and there are private lessons, too. The accommodations include private cabins, a gourmet restaurant, pub, and gift shop.

The Backbone Ski Farm in Oakland, Maryland is near Deep Creek Lake in western part of the state. There are 520 acres of skiing and snowshoeing on 15 km of trails on fields and forests at the base of Backbone Mountain. Lessons and rental xc ski and snowshoe equipment are available. Backcountry tours offer a guide with or without a lunch.