SNOWSHOE, West Virginia — The countdown is on. Just five days remain for the 2007-2008 winter season at Snowshoe Mountain. The region’s largest winter destination opened for the season just in time for the Thanksgiving Holiday on November 21, and guests will have enjoyed 131 days of winter excitement when Snowshoe closes its doors for the season on March 30th. In that time, almost 130″ of natural snowfall, as well as the area’s largest snowmaking system, has provided a great season of skiing, snowboarding, tubing and adventure activities, including snowmobile tours and cross country skiing.

Although it was nearly 60 degrees on Opening Day, early season snowmaking allowed the resort to open with 7 trails for guests spending Turkey Day at the resort. The season really picked up in mid-December, as a perfectly-timed storm dropped more than a foot of snow for the holiday crowds. Snowshoe provided guests with an early Christmas present, opening the first of three new trials on December 21st. The new trails were a hit with expert skiers all season, providing more terrain to tackle in the South Mountain area. The holidays were once again a magical time at Snowshoe, as guests enjoyed a tree-lighting, Santa on the slopes and carolers, as well as some of the best conditions of the season during a very white Christmas and New Years.

January saw a series of major storms dump more than 40″ of snow on the resort, making for several powder days to start off 2008. Mother Nature wasn’t always friendly, following up many of those snowfalls with unseasonably mild weather and at times rain, but Snowshoe’s expert snowmakers and groomers worked hard all season to provide not only the most terrain in the region, but also the best conditions available. February saw another 30″ of snow fall on the resort, and another perfectly timed storm made for an excellent President’s Day Weekend. While she wasn’t always kind, Mother Nature was timely this season, as large storm preceded the three key periods for ski resorts??”the week between Christmas and New Years, Martin Luther King Weekend and President’s Weekend. All three holiday periods saw amazing conditions for the thousands of guests that made the trek to Snowshoe and ensured another great year for the resort.

Tagged as “Fifth Season” for its diversity, March lived up to its billing this year. While just more than a foot of snow fell throughout the month, guests also enjoyed several days of true spring skiing and riding. Sunshine has been abundant this month, and with the mercury rising to near 60 on a handful of occasions, jackets and hats were replaced with t-shirts and sunglasses. March also saw the introduction of two new events that are sure to become Snowshoe staples for years to come. The Homegrown Music Festival had toes tapping during a weekend of live performances, as well as good-natured Homegrown Games??”including Spam Eating and Bobbin’ for Pigs Feet contests. The Easter Holiday was celebrated with the first Shades of Cream Champagne and Chocolate Weekend. The Big Top was dressed up for the wildly successful event, and vendors from all over the region offered chocolate treats that ranged from common to extraordinary. While adults stocked up on special treats, kids of all ages enjoyed an ice cream sundae bar and egg decorating stations.

With more than 30 trails remaining open for the final days of the season, Snowshoe has consistently offered the most open terrain in the region. This weekend, the end of another great season will be celebrated with the traditional Last Hurrah. festivities. Tug-o-war, limbo and the annual pond skimming contest are sure to provide some laughs as guests get in the last turns of the season. Temperatures are expected to warm as the week goes on, and a sunny Sunday should be the perfect way to close the season. For those who like to plan ahead??”and save some money in the process??”next year’s season passes are already on sale. All 2008-2009 season passes can be purchased for their lowest available price through April 30th. Get your today and help celebrate Snowshoe’s 35th anniversary year.

Already, Snowshoe is gearing up for its summer season, which will begin Memorial Day weekend. The Powderade Race Series is back for another year of adrenaline-fueled mountain bike action, and the Raven course has once again been named the top public-access course in the state. Traditional Snowshoe summer events, including the 17th-annual Fire on the Mountain Chili Cookoff and the Taste of the Mountain Food, Wine & Jazz Weekend, will be better than ever this season. The GNCC tour, the nation’s largest off-road race series, returns for a second year to Snowshoe, and this summer a new concert series will be introduced for the Memorial Day, Labor Day and 4th of July holidays. A full schedule of summer events can be found at http://www.snowshoemtn.com/todo/events/calendar/index.htm.