What are the advantages of staying at the Owl’s Nest located off mountain?

1) Our home has the most amazing views!  Joe and I woke up Christmas morning to the most spectacular sunrise over the Western Territory slopes.  In the winter, there is a 180 degree mountain view starting at the Western Territory and panning over to the next mountain.

2) If you have children and want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the mountain our home is perfect.  We have a larger 46” flat screen TV for everyone to enjoy in the family room. We also have a TV with a DVD and Xbox in one of the bedrooms on the first floor. So if the kids would like to play games or watch a different movie, you can close the door.

3) You can save a lot of money and time waiting in line by bringing groceries and planning your meals.  The restaurants at Snowshoe are great but most people do not like to eat out every meal.  We would rather watch a movie, play a game or sit in the hot tub than wait in line for a dinner reservation.

Lunches: Joe and I usually pack a cooler full of sandwiches, fruit, etc. We grab the cooler out of our car at lunch.  We save money, eat healthier and do not have to wait in line. (Tip: Silver creek lodge is very friendly to families with coolers)

Dinner: We enjoy having our friends up to the house during ski season. We bring casseroles, frozen pizzas, or ingredients for the crock pot.  Since we have a full kitchen you can cook just about anything.

4) The six person hot tub is a great way to kick back and let your muscles relax after a long day on the slopes. The hot tub is situated so you can take in that magnificent view. And it is very private!

5) Its quiet and peaceful!  Are you sick of waking up in the middle of the night to the snow cats on the slopes, snow blowers or the loud teenagers in the condo next door? There is only one cabin visible from our home and it is approximately 300 feet away. 

The 4+ acres provides plenty of room for roaming.  You can enjoy an afternoon with your children building snowmen and sledding in the yard.

6) If someone in your group does not ski.  The house is a very cozy place to spend the day relaxing, reading a book while sipping coffee or hot coco.  You can spend the afternoon baking cookies for the children or preparing a gourmet dinner for the group.  We hate to mention this but, if someone gets sick, the Owl’s Nest is just like being at home.

7)  Lets face it, skiing and snowboarding gear take up a ton of SPACE.  Do you really want to spend your vacation in a condo the size of a closet?  You will find that for a similar price you can rent our home which provides plenty of room to stretch out AND dry your gear.   We provide two drying racks (in the down stairs closet) you can use to speed up drying your outer wear.  Don’t forget to warm your boats near the fire place. 

What supplies will we need to bring to the Owl’s Nest?  We pride ourselves on having a well appointed home; see our list of provided amenities.  Items you might want to consider bringing include: groceries, charcoal, shampoo, conditioner, hair dryer. 
 
How far is the Owl’s from Snowshoe Resort?
Our home is situated four miles from the base of Snowshoe Mountain.

Do I need four wheel drive? - Yes! The road to our home is well maintained and plowed, but there are many times that travel to our home with two wheel drive is impossible.

How are the skiing and snowboarding conditions?
Great!  Snowshoe has the best skiing south of New York State.  I would describe the overall conditions as packed powder.  Most people think of “East Coast” skiing as very icy.  Snowshoe is different.  We can only think of a couple days in the last four years when the conditions have been icy. Snowshoe’s snowmaking crew really knows how to make good snow and the cold temperatures help. 

Are the slopes crowded?
On weekdays you will feel like you have the slopes to yourself.

During weekends and holidays you may need to use some strategy to avoid the crowds: 

  1. First, get out on the slopes early. 
  2. We take our lunch break early (11:00 am) or late (1:00 pm).  This way we can enjoy the slopes when everyone is eating lunch.
  3. Don’t forget to stick around late afternoon.  Many people get tried and head in for the day before the slopes close.
  4. Avoid the ballhooter high speed lift during the day.  It might be high-speed, but the line gets long. It is also good to avoid the trails in the center of the mountain because they tend to have the largest crowds.      
  5. Try Silver Creek!
  • The trails at Silver creek are wider and there are not any cat tracks.
  • Bear Claw and Flying Eagle trails are among the most challenging slopes with the exception of the Western Territory.  And the best part, even on holidays, the Flying Eagle lift has no lift line!!!!
  • Silver Creek is also great for families with small children. Cub Run provides a long easy grade that is great for beginners.  It has the special “Magic Carpet” lift which children can just step on while learning to ski or snowboard.
  • And don’t forget the tubing hill is also located at Silver Creek.

Where can I purchase groceries and supplies?
There is a small market at the base of the mountain.  This market is a very convenient source for groceries, drinks, and toiletries.  This store even rents DVD’s and games in case you must see a new release.  Adjacent to the Market is a gas station.

Another option, located 30 minutes from Snowshoe in Marlington, WV is a larger grocery store and CVS Pharmacy.  This may be a good option if you are traveling to Snowshoe from the South.
  
How long is the skiing and snowboarding season?  We have purchased season passes at snowshoe for the last four years.  It seems each year we always get a couple days November and April.

What is the “off season” like at Snowshoe?
Fantastic!

Spring / Summer
Joe and I are big fans of the spring and summer seasons.  In fact, we were married at Snowshoe on Memorial Day weekend.  It was 70 degrees and beautiful.  The Owl’s Nest is set up for a great family retreat in the spring and summer. We have a beautiful lawn with a picnic table for your family’s enjoyment. The porch is a great place to congregate for a cookout.  The temperature is usually 10 – 15 degrees cooler than Richmond or DC which makes all the difference.

Fall
There is nothing more breathtaking than when the leaves turn in the fall.  The peak leave time is usually October.