Send "A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions." Oliver Wendell Holmes

I'm up here in Revelstoke BC at the end of a week of heli-skiing with Canadian Mountain Holidays. The trip was through the Columbia (MD) Ski Club, and we've been skiing in the Monashees and another mountain range (the Selkirks? not sure). The guides and helicopter pilots have been doing a good job of taking us to good snow and keeping us away from crevasses, though one day there was an avalanche that caught one skier. Fortunately he wasn't buried completely, and wasn't hurt. The only people on the trip I knew beforehand were the trip leader and Greg Clark, who is on this trip also after skiing at the Fairy Meadows backcountry hut here in BC a couple of weeks ago.

We've had variable conditions, including terrific light fresh powder, some windslab and "temperature crust" (snow that warmed up, started to change to corn and then refroze), and some great corn today. CMH guarantees you will ski 100,000 vertical feet in a week, and we reached that goal today, in spite of not skiing yesterday due to weather (visibility wasn't good and they couldn't fly). The runs we've been doing are typically long, averaging about 3000' vertical each. The scenery up here in the mountains is fantastic everywhere. We've been skiing almost entirely above treeline, much of the time on glaciers, hence the crevasse danger. Earlier in the season they can extend the runs down into the trees, but the snow isn't good enough at lower elevations to allow that now.

I talked to Patty Snow earlier this week, and she told me White Grass got about a foot of snow on Monday. It figures - seems like that happens whenever I leave town. Glad to see your season got extended a little more. If I wasn't up here, I'd probably be there!

Here at the inn where we're staying, I found a copy of the September 2006 issue of Skiing Heritage magazine, and there's an article about the history of downhill skiing in the southern U.S. called "Downhill in Dixie". They mention Bob Barton and Weiss Knob, but some of their facts don't look right. They claim Weiss Knob opened for business in 1955, and that it is the site of the Canaan Valley ski resort now, but elsewhere in the article they state that Weiss Knob currently operates as White Grass. There's a photo that's supposed to be from Weiss Knob, but it can't be judging by the buildings at the bottom of the slope. I'll try to remember to send you a copy of the article so you can see for yourself. That's all for now. Maybe I'll see you at Cheat Fest on May 5. Jack Kangas

Chip, What a great day of skiing in April!!! I enjoyed the company and the ski out via Springers. Good advice…good skiing, especially the drifts. Tell Morgan he did miss a good meal. I wanted to send you a few pics of the lodge at Mistaya for your perusal. John Davis, Winchester,Va

Howdy all – The snow still is flying here – and right now a lot more with a 55mph windstorm blowing through. Skied Silverton on Sunday with Chris, his lovely wife and friends and looks like we’ll be getting out on snow at least through the end of May down here. Yippee! Finally got my photos together. (password is "beer") I also have some good video but it still needs editing. Thanks to Chris for a couple of the photos in this show – gotta show the folks a couple pics of me as well, ya know? Thanks to all of you for an amazing time. I am still in a Powder Creek Days Daze. Oh Canada! Gareth Martins

Chipper, thanks for letting me be a part of thje WG staff this past ski season. I get a lot of satisfaction and enjoyment in working there. Ken Mauck

Just back from Powder Creek, BC * Link to my images - http://dwaag.phanfare.com Password is cooler * Dave Waag/Offpiste Mag.Enjoy the pictures and remember the good times we had, are having and will have. Thank you all for enriching my life and for all being great ski buddies!!! (Powder Creek Section) Thanks to all and especially Nils for putting it all together. Kind regards, Chris Barber, Dolores, CO

Back here in West By God we're expecting another 20cm of snow. Thanks again to all for sharing this experience and making it so memorable. My smile expands every time i look down at my toes. Special thanks to Nils for inviting me and putting the group together, Cathy and Bill for the use of their house and Dave for turning me on to the Phanfare website.Enjoy the memories(password is wolf) Geo B.

Chipolte, Those pixs of B.C. are Godly. I don't even have to ask if you had a good time. The lovely Lynn Hill was in Garrett County this week and I went to visit with her. She ROCKS! Check out the attached pixs. Love, Christafari

How the hell are you and L doin’ how goes the eye thing call any time if ya wand to ramble....I/we are always good for that I attached some picts is our Morgan lovin’ the track we set up he really digs it.... Miss younz’! dave frank, waitsfield, vermont ( they are still skiing fresh snow in New England, 3 to 4 feet of it)

Attached are a couple of pics Elizabeth and I took during the Easter weekend in Canaan. Hope your trip to BC was awesome! See you soon, Kelly

Thanks for a good time while we were at your place. We snowshoed up into Dolly Sods on March 3rd.Thanks again, Jeff LeBlanc

Pity the natural snow didn't last another week, (it is though!!!) But Ullr was very kind for a rock solid 2 months-plus with just a few minor interruptions. Been to BC / Alberta myself for back country ski weeks most of the last 11 years and loved it every time. Til November, Doug Lesar

Hi White Grass! I write a blog about gardening in Crozet, VA and like to include recipes every-once-in-a-while. Especially if they have seasonal interest. My husband and I friggin' love-love-love our White Grass Flavors Cookbook. I would like to tell my gardening community about it as well - and would like to reprint the Ramp Sauce for Fish recipe to introduce them to the cookbook.Please let me know if this is okay! I will, of course, include a link to your site and to the cookbook ordering section of the site. Tracey Crehan Gerlach P.S. Everything about White Grass rocks!!!!

4/1Excellent web site! Most of the comments on your web site relate to your great ski area, and although it is most definitely one of the coolest places I’ve skied, I wanted to thank you for your consistently updated web site. I grew up in Garrett County, MD (not far from white grass), and I used to ski more or less on a daily basis during the winter. I had the good fortune of making it out to White Grass several times, but it became apparent that my skiing days would be over for a while when I moved to southern Maryland about four years ago. These days I spend most of my time in an office, but between November and March, I never spend a day at my desk without checking out your constantly updated web site. It might be a poor substitute for the real thing, but it keeps me motivated to return to a lifestyle that involves less time in front of a computer, and more time out in the woods. Keep up the good work, and thanks for keeping the dream alive! -- Leo

Hey guys, Just got back from a killer ski trip to Norway. I am posting them slowly on http://universalklister.blogspot.com/ A bit of riding the big boards and a bit of kicking and gliding, culminating with a crazy 50km race near the Hardangervidda. First Scandinavian nordic race that I have done and it had it all. I have heard about blood bouncing on ice, but I actually saw it happen on three occasions in this race! Also there are some pics from Elmo's wedding as well further down the page.
Hansi

So i just got back from 10 days in Fl/Everglades. This place is pretty awesome. Lots of cool birds and wildlife....big love and hi to family, Martin

How's the skiing? I want to make it down there for the last of the last. How about a sinks of gandy trip? Corn should be coming into shape and I suppose the big drift lines are still good to go? Hope things are well. Creed Calhoun....BackBone XC Video

The 17th was the weekend we planned to introduce our friend Joann (aka Jo-Jo) to Whitegrass. She was born in Australia, raised in Utah, and has lived all over the West and even taught downhill skiing at Deer Valley, but had never gone cross country skiing. We were concerned that a lot of the trails would be gone, but then that wonderful dump of over 10 inches happened and made it one of the best weekends ever. Jo-Jo loved Whitegrass, going to the top of Bald Knob, and eating Whitegrass chili and brownies. Even though she will move back to the West coast in May, I'm sure her experience this past weekend will have her coming back here for more cross country fun!! You always make it great. Many thanks, Susan and Tom Renda, Baltimore

Whew! That sorta sums up the way we feel after the past three weekends of skiing at the WG. Excited, sore, tired, inspired. Thank you all for all the hard work and long hours to make Whitegrass what it is. Cheers. Jill and Steve Kaufmann

Thanks for a wonderful mid week visit last week. Whitegrass offers the best of the great outdoors, with really good, nourishing food and wonderful people who make it all possible. It was tough to leave all that nice new powder behind on Saturday, but it was nice to leave a better skier than when I got there, between Chip's lesson and just putting the time in on the trails. Can't wait to come back! All the best, Gabrielle Czaja

Sent By Harley Cahen

As you probably heard, Birkebeiner was cut in half to 25K, and was untimed. Conditions much worse than at WG led to a minor spill, as indicated on left side of face. (Slightly) bloody, but unbowed.) Year 3 (plus two Korteloppets) successfully completed.I look forward to my WG training (and perhaps better striding than in WI) next year. Best. John Ordway

heh heh, put together little viddy of Saturday's WG action: by Tomi Miller * Photo's by Stro * "I've been to WV, was driving through Virginia and got lost." Car Talk

Nice job, kudos to the whole krewe;That said, I humble submit, do with as you wish a couple of pics on creek'n whitegrass style;(it's steeper than it looks, honest!) Again, thanks to all ya'll for doin what U do. Chipper Medford

Hi Chip, I learned to ski from you when I lived in the Shenandoah Valley back in the late 70's. I think I was one of your first students at Canaan Valley. I'm still skiing in N. CA in the Sierra big time this year. I am going to Anchorage to ski the Anchorage 50 K tour with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Team in Training; the only TNT xcountry ski team in the US. An old friend from VA sent me a photo of me skiing in 1980 and it got me reminiscing the old days. I thought I would let you know how important you are to me because xcountry skiing is still my favorite recreational sport even now over 25 years later. I am so happy to see you are still at Canaan Valley. Maybe I will get there sometime to visit. Cheers, Dolores Madden

Thanks again (Tusen Takk) for the great work your groomers and trail workers have done. Your trails and terrain are the best (Well, very close to what I am used to from home in Norway), Last two Saturdays were great, super nice trail conditions, (3-mile-powderline-beech lick-bald Knob -up to Weiss Knob, and around up there, etc. Big drifts at the 'west entrance' to the trail over Cabin mountain. This is the first year I have seen the old railroad grade from Stonecoal flats onwards groomed/rolled. Great work! Too bad it takes 3 hrs to drive from Manassas. But well worth the 5-6+ hours of skitouring we get each Saturday (snow permitting) at your extremely Great Place! From 'Old Norwegian still using wood skis', Takk

Chipper, Go to www.exploreepic.com and the backcountry ski story at the bottom (with the picture of my wife Cathy skiing at White Grass) and click to read an article that includes White Grass and Dolly Sods quotes you too. Randy Johnson

April 19 2005 WG XC report * New England Ski Museum * FARMERS ALMANAC

"...it's hard to imagine anyone more colorful than White Grass Touring Center founder and operator Chip Chase. Enthusiastic and full of energy, Chase is one part diehard skier, one part good ol' boy, and underneath it all, one part hardworking and shrewd business man..."Mitch http://www.telemarktips.com/ All you need to do is read the thread generated by it: Tele Bruce

http://www.lightningboards.com/ http://www.woodenskis.com/

Kent Mason Outdoor Photographer stopped by * My gallery is Dolly Sods Views. Mary Ann * offpistemag.com * Zanny Nordic Website http://www.xczone.tv/

Work in progress, not quite up to the standards of the WG page, but it is a start. Check it out Peace, Colleen

Canaan Valley National Refuge

Volunteer Tree Planting Work Day April 20-21 at the Canaan Nat'l Wildlife Refuge

The first of the year Refuge/Adopt a Highway Clean-up is scheduled for Tuesday May 1st. We will meet in the Visitor Center to start at 8:30 am. This will be during the statewide Spring Cleanup days, so the WVDEP is providing a nice thank you to those who help. Volunteers are welcome, as well as staff. Other Adopt-a-Highway dates this year are: July 9th and September 17th. Please mark your calendars. Thank you for your help. Jackie

We hope that all of you will share your ideas on Refuge related issues that we should address in this planning process. What are your thoughts on future management goals and objectives? If you would like to comment but can not attend, check out our website. There you will find a planning newsletter and issues workbook that you can download, complete and submit to us. * Canaan Refuge needs feedback on its new plan

All events are free. These events are co-sponsored by the Friends of the 500th and the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge. For walks: Please wear comfortable walking shoes or boots and dress for the weather. Binoculars may be borrowed during Refuge sponsored events. Bring drinking water and enthusiasm! Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge HC 70, Box 200 Davis, WV 26260 304-866-3858

Local Wild Weather Facts ****Please visit the best local weather site
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Davis 3SE, West Virginia (Canaan Valley 3N) 39-05-52N 79-25-53W Elev 3698 ft. Dave Lesher ** Check daily obs for this and other WV co-op stations at http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/pit/PITRVAPIT

Allegheny Highlands New Weather Forecast Zone * Canaan Snow Data sent by Weather Dave

Snow This Past Season 05-06: 166" * Skiable days: 124 Skiable w/ 50 km: 49 (one of the lowest ever)

Oct-15" Nov-13 Dec-36 Jan-31 Feb-44 Mar-21 Apr-6