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March 10 
Snow Helps * People Make It Special
Snow Helps * People Make It Special Base: 8 "- 25 " packed In the woods: 14 "- 47 " 4000' 3 mile stake: 44" (saw it)
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Surface: loose granular galore |
Km open: 50 Snofarm: Pisten Bulley groomed around the loops where the snowfence can still not really be seen |
Km Groomed: 30 Trails are holding up and old tracks are slowly widening out
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CAFE: Thursday-Saturday Dinners and Yummy Daily Lunches Thurs- Fish Tacos! w/ Ground Beef & all the Accompaniments Happenings: Gateway To Refuge: Appalachian Stream Hydrology @1pm with CVI staffer Ryan Gaujot, meet at WG
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New Snow: none Snow so far this season: 250 " |
10 am weather: 49 sunny calm bright |
Skiable days: 94 |
Skiable w/ 50 km: 86 |
Season Passers: Mary Ann and Alex Honcharik, Dry Fork, WV & Kathy Bine, Fairfax, VA & Jaime Henriguez, Canaan Valley Skiers Yesterday: 63 |
Something spiritually strong skiing this time of the season feeling the bright warm sun knowing the strides are some of the last |
This Weekend? We will have all 50 km open for skiing through the weekend easily...quality will depend on your expectations and how strong the rains are....monitor the forecast
Some new WG skiers wanted us to pass this on ...GameSnake * Nato Tele Fest...Bend Down Low * Snowshoe Open Until April 5
anybody can ski when the weather is nice...Dave Markgraf * the harmonic convergence of sun, deep snow, the right temps, and no wind David Whiteman
Really productive trail nipping with all this snowpack and sweet yoga doin' it * Black wooly worms do not lie! Still hoping for one more big one! Paul S. Magness
3/10/10
Good luck this March and see you next year! Ian WG article Falls Church Times * Canaan record snowfall season by Todd * need to push that money up hill from DC to Canaan
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Dude of the Week: Always early, full of new ideas and also stays late...thank Mike Sayre next time you find what you need at WG Spring Evening on Blind Mountain by Louise Erdrich from Original Fire TeleTips talkin' bout southeast Roaring Snowshoeing at WG Elkins Intermtn * A Great Day at WG Elkins Intermtn * Local Land Conservation Bank * Sledding at Blackwater * Hikes Drive Winter Visits to Refuge/Chas. Gazette * vermont snow depths * New Hampshire * Maine * WV Road Conditions (877)-982-7623 * Mtns Uncovered WVU Multimedia Project * Local tv covers WG cafe * Mo jump crashing..avi * * Cafe Dance Jam by Brooke * nearby Del Fest best lineup * Cory Chase* Herb's Ski Forecast * Sue Haywood returns to WG * Osceola Tug Hill XC * Davis 70's- 80's * WG/Mtn Trail Runners Snowshoe Race * Mtn State Marathon XC Race Results *WV Red Spruce/ Canaan Fir Seedlings For Sale* White Grass did not disappoint Ian @ Trail Voice * Bluebird Weekend WG Skiing by Todd the Monster * JoMo almost 720 freeheel lite * The WG Report * Mo 360 on XC gear * Winter On The Refuge * WV Public Radio WG/snow * White Grass U Tube Remix catching mostly air thru Todd * MountainMade online store * Blue Ridge Outdoors * Local history Behold the Land of Canaan *MtnMAde.com/Local artist * Story of Skiing in W V
Thanks for the great weekend! HSon www.shullphoto.com / Appalachian Aerial Images reasons to buy xc skis from us....we fit the boots and skis to your needs provide free advice buy new or used trade ups anytime and we have done the research on what works for this area and we are the long time small town local experts. We carry about every boot type to help custom fit your foot and have womens as well as mens specific fits. Plus we need your business! Rossi Evo Trail w/Alpina nnn bc and Leki Aluminum pole outfit slightly used for $385 Freaky STyle WG If you've ever skied WhiteGrass this video makes complete sense! The kind of place you might want to plan your entire winter around. * Play pm gig at WG and ski free
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Plains, WV 
Send
"A mind that is stretched by a new experience
can never go back to its old dimensions." Oliver Wendell Holmes
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I want to do some April skiing Kevin Moore * Planet White Grass Neil Moore
all the snow and the special love that Whitegrass brings out in everyone! See you again Saturday! Justin
wonderful time, as always, skiing Whitegrass back on Prez Day (wish I were out there now!) video of breaking trail Wilderness Trail Chris Wolz
it was pretty awesome, drifts were over 6-8' in places I would have imagined the pipeline facing the Sods N facing would have been an epic ski down Darin Crew, Baltimore
Whitegrass here are some cookies made with eggs butter and LOVE as a big thanks you for sending me my lost mittens Jen
The Whitegrass Adventure Tour was over-the-top, thanks to the leadership of Stro and Adam, plus the remarkable February snows that we have been getting. If you can continue to arrange with the Telemark gods to have the same fine snow in future years, I will ski the Whitegrass Adventure Tour until I die! Yours, Patrick McGarey
Never been to whitegrass, heard about it, checked it out on the web, wow! you have some community of people down there! I think If I ever decided to open a cross-country ski area it would be modeled after your place. Whitegrass is an inspiration to the sport of skiing. I'm from the Catskill area of NY and we are a bit sparse on snow this year. It looks like you are being blessed with the white stuff. My friends and I have to get down to your neck of the woods! Kinaed.com I skied Whitegrass Feb 2nd-4th with buddy Skip Coulter who has been talking up your place for years. Enjoyed it as best ski-touring experience I have had. Skip explained the "snow farming" system and it reminded me of a poem I wrote years ago in Limerick style (although not ribald): Snow fences on farms near the road Help a snow-burdened wind to unload; By sifting and sighing, Without even trying, They harvest what winter has sowed. Keep up the good work-play. (Ideally it's all the same) Namaste. Dave Opilo Whitegrass is the home of West Virginia cross-country skiing and one of the best places for backcountry fun on the entire East Coast. Chip and Mikey will ensure you have the gear you need, and lessons are available all day for beginners and experts alike. Try your hand (and knees) at Telemark skiing, wind up through the trees to fabulous views from the top of Bald Knob, or stay low in the snow farm where the drifts are high and are guaranteed to last all season. Relax and warm up after your exertions with a bowl of Laurie’s fabulous chili at the cafe then go out and do it all again. A-Frame of Mind Thank you for taking the time to meet with the New Germany crew. We enjoyed seeing your grooming equipment and getting tips on techniques and appropriate conditions. We also got some new ideas for snow reporting and website design. We even took a look at your signs and shelters while we enjoyed skiing that afternoon. Melissa New Germany State Park, MD & Allegany Expeditions, Cumberland, MD
"This was my first time at Whitegrass and it made quite a first impression! I walked into a building packed full of character…huge woodstove burning in the corner, live fiddle and banjo, room packed full of energetic outdoors folk, jovial staff, wonderful scents of soups infusing the scene---I’ll definitely be back." Dr. Steve Godshall It's gonna be like Santa, but even better-a group of 7 WYEP-ers are coming to get our ski on! Kathi (our local npr station)
. 13. It's how many cups o' Joe you would need to drink in order to even come close to matching the energy level of one Canaan Valley hermit snow gnome many call Chipper. Hypno
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After hearing people rave about the place for years, I finally enjoyed a meal at Canaan's White Grass Cafe earlier this month - and, wow, was it worth the wait. On the grounds of White Grass, a cross-country skiing center with a decidedly international vibe, the cafe offers one of the most unique dining experiences I've enjoyed in some time. Ted/WV Food Guy Chip Chase founded White Grass in 1979. No one in the ski world before or since has had a better time on skis or doing anything related to snow (Ive been buzzin since I was born!). That zest is totally communicable. White Grass is a blast, in a lot of ways a throwback to the 1960s, with much more wool than lycra. You'll find easy trails and gnarly trails amidst a lot of snow, gentle streamsides, hardwoods, conifers, and a big meadow by the lodge. You'll see everyone from kids being pulled in pulks to folks in their 70s, all wearing huge smiles. Jonathan "Chip, you are my hero!! You don't take life too seriously, you throw an excellent party, and we are facing youtube fame together! I really love that video, Becky and I agreed that was a most organic jam in a beautiful place on a perfect day. See you soon...yay! Rachel Eddy Here's the link to the White Grass article in Get Out! michelle * Best food ever. Thanks for the recipes Laurie and Chip! Margaret and Hansi, Minnesota / Hansi's Blog Take a walk down memory lane with ski writer Randy Johnson’s look at the history of cross country skiing in the Boone, NC area. Also check out his Web site for a video cross country ski lesson in Blowing Rock and a video look at Roan Mountain Nordic in the 1980s. At 140" +/-average snowfall in CANAAN we almost double Erie! ERIE, PA. 88 * BUFFALO, NY 93 * TALKEETNA, AK 115 * MARQUETTE, MI 141 * MT. WASHINGTON, NH 260
Most important muscle in skiing is the one in your cheek that makes your lips shape into a smile. Dickie Hall |
Mark Thomas 3/9/10.jpg)
A mouse wanted to hitch a ride on my daughter Amy ski up at Baldy Shelter last Saturday.
Kevin 
Casey 
This weekend at WG was exactly what I needed to get my mind right!!!! William Crichton
feel like the luckiest person in the world beside you Chip * John Reagan 
Powder from top of Bald Knob to bottom of Lower Springer. Too much... Tom Johnson (3/4/10)
Back here in PA after a most excellent visit to White Grass. How extremely satisfying... I no longer have to look at your web site and dream of getting there some day. It was an awesome dream come true, in a winter with snow to die for. Haven't made turns in powder like that for a long time. What a gem you all have down there.... it was so hard to leave.
Sending along some photos of the "biggest snow drift at White Grass"
Many, many, many thanks to you and the WG staff for your Nordic devotion and for creating such a great place for all to enjoy!
Don't forget to say hi to Colorado Claire for me when you talk with her!
Be back soon, Red (from Slippery Rock)
Off to Green Mtns to Tele at 
This is Paul Luchessi's studio, in Thomas Seth (google him...)
Chef Curtis/Sue/Ian proving once again it isn't worth skiing if you have to climb and you only get this if you do...where is the pic of backup? 
Sandy
Hook, NJ on Saturday. Conditions were perfect
for skiing while our buddy, surfer guru Scott Thompson,
played in the green room. John Passacantando
...was so freaking amazing. All of my friends on the Alta patrol are wondering if you have openings next year...Jah praise Ullr...
Thank you! 
... what fun what fun. Coming back soon, can't wait. My friend Katherine's first time on xc skis, and she loved it. Thank you for having such a wonderful place. ~Jessie 
Gene with the 
Gene Lewis enjoying the great white north of the "wilderness" this past Sunday. Diane Kerns
you guys are as good as ever, good trail conditions in spite of all
that new snow, thank you again. Yesterday was again
very good- this statement comes from an old Norwegian that has skied for
over 60 years - the last 10 at whitegrass. As I have mentioned before,
your trails and terrain are exactly how it should be. However, I know you
do not close because of snow, but..... roads do! Real winter as winters are
supposed to be! Jo Storaker
We recruited a group of XC skiers from Norway to come to Whitegrass to enjoy some real snow!
- Ray and Cristina Phaneuf, College Park, MD and Rome, Italy * Calling into work well...feel too good to come in Jack Kangas 
Robbie sez it's the best job...groomer at @ WG 
Jill and Noah having fun in the beautiful Blue Ridge 
Colleen was here...
Morgan Famous Amos Bowl by Jacob Lutz 
Two Feet of Snow / After a couple years of going to WG the kids only want to take the fast way up and the fast way down Bob Amacker 
I thought you'd like to see the view that carries us through the week ~ Betty
Oregon skiing Trevor Eastman 
do you want me to stop now???????? I'm gettin' TIRED Dude! I know you can't control the weather, which was outstanding. Perfect conditions that led to miles of smiles for us.
You had a near record crowd Saturday I hear, and the crew from the traffic cop to the rental, to the cooks to the dishwasher handled it flawlessly.
That's the way its been for me for more than 20 years of visiting there.
Thanks! TeleBruce
The daily report has delivered amazing coverage all season. I check it every morning out here first thing. You guys are just going off there this year! Looks so good. I hope so much to make it back to ski there this season. Really want to see wv with this deep snowpack your rolling with. Vail ski patrol has been fun and challenging. I must say I really enjoy the whitegrass experience much more than the crowded corp environment at vail but skiing keeps it all fun ya know. I have been xc and tele a lot latley but patrol in alpines for now.
I'm looking at some property around your area and hoping to be around Canaan more in the not too far future. Love the skiing you guys have. It is awesome! Miss whitegrass. Gberry
Smiles all thru the lodge and apres' celebrations and vibes of daily bounty are as much a reason as the playing in snow. Passing it on
down & all around, ya know? What a special place,thanks for everything. peace, cvcv.jpg)
Virginia Special Olympians Team XC 
best winter ever SKIP 
the kids had great fun Stephanie
Robish * 
40 turns in 7" snow @ US Naval Academy...Looks like you are breaking all the records this year. Craig
dave saville 
Todd 
by Bert 
Us on g. earth sent by
Rare 
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Kid's
Free Trade In XC Gear $250 
Kid's Free Tele Trade In Gear $575 |
Our Community Living Room The Purple Fiddle * Doerfels Live mpeg |
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lightningboards.com |
Our
senior Senator, Robert C. Byrd, is fond of noting that: “West
Virginia is one of the most beautiful and unique places. It is the
most southern of the northern and the most northern of the southern;
the most eastern of the western and the most western of the eastern.
It is where the East says good morning to the West, and where Yankee
Doodle and Dixie kiss each other good night!” Indeed, West
Virginia is a most beautiful and unique place. And with the introduction
of our legislation, “Wild Monongahela: A National Legacy for
West Virginia’s Special Places, we are striving to keep it
that way” Hon. Nick Joe Rahall introducing the new WV Wilderness
Bill |
Canaan Valley Nat'l Wildlife Refuge HC 70, Bx 200 Davis, WV 26260 304-866-3858 |
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Ullr is the Norse god of skiers, and Skade is his wife. According to mythology, Skade was a mortal granted the right to marry a god, and being partial to the mountains, she chose Ullr. |
When winter is a no-show in the mid-Atlantic region, count on West Virginia's Dolly Sods Wilderness, four hours west of Washington, D.C., for a healthy dose of the real thing. Perched on a 4,000-foot tableland in the Allegheny Mountains, the Sods averages more than 12 feet of snow each year. Wind permitting, follow the Breathed Mountain and Big Stonecoal trails into the high plains, with their decidedly Western feel. White Grass is known for some of the best and most extensive cross-country skiing on the East Coast, with a natural foods cafe that attracts nearly as many fans. All 31 miles of the center's varied trails, half of which are groomed, are open following the weekend storm. A one-day trail fee is $12 for adults; rentals are $12 on weekdays and $15 for weekends and holidays.(Wash Post)Total # of Trails: 44 with 50KM, 30 KM machine groomed Beginner 30% Intermediate 55% Advanced 15% Top Elev.: 4436 Base Elev.3250 Vertical Drop:1200' Terrain Features pretty challenging constantly varying open hardwood glades, pastures, mountaintops, old ski area runs, railroad grades. |
Local
Wild Weather Facts ****Our
Best Local Weather Site Local snowfall table enclosed : Early Canaan Ski story Life is good...and especially good in CV. Dave Lesher |
this is the most thoughtful place from the bird feeders, the shelters, prayer flags, nature posters...the whole thing * mid atlantic inferiority complex is getting snowed over * I don't know what you're doing in 20 years yet I want to either volunteer or work here * when you go from snowboarding to xc skiing you increase your edge factor by 400% Jamie * Hope you survive this winter. It has to have been about a three month buzzz zzzzz zzzzz. Ged Smith *WG IS AN ICON BOTH OF BLISSFUL NOSTALGIA AND BRIGHT POSSIBILITY Greg Dailey * You'll look up and wonder why you were cutting so high this spring Micky * We have a new annual vacation...WG Chris * short people make snow deeper Brent * Best public place on the planet Cory B * started out alone and was immediatly skiing with eight friends Mark Anderson * never seen so many people with smiles on their faces John Thompson * White Grass Ski It If You Want Tony Barnes *need to move WG closer to Michigan it's a brutal drive Dave from Detriot * Lady's Man at Wg...Another day, another foot of snow, another shot of Morgan Chase with a couple of lovelys. Jon Yoder * no friends on powder day unless they have your sandwiches Adam Chase * I was here 50" ago Curtis *I've been snowboarding for a few years....will you have me back? Will * Hey - you stole all of our snow!!!...Congratulations. Must be great there, say hi to Dickie for me. Steve Hindman, Stevens Pass,WA * I wanna go down without goin' up Aaron * the most fun ever had without a motor Robbie * WG is like a secret fishin' hole, only tell the good good friends. Tom and Julie * Stonecaol Flats looked like an early episode of Star Trek Jamie Mulligan * Don't hit as many trees goin' up Jamie Chenowith * Saw Lester come up Falls Overlook with the big groomer and thought I was at Canaan Brad Moore * This is one of the most therapeutic places in the world Nelson * Of course there's no control, its nordic skiing Ryan * It's a rain shadow on all four sides...Tom Breach * The most legal fun you can have Jeff Hazel * Maybe we won't see the ground 'til April Ed Rader * My annual winter testament of faith is getting my WG season pass Carl * Skiing in the snow is way better than riding in the rain Joey Riddle * If tele made sense they'd do it in Europe * Next time the skiing is this good just put a big star with fireworks on the web page Tom * The only problem is that the webcam is showing me all the great snow that I am missing. It makes me sad to be sitting here in my office watching those flags whip around in the snowy wind. We'll be making a run for the mountains very soon, I am sure.talk to ya later, marc * This year we offered ULLR a pair of skis that belonged to a friend we lost a while back to cancer. He was a fanatic skier and absolutely would have approved. ULLR must have liked them- 30' plus in the PA Laurel Highlands in the last 8 days and its still bombing! Steve Waugaman * I've got a Whitegrass hangover.......only problem is......I know the only cure is to come back for more!!!!!Love and miss you guys! ter * I remember you from a visit in the early 80's and I was very pleased that White Grass had the same character two decades later. Jim Barnes * Enjoy The SNow...What the hell am I doing in the office….counting the hours until I get up there! Paul S. Magness *Andrew from Brisbane, Australia said....Chip, you've converted me to an uphill skier * what happened to the snowfarm...did it disappear? Robert J. *looks like fairyland out there * Wg is always good, just usually not this good * if it wasn't for televised sports the rivers and trails would be way too crowded * no one cares if you tele mad river glen sticker * I love Canaan...I bought a Subaru * Heading out there this weekend, and the next, and the next, and the next....as long as you got this snow.... keep on skiing in the free world! Kevin Jones * Roll out the white carpet for him... I'll bet you are enjoying all the crystal water. Jim Snyder * The allure of the high allegheny mountains still is strong for me. Best from an old admirer -- there simply is no place like White Grass, even here in New England. I have great memories of hikes in Colorado, but some of my most clear and vivid memories are of skiing Dolly Sods and of White Grass and the fantastic group of people you gathered there. Trent Batson * Fern Gully is now a super highway for the soul Robbie the groomer * Hard to ski with an umbrella Asher * I can't wait to see the other 95% of the WG trails * The best in Scottish conditions Jeff * I matched a personal record....only a four fall run down Fern Gully Harley * better go ski may melt tomorrow Randy French* So utterly, entirely, completely, intensity, anticipating Whitegrass to glide on! Alan Grubb * why can't skis just be part of your body? Chris Brown * I got him a new pair of xc skis for his 70th birthday! Sue Dovell * I never met an alpine skier that used to tele* My 9 yr old daughter LOVED Whitegrass and xc skiing and said, “Mommy, it feels like I’ve known all the Whitegrass people all my life!” She can’t WAIT to come back! Lynn Grasso * where the warm and welcoming atmosphere inside was the perfect end to a great day Beth * What could we bring to contribute to the shot ski? Jim Stewart * Nowhere else does the groomer bring fire and moonshine Rick Van Noy * Here’s a few of our favorite internet radio links: www.wwoz.org * www.mvyradio.com & www.wunc.org Connie* Brew Pub Live Music * xc snowboarding parody...martin * chaga mushroom ...great info about it * First Frost Pool 10/ 6 winners Kurt & Jim Baczuk / First Snow 10/17 Pete Kepner / Total Snowfall Guesstimations from 135" to 300" *Laurie is baking cakes, cookies, and other yummies for Trail Mix * 37,000 new acres of protected W.V land * Davis River Front * Davis River Front's blog * wvhighlandsartists * What to Bring XC Ski * Curtis LugeZip (3/5).mpg * ChipNattyTurns * CurtisQuickies.mpg *ChipRedOak(3/4)* GeohopsCanMon.mpg * Opensezame*ChipCanMon3/2* LugeRunGisela. (3/2) * FlowBYxc. (3/2) * Skihiking and Foolery * PackPowWill* Chip and JoJo Dance WG/Facebook * Trailblazer 'CV has its own mystique'* Upper SpringerGeo.mpg * SeeAMouse.* Morgan360canoe*TwistySkiing* Goodstuffjumpin * WG testimonial.mpg * Local boy gone BIG City - http://nick-waite.blogspot.com/ * Vermont’s Mad River Rocket Sleds*WG Web Cam History mode * Snowfarming * Ski Jouring in WV * Granny Gear schedules 3 big 24 Hour bike races next year * Freeland Road Bubbling springs Video * Denali Nato.wma * Davis Consignment Shop * MaryAnn the mapmaker has a new site * WG skiers meet VA fiddlers by Todd * Snurfer Poaches Mad River SKi Area * skibuilders.com * 10 great places to peacefully glide cross-country USA TODAY * Lost Ski Areas * Hyno Coffee * Tucker County Trails * The ultimate ski Showdown Utube by xcskizone * if you like check this one * xc ski zone.com * Off Piste * The ChipperCHase Article.pdf
HomeSpun Video:
"skiing is not a matter of life and death, it’s more important than that"
| The pure spirit of skiing and the good life is alive and well and living at Whitegrass. I know of no other place where skiers gather and get closer to that wonderful spiritual aspect of skiing and fellowship. That special place in all nords that makes us want to go outside put on our skis and have fun. Whitegrass is quite simply my favorite ski area in North America. Ski Hard, Play Fair, Have Fun, Dickie Hall (NATO) Nothing finer than standing on this great planet / chip |