Favorite Ski Trails:
Stables
A family favorite, offers gentle, open hills and gladed woods, good sledding hill for kids
White Dot Trail
Accesible from Girls Camp Road and Blueberry Ridge Cabins, it swooshes along the northen face of the mountain before turning left and onto Upper Doe Run to the old golf course for a nice downhill glide
Lower Doe Run
Connects the stables to the hotel and is a gentle climb or descent perfect for beginners or as a warmup to more technical trails like Old Turnpike
Old Turnpike
Rising and falling over more technical terrain this trail connects with Bald Knob Road and Homestead Trail
Glade Runs: coming soon!
Gliding through the trees, these areas may open in 2009 if we have a strong effort from volunteers
Toboggan and Tube Runs: coming soon!
Fun for everyone, old fashioned sled runs are being planned for 2009. Just like old times you slide down and hike back up.
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Recreation: Cross-country
Skiing
XC Skiing has quite a history at Mountain Lake. Sitting above 4,000' of elevation and with our trails concentrated on the northern face of our mountains, we tend to attract and hold snow when the hills down below are wet from rain. Though it hasn't been promoted since about 1986, a few of the locals have spent many a secret winter's day sliding through our woods.
For 2008 we have added a parking area for day-use near the stables. When there is suffficient snow, our trails are ideal for back country skiing and snowshoeing. We do not currently groom the trails or make snow, just provide an opportunity to enjoy nordic skiing as it was traditionally envisioned.
If you are interested in private lessons from a certified instructor please e-mail us so we can reserve an instructor.
You are welcome to visit our Conservancy office next to the hotel during normal business hours to buy a year-round trail access sticker for $30, or donate $3 per visit to help fund improvements. Trail Access stickers are also available at Tangent Outdoors in Pembroke.
Come on out and play!
A note to beginners...
We recommend folks interested in trying cross-country skiing for the first time make a special trip out to White Grass Touring Center in the Canaan Valley of West Virginia. Their experienced and friendly staff will put you on the right track, and set you up with gear appropriate for our trails. Make sure you make reservations there for dinner on Friday night.
To check on current conditions, visit our blog... mtnlakeconservancy.blogspot.com
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