Review Date
January 17, 2004

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
6-16

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: Auralae34, Intermediate

Price Paid: $0.00

Summary:
I was leery of my church group going to Winterplace, since I knew there wasn't much natural snow in that area of West Virginia--and the last time my husband and I went we had a bad experience. Even after calling ahead to check and being told there was a 36 inch base, we found bare patches at the bottom of popular intermediate trails...that was nothing like this experience. In the intervening years they must have learned from the negative feedback--there actually was a base of several feet of snow all over the park--nearly every trail was open and filled with happy skiers. Occassional snow machines were in operation, and signs were up warning of grooming and/or snow machines being in operation at any time--and although I didn't see any grooming going on while we were there, it was obvious that they were right on top of it.

I hate man made snow--but this was so much better than the crusty ice of yesteryear that I had to offer this review--Winterplace has improved by several hundred PERCENT. This was our eldest child's first time skiing, and she made it down the longest trail without falling and was skiing intermediate trails by the end of the day--several beginners shared with us that after going through the "ski school" that they had no more falls what-so-ever. So many employees were not only friendly and helpful but obviously good humored as well.

Although the food IS highly priced--they don't prohibit bringing your own, and that's what every group I saw did, including our own. Importantly I think, this is a fantastic place for beginners-where it's not too difficult to get around, and there are many easy slopes and yet plenty of slopes that provide a bit of a challenge as well.

Winterplace has evidently focused on their beginner friendly advantage and is now offering many teaching programs, both group and individual. They are IMPRESSIVELY beginner friendly!

Review Date
September 15, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
Countless

Reviewed by: David Walker, Advanced

Price Paid: $0.00

Summary:
Winterplace is an all around great place for the family to enjoy skiing. The slopes are a wide range from intermediate to advanced, slopeside lodging offers great convenience,atmosphere and some of the hillarious skiing goofs you have ever seen before.

Review Date
January 26, 2003

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 1 of 5

Used product for
Countless

Reviewed by: billheineman, Intermediate, from Cool Ridge, WV USA

Price Paid: $0.00

Summary:
Where can I begin talking about the horrors of Winterplace? When we first arrived, we were greeted by security guards directing the "parking" here. "Parking" is a very loose term, because people pretty much not only made their own spaces, but about hit us several times driving too fast for a parking lot. Finding a space wasn't so easy either, so we got to park and walk about 5 minutes before we reached the lodge. When I entered the place to buy my ticket, I started to notice the obvious lack of experience, or for that matter, anything resembling an actual ski resort. The lodge had a certain "funk" to it that never went away, and it took forever to get waited on for our rentals...about 3 hours or so. The equipment we rented was extremely horrible (putting it very mildly), and I think I received two left boots. Skiing is always fun when you ski on snow, but sadly, that is such a precious commodity here. I would like to complain that there simply weren't enough brown spots or solid sheets of ice to slip and fall down the hill on. And the amount of drunken or out-of-control skiiers was simply too low to have a pleasurable experience. The food, in addition, was not only outrageously priced, it was also outrageously bad. The food's taste was what I would describe as adequate at best, and the sheer joy of biting into an uncooked slice of pepperoni pizza is simply a must for any die-hard ski fans! Just like the ad says, Winterplace Ski Resort is indeed Pure Fun!!!!!

Review Date
February 17, 2001

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 1 of 5

Used product for
Once

Reviewed by: Tyler Walters, Intermediate, from Ashland, KY

Summary:
STAY AWAY from this place. Unless you like bad snow, extremely narrow runs, waiting ten minutes to ride down the "hill" for 30 seconds. Take the $50, get a hose, and spray off your front yard......... you will have just as much fun there.

Review Date
December 22, 2000

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
2-5 times

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5, 2 votes

Reviewed by: caleb, Intermediate, from Tampa, Florida

Summary:
In all, the advanced will not be satisfied. This is a place for beginners. The night skiing is great and the people are friendly. The prices are fair, and Eastern skiing is better then no skiing at all.