Perry Takes on Pocahontas County: XC Skiing at Elk River Touring Center
What is Cross Country Skiing?
Let’s ask each of ourselves. Do I really know how other sources define it beyond the image or intuitive ideas in my mind? For me, the answer was a simple, ‘Well, no.’ So I asked the internet the question. These words and links magically appeared!
Cross-country skiing is a form of skiing whereby skiers traverse snow-covered terrain without use of ski lifts or other assistance. – Wikipedia
Cross-country skiing is a winter sport in which participants use skis and poles on groomed ski trails with a flat or hilly profile. – salomon.com
Cross-country skiing is a winter sport that involves moving through snow on skis and poles. It’s also known as Nordic skiing. – AI Overview
Cross-country skiing is an endurance sport, heating you up and cooling you down with the ups and downs of the terrain. greatcanadiantrails.com
Now, if you are a Wittgensteinian, a language literalist, or at least a bit of a jokester with prepositions, one of these sentences may prove problematic. But that’s where I, Perry, who am taking on Pocahontas County, come in. Here to solve the practical, the philosophical, and also just merely the possible issues for new Visitors or Attempters on The Playground. Seems like consensus makes the truth here. It’s all of these and more! Well, except for the moving through the snow on poles part.
If you’re a first time reader, the purpose of this blog is pre-procure and pre-curate an experience for you. So you can enjoy Pocahontas County with confidence. Immediately. And who knows, this blog may even be amusing and informative to experts who might just want to take it easy, for once. The point is, that no matter your skill level, everyone may be able to deduce for sure from these transmissions of firsthand human experience exacted through my personal outdoor activity experiments in Pocahontas County, whether it truly will be an easy/intermediate trail!
Winter Witticisms
Back to cross country skiing. Okay, yes, I have been cross country skiing before. But also, yes, it had been a long, long time. And speaking of time, if you’re looking to catch a winter wonderland experience, there is still plenty of it! With the cold and snowy January we had here in Pocahontas County, cross country skiing is still a possibility in the higher elevations. Also, the Groundhog Day forecasts are in and they are, guess what?! In conflict! But the marmot varmints’ metadata is also in. Recent studies have shown, the top two hog-nosticators are each only 55% and 35% accurate, respectively, in their 137 and 46 years of shadowy predictions. And also, technically, there are six more weeks of Winter calendar-wise, no matter how you slice it. So if you like the kind of adventure that lets you embrace the cold air, take in scenic views…some of the best cross-country skiing in Pocahontas County, West Virginia is still or may yet still be available this season!
But back to that time I finally went cross country skiing! How was it? Fantastic! Well, yes, I fell down a few times, but it was just spectacular to be back on skis. Where can you go cross country skiing in Pocahontas County? With its hundreds of thousands of public acres and hundreds of miles of trails, as long as you have boots, skis and poles–snow’s the limit!
Where to Start
Where did I go? Well, I don’t have skis and poles. So it was of course to the Elk River Inn & Touring Center in Slatyfork, WV with its bevy of boots and skis and poles available for fitment and rental! Since 1985, this not so hidden gem has offered a range of outdoor activities from mountain biking to fly-fishing. But in Winter, cross-country skiing leads the way with its groomed and specially designated cross country trails and loops.
Having laced up the boots, toed-in to the classic style Rossignol skis, and gloved into the pole loops, I took off right uphill, clockwise around Minnie’s Loop Trail. Overconfidence is not usually one of my character defects, but this time it did serve up a big fall. Which brings me to my first point for beginners or ‘in-a-long-timers’: make sure that you have taken a few strides before attempting to snap a photo for social media. Or even better, do not even attempt to take photos for a blog at all. Just concentrate on staying up on your skis.
The Ski Trails: A Winter Wonderland for All Levels
Now I didn’t get to all of them, but one of the best things about Elk River Touring Center is the variety of trails it offers. The center keeps meticulously groomed cross-country ski trails that wind through dense forests, across rolling hills, and alongside the pristine Elk River. The trails cater to all skill levels—from beginner to expert—so whether you’re out for a leisurely glide or looking to push yourself on a more challenging course, you will find the right route for your capabilities.
For beginners, the center offers easy-going loops that indeed will help you get a feel for cross-country skiing without feeling overwhelmed. This was very much the case when I returned to my senses and tracked along the Meadow Trail. Those more advanced skiers can take advantage of the longer, more difficult trails, where you’ll encounter steeper climbs and faster descents, but also rewarding views of the surrounding mountains.
Scenic Beauty: Skiing Through a Winter Postcard
What truly sets Elk River Inn apart is the backdrop. Pocahontas County is known for its rugged beauty, and skiing through these landscapes feels like stepping into a living postcard. As you glide along the trails, you’re treated to views of snow-covered pines, frozen streams, and towering mountain ridgelines. You’ll be enveloped by the quiet stillness that only a winter forest can provide. It’s serene, it’s peaceful, and it’s downright beautiful. And incredibly, one can find oneself in this scene just a few hundred yards from the main lodge itself.
The centerpiece of the experience is the Elk River itself, which is often frozen over in the winter, adding a unique charm to the landscape. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a few deer, wild turkeys, or other local wildlife making their way through the snow. Or at least the remnants of their way, like below!
Amenities at the Inn: Warm Up After the Adventure
After a day of skiing, nothing beats retreating to the warmth and comfort of the Elk River Inn. The inn itself is cozy and welcoming, with a rustic charm that fits perfectly into the surrounding landscape. It’s the ideal spot to rest your tired legs, and warm up by the fire.
Thursday evenings this winter you can enjoy a hearty meal at their restaurant. They offer captivatingly curated daily selections with locally sourced dishes. You can count on delicious meals made with love and perfect for refueling after a day on the trails.
Cross Country Conclusion
Cross Country Skiing is so far the favorite of my adventures and I may even be tempted to buy a pair of skis of my own. Look for me next season to attempt to find a beginner trail in the additional 25 kilometers of trails are located off the Highland Scenic Highway (WV-150). Until next time, remember to always be pre-Perry-ed! And check this blog for tips on your next beginner adventure in Pocahontas County, Nature’s Mountain Playground. To start planning, request your 2025 Adventure Guide here!