West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey wants to invest another $1 million in snowmaking improvements at Canaan Valley Resort State Park, continuing a series of upgrades at the state-owned ski area that received $6 million in improvements ahead of last winter.
The proposed investment was included in a $19.7 million state parks improvement package announced September 30. According to the governor’s office, the additional funding would be used for snowmaking equipment enhancements designed to increase snow production across Canaan Valley’s skiable terrain.
The $1 million allocation is among $10 million in proposed projects awaiting consideration by the West Virginia State Parks and Recreation Endowment Fund Board. The funding has not yet been approved, and the state has not announced which specific pieces of equipment would be purchased or when installation could begin.
Previous $6 Million Investment Doubled Snowmaking Water Usage
The proposal follows a major infrastructure project completed before the 2025-26 ski season. Last October, Canaan Valley announced $6 million in improvements, including a new snowmaking pumphouse and a snow groomer.
The upgraded pumphouse was designed to increase both the efficiency and volume of snow production, allowing crews to cover more terrain during favorable snowmaking conditions.
According to Wonderful West Virginia, the resort used an estimated 35 million gallons of water for snowmaking during the 2025-26 winter. That was approximately twice the volume used during the previous season.
The new equipment has given Canaan Valley substantially more snowmaking capacity, and the proposed additional investment could help the resort make better use of that infrastructure. More snowmaking equipment could allow crews to cover trails faster during periods of cold weather, although the specific improvements and their expected benefits have not yet been detailed.
Located near Davis, West Virginia, Canaan Valley Resort offers 850 feet of vertical drop and 26 trails with snowmaking coverage. Additional terrain becomes available when natural snowfall permits.
The resort competes with nearby Timberline Mountain, which has invested extensively in modern snowmaking equipment and ski lifts since coming under new ownership in 2019. Reliable snow production is particularly important for Mid-Atlantic ski areas, where fluctuating winter temperatures can limit opportunities to establish and maintain a consistent snowpack.
State Board To Consider Additional Funding
Canaan Valley’s proposed improvements are part of a broader effort to modernize West Virginia’s state parks and outdoor recreation infrastructure. The governor’s $19.7 million package includes $9.7 million in budget surplus investments and $10 million in projects proposed through the state parks endowment fund.
Other proposed projects include wastewater infrastructure improvements at Cacapon Resort State Park and Chief Logan State Park, along with renovations to the lower tram building at Hawks Nest State Park.
The West Virginia State Parks and Recreation Endowment Fund Board is scheduled to meet October 20 in Charleston. The public meeting could provide additional clarity on whether Canaan Valley’s proposed snowmaking investment will move forward.
For now, the additional $1 million remains a proposal rather than an approved construction project. If funded, it would continue the state’s investment in snowmaking infrastructure at one of West Virginia’s longstanding ski destinations as the 2026-27 winter approaches.
