As the Fall semester winds down and the Spring semester approaches, Adventure WV is gearing up to offer exciting winter and spring programs for students! Whether you’re a seasoned outdoor enthusiast or a beginner looking to try something new, Adventure WV has a variety of winter and spring activities to help you make the most of the season. Some of these programs are long-standing favorites, while others are new additions to this year’s lineup.
What Can Students Expect?
Jacob Rex, Program Coordinator for Adventure WV's Guided Trips, explains that these programs truly do make an impact on students and those who participate in them. “Students consistently tell us they’re making friends and they feel closer to the university when they get off their trip,” said Rex.
Adventure WV’s programs are unique in a number of ways. Beyond providing an opportunity for outdoor fun, they are designed to foster connections between students. Some of Adventure WV’s biggest goals for every trip are to help students make friends, build a sense of community, and create lasting memories in different parts of the state and surrounding areas. Some of the guided trip ideas even come directly from student staff, which are designed to make it easy for students to meet others and share new experiences.
“I think if a student wants to get out of Morgantown, do something new, make friends, there’s no reason to not try it,” explained Rex. “Our trips are affordable, so if you have $20 laying around, or even less, our trips are a good way to get out of your dorm and see a bit of the world.”
Upcoming Winter Progarms
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Ski & Snowboard Shuttles: Adventure WV is offering ski shuttle
programs this winter, providing students with easy access to some of the region's
best slopes.
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Wisp Resort Ski Shuttle: Every Wednesday or Thursday, starting
January 29, 2025, there will be a shuttle to Wisp Resort in Deep Creek, Maryland,
for an evening of skiing. Wisp is just a 45-minute drive from Morgantown, West
Virginia, so you can easily hit the slopes after class!
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Timberline Mountain Ski Shuttle: Beginning January 25, 2025, join
Adventure WV for day trips to Timberline Mountain in Canaan Valley, West Virginia.
Timberline offers incredible skiing and snowboarding opportunities for students.
- Intro to Cross-Country Skiing: On January 25, 2025, try your hand at cross-country skiing at White Grass in beautiful Canaan Valley, West Virginia!
In addition to our traditional winter season offerings, Adventure WV is also offering several other winter activities that don't involve ski or snowboarding.
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Ice Skating & Hot Drinks: On Saturday, February 9, 2025, join
us for an ice skating session at the Ice Arena followed by hot drinks at Coffee
Tree Roasters.
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Pride Weekend at Snowshoe Mountain: For the first time, Adventure
WV will be taking a shuttle to Snowshoe Mountain. This shuttle will be for Pride
Weekend on March 8, 2025. Snowshoe is one of the East Coast’s premier ski resorts,
located on top of the mountains in rural West Virginia.
- Snow Tubing at Wisp Resort: For those looking for a fun, unique winter activity, try snow tubing at Wisp Resort! Slide down a 750-foot tubing chute for an adrenaline-filled experience.
How to Stay Updated & Register
If you’re interested in attending any of Adventure WV’s winter or spring programs, be sure to fill out the interest form! By doing so, you’ll receive advanced notice about upcoming programs and registration deadlines, so you can get a head start on signing up for the trips that interest you most!
Warmer Weather Spring Activities
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Mountain Biking at West Run Woods: Located right here in Morgantown,
West Virginia, West Run Woods offers some of the best mountain biking trails
in the state, built by West Virginia University.
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Whitewater Rafting: As the weather warms up in April, whitewater
rafting season begins. Trips will be based on weather and river levels, so
keep an eye out for updates!
- New River Gorge National Park: Adventure WV will take trips to explore the New River Gorge, America’s newest national park, known for its stunning views and excellent hiking opportunities.
New Adventures Next Semester
This year, Adventure WV will also be introducing a few new adventures:-
Elkins Ramps and Rail Festival: Experience this unique festival
in Elkins, West Virginia, featuring ramp-themed foods, live music, and craft
vendors.
- Ohiopyle State Park Exploration: Explore the beauty of Ohiopyle State Park with a day of hiking, history, food, and—if the weather is warm—swimming!
All Program Cater to Entry Level Skillsets
No previous experience? No problem! All of Adventure WV’s programs are designed for beginners, with equipment and information provided. Trips are led by professional guides and trained student staff who are certified in wilderness first aid and skilled in facilitating activities safely.
As Jacob Rex, the Guided Trips Program Coordinator, said, “The most important thing is that students are out here trying the activity, not that they’re there to master the activity.” Adventure WV wants to get students outside, trying new things, meeting new people and forming lasting friendships, as well as enjoying the beautiful Appalachian region.
Most trips are held on Saturdays, and registration deadlines are usually the Thursday before the trip. If a trip has passed the registration deadline but still has availability, you can reach out to Jacob Rex at jacob.rex@mail.wvu.edu to inquire about space.
“I think university is a holistic experience. It’s the academics, but it’s also the social aspect and seeing new places, and Adventure WV is the best at that in the country. I believe that,” remarked Rex.