Lodging (Area code 304)

The resort is in the process of creating a signature base village (in this case, at the mountain's top) at Snowshoe. It holds a vast array of housing of all types, including some 1,500 condominium and lodge units and, at the base of the access road, a nice but basic motel. For reservations, call (877) 441-4386 or 572-5262.

Allegheny Springs Lodge ($$–$$$$), near the Ballhooter lift, is the poshest lodging in the Village at Snowshoe. Studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom units are elegantly understated. The lodge also features a front desk with concierge and valet service, hearth room with two fireplaces and library, exercise room, a fresh-water thermal pool in the courtyard, hot tubs, a full-service restaurant and a day spa.

Rimfire Lodge ($$–$$$$; above) is set in the heart of the pedestrian village. It has hotel rooms, plus studio, one- and two-bedroom units. Accommodations are comfortable, but smaller units can be a bit cramped. Most units have kitchens, all have gas-fired fireplaces, and guests get the advantage of underground parking. The intra-resort shuttle stops at the door.

Highland House ($$–$$$$; left) overlooks the Ballhooter lift. Units run the gamut from hotel rooms and so-called deluxe hotel rooms to two-bedroom condos with a den.

Silver Creek Lodge ($$–$$$$) is the 240-unit, self-contained base facility at Silver Creek. Accommodations range from studios to four-bedroom condos, plus a penthouse. This is an ideal site for families with young children, as the tubing hill, night skiing, terrain park, kids' ski school, child care, rental shop, pool and other amenities are right there.

Expedition Station ($$-$$$) is the resort's second newest condo development, 100 units that opened in February, 2006. Set right in the heart of things—and at the top of the resort's main trails—units run from studios to three-bedrooms, and feature all the expected amenities. The newest development is Soaring Eagle Lodge ($$-$$$$); the first phase of this eventual 140-unit collection, opens for the 2006-07 season. It features luxury condos ranging from studios to three-bedrooms, with such amenities as flat screen televisions, high-speed Internet and direct access to the new high-speed Widowmaker quad lift.

Inn at Snowshoe ($–$$; below) sits at the base of the access road 6 miles from the summit village. It has 150 rooms, including some one-bedroom suites.

Off the mountain, the area has a handful of nice B&B's. The Elk River Inn (572-3771; $–$$) comprises a 10-room inn, a five-room farmhouse with three shared baths and kitchen and five kitchen-equipped cabins. It's 5 miles from the access road and offers breakfast, an excellent restaurant and on-site Nordic skiing, as well as its own snowboard shop. The Morning Glory Inn (572-5000; $–$$$) is just 3 miles from the access road. It has six large bedrooms with oversized jetted-tub bathrooms, a large, homey, public living room and a full breakfast that's substantial and homemade. The Brazen Head Inn (339-6917; $–$$$), 7 miles north of the mountain on Rte. 219, offers comfortable B&B lodging and dining. The 20-room roadside lodge also has daily dining and features an Irish-style pub.

Accommodations Legend: (double room) $$$$–$200+; $$$–$141–$200; $$–$81–$140; $–$80 and less