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West Virginia’s Snowshoe Mountain golf now open for early-spring play

In its earliest opening ever, Snowshoe Mountain’s Hawthorne Valley course opened for the season April 1st.

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Take me home, country fairways

The late John Denver had it right about country roads, but West Virginia has fairways to match its winding byways. Located in the rolling mountains of eastern West Virginia’s Pocahontas County, Snowshoe Mountain has become one of the east’s premier mountain layouts.

Designed by golf Hall-of-Famer Gary Player, this 18-hole signature course is nestled in the scenic foothills of the Allegheny Mountains. Of the popular course, Player says, “The variety of terrain that Hawthorne Valley offers, along with the surrounding scenery, makes this course one that you must see to believe.”

Hawthorne Valley’s stunning 13th hole par three, which seemingly drops off the side of the mountain, was ranked one of the top 18 holes in the country by Golf Digest. Other holes feature thick rough reminiscent of the British Isles, steep bunkers, tight fairways, and other dramatic elevation changes.

The course is located at the base of the 11,000-acre resort, but still 3,200 feet above sea level. “The altitude allows for a cool golfing climate throughout the summer and also adds a little extra distance to the drives,” says Snowshoe’s director of golf, Chip Hierlihy.

Hawthorne Valley is part of a four-season mountain complex that is undergoing a transformation under owner Intrawest, which performed similar ‘turnarounds’ at Whistler/Blackcomb and Tremblant. The Vancouver-based company is the largest developer of village-centered resorts in North America and has spent more than $100 million to make Snowshoe one of the east’s top golf, ski, and other four-season sports destinations.

Planning a trip

To get to Snowshoe Mountain and Hawthorne Valley golf course, use the Expedia.com Flight Wizard to book a flight to either Greenbrier Valley (airport code: LWB), Clarksburg (CKB), Charleston (airport code: CRW), or Roanoke, Virginia (ROA). All of these airports are less than three hours from Snowshoe and which one you choose depends on the convenience of flights (be sure, however, not to book a flight to Charleston, South Carolina, rather than Charleston, West Virginia). Use the Car Wizard to rent a car for use in and around Snowshoe. Use Expedia.com to book a room at Snowshoe Mountain or to book a tee time at Hawthorne Valley.