Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, February 24, 1991 TAG: 9102250303
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B11 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: NEAL THOMPSON
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Snowshoe towers over Silver Creek both figuratively and literally, because it occupies the top of Cheat Mountain a mile up the road from Silver Creek. It's undoubtedly the heavyweight of Southeastern skiing and has nearly twice as many slopes and lifts as Silver Creek and a nightlife scene rivaling a small city. Silver Creek's nightlife rivals that of a dairy farm.
But even in Snowshoe's shadow, Silver Creek holds its own. In some ways, it even feeds off the larger resort, sometimes collecting spillover crowds on busy weekends.
"We're nowhere near as crowded as Snowshoe. We're more of a family resort," said Steve Drumheller, Silver Creek spokesman. "Frankly, being right next to Snowshoe doesn't hurt us."
Drumheller said the two resorts compliment each other. But Snowshoe folks scoff at that.
"I don't find them as any competition," said Snowshoe spokesman Bill Wagner. "They have better novice terrain, there's no doubt about it. But quite frankly, I really don't worry about them."
But if you don't believe spokesmen, ask a real skier.
Former Roanoke native Allen Bell said, "It was like a winter wonderland coming up here." Bell now lives year round near the resorts he grew up skiing.
"You've got to ski them both," he said at Snowshoe one recent Friday. "They've both got something to offer."
Bell uses telemark skis, which are like cross country skis with sharp edges. They are difficult to ski and Bell prefers lots of space to work them downhill. So, when Snowshoe gets crowded he simply heads down the road to Silver Creek's wider, less-crowded slopes.
Fortunately for Bell and other die-hard skiers, it's the only spot outside New England where two resorts offer skiers a total of 50 trails within a two-mile radius.
The 16-year-old Snowshoe has 33 trails, seven lifts and a 1,500-foot vertical drop. Eight-year-old Silver Creek has 14 trails, four lifts and 663-foot vertical drop. About 50,000 skiers visit Silver Creek each year compared to nearly 300,000 at Snowshoe.
But some of the real differences between the two resorts can be seen in the non-skiing scene. For example:
Silver Creek has 240 condominium units under one roof, The Lodge. Snowshoe has more than 6,000 beds in 17 scattered lodges, condominium or apartment complexes.
Silver Creek has a deli, restaurant and lounge. Snowshoe has more than a dozen bars and restaurants and even its own comedy club.
Silver has a combination gift and ski shop. Snowshoe has eight gift and clothing stores, including a fudge shop. It also has an 18-hole miniature golf course and a barber.
So, after all that, why go to Silver Creek?
Besides being less crowded, it's cheaper. Full-day adult skiing at Snowshoe costs $32 on weekends and $27 midweek. It's $30 and $19 at Silver Creek.
Also, the philosophies are different. And that could be a reflection on ownership.
Snowshoe recently was bought by Tokyo Tower Development Co. Its new owners have said they plan to continue expanding and ultimately turn Snowshoe into a year-round resort.
Silver Creek, on the other hand, was bought three years ago at a bank auction by a group of 23 West Virginia businessmen.
"We saw it as a chance to really invest back into the state," said Brooks McCabe, a Charleston real estate developer and one of Silver Creek's owners.
McCabe said the regional ownership breeds a regional marketing strategy. Promotional campaigns are targeted at schools and churches in the Mountain State and in Virginia.
Florida vacationers - a big market for Southeast ski resorts - comprise about 8 percent of Silver Creek's annual attendance. Snowshoe gets about 15 percent from Florida and up to 20 percent from North Carolina.
"We just don't have the kind of nightlife and excitement you find at Snowshoe," McCabe said. "But we feel like we're a very friendly, compatible competitor. It's a nice compliment to what you see at Snowshoe."
Robb Rood, a part-time bartender at Snowshoe and an avid snowboarder, agrees.
When it comes to nightlife and weekend entertainment, Rood said Snowshoe is "hot" and Silver Creek is "lame."
But when it comes to snowboarding: "You can get a lot crazier down there [Silver Creek] because the slopes are a lot wider."
"It's a lot calmer down there."
by CNB