Cross-country ski trips through the snowy pastures and woodlands of West Virginia is the seasonal way to explore the Appalachian Mountains. The high elevation of West Virginia provides exhilarating downhill skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing. With a top elevation of 4,848 feet, Snowshoe Mountain is the highest of the four major ski resorts followed by Timberline, Canaan Valley, Winterplace and Oglebay, all of which also offer night skiing. In addition to the mountain slopes, visit the world renowned winter festival at The Oglebay Resort in Wheeling County. It is a tradition that began in 1985 and has made it to the �Top 200 Events in the Country� (published by Discover America, American Bus Associations Top 100 International Events, and has also been featured on the Travel Channel�s Extreme Christmas Celebrations). The Winter Festival of Lights Celebration takes place this year from November 4 to January 4. The display covers over 1.2 square kilometers and a distance of 9.7 Kilometers, making it one of the largest displays in the United States. The displays were originally designed by lighting experts Dick Bosch of the Netherlands and the late Robert J. Otten and new display pieces are added each year. Some of the favorites include the animated �Snowflake Tunnel� and the �Poinsettia Wreath and Candles� which stands at 18.3 meters high and 15.2 meters wide.

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West Virginia is the most northerly of the southern states and is located entirely within the Appalachian Mountain range, bordered by Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and Kentucky. For more information contact Jane Wilson on Tel: 0208 948 2388 or email wv@attachecommunication.co.uk. Visit the website at www.wvtourism.com