Highlights

We are happy to accommodate Groups who want to add a night or two, or further customize their trip.

StarrGroups Flexible Pricing:

• Customizable Comps
• Commissionable or Net Rates
• Luxury or First Class Hotels & Meals
• Starr Motorcoach Transportation & Professional Tours Managers are available

Whatever you want, StarrGroups will be happy to structure tour prices to match your needs. Just let us know!

Itinerary

Day 1 – Wednesday – Snowshoe – Almost Heaven Sunset Dinner

Today your group is bound for Snowshoe Mountain the second highest point in West Virginia.  Here you stay at the new Corduroy Inn & Lodge a rustic boutique hotel. All rooms have a  fireplace and are appointed with the finest linens.

Tonight your group will participate in an Almost Heaven Sunset Dinner.  Prepared by hotel’s farm-to-table “Appalachia Kitchen” and served in the fourth floor terraced dining room it is a wonderful evening.  You have an undisturbed western view of the sunset across the mountains through either large floor to ceiling windows or outside on the wide terrace. In addition to a fine meal and a wonderful view, you also have a local entertainer who to set the mood will perform John Denver’s “Country Roads.” (D)

Day 2  – Thursday – Snowshoe – Greenbrier Express Train

This morning, you ride West Virginia’s newest train, the Greenbrier Express.  This train departs from the restored, historically important town of Cass and closely follows the clear, free-flowing Greenbrier River to the small mountain village of Durbin. On arrival in Durbin, enjoy lunch served at a pre-determined location either on your train car, in the depot, or at one of the restaurants on Main Street adjacent to the depot. The ride upriver to Durbin passes through a secluded wilderness portion of the 950,000-acre Monongahela National Forest featuring beautiful scenes of forested mountains at each turn of the river. Sightings of Deer, River Otters, and Black Bear along with a wide variety of Eagles, Hawks, Ospreys, and other species of aquatic birds are common.

The original 95-mile section of this railroad was first constructed in 1902 by the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway with an eye toward timber resource development. It continued serving that purpose until rail traffic declined and most of the line was abandoned in 1978. Today’s trip takes you on the northernmost 15-mile portion that was purchased by the West Virginia State Rail Authority. Unfortunately, a catastrophic flood in 1985 washed out major portions of this line. Thanks to a private/public initiative between the WV State Rail Authority and Durbin & Greenbrier Valley RR, the track has been reconstructed and now offers a new and different option to visitors at the iconic Cass Scenic Railroad State Park.

Leaving Cass you cross into the next valley and find it filled with giant satellite dishes. This is the Green Bank Radio Astronomy Observatory intentionally located in one of America’s most quiet spots. Here our scientists are listening for sounds from space, and you will tour the facility. You then travel into Elkins this evening for two nights at stay.

Returning to Snowshoe you have free afternoon and evening. Those of you who wish will have a chair lift ticket and can ride down to scenic Shaver’s Lake. There are a number of shops and recreational activities available as well.

Dinner is on your own to either explore the restaurants in the Village or enjoy the hotels three food facilities They have an upscale casual dining at The Appalachia Kitchen, casual American fare on the slope at Tuques Bar & Grill and wood-fired artisan pizza and gelato at The Pizza Slice. (B,L)

Day 3 – Friday – Depart for home

After breakfast this morning you depart for home. (B)

Option to Add a Day – Cass Railroad’s Bald Mountain Train

The option exists to add another night at the Corduroy Inn, and a ride on the Cass Scenic Railroad’s Bald Knob Trip

Tour Map