May take the family on a road trip to ski CV later this winter (assuming it stays cold and they end up with decent cover), can anyone offer some perspective on the actual skiing, and how it compares to Liberty and Whitetail and other (especially PA) mid-atlantic areas?  Specifically, exactly how gentle or not gentle is CV?  The listed vert is 850', but the mountain looks a bit "sideways", is the vert misleading, is it mostly real fall line skiing?  I've got young kids so easy blues are fine, but the kids are pretty game, are there at least a few runs with decent pitch?  Do they let any runs bump up, or is is a crapshoot?  Thanks for any thoughts!

You should consider checking out CV.  I may get out there in a couple weeks myself.  It compares fairly well to Liberty, although nothing quite as steep as the short drops on the upper part of the backside of Liberty. It can be a good bargain for a family ski trip and it is usually not very crowded even on weekends.  Kind of nice to throw in a day at nearby Timberline too if you're out there for a long weekend.  Timberline is somewhat similar to Whitetail with respect to sustained steepish vertical, but also with good glade skiing possibilities.  Timberline usually has a bump run or two.  CV usually does not unless you catch fresh cut up snow.

Thats just the skiis on snow which is way better experience than the closer in DC ski areas due to the snow quality...put urself in an Alpine postcard and you will be in Canaan Valley. 
When Dr Beach evaluates a beach he factors in all kinds of factors....1000 feet of vert at TL and the 850 vert of Canaan Valley ski area will blow anything away....all the way thru PA and ito NY....but I will add that CV is way more scenic than the lower Adorondacks .
not all of us are ski Jocks...we just want a comfy cozy and Snowy ski area that can give us a little ski burn but that we are loving long after the last run....

One more thing...unless you are a jimK ..or a JL...and many more that are out there...you will be challenged to the extreme on a bumped up Gravity black Diamond at CV area...WORD...

^^everything Jim said,  except I would modify not very crowded to usually skiing straight onto the lift.  Ideal family place too

I really love CV, keep in mind it's vert meets or beats the basin side at snowshoe.  Also it is spread out in a way that you can ski wide left and make the mountain seem much bigger, that however is only true with good natural coverage....and we all no that story right now.

A related question... I may drive up to Canaan for their Opening Day 2016 this wed. What runs given the aggressive snowmaking will be open, obviously not meadows darkside etc. but will their be some variety,  Maybe Gravity over to the snowfields?  Frankly I never go there unless things are open to Dark side but these are different days

Rodney, the whole valley is such a different experience from the rest of the mid A that you just need to go and try it out.  pray pray pray to your maker for snow.  great hiking if not.  

Rodney, Canaan Valley has the highest floor of mountain ringed valley east of the Mississippi, valley floor about 3200 altitude with mountain tops at about 4200 altitude.  It truly is a unique place with Dolly Sods and its Canadian flora and wildlife on one side.  Very rural, but that is part of the charm.  Lots of homes to rent, or stay at either of the state parks: CVSP has a more modern vibe and rooms, Blackwater Falls SP a more rustic feel.  BTY, be sure to visit the falls, sometimes frozen in winter!  BWFSP has a lift served lighted sledding hill.  Normally this area gets over 175" of natural snow a year, can be quite cold.  Lots of deer to be seen in CVSP.  CVSP has a tubing hill.  This year Mother Nature has not cooperated with normal amounts of snow and/or cold for snowmaking!  The two ski areas are not far apart but very different.  When all trails are open Timberline is more challenging and has more variety, but the antiquated slow lifts at TL can result in longer lines.  CV often does not get as crowded as TL.  If you stay at the CV lodge there is a free bus from the hotel to the CVSP ski slopes.  You can also rent wonderful cabins at the CVSP.  As with any east coast ski area the can sometimes be "under developed snowfall" (rain) so plan accordingly.  Both state parks have small indoor pools and offer cross country skiing, CVSP also has lighted covered ice skating.  And if you really want to experience cross country skiing, Whitegrass is one of the best providers in the east. And depending on your point of origin, the modern four lane US 48 (Corridor H Intermountain Highway) provides a good drive from Northern VA to almost Davis at the north end of CV.  You can drive from the Washington area to CV all on interstate quality roads except for about 20 miles from I81 to WV at Wardensville.  Mind your speed, especially in WV!!  Enjoy

The Colonel

kemperski wrote:

A related question... I may drive up to Canaan for their Opening Day 2016 this wed. What runs given the aggressive snowmaking will be open, obviously not meadows darkside etc. but will their be some variety,  Maybe Gravity over to the snowfields?  Frankly I never go there unless things are open to Dark side but these are different days.

If possible, consider waiting a week for more/better terrain.  This week is looking like a slight warmup wed thru friday with rain on friday.  It's early, but next week looks like steady cold and some hopes of a storm.  The weather heads should be reporting soon.

Dude my hope is dead as road kill,  I'm like a convict now who can't risk missing the next escape... the tunnel is too short and the warden could be waiting but it may be my last chance.  Overly dramatic?   I think not.