SNOWSHOE, W.Va. — Officials at Snowshoe Mountain, in Pocahontas County, have unveiled the resort complex’s 2026 summer events calendar, highlighted by the launch of its new “Ballhooter Festival,” a new three-day mountaintop music festival scheduled for Labor Day weekend, Sept. 4-6.
Patti Duncan, president and chief operating officer of Snowshoe Mountain, said the resort complex may be best known for its winter skiing, but hiking and biking are becoming a warm-weather draw that’s attracting record numbers of visitors.
“Summer is probably the mountain’s best-kept secret, but with events like 4848 and Ballhooter, the secret is getting out,” Duncan said. “We have world-class mountain biking and hiking trails, activities at Shavers Lake, one of the state’s premier golf courses, and cooler temperatures than much of the region.”
The inaugural Ballhooter festival will feature headlining performances by Turnpike Troubadours, 49 Winchester, and Morgan Wade, Duncan said. The summer lineup also includes returning events such as Downhill Southeast, GNCC, the 4848 Festival, and Blues & Brews.
What’s a ballhooter?
A “ballhooter” is a historic Appalachian term for a highly skilled logger or woodsman, especially one known for strength, endurance, and precision in timber work. The term was widely associated with the logging camps and railroad towns of West Virginia during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The name is closely tied to the original Ballhooter steam locomotive used by the Cass Scenic Railroad logging operation at Cass Scenic Railroad State Park. Over time, “ballhooter” became part of regional folklore and mountain identity in Pocahontas County and surrounding areas.
At Snowshoe Mountain, the name also appears on landmarks such as the Ballhooter ski lift and, now, the new Ballhooter Festival, tying the event to the area’s logging and railroad heritage.
Summer at Snowshoe Mountain
Snowshoe Mountain transforms into one of West Virginia’s busiest outdoor recreation destinations during the summer months, drawing visitors for mountain biking, hiking, lake recreation, golf, and music festivals. The resort spans more than 11,000 acres in the Appalachian Mountains and reaches elevations of 4,848 feet, providing cooler temperatures than much of the surrounding region.
The resort’s summer season centers around the Snowshoe Bike Park, which features downhill and cross-country trails ranging from beginner routes to advanced terrain. The bike park has hosted multiple UCI Mountain Bike World Cup events and was recently ranked among the top bike parks in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. Hiking trails, scenic chairlift rides, and disc golf courses also operate throughout the mountain during the warmer months.
At the base of the mountain, Shavers Lake serves as the hub for summer water recreation, offering swimming, paddling, kayaking, and beach activities. Families visiting the resort can also access climbing walls, Eurobungy attractions, pools, and off-road tours.
Golf is another major summer attraction at Snowshoe. The Raven Golf Club, designed by Gary Player, includes 18 mountain holes known for steep elevation changes and views of the surrounding Allegheny Mountains.
Summer also brings a series of major events to the resort, including the 4848 Festival, Blues & Brews Festival, and the new Ballhooter Festival scheduled for Labor Day weekend. Racing events, live music, and outdoor competitions are held throughout the season.
The mountaintop village remains active in the summer, with restaurants, lodging, retail shops, and entertainment venues. Resort officials describe the season as one of the area’s “best-kept tourism secrets,” particularly for travelers seeking outdoor recreation and cooler mountain weather during the Appalachian summer.
About Snowshoe Mountain
Snowshoe Mountain spans 11,000 acres in the Appalachian Mountains and includes West Virginia’s second-highest peak at 4,848 feet. The resort has repeatedly been named Best Ski Resort in the region by readers of Blue Ridge Outdoors. Its Snowshoe Bike Park was recently ranked the top bike park in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic by MTBParks.com and has hosted multiple UCI Mountain Bike World Cup races.
In addition to the Snowshoe Bike Park and the Raven Golf Club, designed by Gary Player, the resort offers hiking, scenic chairlift rides, off-road tours, e-bike tours, swimming, and paddling activities. Snowshoe also features lodging, wedding and convention facilities, and the region’s largest ski terrain. Alterra Mountain Company owns Snowshoe Mountain, which is also part of the Ikon Pass network.
Featured Summer 2026 Events
Independence Day Celebration | July 3-5
Snowshoe Mountain will mark the nation’s 250th anniversary with a three-day Independence Day celebration featuring activities across the resort. The weekend schedule includes operations at the Bike Park and the Raven Golf Course, adventure activities, live music in the village, and a fireworks display on Friday evening.
4848 Music Festival | July 16-18
The 4848 Festival returns to Snowshoe Mountain for three days of live performances across multiple stages. This year’s lineup includes The Revivalists, Greensky Bluegrass, and STS9. Festivalgoers will also have access to the resort’s mountain biking trails, lake activities, and other outdoor recreation opportunities during the event.
Blues & Brews Festival | August 1
Snowshoe Mountain’s annual Blues & Brews Festival will feature craft beer, food vendors, and live music in Snowshoe Village. The event is scheduled for an evening gathering following a day of outdoor recreation at the resort, including hiking and mountain biking.
Ballhooter Festival | September 4-6
Snowshoe Mountain will debut the Ballhooter Festival over Labor Day weekend atop Cheat Mountain. The event revives the name of a former winter tradition at the resort while introducing a new summer music festival format. Organizers say the festival is intended to combine live music and mountain recreation in a mountaintop setting.
Summer 2026 Events Calendar
- May 21 Opening Day | Snowshoe Bike Park & On-Mountain Activities
- May 22-25 Memorial Day Weekend Celebrations
- May 22-24 WV Trail Fest Ultra Marathon Running Race
- May 30-31 Hotdogs & Handlebars
- June 6 Snowshoe Foundation Golf Tournament
- June 12-14 Downhill Southeast Series
- June 21 Community Appreciation Day
- June 26-28 Grand National Cross-Country Racing Series
- July 3-5 Independence Day Celebrations
- July 5 Ruff Race (Pet-friendly 5K)
- July 16-18, 4848 Festival
- July 23-26 WV Speedfest
- Aug. 1 Blues & Brews Festival
- Aug. 2 Hotdogs & Handlebars
- Aug. 8 Snowshoe Foundation’s Treasure on The Mountain Fundraiser
- Aug. 16 Community Appreciation Day
- Sept. 4-6 Ballhooter Festival
- Sept. 6 WV Enduro Series Racing
- Oct. 11 Closing Day | Snowshoe Bike Park & On-Mountain Activities
Visit the Snowshoe Summer 20026 Calendar for more information.
More information is available at Snowshoe Mountain.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source wvexplorer.com ’
