A Note on Corridor H:
A 13-mile section of 55 from Baker to Moorefield is a four-lane divided highway known as Corridor H of the Robert C. Byrd Appalachian Highway System. Eventually, this highway will run from the Virginia border to Davis, and make the 55 West route the fastest way to Timberline for most DC area skiers living both north and south of the Potomac river. The West Virginia Department of Transportation expects to open new 6.5 mile section from Baker to Wardensville in the spring/summer of 2006. With each section completed, more and more skiers will find the 55 West route to be the fastest and most convenient way to Timberline.
A note on inclement weather:
The Allegheny Front is an escarpment that runs from South-Central Pennsylvania into Eastern West Virginia. It forms the Eastern Continental divide and is also the dividing line between Mid-Western and East Coast Weather. It is not uncommon for the sun to be shining and temperatures to be above freezing east of the front and for a howling snowstorm to be occurring west of the front. Timberline’s high elevation and position west of the front means the resort gets significantly more snow than resorts east of the escarpment—a blessing for skiers but often a curse for drivers. It’s always a good idea to check Davis weather on Timberline web site before traveling. If snow is forecasted west of the Allegheny Front take the 55 West route. This route is generally lower and more protected from blowing snow by trees than the northern route. The northern route cuts across the high altitude Dolly Sods plain just beyond Bismarck—a lonely stretch of 93 that receives a lot of wind-blown snow and can be treacherous in snowy conditions, especially for those traveling without snow tires or four-wheel drive. The southern route is also generally less foggy than the northern route. For road conditions and traffic information, these web sites are also useful:
West Virginia Department of Transportation:
Virginia Department of Transportation:
http://www.virginiadot.org/default_flash.asp
Maryland Department of Transportation: