CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WV News) — Destinations, events and businesses throughout the Mountain State have earned nearly two-dozen “Best of the Blue Ridge” awards.
The honors are 2021 readers’ choice awards from “Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine.” West Virginia-based businesses and destinations took 23 first-place awards as well as several more at second- or third-runner-up.
“I’m thrilled — but not surprised — to see so many of our great businesses and attractions receiving this recognition,” Tourism Commissioner Chelsea Ruby said in a press release from the state Tourism Office. “These awards speak to the hard work, hospitality and impeccable service offered by so many tourism destinations across the state. Congratulations to all of this year’s award recipients.”
A number of West Virginia outdoor attractions won titles in the “destinations” category, including best bike park, best place to stargaze, best climbing crag and best ski run.
Thanks to West Virginia’s world-renowned outdoor recreation many of the state’s events also placed based on prior year experiences, including best bike race, best climbing event and best fly fishing event, according to the release.
“Travelers from across the globe continued to be inspired by everything that West Virginia has to offer,” Ruby said. “As travel begins to pick back up in 2021, I believe folks will choose to visit our great state and will immediately understand why John Denver coined it Almost Heaven 50 years ago.”
West Virginia winners include:
• Best Ski Resort— Snowshoe Mountain Resort
• Best Whitewater— Gauley River
• Best Waterfall— Blackwater Falls
• Best Kid-Friendly Adventure— ACE Adventure Resort
• Best Running Event (Less than 13.1 miles)— Blackwater Canyon Half Marathon
• Best Bike Race— Canaan Mountain Bike Festival
• Best Climbing Event— Craggin’ Classic
• Best Fly Fishing Event— Greenbrier River Fly Fishing Classic
• Best Spirit— Contraction, Smooth Ambler Spirits
• Best Brunch Spot— The French Goat
• Best Vegetarian Menu— The Wild Bean
• Best Bike Park— Snowshoe Mountain Resort
• Best Biking Trail— Greenbrier River Trail
• Best Birdwatching Spot— Hanging Rock Raptor Observatory
• Best Climbing Crag— Seneca Rocks
• Best Place to Stargaze— Green Bank Observatory
• Best Place to Watch the Sunset— Dolly Sods Wilderness
• Best Running Trail— Greenbrier River Trail
• Best Ski Run— Cupp Run, Snowshoe Mountain Resort
• Best Terrain Park— Snowshoe Mountain Resort
• Best Raft Guide— Tristan Moore, ACE Adventure Resort
• Best Environmentalist— Gene Kistler, Water Stone Outdoors
• Weirdest Festival— Roadkill Cook-Off
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