For a guy from Bucks County, Pennsylvania who knew by the time he was ten that he wanted to study the biology of oceans and travel the globe, it would seem that West Virginia got in the way of Fred Herz’s dreams. But now—as this year marks Timberline’s 20th Anniversary—he will tell you that he is doing exactly what he wants, where he wants.
Fred first ventured into the Allegheny Highlands while studying biology and chemistry at Columbia Union College outside Washington, D.C. He and his friends took trips into Smoke Hole Canyon, the Dolly Sods Wilderness, and experienced winter camping on Spruce Knob. Upon graduation in 1985, his family purchased the 450-acre Timberline Four Seasons Ski Resort—perhaps the last ski resort of its size and significance east of the Mississippi that remains family owned.

The Herz Family invested both money and sweat in constructing a ski lodge and 20-plus trails after their first year of ownership. One of the first ski trails built was two-mile-long Salamander Run, named for the populations of endangered Cheat Mountain salamanders that required the precaution of an environmental impact study before construction could begin. Salamander Run is within 50 feet of the Dolly Sods Wilderness and is the longest slope in the south.

As additional investments were made in snow making equipment, chair lifts, and new trails, the resort’s success did not escape the attention of real estate investors in the resort business.

“When ski conglomerates approach us to buy Timberline, we turn them down,” said Fred. Timberline’s unique rustic charm and family-friendly style arises from a personal interest in a client’s individual needs. It has 35 ski trails that provide about 14 miles of downshill skiing and many more miles of cross-country skiing, two triple-chair lifts, a beginner double-chair lift, and state-of-the-art snow-making equipment. This year, $700,000 has been invested in the construction of a new trail.

“We would like to name our newest trail in honor of Senator Byrd, pending his acceptance of the gesture. He has done so much to bring honor and attention to the State of West Virginia, and he has never had a ski slope named in his honor,” says Fred. Timberline is an exemplary case of the economic boost tourism brings to Tucker County. Timberline employs 340 local residents during peak ski season. Off-peak seasons bring tourists who enjoy Timberline’s quiet mountain retreat. From nature walks in the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge to restaurants and horseback riding to a network of mountain biking trails that interconnect with the cross-country slopes/ trails of White Grass Touring Center and Dolly Sods, Timberline is truly a four season destination resort with a pristine outdoor charm.

Fred is a special volunteer, because he likes connecting with people like Friends of Blackwater Director Judy Rodd, Mother of Dolly Sods Helen McGinnis, and Highlands Conservancy Administrator Dave Saville ,to help strategize on ways to promote preservation of West Virginia’s most scenic natural areas.

“Preservation of the most wild and scenic areas in Tucker and surrounding counties is critical to continuing the natural legacy of the state.” he explains. “The arrival of Corridor H into the Allegheny Highlands will present new challenges and opportunities for sustainable recreation and ecotourism related industries like alpine and cross country skiing. We need this to balance out the state’s dependency on notoriously eco-unfriendly industries. It behooves authorities, environmentalists and developers to work together in a deliberate coordinated fashion to come up with a cooperative plan which respects and leverages both sides’ perspectives, wisdom and expertise.”
“Rationally speaking, preservation of wild, scenic and ecologically significant areas has always drawn visitors to Timberline and keeps us all in business. Timberline has pioneered this idea of high quality “ecodevelopment” which resonate with the natural surroundings.” He believes these coordinated efforts fit into a long-term sustainable vision for future growth in our region and that it is a win-win strategy for everyone. “Cooperation will provide sustainable growth to the economy while preserving West Virginia’s treasured legacy, its wild and scenic places, its wildlife and its traditional Appalachian culture,” he added.

Source: Friends of Blackwater Canyon, 501 Elizabeth St.reet Room 3, Charleston, WV 25311 • 304-345-7663 • www.saveblackwater.org • info@saveblackwater.org