Final Thoughts on Shawnee Mountain Ski Resort

Shawnee Mountain, Part 3

There is more to do at Shawnee than just skiing, of course.  Shawnee offers plenty of excitement for snowboarders, too.  From lessons to equipment, Shawnee provides everything the beginner snowboarder needs.  (Caveat here--there are so many novice snowboarders on the beginning slopes that they make it tough for kids on skis to maneuver off the lift.  Why do snowboarders just sit down right where they stumble off the lift? There must be a reason, but I have never snowboarded, so I don't know.)

And for more adventurous snowboarders (and skiers), Shawnee offers two different terrain parks, with a host of different experiences in each.  There are boxes, handrails, down rails, jumps, a hitching post, a rainbow bridge, a down log, a double staircase, and more--I did not try any of them, so I cannot offer any review of them, but they sound cool: down-flat-down box, hip with log coping, battleship rail, butter box, and more. 

Finally, for those looking for a rush that they can't get on skis (usually, like me because you are snowplowing down the steep parts) Shawnee offers snow tubing. The snow tubing park, to the right of the ski lesson area, offers 6 chutes, so the line moves fairly quickly.  There are double tubes for parents and little kids; everyone else must ride in a single tube. Another carpet (conveyor belt) takes you to the top of the chutes, so no need to carry your tubes far, either.

With all of its amenities and features, including the fact that 25% of its ski area designed for beginners, it is easy to see why Shawnee is attractive to families.  As my family discovered, it is definitely worth a visit!