Did You Know?
Fun Facts
WINTER WHITEOUT: The average annual snowfall in Alpine Lake is 172 inches, which makes Terra Alta the “snow capital of West Virginia.” By comparison, Pittsburgh gets 42 inches of snow per year, which is approximately the amount Terra Alta averages in the month of January alone. Erie gets the most snowfall in Pennsylvania, collecting an average of 103 inches per year.
COUNTRY ROADS: Alpine Lake Resort consists of 35 miles of paved roads, providing direct access to nearly all of its lots and amenities. That much roadway is enough to cover the entire driving distance from the Deklewa lake house to downtown Morgantown on WV Route 7.
TAKE ME HOME: Alpine Lake Resort consists of about 2,300 half-acre lots, each of which are privately owned. Approximately 520 private residences have been built on those lots, with about 25% of them being full-time residences. Despite the room to grow, Alpine Lake is essentially a village of its own already — the nearby town of Terra Alta only has about 610 total residencies within its borders.
HIGH POINT: The highest elevation on the resort is in the northeast corner at the “Old Fire Tower Site” on Snaggy Mountain, with a summit at 3,106 feet above sea level. The Deklewa Lake House rests at 2,602 feet, and the Pittsburgh airport sits at 1,204 feet.
FIRE ON THE (WRONG) MOUNTAIN: The fire tower that once sat at the top of Snaggy Mountain was dismantled in 1984 because it was found to be inside the West Virginia border when it was intended to be placed in Maryland at the time it was constructed in 1925. It was rebuilt in a Maryland farm field to serve as a tower for the Garrett County Airport.
WATER GUARDING: A water tower now sits near the peak of Snaggy Mountain. It is surrounded by sturdy, metal fencing with barbed wire at the top, which may seem a bit excessive for a simple water tower in a secluded location. After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, rumors began to surface of “a secret bunker at a West Virginia resort,” stocked with supplies to lodge members of Congress. We know in present-day that this bunker is actually at Greenbrier, but in 2002, Alpine Lake was occasionally attached to this rumor. So the water tower on the resort was seen as a possible terrorist target by Homeland Security, leading to the excessive fencing to safeguard it against foot soldiers looking to cut off the water supply to a potential bunker that they could not otherwise locate.
LAKE, NOT LAKES: Alpine Lake is the 10th-largest lake in the state of West Virginia. Surprisingly, the state only has one natural lake occurring within its limits: Trout Pond in the George Washington Natural Forest along the eastern border of the state.
LEAK, NOT LAKE: Alpine Lake itself became fully drained in late 1988 due to the water leaking out through a large crack and into underground limestone caverns. Clay was used to seal the crevice, and the lake was refilled naturally from the surrounding springs and streams.
LAKE, NOT CREEK: Deep Creek Lake is the largest inland body of water in the state of Maryland. It covers approximately 3,900 acres and has 69 miles of shoreline. Deep Creek Hyrdro-Electric Dam was completed in 1925, creating a reservoir with a deepest point of 75 feet.
FULL STEAM AHEAD: The train whistle that can occasionally be heard in the distance from Alpine Lake is on the Mountain Subdivision of CSX Transportation, which was built as part of the original Baltimore & Ohio (B&O) Rail Road main line in 1852. The stretch of that railroad that runs from Cumberland to Wheeling consists of 11 tunnels and more than 100 bridges. One of those tunnels is the Kingwood Tunnel, which became the longest tunnel in the entire United States at the time it was built. Terra Alta was the highest incorporated town on the original B&O line, and the Terra Alta Depot was built in 1883 as a station for passenger trains.
HONEY MONEY: The resort offered a special honeymoon package in 1985. Newlyweds could spend 3 days and 2 nights at the Alpine Lake motel for a total price of just $19.95.
FRESH AIR: A regional tuberculosis infirmary was created in 1911, which was constructed as Hopemont Sanitarium to the southwest of Alpine Lake. The site was chosen because its environment was judged to be ideal for patients in need of clean air. The establishment is now Hopemont Hospital, which has been operating as a long-term senior care facility since 1987.
SKI NO MORE: Alpine Lake offered a ski slope on the resort for many years, but the operation has since been dismantled, mainly due to insurance costs. The former site of the main slope has still been kept clear of trees to allow for a spectacular view of the lake and a wonderful, westward-facing view of sunsets from the overlook near the top.
Local Customs
DO THE WAVE: The many people of Alpine Lake Resort are warm and friendly, and it shows. A common practice throughout the resort is to wave to others walking and driving by, even if you have never met or seen that person before. So as you are driving the streets or going for a stroll on the resort, be sure to wave to anyone and everyone you see, though they might beat you to it if they live here! And do not hesitate to strike up a friendly conversation, if you wish — everyone has a great story to tell!
BLOWING LIKE A BREEZE: There is one thing that every person who was born in West Virginia knows: the lyrics to “Country Roads.” It is not unusual to hear the song in even the most-unexpected places throughout the state. But if you are in Lakers Lounge on a fall Saturday, you will be sure to get your fair share of the locally-revered melody of the John Denver classic as a companion to WVU football games. You had best brush up on the lyrics if you want to fit in!
OUTTA HERE: The name of the nearby town is formally “Terra Alta,” but the local pronunciation of the locale generally does not quite sound the way it is clearly spelled. Most commonly, you will hear the area residents call it “Terra Outta,” with an occasional “Terra Ahtta” mixed in. Either way, the “L” in Alta is essentially left out by the locals. And at times, it may not even sound like it is being said as two, distinct words. But say it as you please; they still know what you mean!
BURGER KING: Kingwood resident Paul Burger has been an integral part of the region’s music scene for over 35 years. He routinely appears at venues and events in Preston County (WV) and Garrett County (MD) to play his acoustic guitar and sing familiar classic rock hits from the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Bob Seger, and Johnny Cash. His talent and longevity make him popular among many residents of the region, and he makes regular appearances in the Evergreene Room in the Alpine Lake lodge. Check him out if you want to do as the locals do on weekends!
SHUFFLE OFF: While golf, boating, and fishing seemingly stand out as the main activities at Alpine Lake, the biggest competition on the resort is probably shuffleboard. Several of the permanent residents started making use of the shuffleboard table in the upstairs of Lakers Lounge, and the activity has since grown considerably. There is a formal event every Thursday evening, but the game can be played any time. Give it a try; no experience is necessary!
Annual Events
ALPINE LAKE MUSIC FESTIVAL — JUNE: What started as a small, outdoor event for the Alpine Lake community has quickly grown into a popular summer event within the region. First conducted in 2011, the day-long event annual features several bands from the area, primarily in the genres of rock, country, and bluegrass. The stage is set next to the Alpine Lake Boat House, allowing spectators to sit on the nearby hillside and placing the pristine lake as the backdrop. Food trucks, arts & craft exhibits, and a beer station enhance the festival experience.
OLD FASHIONED FOURTH OF JULY IN THE PARK — JULY: Terra Alta boasts the oldest, continuous Fourth of July celebration in the state of West Virginia. The festivities began in 1926 at nearby Terra Alta Lake and have continued every year since. Hundreds of people attend the event each year, with many events and activities taking place throughout the day.
PRESTON COUNTY BUCKWHEAT FESTIVAL — SEPTEMBER: During the Great Depression, local farmers grew buckwheat as an “insurance crop” because of its short growing season and durable quality. That led Preston County to be best-known for its buckwheat and Buckwheat Festival, annually held since 1938 at the end of the growing season in Kingwood. As a result, many local restaurants feature buckwheat pancakes on their menus today. The 5-day festival is full of parades, arts and crafts, a car show, carnival, livestock, and a pageant, but the highlight remains the buckwheat cake dinners.
ALPINE LAKE OKTOBERFEST — SEPTEMBER: Hundreds of people flock to the Alpine Lake Boat House each fall for sauerkraut, sausages, schnitzel, potato salad, and of course German beer. The 1-day event aligns with the start of the world-famous festivities in Germany, and it includes a German-style band with line dancing and a contest for Best Oktoberfest Outfit.
AUTUMN GLORY FESTIVAL — OCTOBER: For over 50 years, Garrett County in Maryland has hosted the Autumn Glory Festival each October. What started as a small effort by local turkey growers to promote turkey dinners in the fall, the festival became a formal community event in 1967 when the local Lions Club took the reigns and organized a full festival. In present day, an average of over 60,000 people attend the five-day celebration of the beauty of the local fall foliage in the area during peak of the colors. The festival includes two large parades, many concerts, and several band competitions, plus art exhibits, antique & craft shows, and those popular turkey dinners.