Shady Spring is a mountain town near ski resorts, golf courses and the
Shady Spring is a rural town surrounded by forests, streams and rolling hills in the Appalachian Mountains. Outdoor recreation is a major draw for residents — it’s just a few miles from several mountain resorts, ski slopes and New River Gorge National Park, making it a gateway to some of West Virginia’s best-known outdoor destinations. Despite its proximity to all this recreation, Shady Spring maintains its small-town feel. “It’s a sleepy little mountain town. There’s not much there besides a couple of schools and a post office,” says Realtor Jon Sinko of Glade Springs Real Estate, a longtime area resident. “Let me put it this way: In Shady Spring, it takes an hour and a half to watch '60 Minutes.'”
Glade Springs and Winterplace offer year-round fun
Shady Spring is well placed for outdoor adventure, with a wide range of recreation, parks and resorts nearby. The town sits adjacent to Glade Springs Resort, which features an 18-hole golf course and miles of hiking trails that wind across its 4,100-acre property. Winterplace Ski Resort is also close by, offering more than two dozen beginner and intermediate trails with a peak elevation of 3,600 feet. “We get about 55 inches of snow every year, and it’s right down the road from the ski resort,” Sinko says. Those seeking wilderness adventures can head to New River Gorge National Park, which is known for its top-notch white water rafting, rock climbing and hiking trails.
Housing ranges from fairway properties to wooded retreats
Housing options cross a wide range in Shady Spring — it has everything from stately golf course properties at Glade Springs to cozy ranch-style houses and Traditional homes closer to the town center. With eye-popping views of pristine fairways and a backdrop of mountain scenery, golf course homes fetch the highest prices, typically between $350,000 and $550,000. The town center features older homes on large lots with woodsy surroundings that sell for between $200,000 and $350,000. Natural scenery is abundant here, and residents often wake up to quiet mornings and birds chirping in the branches.
Zappers and Bob's Store and Café are go-to spots for quick bites
The town has a handful of restaurants, several convenience stores, an animal feed store and two gas stations. There’s also a Dollar General and a Dollar Tree for groceries, snacks and everyday essentials. Zappers is a locally owned pizzeria known for its fast delivery and friendly pick-up service. For down-home American fare, locals head to Bob's Store and Café, where the menu items range from breakfast sandwiches to burgers. For everything else, it’s about 10 miles to the cities of Beaver and Beckley, where residents can shop at big-box stores, major grocery chains and boutiques. “Shady Spring has that rural, Americana vibe, but you’re really close to Beckley. It’s basically a bedroom community for the city,” Sinko says.
Shady Spring schools earn solid ratings from Niche
With an elementary, middle and high school in town, students won’t have to travel far for school. The first stop is Shady Spring Elementary School, which earns a B rating from Niche, followed by B-plus-rated Shady Spring Middle School. The last four years can be spent at Shady Spring High School, which gets a B-minus. The high school offers a full slate of athletic programs, clubs and extracurriculars, including a STEM club, Future Farmers of America and a Health Science Technology Academy.
No public transit, but highways and an airport are nearby
Shady Spring is less than 10 miles from Interstate 64 and Interstate 77, both major highways in the region. Residents will likely need a car to get around because there’s no public transit, and its windy, hilly roads aren’t suited for biking. The nearest major hospital, Raleigh General Hospital, is about 10 miles away. Residents can catch a flight at Raleigh County Memorial Airport, which offers plenty of nonstop regional flights.
