Ever heard of airboarding? Now, there's a twist on learning a snow sport. Canaan Valley resort in West Virginia is hosting an airboard clinic Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 22 - 24. Conditions should be favorable since the resort has received 100 inches of snow already this season.

This is not the Kevin Inkster invention, inspired by the "Back to the Future" movies. The airboard for snow looks more like a stylized inflatable camping mattress without the corners.  It performs like a cross between a sled and snow tube. Riders lie on the top sheeting, face first, while sliding down a snow-covered mountain slope. There are no set paths like those found in a snow tubing park. The airboard is controlled by body shifts and foot maneuvering.   

Canaan Valley is one of two resorts in the Mid-Atlantic hosting airboarding. The other is Cataloochee in North Carolina.  The sport kicked off its competition season in Switzerland earlier this month.

Canaan is offering several weekend package options for the event.  Two nights of lodging, breakfast, dinner, a two-day lift ticket, airboard rentals, the clinic and lessons cost $299 per person, double occupancy, and $250 per person, quad occupancy. 

A race is set for Feb. 6 at Canaan. It is the biggest airboard competition in the U.S. and competitors will come from throughout the East coast.

More Information. Or call 800-622-4121