Top Virginia Ski Resorts
Ski and Snowboard in the Mid-Atlantic...
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Ski resorts in Virginia don’t normally jump into your mind when first thinking of a family ski vacation.
Normally, one might imagine the towering peaks found in Colorado, Utah, or New Mexico and begin
to set their sights on some of the popular ski resorts found there. However, for families on the East
Coast or Eastern part of the United States, the time and cost involved to travel to those places may
be a bit too much, especially if you allow a little extra time to acclimate yourself to the higher elevation.
Although the mountains are not quite so tall, the good news is that there are many fine ski resorts in
the Eastern United States, offering fun for the whole family, and Virginia is home to many of them. In
fact, the Mid-Atlantic area has quite a few ski resorts, many of which are four season resorts that
offer fun activities all year long. To better acquaint you with what all is available, here is some
information on some of the top ski resorts found in Virginia.
Normally, one might imagine the towering peaks found in Colorado, Utah, or New Mexico and begin
to set their sights on some of the popular ski resorts found there. However, for families on the East
Coast or Eastern part of the United States, the time and cost involved to travel to those places may
be a bit too much, especially if you allow a little extra time to acclimate yourself to the higher elevation.
Although the mountains are not quite so tall, the good news is that there are many fine ski resorts in
the Eastern United States, offering fun for the whole family, and Virginia is home to many of them. In
fact, the Mid-Atlantic area has quite a few ski resorts, many of which are four season resorts that
offer fun activities all year long. To better acquaint you with what all is available, here is some
information on some of the top ski resorts found in Virginia.
Massanutten Ski Resort – Massanutten, Virginia
The ski resort is located about 10 miles east of
Harrisonburg, VA, in the northwestern region of Virginia,
on the tip of Massanutten Mountain at an elevation of
2,880 feet. Serving guests from Virginia’s Shenandoah
Valley and the Washington D.C. area, Massanutten
offers 8 ski lifts and 14 trails, all of which are lighted for
night skiing. The ski terrain mix is approximately 30%
beginner runs, 35% intermediate, and 35% advanced
runs, with a vertical drop of 1,110 feet. The resort
includes 2 terrain parks for skiers and snowboarders
and they also host Virginia’s first snow tubing park,
which opened in 1998 and has a 900 foot long tubing
hill. In addition, there is an ice skating facility at
Massanutten, which accommodates up to 132 skaters
at a time.
The ski resort is located about 10 miles east of
Harrisonburg, VA, in the northwestern region of Virginia,
on the tip of Massanutten Mountain at an elevation of
2,880 feet. Serving guests from Virginia’s Shenandoah
Valley and the Washington D.C. area, Massanutten
offers 8 ski lifts and 14 trails, all of which are lighted for
night skiing. The ski terrain mix is approximately 30%
beginner runs, 35% intermediate, and 35% advanced
runs, with a vertical drop of 1,110 feet. The resort
includes 2 terrain parks for skiers and snowboarders
and they also host Virginia’s first snow tubing park,
which opened in 1998 and has a 900 foot long tubing
hill. In addition, there is an ice skating facility at
Massanutten, which accommodates up to 132 skaters
at a time.
Wintergreen Ski Resort – Wintergreen, Virginia
Probably Virginia’s most varied ski resort; it is situated within 11,000 acres of pristine forest on the
eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is located in Central Virginia only 90 minutes from
Richmond, Va. and approximately three hours from Washington, D.C. and North Carolina. Rising to
an elevation of 3,515 feet, Wintergreen offers 26 slopes and trails, of which 14 are lighted for night
skiing. The longest run is 1.4 miles, with a vertical drop of 1,003 feet. The ski terrain mix includes
approximately 23% beginner slopes, 35% intermediate, and 42% advanced/expert runs. In addition
to the ski runs, the resort includes 2 terrain parks and 2 tubing parks, so whether its skiing,
snowboarding, or snow tubing that you enjoy most, there is a little something for everyone.
Bryce Ski Resort – Basye, Virginia
This ski resort is particularly good for first time skiers or snowboarders and wins high marks for
being a family-friendly ski resort. It is located in the heart of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, tucked on
a low-lying ridge between the Allegheny and Blue Ridge Mountains close to the West Virginia border.
Bryce is the closest Virginia ski resort to Washington D.C. and is only about 2 hours away. The
summit is 1750 feet with a vertical drop of 500 feet. There are 8 ski runs or trails and the longest run
is 3500 feet. If you are a parent or family member who plans to watch the kids ski, then the mountain
layout is great. All slopes funnel down to one central area at the bottom, so it’s easy to spot your
children while enjoying a cup of coffee. The terrain mix is approximately 34% beginner runs, 33%
intermediate and 33% advanced runs. The lower slopes do a good job of accommodating
beginners, but the upper slopes still offer challenging terrain for intermediate or advanced skiers and
snowboarders. Tubing is also very popular at this resort and their Ridge Runner’s Tubing Park offers
800 foot long snow tubing lanes to provide fun for the whole family.
The Homestead Ski Area - Hot Springs, Virginia
Virginia’s first skiing resort, The Homestead has operated since 1959 and is known for its wide
slopes and a great learning area. It is located off of Interstate 81 and Route 64, and just a few miles
from the West Virginia border in the Allegheny Mountains. For skiers and snowboarders, the summit
is 3200 feet with a vertical drop of 700 feet. The resort offers 9 trails or runs and the terrain mix is
33% beginner runs, 33% intermediate, and 34% advanced runs, with night skiing available on
Saturday nights. The resort has a terrain park to offer additional challenge and excitement to both
skiers and snowboarders. Off the slopes there is still plenty of winter fun with ice skating, snow
tubing and snowmobile tours. After a fun day of activities, relax by the fire in the Mountain Lodge to
warm up and share some of the highlights of your day with friends and family.
Whether it’s a short weekend trip to the mountains to ski or snowboard, or an extended ski vacation,
your family is bound to have a great time. There is nothing like enjoying some good family time
amongst beautiful mountain scenery, where you can either learn to ski or snowboard for the first time
or continue to challenge yourself and hone your skill. After a day on the slopes there is nothing like
enjoying a good meal and relaxing with family around a roaring fire to share stories about the day
and talk about both the good runs and the wipe-outs.
Hopefully this information about some of the ski resorts in Virginia is helpful and gives you a better
appreciation for the area. Especially for those of you who reside in the Eastern United States,
definitely consider Virginia when planning your next ski vacation. Most important, be sure to plan
family getaways like these each year. Our kids grow up so fast, and before we know it they are gone
and out on their own, so be sure and create these special times and memories that last a lifetime.
Have fun and stay safe!
Probably Virginia’s most varied ski resort; it is situated within 11,000 acres of pristine forest on the
eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is located in Central Virginia only 90 minutes from
Richmond, Va. and approximately three hours from Washington, D.C. and North Carolina. Rising to
an elevation of 3,515 feet, Wintergreen offers 26 slopes and trails, of which 14 are lighted for night
skiing. The longest run is 1.4 miles, with a vertical drop of 1,003 feet. The ski terrain mix includes
approximately 23% beginner slopes, 35% intermediate, and 42% advanced/expert runs. In addition
to the ski runs, the resort includes 2 terrain parks and 2 tubing parks, so whether its skiing,
snowboarding, or snow tubing that you enjoy most, there is a little something for everyone.
Bryce Ski Resort – Basye, Virginia
This ski resort is particularly good for first time skiers or snowboarders and wins high marks for
being a family-friendly ski resort. It is located in the heart of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, tucked on
a low-lying ridge between the Allegheny and Blue Ridge Mountains close to the West Virginia border.
Bryce is the closest Virginia ski resort to Washington D.C. and is only about 2 hours away. The
summit is 1750 feet with a vertical drop of 500 feet. There are 8 ski runs or trails and the longest run
is 3500 feet. If you are a parent or family member who plans to watch the kids ski, then the mountain
layout is great. All slopes funnel down to one central area at the bottom, so it’s easy to spot your
children while enjoying a cup of coffee. The terrain mix is approximately 34% beginner runs, 33%
intermediate and 33% advanced runs. The lower slopes do a good job of accommodating
beginners, but the upper slopes still offer challenging terrain for intermediate or advanced skiers and
snowboarders. Tubing is also very popular at this resort and their Ridge Runner’s Tubing Park offers
800 foot long snow tubing lanes to provide fun for the whole family.
The Homestead Ski Area - Hot Springs, Virginia
Virginia’s first skiing resort, The Homestead has operated since 1959 and is known for its wide
slopes and a great learning area. It is located off of Interstate 81 and Route 64, and just a few miles
from the West Virginia border in the Allegheny Mountains. For skiers and snowboarders, the summit
is 3200 feet with a vertical drop of 700 feet. The resort offers 9 trails or runs and the terrain mix is
33% beginner runs, 33% intermediate, and 34% advanced runs, with night skiing available on
Saturday nights. The resort has a terrain park to offer additional challenge and excitement to both
skiers and snowboarders. Off the slopes there is still plenty of winter fun with ice skating, snow
tubing and snowmobile tours. After a fun day of activities, relax by the fire in the Mountain Lodge to
warm up and share some of the highlights of your day with friends and family.
Whether it’s a short weekend trip to the mountains to ski or snowboard, or an extended ski vacation,
your family is bound to have a great time. There is nothing like enjoying some good family time
amongst beautiful mountain scenery, where you can either learn to ski or snowboard for the first time
or continue to challenge yourself and hone your skill. After a day on the slopes there is nothing like
enjoying a good meal and relaxing with family around a roaring fire to share stories about the day
and talk about both the good runs and the wipe-outs.
Hopefully this information about some of the ski resorts in Virginia is helpful and gives you a better
appreciation for the area. Especially for those of you who reside in the Eastern United States,
definitely consider Virginia when planning your next ski vacation. Most important, be sure to plan
family getaways like these each year. Our kids grow up so fast, and before we know it they are gone
and out on their own, so be sure and create these special times and memories that last a lifetime.
Have fun and stay safe!