4 Bodacious Guides to the Best Ski Resorts in Virginia

Virginia may not receive a lot of snow, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have some of the best ski resorts in Virginia and across the D.C. area. The Virginia ski areas are well groomed, even when they have to make snow, so you can experience the best of winter sports in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Even though many people want to stay inside during the cold weather, come out and face that chill head-on by enjoying a day or weekend of snowboarding, tubing or skiing at these all-season resorts.

Ski Resorts in Virginia- Bryce Resort — *credit Wintergreen Resort*

There are four Virginia resorts offer ski options for both the expert and novice skiers in your group. Naturally, lessons are always an option at the ski school, or you can go out with a trail guide to learn the slopes.

For those who would prefer the warmth of a fire, enjoy a weekend of fireside lounging in a luxurious lodge while being pampered in the resort spa. Just don’t forget about Après ski, our favorite afternoon pastime at ski huts and lodges across the country.

Ski resorts in Virginia offer a combined 16 miles of slopes and 18 ski lifts. Whether you are just getting started on the greens or love to hit a black diamond, there is the perfect Virginia ski resort out there for you. We are diving into each resort to find your perfect Virginia winter destination, where you, your friends and the whole family can have fun.

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Where are the Ski Resorts in Virginia?

Most of the ski resorts in the state are located in the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains of Virginia. They range between an hour and a half to a four hour drive from Washington, D.C.

There are a few tours that will bring you out to ski, but staying the weekend and having your own car gives you a lot more flexibility. You will also get more time on the slopes once the daytrippers head home.

Wintergreen Resort

Address: 39 Mountain Inn Loop, Nellysford, VA 22958
Book Your Stay
Lift Tickets: $44-$94 ( 4 hour and 8 hour passes available)
Equipment Rentals: $24 – $44

Wintergreen Resort along the east side of the Blue Ridge Mountains is much, much more than a place to ski.

Their 11,000 acres offers fun year-round. During the winter ski season, take to the 26 slopes and trails, the longest tubing hill in Virginia, or the indoor tennis courts. They also offer 45 holes of golf at two courses, hiking, swimming and a mountaintop spa.

Wintergreen’s is just under three hours from Washington D.C., making it a perfect family vacation location or weekend getaway.

Skiing

Wintergreen offers 26 slopes and trails that range from the easy Lower Dobie to the double black diamond Lower Cliffhanger. Of the slopes, 11 have a black diamond rating.

To access the slopes, they offer a range of lifts from a Conveyor Carpet to a high-speed 6-person chairlift.

With 100% of the terrain covered by their snowmaking system, you never have to worry about the temperature. The snow will be waiting for you as you take to the slopes.

Terrain Park

Strap on your skis or snowboard and take to the 40+ feature Terrain Park for freestyle fun. Try your techniques over the spines and hips, rails, fun boxes, and tabletops.

The park has a dedicated lift on weekends, and the layout changes regularly. The Blue Ridge Outdoor Magazine awarded the Terrain Park at Wintergreen first place for area terrain parks.

Ridgely’s Fun Park

For families with small children, winter enjoyment can be had here any weekend from December through February. The kids (and parents) will have a chance to play in the snow, tube down a small hill, and try your hand at snowshoeing.

The Plunge

Wintergreen’s The Plunge is Virginia’s largest snow tubing park. Its vertical drop is roughly 10-stories high and three football fields long. Along this route, your tube will reach speeds of up to 30 mph.

The terrific part is you don’t have to climb all those snowtube park stairs. The conveyor lift quickly brings you and your tube to the top time after time.

Discovery Ski School

For those who have never skied or want to improve their skill, The Discover Skiing and Riding programs have a lesson for everyone eight years old and older. With the 75-minute lesson comes a lift ticket and 8-hours of equipment rental. Check for beginner deals and weekend ski school packages, as they may pop up and can save you a lot of money.

Wintergreen Resort Restaurants

Wintergreen has four on-site restaurants, so you are sure to find something everyone in your group will love.

The Copper Mine: The resort’s flagship restaurant is known for its classic and contemporary menu options. Stop in over the weekend for lunch and enjoy their Dagwood Buffet. They also offer hand-crafted cocktails and local wines to complement your meal. Oh, and Friday nights are known as Prime Rib Night.

The Edge: Hungry for a burger? These burgers are 100% Virginia beef, and they boast of having the best burgers in the area. Live music comes to The Edge on Friday and Saturday nights. Wednesday is Breakfast for Dinner night that is accompanied by a build your own Bloody Mary bar and mimosas.

Wintergreen Spa

The Wintergreen Spa offers both massage and salon services. After a day of skiing or hiking, enjoy a Swedish, hot stone, or deep tissue massage. Before going out on the town, head to the salon for a manicure or pedicure. You won’t be sorry either way.

Tennis

No matter the season, bring your racquet and play a game of tennis. The Devils Know Tennis Complex offers both indoor and outdoor courts, while the Stoney Creek Tennis Center only has outdoor courts.

Golf

What would be better than a skiing/golfing weekend? Wintergreen offers 45 holes of golf at two courses. Devils Know Gold Course is the highest elevated course in Virginia, and Stoney Creek has been named Best in Central Virginia.

Accommodations

Wintergreen Resort offers the perfect accommodations for your group, whether it’s a guys’ or girls’ weekend, family vacation, or a couple’s romantic weekend. Choose between a guest room, condominium, or house for your stay.

The guest rooms have a modern décor and plush bedding. Condominiums offer guests more space with three bedrooms and baths, a cozy wood-burning fireplace, and balconies facing the ski slopes.

If you are coming with a large group, choose one of their seven- or nine-bedroom houses that feature complete kitchens, living rooms with fireplaces, washer/dryers, and plenty of space for everyone.

Massanutten Resort

Address: 1822 Resort Drive, Massanutten, VA 22840
Book Your Stay
Lift Tickets: $37-79 (4 hour and 8 hour tickets available)
Equipment Rental: $28 – $40

Massanutten is a premier ski resort that offers 70 acres for skiing and snowboarding, along with seven lifts to take you to 14 runs ranging from beginners to advanced.

This year-round resort offers both families and friends a place to enjoy day and night skiing, tubing, zip-lining, and one of the best terrain parks around. Just two and a half hours from Washington D.C., you could do this as a day trip, but why not make lasting memories and spend a few nights.

The ski season is usually from mid-December through March but depends on consistent days below freezing.

Read our full guide to Massanutten Resort Virginia

Ski and Snowboard School

Book an hour-long Pathway Program lessons are for beginners ages seven and up. They include both equipment rental and a lift ticket. Two-hour Advanced Beginner and Intermediate clinics for those wanting to improve their skills are also available.

We loved the Mini Riders program, which offer supervised snowboarding instruction for ages 4 to 6.

Tubing

Take to one of the 16 lanes down the 900-foot tubing hill day or night. Your ride will descend 120 vertical feet before one of two conveyor lift will take you back to the top to do it all over again. Book your Massanutten tubing tickets early, as they do sell out.

Waterpark

During the cold winter, head to the 84°F waterpark. You can float down the lazy river, slide down the water slides (or twist because they are huge!), or relax in the hot tube after learning to surf on the FlowRider®

If visiting during the summer, try out the outdoor waterpark that features a variety of water slides and a wave pool.

Massanutten Resort Golf

When not on the slopes, head to the links. The two challenging courses feature beautiful mountain scenery, especially in spring, summer and fall.

The Mountain Greens Golf Course will test your skill on the steeply contoured course. Hop over to the Woodstone Meadows Golf Course for a flatter course along the picturesque valley floor.

The Spa at Massanutten

Whether you come to ski or relax, The Spa at Massanutten offers the perfect treatment for you. Spoil yourself with a luxurious body treatment, manicure, pedicure, or indulge in a facial.

Lodging

Make your day trip into an overnight, weekend, or week-long vacation by staying in one of the rentals on the mountain.

Hotel room: These rooms offer guests a king with a sleeper sofa or two queen beds, a balcony and a sitting area.
Eagle Trace Townhomes: Guests can book a one- and two-bedroom townhouse that can sleep up to 12 people.
The Summit Condos: The luxurious two- and four-bedroom townhouses offer scenic views of the mountains and are close to the slopes.

Massanutten Restaurants

There are four restaurants for your convenience on-site.

The Virginia Barbeque and Pizza Company is the perfect place to get mouth-watering chicken or pork BBQ or that delicious rack of ribs with delicious southern sides.

At the Campfire Grill, chicken dumplings, steakhouse burgers and pizza are top on the menu at this mountainside restaurant.

Getting around Massanutten

There is no shuttle service at Massanutten to get you from your condo or townhouse to the slopes and over the the restaurants and spa. You will need your car or be prepared to walk a lot during your trip.

Bryce Resort

Address: 1982 Fairway Drive, Basye, VA 22810
Website
Lift Tickets: $35-$68
Equipment Rental: $25 – $39

Just two hours outside of Washington D.C., Bryce resort is the perfect place to take a day trip or to get out of the hectic city for a weekend in the Shenandoah County. Nestled in the Allegheny Mountains, Bryce Resort offers not only excellent skiing but spectacular views.

One of the best features of Bryce Resort is their adult and children’s ski training. They even offer classes dedicated to ski racing and snowboarding.

Skiing and Snowboarding

Take to your skis over 25 acres of skiable trails or fly down the nine slopes, ranked from easy to the challenging black diamond.

Bryce Resort Ski Lessons

Kinder School for first-time skiers (4½ – 7 years old) and snowboarders (6 – 7 years old) offers classes, which include lift tickets, rentals, as well as indoor activities.

Snowsports School provides lessons for folks eight years old and older. Classes are 75-minute long and include a lift ticket and equipment.