5 Virginia Ski Resorts to Visit this Winter 

Winter came roaring in a few weeks ago, which means there’s no denying that we are now in peak ski resort season.

Virginia offers a number of resorts that are scattered along its mountainous slopes. Check out this list of five resorts to plan your next winter getaway.  

Wintergreen Resort

Location: Wintergreen

Wintergreen Resort, which spans 11,000 acres on the eastern slopes of Central Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, calls itself  “the perfect snowy playground for winter sports.” 

The resort has 24 slopes and trails with terrain that are appropriate for both beginners and experts. Fourteen of the slopes are illuminated for night skiing. The slope report tells you when the best time is to head to the mountain. 

For a fun family activity, try The Plunge, a 900-foot multi-lane snowtubing hill. Younger children may also enjoy playing in the snow at Ridgely’s Fun Park.

Whether you’re visiting the resort for a romantic getaway or taking the whole family, the resort has a number of villa-style lodging options. 

The resort has four dining facilities, ranging from casual dining overlooking the slopes at The Edge Restaurant to the more upscale Devils Grill Restaurant and Lounge for members and their guests. 

The Omni Homestead Resort

Location: Hot Springs

Located on 2,000 acres in the Allegheny Mountains, The Omni Homestead Resort is the place to go for the presidential treatment, considering it has hosted 23 United States presidents throughout its extensive history.

No matter what kind of winter activity you like, the resort has it all, including skiing, snowboarding, tubing, ice skating and miniature snowmobiles. The resort has nine trails for skiing and snowboarding. 

Before hitting the slopes, have breakfast at The Dining Room, which offers continental cuisine with regional influences.  

A trip to the resort wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the spa for a Swedish or deep tissue massage. To continue your relaxation, spend some time at the year-round adults-only Serenity Garden.  

If you’re overnighting, you’ll obviously want to stay in one of the resort’s rooms, studios, or executive suites. 

Massanutten Resort

Location: Massanutten

Massanutten Resort is a 6,000-acre mountain resort located in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley.

In addition to slopes for skiing and tubing, the resort also has an ice skating rink. The resort has 80 skiable acres, with 23 runs that are serviced by seven lifts. The tubing hill consists of 16 lanes that are 900 feet in length and drop 120 vertical feet. 

You’ll likely want to check the resort’s website to see how the slope conditions are before heading out. 

For a warm meal after the slopes, the Base Camp has you covered. The indoor-outdoor bar and grill offers soups, salads, sandwiches, entrees and desserts, in addition to an extensive beer, wine and cocktail menu. For something local, try a glass of the red “Massanutten Mosaic,” which has notes of blackberry and cherry, from CrossKeys Vineyards.

Before retiring to one of the many on-site lodgings with mountain views, like the Eagle Terrace condos, treat yourself to one of the massages or body treatments, like a facial, at The Spa at Massanutten. 

Bryce Resort

Location: Basye

Bryce Resort is open seven days a week in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains.

It bills itself as a “premium Southeast destination for all things winter featuring a highly acclaimed snowsports school, snow tubing, ice skating and lively events to keep the party going after the lifts close.” 

The mountain offers skiing and snowboarding trails that are appropriate for both seasoned veterans and beginners. Beginners will likely want to book a lesson from the resort’s Horst Locher Snowsports School, which helps those of all ages at every skill level improve their technique and develop new skills. 

If you’re in the market for a new snowboard, or simply need a pair of mittens, the Ski Shop has you covered. 

Before heading out, look at the website for regularly updated slope conditions. To get a look at the slopes, pull up the rotating webcam that is positioned at the base of the mountain.

After a long day out on the slopes, you’ll likely be in search of some sustenance. Luckily, The Copper Kettle Restaurant is located at the resort. It offers a range of seasonal lunch and dinner options. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch a performance from a live band while at the restaurant. 

Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre

Location: Lynchburg 

Perhaps a lesser-known place in Virginia to hit the slopes is the Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre. The Liberty University-operated destination is open to the public, and offers year-round mountain activities, including tubing, sledding, snowboarding and skiing. 

Novice snowboarders and skiers can rent equipment and learn the basics from an instructor. 

The center utilizes Briton Engineering’s patented Snowflex surface, which is a replication of snow and makes year-round skiing and snowboarding possible. 

Children may enjoy sledding on Bunny Hill, a designated sledding area. 

While you’re taking a break from the slopes, you can stay warm in the Barrick-Falwell Lodge. There, you will find a concessions stand and the Pro Shop, where you can buy Liberty Snowflex merchandise, including T-shirts, sweatshirts and mugs, to commemorate the experience.