Let’s be honest, not everyone is so lucky to live in an area with tall mountains nearby. And not everyone is in the position to always have the budget to book a trip thousands of miles – or oceans and continents – away!
If you’re finding yourself in that exact situation and happen to live in Virginia, well, then – this article is about you. It’s also for you if you happen to be staying in Virginia at the time, and you’re itching for some good snow blasting! If you take a look at the title above – you’re probably here for the best ski resorts in Virginia.
And Virginia isn’t all that bad. Sure, there’s a lot of flatness there due to all the plains and rivers, but running right through Virginia’s heart are the Blue Ridge Mountains. Make no mistake, this stretch of mountainous terrain, which is just one stretch of the great natural wall of the Appalachians, makes for some good skiing.
So without further ado, let’s see where you can ski and snowboard here – these are the best ski resorts in Virginia.
Omni Homestead Resort
Located in Hot Springs, Virginia, the Omni Homestead Resort is a great starting point for satiating all that thirst for winter sports – or just winter. Among other things, the ski resort itself is designed to provide an enjoyable skiing experience (or tubing and snowboarding) for everyone. But it also aims at excellence – the trails here are perfectly groomed, regardless of their type or elevation.
Pros
- Family friendly
- Great for beginners and intermediate skiers
- Amazing accommodation at the resort
Pros
- No advanced skiing runs, and only 10% of expert runs
Famous for: one of the best beginner-friendly and family-friendly ski resorts in the Southeast.
Town
There are plenty of fun both indoor and outdoor activities to do at the resort, which is a small town by itself. The nearest village is Hot Springs, but there’s not much to do there. The nearest bigger town, Lexington, is 50 miles away, where you can find various restaurants, bars, shops, and clubs.
Ski Terrain
Omni Homestead Resort sits 2500 feet up, with a peak of 3200 feet. This creates a vertical drop of more than 700 feet – which is not bad at all for most skiers. Experts might find themselves slightly bored, however, or seize the day and test their mettle on some of the few expert runs.
Omni ski resort has a dozen runs spread over 45 acres of skiable terrain. The runs themselves vary in regards to skill. Omni Homestead Resort has 30% beginner runs, 60% intermediate level runs, no advanced skiing runs at all, but it compensates for that with its 10% expert skiing runs.
Crowd Density and Ski Lifts
Usually, there are no big crowds at this resort. The 2 ski lifts in operation are mostly sufficient, and at the off chance that you need more snow, Omni has 100 acres of snowmaking at its disposal.
Accommodation
The resort itself provides excellent accommodation with all kinds of rooms and luxurious suites, including a theater, an amazing game room, and dozen or so restaurants. You can also find other hotels nearby that fit every budget, as well as some guest houses and apartments in the small town nearby.
Verdict
Sure, it may not be the biggest or the baddest ski resort in the world, but Omni Homestead is sure one of the sweetest. It does what it does expertly. If you’re not a fan of huge crowds and prefer a more tailored winter experience, have no doubt – visiting Omni Homestead Resort will result in days of fun!
Bryce Ski Resort
If you need something even cozier, Virginia has more gifts to give. The Bryce Ski Resort in Mt. Jackson is another great place for skiing, and not only that. Bryce has spent decades nurturing its reputation as the one resort that caters to skiing families, and the families keep flocking in. Located just 2 hours from Washington D.C., Bryce Ski Resort gets lots of love – especially its 800-foot tubing lanes. Zoom down the slopes here and both adrenaline and joyful laughter are guaranteed!
Pros
- Family-friendly resort
- Great trails suited for beginners and intermediate skiers
- Close to Washington D.C.
Pros
- Not many advanced runs
Famous for: plenty of family-friendly activities, close to Washington D.C.
Town
The Bryce ski resort can be considered a small town by itself. It offers restaurants, bars, and plenty of activities such as golfing, playing tennis, swimming, and many mountain adventure sports.
The nearest major cities are Charlottesville, and of course, Washington D.C. So, if you’re looking for malls, shops, museums, bars, and clubs, driving 80 miles to Charlottesville or 113 miles to Washington D.C. are your best options.
Ski Terrain
Bryce Ski Resort has a vertical of around 500 feet, and 8 runs over its 25 acres of skiable terrain. The runs here vary in skill and challenge – Bryce Ski Resort has 38% beginner runs, 50% intermediate runs, and 13% advanced runs.
So you have a black diamond run – but no double black diamonds. While expert skiers may want to get their adrenaline fix elsewhere, Bryce is still capable of scratching that powder hound’s need for speed. Even at night – because here you will find 20 acres of night skiing as well. With complete snowmaking.
Crowd Density and Ski Lifts
You’ll be happy to know that there are low crowds to be found at this ski resort, and you can expect slightly larger crowds on rare occasions only.
While smaller than Omni Homestead, the Bryce ski resort has 7 ski lifts in operation, which are sort of needed when there is an influx of visitors which is usually during the weekends.
Accommodation
While Bryce doesn’t offer lodging, there are many accommodation options near the resort. You can choose between luxurious and more affordable hotels, and vacation rentals that you can find on the resort’s official website. You can also rent Airbnb apartments if you’re looking for the most affordable accommodation options.
Verdict
Best ski resorts in Virginia, you say? Bryce makes all the lists.
It may not be big by any standards, but it ticks all the marks. It has a ski school for ages 4 to infinite, and snowboarding lessons for ages 6 to endless. You can also rent equipment here and get it repaired, or enjoy a warm meal and drinks at the Fireside Grille at Bryce’s very own ski lodge. Good snow, dry socks, and a warm belly. What more does anyone need?
Wintergreen Resort
But what if you want a really big resort? Well, then, Virginia will take out its big guns and give you a hefty dose of the Wintergreen Resort! It is a four-season ski resort snuggled between the eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a mere two-hour drive from Richmond, VA.
It is one of the largest resorts in Virginia, with more than a hundred acres of skiable terrain. In addition to excellent winter sports fun for the adults, Wintergreen Ski Resort also offers tons of options for the young as well. Here you will find excellent tubing, snowshoeing, ice skating, and a special terrain park designed for kids. Skiing and snowboarding lessons are available too, of course.
Pros
- Family-friendly resort
- Diverse and large terrain
- A lot of accommodation options
Pros
- Can get crowded
Famous for: one of the biggest ski resorts in Virginia.
Town
Three hours from Washington, D.C., two hours from Roanoke, and just one and a half hours from Richmond, Wintergreen gets a lot of visitors – and for good reason. It combines excellent skiing, a diverse and large winter terrain, and plenty of accommodation and pampering options. So, if you’re looking to get away from the resort and maybe enjoy some amazing nightlife, the three above-mentioned cities are your best bet.
If you happen to stay at the resort for the duration of your trip, you can find plenty of cafeterias, restaurants, stores, pampering services and even conference centers.
Ski Terrain
But back to the real deal. Wintergreen Ski Resort has 27 runs strewn over a skiable area of almost 130 acres, with an additional 45 acres for night skiing. The trails here will provide a challenge to almost any skier, with the exception of perhaps professional skiers. Wintergreen Ski Resort has 23% beginner runs, 35% intermediate runs, and 54% advanced runs all serviced by its 5 efficient ski lifts.
Its vertical drop is a respectable 1003 feet, with a longest run (called Tyro) of 1.4 miles. Additionally, there is a terrain park, a large area for night skiing, and impressive snowmaking capacities that allow for complete snow coverage.
Crowd Density and Ski Lifts
Given that this is one of the biggest resorts in Virginia and because it’s so close to some major cities, it does get crowded, especially during the weekends and holidays. There are a total of 5 chairlifts with the capacity to transport up to 11.200 skiers per hour. The lift tickets are $64 for adults and $54 for seniors.
Accommodation
Wintergreen takes up roughly 40,000 square feet of terrain, which allows for many excellent lodging options that fit every budget. You can choose from the cutest guest houses and condominiums, to some beautiful homes and other exclusive properties.
Verdict
If you happen to visit for whatever reason, though, bring some extra warm clothes. Wintergreen sits a bit high in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the weather here is almost always more chilly than anywhere else.
At Wintergreen Ski Resort, you’ll get the scenic views one way or another – it is definitely one of the best ski resorts in Virginia!
Massanutten Resort
Finally, we conclude our list with the legendary Massanutten Ski Resort – another four-seasons natural wonderland that offers excellent skiing and snowboarding during snow season. The scenic views, the homely atmosphere, and the excellent skiing put Massanutten Ski Resort in close competition with the very best ski resorts in Virginia.
The resort itself is huge, strewn across an area of over 6,000 acres. New summer and winter activities are being added all the time, such as night golfing, ice skating, escape rooms, and e-mountain bikes.
Pros
- Four-seasons resort
- A lot of accommodation options
- Great runs for all ability levels
Pros
- Can get crowded
Famous for: some of the best runs for all skiing levels.
Town
Massanutten Ski Resort is located just 20 miles from Harrisonburg, in the area of the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. For those who would rather fly than drive, the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport is just a 30-minute drive from the ski resort.
The resort, as well as the city of Massanutten, offer fine dining, shopping, cafeterias, and an almost inexhaustible catalog of entertainment options.
Ski Terrain
When it comes to skiing and snowboarding, Massanutten Ski Resort is up there with the very best. It has 14 runs spread across a skiable terrain of 70 acres, with the skill breakdown of 30% beginner runs, 35% intermediate runs, and 35% advanced runs.
From the peaks, skiers and snowboarders can enjoy a vertical drop of 1,110 feet, and come down to the 2 terrain parks. The longest run at Massanutten is 0.77 miles, which is respectable.
Additionally, all the terrain is also suitable for night skiing, and the trails are expertly groomed. There is also an area dedicated for beginners and learning, along with winter sports lessons. Other fun wintertime activities include ice skating (with a special rink) and exciting tubing. Massanutten Ski Resort also boasts 100% snowmaking capability, so lean back, and enjoy.
Crowd Density and Ski Lifts
Unfortunately, for such a big resort, it does get pretty crowded. That being said, if you avoid some major holidays and weekends, you can expect less crowds.
All the runs are serviced by 7 ski lifts which move visitors around effortlessly, even to the peaks. The lifts have the capacity to transport up to
Accommodation
There are multiple lodging options on the area, both on-mountain and in the valley. You can choose from hotels, villas, and guest houses, and the prices depend on the seasons. You can find more information about accommodation options and reserve lodging at the resort’s official website.
Verdict
Besides some great runs for everyone, this resort offers charming ski chalets, recreation centers, and awe-inspiring views. Once you’re there, you’ll find out – personally – why Massanutten Ski Resort is considered one of the best ski resorts in Virginia.
