Wintergreen Mountain Excursion Top Tips

Ready to hike, ski, or relax in the mountains of Virginia this year? Are you in need of lodging while you kick it on the ski slopes, snowboard down the eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains, or even enjoy a hot tub or indoor swimming pool? Your adventure on the 3,851-foot mountain matters! You could stay in the mountain resort itself, but why not check in to luxurious rental chalets or condominiums?

When you stay at the resort, it is unlikely you will venture far during your trip. With all its amenities, there is no reason to get out on the Blue Ridge Parkway and explore the local region. You will miss out on all the fun, adventure, and beauty the area offers. Instead, check out our two rental properties to keep you wrapped in all the area’s attractions.

Looking for a summer ‘must-do’ list at Wintergreen?

If you come in the summertime, you might wonder what a ski resort offers on the mountainside. Here are some summer highlights, from mountain biking to hiking, sightseeing, swimming, and more.

Skyline Drive

Don’t feel like hiking? Skyline Drive lets you witness the beauty of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains from the comfort of your car. This winding road features many lookout points and vast mountain vistas with heart-stopping photo ops that are sure to highlight your social media feeds.

Blue Ridge Parkway

Looking to head just to the south of Wintergreen? This parkway offers a winding scenic drive with similar attractions to Skyline Drive, but you’ll double your chances for stunning viewpoints and breathtaking sunsets throughout the mountains and valleys.

Miles of hiking trails

Hikers love to visit the Blue Ridge Mountains in the summertime. You can explore dozens of miles of stunning trails rated from easy to challenging, so there is always something for everyone. Guided hikes ensure that you won’t miss a thing as you explore the untamed wilds of the region. Just a few of the more famed trails here include:

• Old Appalachian Trail
• Humpback Rocks
• Shamokin Springs Nature Preserve

You can find trail maps and information about these and the many other local hiking trails at the Nature Foundation.

History

This region is loaded with deep history. You can spend days exploring surrounding towns and cities, viewing historic landmarks and small towns. You can book tours throughout the valley to see spots where costumed performers will re-enact life in the colonial days, tour historic homes, learn about the Civil War, or even kick back in a brewery located in a landmark building.

Lake Monacan and Lake Sherando

Both lakes offer the opportunity to get away from the hustle and bustle and spend some time shoreside or go out boating on crystal clear waters. They offer acres of open green space, hiking trails, and even barbecue and picnic facilities so you can cook up some burgers and have a fun day out with the kids.

Mountain activities for the winter season

Of course, during the winter, you have opportunities for skiing, snow tubing, snowboarding, and snowy outdoor adventures, and you can try restaurants like the Copper Mine, the Edge, and other Nellysford and Charlottesville locales. The various slopes in Wintergreen Resort are rated from easy to difficult for experienced skiers. Let’s review the different types.

Green slopes

Green slopes are the easiest to traverse and great for beginners. They include the Upper and Lower Crosstrail, Potato Patch, Upper and Lower Dobie, and Upper and Lower Diamond Hill trails.

Blue slopes

Blue slopes are of moderate difficulty. They are best tackled with a guide or with a bit of knowledge and experience behind you. Blue Trails include Eagle’s Swoop, Upper and Lower Tyro, Tequila, and Lower Sunrise.

Black diamond slopes

Diamond slopes are rugged trails best suited for experienced skiers. They could be dangerous to those with less experience. Diamond slopes include Sunrise Glades, Upper Sunrise, Big Acorn, Loggers Alley, Cross Cut, Outer Limits, The Gap, Devi’s Elbow, Upper Cliffhanger, Hydraulic, and Upper and Lower Wild Turkey.

Double black diamond slopes

There is a single, double black diamond slope at Wintergreen. Only the most experienced expert skier should try to tackle the Lower Cliffhanger, as it incorporates features that can be highly dangerous to those of lesser experience and skill.

Discovery Ridge Adventure Center

Discovery Ridge Adventure Center offers fun and excitement, both indoor and outdoor, for the entire family all year long. Here, you can find disc golf, gem mining, miniature golf, a climbing tower, an entire ninja warrior course, a bouldering wall, and the Plunge, Virginia’s largest tubing park. After, grab a bite to eat at the Devils Grill.

Terrain Park

Wintergreen’s Terrain Park is where you can hone your freestyle skills and use the chairlifts to take as many runs as you like from the mountaintop ski area. The park includes more than 40 features to change things up every visit, from straight rails to rainbow rails, battleships to spines and hips, fun boxes to tabletops, down-kinks to S-Rails, and beyond.

Our top tips for your Wintergreen trip

Naturally, you want to make the most out of your summer or winter trip, whether over Memorial Day, Labor Day, the Fourth of July, New Year’s, Christmas, or any other time of year. These three tips are a few things to remember as you explore the region.

Tip One: Remember you’re on vacation

It can be easy to stress about everything you want to see and get worked up about the things you don’t have time to check out. Don’t stress! Remember, you’re here on vacation. It’s a time to relax and recharge the batteries. Don’t worry about the things you don’t get to see. Just enjoy the things you can.

Tip Two: Be prepared

Preparation is vital to a successful trip. Whether hiking in July or skiing in January, wear the proper attire, bring snacks, and always, whatever you do, stay hydrated. Keep a first-aid kit with you, and keep your devices charged. A car emergency kit is also always a good idea.

Tip Three: Pick a path and go

The Blue Ridge Mountains area offers so much to see and do. You can either master one activity or try to see many different attractions. You can tour local vineyards, breweries, and cideries. You can shop at dozens of local antique stores. You can also explore local parks, hiking trails, and ski slopes outside the resort. It’s all here waiting for you.

Weekend or week long, we’ve got you covered!

Of course, you will need a great place to stay while you’re in town. Our two rental properties let you get into the resort to explore the amenities here while also offering privacy and luxury between adventures. From free high-speed Wi-Fi and streaming services to private decks overlooking the Devils Knob Golf Course or Stoney Creek golf course and even fitness center facilities, you’ll have all the comforts of home at your fingertips. Contact the property owners for more information today.