Winter Wonderlands

Ski Resorts Come of Age

by Elizabeth Ripley

When the weather turns chilly, do your thoughts turn to snow? Well, I’ve got some great places where you can go to schuss or shred your way down a mountain. Not a snow sports fan? No matter. These destinations offer much more than just skiing and snowboarding.

Winter resorts have changed with the times, adding amenities and activities for the whole family. A number of resorts are within a day’s drive of Richmond. My top three: The Homestead, playground of princes and millionaires; Snowshoe, with its 59 trails and slopes; and Wintergreen, close enough for a day trip. All offer the wildly popular snow tubing - sledding fun with the added bonus of a lift that carries you back to the top of the hill!

The Homestead

The Homestead is a full-service year-round resort with an emphasis on luxury. Established in 1766, the 483-room property has hosted many VIPs, including 17 U.S. presidents. Thomas Edison was a frequent guest and supplied the resort with its first electric power plant. The spa, founded in 1892, is fed by hot springs that form the basis of its famous mineral baths.

In addition to 45 acres of slopes for skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing, The Homestead offers snowshoeing, snowmobile tours, ice skating, bowling, indoor tennis courts, a movie theater, horseback riding, paintball and mountain bike trails, as well as a shooting range with trap, skeet and sporting clays. After a busy day, relax in the indoor pool or take advantage of a variety of treatments offered at the spa. Built up an appetite? Take your pick of six restaurants, ranging from formal fine dining to barbecue. Nearby towns offer shoppers a chance to browse for art, antiques and crafts.

The KidsClub has its own clubhouse and is open seven days a week year round. Activities are available for preschoolers to ‘tweens and there’s a Kids’ Night Out on Saturday evenings.

Snowshoe Mountain

Just over the border in West Virginia, Snowshoe Mountain has been welcoming winter sports enthusiasts since 1973. With its 4,848-foot elevation, snow starts falling here earlier than most other area resorts. Snowshoe also boasts the South’s greatest vertical drop at 1,500 feet, and the longest ski run - 1.5 miles.

Rapid growth in the last few years has spawned the full-service Village at Snowshoe, featuring a variety of restaurants, lodging and shops. The most recent addition is The Big Top — a 15,000-square-foot fun center with arcade games, billiards, a video café for kids and live entertainment. Don’t miss the Split Rock Pools, a water-filled playground with geysers and slides for the kids. Hot tubs, a sauna, outdoor Jacuzzi and heated pool await the grown-ups.

Outdoor enthusiasts can ski, snowboard, snow tube, cross-country ski, snowshoe or opt for a snowmobile tour. In addition to ski and snowboard racing, the resort offers a “Train the Trainer” program for those interested in teaching those sports or simply improving their technique.

Snowshoe has childcare services for infants and children from 12 weeks to 10 years old. Learn-to-ski programs are available for kids ages 4 to 12, and snowboarding lessons for those ages 7 to 12. Kids’ Night Out activities are offered to children ages 5 to 12 on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings.

Wintergreen

Closer to home, Wintergreen is a full-service resort less than a two-hour drive from Richmond. Its winter programs feature skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing, as well as horseback riding and indoor tennis. The Wintergarden Spa and Aquatics and Fitness Center offers indoor and outdoor pools, hot tubs, massage and spa treatments, cosmetology services and a fully equipped fitness facility.

If you choose to stay for more than a day, lodging options range from studios to seven-bedroom houses, most with fireplaces and fully equipped kitchens. But you don’t have to cook. Several restaurants cater to a variety of tastes, from burritos and burgers to aged steak and lobster tail.

The Treehouse is the headquarters for Wintergreen’s children’s activities, targeting kids ages 2½ to 12 years old. Full-day programs include a choice of ski lessons, arts and crafts, cooking, group games, music and stories. Kids’ Night Out, for children ages 6 to 12, is also available.

Whether you’re looking for the ultimate in pampering, the excitement of a mega-resort village or a nearby getaway, there is something close to home for every type of winter sports lover. So what are you waiting for? Start packing!

Comparing Resorts