Because Deacon can't ever get his fill of snow, we packed up the car and headed to Wintergreen Resort this holiday to spend New Years Eve in the mountain with friends. When telling people where we were headed, the most common answer was "where is that?"
To answer your question, Wintergreen is a family-friendly ski resort in the Blue Ridge Mountains, about 20 minutes past Charlottesville, VA. While it isn't our usual luxe lodge hotspot (stay tuned for deets on our trip to Telluride later this month for that), it's a great getaway worthy of a Deacon post.
Whether you ski, snowboard, or simply like the outdoors, this all-season resort and spa is a quick and affordable getaway for friends, families and couples alike.
Getting There
Head out on Route 66, you'll find your home-away-from-home about three hours later. Just be careful to check the weather - we followed our GPS, only to realize that the Blue Ridge Parkway was completely shut down due to bad weather. Once you arrive in the town of Nellysford, follow the signs up to the resort - Check In is clearly marked. If you don't have a car with four-wheel drive, we'd recommend renting one for the trip. Although the roads are completely clear even in bad weather, these hills are STEEP!
Check In/Out
The lodge, which also hosts the Mountain Inn, is a bustling spot, but checking in was a remarkably quick process. Just arrive during daylight, as navigating our way to the condo was a bit tricky with only a map in the darkness.
Amenities
Condos and rental homes are well-equipped with the usual array of kitchen supplies and a small selection of shampoo, conditioner, moisturizer and soap. If you're staying for more than a day or so, we'd suggest bringing your own, as the bottles were REALLY small.
If you reserve rooms through the resort, skip the cold and dial for the complimentary Resort Shuttle, which runs daily until midnight. It saved us many a trek up the mountain back to our condo, and the drivers were both friendly and efficient.
The Resort
Friends from Wake Forest had rented one of the larger homes (Chestnut Springs, which was quite nice) while we opted for a one-bedroom cabin, which offered the advantage of a King bed and in-room fireplace, plus a full kitchen and Jacuzzi tub. The upgrade cost from a studio to a one-bedroom space was minimal, and the extra $15 per night for the "Panoramic" view was well worth the cost. Our ground-floor condo overlooked two of the resort's ski slope and provided dramatic cliff views into the valley. It more than made up for the less than luxe decor of the condo itself, which, while perfectly adequate, felt more like a cheap beach condo than a swank mountain chalet.
We're not much for skiing or snowboarding, but those who wish to partake in snow activities can note that there are a number of runs for all levels, including several black and double black diamond runs plus a number of greens and blues. For those who simply wish to enjoy playing in the snow, opt instead for tubing or ziplining - just make early reservations as they book up quickly.
The resort itself is incredibly sprawling, offering dramatic views and a number of quiet areas perfect for hiking and sightseeing in the summer months.
The Food
The resort boasts the usual array of burger joints and DIY markets, but we steered clear, instead opting to pack our own goodies from the local Harris Teeter. The full-size fridge and adequate cooking supplies made making dinners and breakfasts a breeze, and we appreciated not having to trek to the main resort lodge for every meal. If you plan on this option, stock up before leaving or in Charlottesville - there's no local grocery store and onsite food is expensive.
The Area
The town of Wintergreen and Nellysford is remarkably quiet, boasting only a few small markets and antique shops. On a rainy day, enjoy the drive down the mountain, but otherwise you'll be perfectly content to remain on the resort.
The Spa
The Wintergarden Spa is a hidden gem. This incredibly affordable getaway boasts a full fitness center, indoor pool and outdoor hot tubs, plus a private spa area with steam, sauna and relaxation room. We had opted to soothe our tired muscles with an 80 minute "Signature" massage, ($138 with tip). At first, we were a bit skeptical - why was this treatment $15 more than a standard deep tissue? But we quickly appreciated the nominal extra cost. Our therapist queried how we'd like each part of our body touched - from deep tissue to aromatherapy to hot stone and reflexology, we had each of our muscled rubbed just the way we wanted in 80 minutes of pure bliss. Afterwards, we kicked back with a cup of tea and gingersnap cookies while gazing out over the snow-covered peaks in the relaxation lounge. Pure bliss!
Overall
We'd definitely return. This mountain retreat gains points on all levels - it was a affordable, easy to access, and felt private enough to feel as if we'd had a true getaway. Plus, it's a place that all ages can enjoy - hit up Wintergreen for a ski trip with mom and dad or with old friends for a much needed DC getaway. We promise you'll enjoy :-)
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