Trading Your Tow Rope For A Chair Lift

     Every year there are a few brave souls who try to squeeze some extra water skiing, tubing or wakeboarding time out of the summer. Reluctant to give up the thrill and challenge, they dip into the cool waters of Smith Mountain Lake well into October. But as fall gives way to winter, many are left dreaming of warmer days. If you are one of those adventure seekers who are already missing the action, you don’t have to give up skiing, tubing or boarding. You just have to find your water in a different form – the white, powdery kind.

     Less than two hours away, Wintergreen Resort offers 23 slopes and trails ranging from beginner to Black/Double Diamond. This resort sits at 3,515 feet above sea level and has 100 percent computerized snowmaking capabilities for dry, powdery, perfect snow all season long. At that elevation, the climate is up to 20 degrees cooler than in the surrounding areas. This means that even if temperatures seem too warm for skiing here at Smith Mountain Lake, it’s a different world at nearly one mile above sea level.

     If you’re visiting Wintergreen for the adventure, this year the resort is offering more than ever. If you’re not one of those adventure seekers, Wintergreen still has something for you. From its indoor tennis facility to its relaxing and rejuvenating spa, the resort has a multitude of all-season options for entertainment, exercise, relaxation and vacationing. Either way, here are your options.

Ski, Board, Tube and Go Out of Bounds

     Wintergreen has earned the reputation of being an excellent place to learn to ski or snowboard. It is the only ski area in the nation to provide free group beginner lessons with equipment rentals. Their motto is: “You’re never too old or too young to learn.” So Wintergreen offers programs for every age and ability level including classes, lessons, and special “breakthrough” clinics. From the “Snow Play” program for little skiers to advanced private coaching, you’ll find a program suited to everyone in the family. Wintergreen also has a program especially designed with the female skier in mind, taught by women for women. And, Wintergreen’s Adaptive Ski program is one of the best in the country, providing skilled instructors and the latest equipment for persons with disabilities.

     For advanced skiers and boarders, this year holds options that will add challenge, excitement and allow them to get in twice as many runs. Wintergreen has opened a new trail, The Gap, and a new ski lift, The Highlands Express. Wintergreen’s Highlands complex contains the steepest, most challenging terrain at the resort, attracting the top skiers in the mid-Atlantic region. The new, high-speed, six-passenger per chair lift is two and a half times faster than the old lift. The speed, combined with the capacity, make it possible for skiers to get in twice as many runs

     In response to skier/snowboarder suggestions, Wintergreen widened Upper Wild Turkey last year. The additional terrain allows for moguls (or bumps) on half the trail and a groomed snow surface on the other half. Advanced skiers and snowboarders have more variety and are able to choose the track they prefer – cruising terrain or bumps. Those who are looking for even more thrills will enjoy the Freestyle Terrain Park. It offers spines, tabletops, and rail features that change throughout the season.

     If you’d rather ride, try Wintergreen’s tubing parks. “The Plunge” tubing park is for anyone who loves exhilaration.  It is 10 lanes wide, 900 feet long, takes you to speeds of 25 mph or more, and is nicknamed “the scream machine.” If that’s too much excitement, try the Slide Tubing Park. It is smaller and has a more gradual vertical drop for a gentle downhill ride. It allows those as young as two to get out and enjoy the snow.

     If you or someone in your family is looking for even more to do during your visit to Wintergreen, Out of Bounds offers bungee-trampoline, miniature golf, and a climbing tower on weekends during the winter months (weather permitting). You can also rent skateboards or in-line skates and enjoy the skate park.

The Good Life

     Indulge in a variety of spa services and body treatments, swim in the indoor pool, get your heart pumping in the fitness center, have an elegant dinner, or lounge in the outdoor hot tubs. The choice is yours and you always end up relaxed and refreshed.

     Registered guests of Wintergreen Resort receive free access to the Spa & Fitness Center, which offers a well-equipped exercise facility, an aerobics room, indoor pool, hot tubs, whirlpool and an extensive spa facility. The wide variety of spa treatments include the renowned LaStone Therapy Massage; the Ayruvedic Herbal Body Balancer with exfoliating herb-infused oils; the Mountain Mud Wrap; the relaxing Lymphatic Massage to reduce fluids, eliminate toxins, and treat pain, headaches and facial puffiness; and the Luminous “C” and Sea Facial – just to name a few.

     The retail shops at the Mountain Inn Gallery of Shops offer the latest trends in sportswear, ski and snowboard equipment, complete accessories, logo sport clothing, creative art, local crafter items, award-winning Virginia wines and more.

     Wintergreen is also the place to enjoy your favorite sport even if it’s not in season. The resort’s indoor tennis facility and the Stoney Creek Golf Course are both open year-round. The  Wintergreen Tennis Academy is rated one of the “Top 5” doubles camps and one of the “Top 10” tennis camps in North America, according to TennisResortsOnline.com. And due to the elevation difference on the property, Wintergreen guests have the unique opportunity to ski and golf on the same day.

     Wintergreen offers a snow report hotline at 434-325-2100. For more information on the Resort, visit the web site at www.WintergreenResort.com  or call 1-800-266-2444.Winter at

Wintergreen 2004-2005

Dec. 23-Jan. 1

Blue Ridge Mountain Christmas. Holiday craft workshops, horse-drawn carriage rides, Santa on the slopes, family activities, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners, gingerbread house contest, New Year’s Eve celebrations. 434-325-8180

Feb. 11-12

Valentine’s Day Celebration. Wintergreen Resort was recently named the most romantic spot in the world by Washington Families magazine. You can’t miss spending this special holiday here. There will be Cupid on the slopes, couples’ massage, dance and culinary workshops. 434-325-8180

March 5

Mardi Gras. Rex Parade, slope side Dixieland music, crowning of King and Queen, and a Masquerade Ball. Proceeds benefit the Wintergreen Adaptive Ski Program. 434-325-8180 or 434-325-2007

March 12

Snoblast Beach Party. Non-stop slope side music, Blue Ridge Terrace Grill, ice carving demonstration, ski and snowboard demos, games and competitions. 434-325-8180

March 27 (Easter Sunday)

Scheduled closing of ski season. Join us on our last day of the season (check website as the season draws to a close) as we celebrate with a prize-filled Easter egg hunt on the slopes.

On-Slope Events

Demo Days – Dec. 18, 30; Jan. 15-16; Feb. 5-6, 19-20; March 5. Test out new ski and snowboard equipment. Sponsored by Freestyle Sports and Wintergreen. 434-325-8054

Rail Jam – Dec. 19; March 20. A snowboard competition in the terrain park, using the rails to demonstrate style and technique. Sponsored by Freestyle Sports. 434-325-8054

Women’s Ski Seminars – Jan. 5-6; Feb. 8-9. These two-day seminars are designed for women to utilize their unique physiology, as well as psychology, and apply it in the exciting sport of skiing. Taught by women in a mutually supportive environment, these lessons will be limited in size and the participants will be grouped according to ability level. Lesson rate: $120 per person (lift ticket not included). 434-325-8064

Blue Ridge Double Cross – Jan. 9; Feb. 13; March 6. Snowboarder and skier competition in the Terrain Park. Sponsored by Freestyle Sports. 434-325-8054

Slopestyle-Snowboard Competition – Jan. 30; Feb. 27; March 13 in the Terrain Park, sponsored by Glass & Powder Board Shop. 434-325-8054