Programs and packages for winter time family fun at Virginia mountain resorts

Virginia’s four mountain resorts, Massanutten, Wintergreen, The Homestead and Bryce, are offering new programs, packages and special celebrations for families to connect on winter vacations in Virginia mountains.  Hit the slopes or learn how to ski together this winter. 

Celebrate 40 Years of Winter Fun at Massanutten

The 2012 ski season marks the 40th anniversary of Massanutten’s ski area.  Located near Harrisonburg, Virginia, Massanutten is a four season resort featuring more than 5,500-acres, with 70 skiable acres,12 ski slopes, two terrain parks, 12 lanes of winter tubing and extensive lesson programs.  The resort also has an indoor/outdoor waterpark.

To celebrate, Massanutten has installed a new ice skating rink and prepared anniversary activities, specials, giveaways and events. 

• The Ski Area Birthday Bash will take place on February 10, 2012 in the Ski Lodge with birthday cake and 40th anniversary DVD and slideshow.  During the bash, the resort is showing its appreciation to any past Massanutten season pass holders by giving them a free four-hour slope-use ticket. 
• Anyone with a birthday on Februrary 10th gets a free eight-hour slope-use ticket on February 10. 
• The resort is having a photo contest and asking people to submit photos from past ski trips to Massanutten to be used in their 40th anniversary slideshow.  The best photo wins a six-night stay with four extended day slope-use tickets.
• On certain dates from now until the end of the ski season, March 1st, the resort is offering a 40th Anniversary Lodging Package that includes two eight-hour slope-use tickets and two nights in a one bedroom condo for $400. 
• As part of Learn to Ski Month, receive one four-hour Pathway Program for $40 on January 8th.  Or, take advantage of the Four Hours for $40 deal and receive a four-hour slope-use ticket and rentals for only $40 on specified dates.

Hit the Slopes as a Family at Wintergreen Resort

Wintergreen Resort is one of the Mid-Atlantics’s premier ski areas and a family favorite.  The resort is located near the Blue Ridge Parkway near Charlottesville and features slopes for beginners, intermediates and experts, as well as the region’s most extensive terrain.  Other Wintergreen fun includes the Plunge, a snow tubing park that lets riders reach speed of 30 miles per hour, the Shamokin Ice Rink, golf and a variety of indoor activities.

• Get on Board Virginia is a new program this year.  Guests sign up on the website and receive a coupon for lift tickets (limited areas), rentals and group lesson for $49.  A bounce back offer for a repeat visit is included.
• The Winter Escape Package starts at $69 per person per night and includes lodging and a full (8-hour session) lift ticket, unlimited use of the Aquatics and Fitness Center and mountain shuttle access.  The winter escape package is available daily through the entire season with rates varying depending on the date of stay.

The Homestead – A Winter Wonderland

One of America’s oldest resorts, The Homestead offers history, hospitality and luxury living in a 3,000-acre setting in the Allegheny Mountains of southwestern Virginia.  Established in 1766, The Homestead is a National Historic Landmark and has been visited by Thomas Edison and a bevy of presidents, including Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Woodrow Wilson, Calvin Coolidge, Harry S. Truman and Richard Nixon.  The resort is all set to kick off the winter season with a whirlwind of activities and great packages.

For families wanting to swoosh down the slopes together, The Homestead ski area has 45-acres of well-maintained trails for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities.  New this year, the Homestead will offer night skiing every Saturday.  The resort also recently introduced an ice skating rink.

• The Homestead is offering a Ski & Skate package that includes accommodations and unlimited ice-skating and skiing from $229 (tax and resort charge not included) per night based on double occupancy from January 2 to March 13, 2012.  Some restrictions may apply.
• The Ski Free package includes room accommodations and daily lift tickets for two people for $209 (tax and resort charge not included) per night based on double occupancy from January 2 to March 13, 2012.  Some restrictions may apply.

Bryce Resort

Located in the Shenandoah Valley, Bryce Resort is a 400-acre resort that is a great getaway for families with small children to learn how to ski.  Last year, the resort opened a new kids’ area with brightly colored animals and a new carpet lift just for little ones.  Parent skiers can perfect their skills at the nationally-known Horst Locher Ski School and enroll their children in the SKIwee or Mini Rider programs, which cater to children ages four to eight years of age and teach them the basics of skiing and snowboarding.

Please click here to view a slideshow of some of Virginia's mountain resorts.

Virginia is for Lovers Snowmotion Sweepstakes

One lucky family can win a “Learn to Ski and Snowboard” trip to Virginia.   This prize trip includes a three-night, four-day stay at Wintergreen Resort for a family of four.  Please click here to read more about the Snowmotion Sweepstakes. 

Love is at the heart of every Virginia vacation.  Visit Virginia.org for more trip ideas or call 1-800-VISITVA for a free Virginia is for Lovers travel guide.

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