Go Blue Ridge Travel Names Two Best Virginia Skiing Places in the Shenandoah Valley's Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains
Harrisonburg, Virginia (PRWEB) December 30, 2013 -- When the weather outside turns cold, Virginia and West Virginia winter’s fun is just starting to heat up. Many look to the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains of Virginia as a great day trip or 48 hour road trip out of the DC Metropolitan area. Whether one is an adrenaline junkie who loves the exhilaration of snowboarding or downhill skiing or one is the fun-loving type who goes for laughter-filled race on inner tubes, Virginia ski resorts offer a variety of activities that are sure to please all ages and skill levels. Then, after an invigorating day on the slopes, kick back and relax with a great meal and a warm fireplace at lodging accommodations that range from rustic to luxurious.
From exhilarating snow sports to winter festivals, horse-drawn sleigh rides, snow tubing, hockey, ice skating and more, there’s no better time to come see what makes a trip to Virginia a love experience.
Downhill Skiing -
Massanutten Resort’s skiing means days spent on an 1,100-foot vertical drop with great views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Ski down the 3,300-foot Diamond Jim or the 4,100-foot Para-dice. The terrain park is for riders, ski boarders, and twin tip skiers.
Bryce Resort has long catered to skiing families and is only two hours from Washington, D.C. The area has 25 acres of ski able terrain and a vertical of around 500 feet. There are five lifts servicing eight runs.
Trained instructors can help get you down the mountain like a pro. If one can’t get enough skiing during the day, both Massanutten and Bryce offer night skiing, too.
Snowboarding -
While this extreme sport certainly takes some getting used to, it is no longer solely in the realm of daredevil teenagers. If tricks and stunts are one's thing, Massanutten and Bryce have terrain parks built with challenging obstacles galore.
Snow Tubing -
The slopes may not be as challenging, but the pure childlike glee one gets snow tubing is rewarding. Headfirst, feet first or spinning in circles, it’s an activity the whole family can enjoy. Don’t worry about trudging back up the hill – both resorts have lifts.
Ski Training -
Kenny Hess, Skiing Director at Massanutten Resort, said, “ The popularity of Massanutten is because of the ease of getting here. Whether you are coming from DC or from the South, Massanutten is closer than going to the West Virginia mountains or even for some the North Carolina mountain ski resorts. Plus we offer much more than just skiing such as Massanutten’s new ice skating rink or our year round indoor Water Park perfect for wanting to get away from snow and the cold.”
“Children can begin skiing at four years old. Skiing is a great family adventure. Massanutten Resort’s goal is to make it a positive experience at a young age so it because a lifestyle activity. Now that the ski resorts make their own snow, Massanutten and other ski resorts can offer better and more consistent ski conditions than in years,” said Hess.
With forty seven years at Bryce Resort, Ski School Director Horst Locher says it is never too late to learn to ski. “ Today skis are shorter and with the man-made snow, you have a more forgiving course," said Locher. “This has been a great ski season since temperatures were ready for snow making at Thanksgiving."
"Here at Bryce Resort our trademark is ‘a Family Resort.’ There are no shuttle buses to ride or long hikes to the ski lifts. Bryce is smaller than the West Virginia ski resorts. Parents can sit inside by the fire at the ski lodge and watch their children,” said Locher.
"Bryce is one giant playground," said Vicki Bellerose, the director of Bryce’s Kinder School for four years. Ashleigh a parent from Alexandria, Virginia has been coming to the resort since 1986. “Now I have a four year old. In one hour at the Kinder School she gained the confidence to take the bunny slope by herself,” said Ashleigh.
Cozy Cabins and Condos or Luxury Accommodations –
Travelers in Virginia will find a variety of cabins and vacation homes to rent, from gas-lit pioneer cabins to air-conditioned modern ones. Sit by the fire or soak in a hot tub as you enjoy a relaxing getaway near some of the state’s finest attractions and outdoor recreational opportunities. Search Go Blue Ridge Travel's regional accommodation directory for more information.
Ski Packages -
Both Bryce and Massanutten offer Ski Discount Packages and Seasonal & Holiday Packages make planning the perfect Virginia winter vacation or weekend getaway affordable. Purchasing tickets one day ahead can offer you up to 60% in savings.
Nancy Craun, Go Blue Ridge Travel, http://www.goblueridgetravel.com, +1 (540) 533-1853, [email protected]
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