It’s no secret that we love living in Charlottesville, Virginia. One thing we take advantage of? We are close to two different ski resorts. People often debate, too, which is better. Is Massanutten or Wintergreen better Virginia skiing for families? We’re here to weigh in!
Of course, both of these are ski slopes in Virginia. While fun and we are grateful to have them, they are neither large nor renowned for snowfall. (Last year, Wintergreen shut its slopes down earlier than anticipated due to the warm temperatures.)
However, both places are worth a visit if you are in the area. Both are friendly for beginners, laid out well for families, and offer more than just skiing. Both resorts have become all-season retreats for families, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains.Â
But if you are forced to pick one over the other, here is what to know:
Massanutten Ski Resort or Wintergreen Ski Resort. Which is better VIrginia skiing for families?
Table of Contents
What to Know About Massanutten Ski Resort
Location of Massanutten Ski Resort
Massanutten Resort is west of Shenandoah National Park and Charlottesville, just 30 minutes from Harrisonburg, VA. If you aren’t familiar with Harrisonburg, it is home to a popular university, James Madison University.
Massanutten is easy to get to, close to “civilization,” but also gets some pretty large college crowds. Co-eds flock to Massanutten, particularly on the weekends, and that is something to prepare for if you go.
Massanutten’s Lodge and all amenities are located at the base of the hill, so you take lift chairs up immediately and ski down. Once you ski down, you’re back at restaurants and hot cocoa.
Stats and Size of Massanutten Ski Resort
Massanutten has 23 trails with 83 skiable acres (all acres have snowmaking and can be skied at night). 30% of the runs are beginner, 43% intermediate, and 26% advanced (although advanced in Virginia is an easy blue out West).
The total vertical drop at Massanutten is 1175 feet.
They get 35″ annual snowfall on average.
Overall Review of Massanutten Ski Resort for Families
Massanutten has done a great job of reenvisioning itself as an all-season resort and has worked to create more opportunities for families to enjoy the place off-slope.
Massanutten is beginner friendly in many respects (none of the pitch is very steep anywhere). But the primary beginners’ slope gets very crowded – and it slopes slightly to the left, so people tend to be found laying on that side of the slope frequently. Also, since the main beginner slope is in the center of the resort, it is the vein to get to the resort. For more experienced skiers it can feel so flat as to requiring some pulling.
And, of course, lift lines in this area can be long. This isn’t just about a weekend rush, but a lot of beginners use Massanutten to learn how to ski and they learn how to use the ski lifts – which means a lot of falling and slowdowns.
There are ski lessons and if you feel comfortable enough on your skis, we’ve done some really pretty runs from the top down.
The ski lodge, like a lot of ski lodges, is dated but really comfortable. The restaurant right at the base of the slope is delicious and we enjoy the atmosphere there a lot.
The resort offers ski rentals on-site and there are pretty good package deals available, especially if purchased ahead of time.
Massanutten is small enough and the pitch is at a low enough grade that we feel comfortable allowing our kids to take off with a buddy but not necessarily adult supervision. We feel they can’t get themselves into trouble and everything funnels down.
Where Massanutten stands apart is with the water park. We will sometimes drive to Massanutten just to enjoy the water park. This place is big, with lots of fun water rides, and our kids love it.
In the winter, Massanutten has snow tubing and (a new addition) ice skating.
In the warm months, Massanutten offers mountain biking access as well as golf.
What to Know About Wintergreen Ski Resort
Location of Wintergreen Ski Resort
Wintergreen is south of Charlottesville, and definitely feels more remote!
Close to what is called the Nelson 151, Wintergreen sits at the top of a mountain, with gorgeous views all around, and breweries and wineries below. The drive there is through the countryside but, upon arrival, you get the mountain vacation vibe immediately.
Wintergreen Resort is set up opposite Massanutten. The lodge and the ski lifts are at the top, and you ski down. So upon arrival, you immediately ski down. When you take the lift back up, you’ve arrived back the lodge and restaurants (yes, including hot cocoa).
Stats and Size of Wintergreen Ski Resort
Wintergreen has 27 runs, but with 129 skiable acres. All acres have snowmaking but only 45 acres are available for nightskiing. The breakout of runs is 23% beginner, 35% intermediate and 42% advanced.Â
Wintergreen also reports 35 inches of annual snowfall on average. Total vertical drop is 1,003 feet.
Overall Review of Wintergreen Ski Resort for Families
Wintergreen feels more like a ski resort to me. It sits on top of a mountain with lovely views, the restaurants and the ski lodge are small and feel dated in a way that screams classic ski vacation.
Wintergreen offers ski lessons for families and I find more enjoyment in skiing the terrain here. For beginners, there is a little more space to explore and learn to ski. It seems to have more of a family vibe and less of a college vibe.
Wintergreen is usually more expensive than Massanutten, but you can get deals online if you purchase in advance.
Lift lines here can get long, as well, particularly on a pretty weekend.
The resort offers on-site ski rentals but there is a Ski Barn on the way up to Wintergreen that is easy to rent from if you are coming from the Charlottesville direction.
There aren’t many amenities such as grocery stores at Wintergreen – it is best to grocery shop before driving up the mountain. But, again, it is a 20-minute drive to some of the area’s best breweries and wineries.
Wintergreen has a snow tubing park (buy tickets in advance if you want to guarantee entry) as does Massanutten.
While Wintergreen doesn’t have large water park, they do have a beautiful spa that I very much enjoy, even if my kids haven’t been there yet.
If you want to work hiking into your winter vacation (which, given the small amount of snowfall Virginia gets is completely feasible), you’re best served to head to Wintergreen. There are many fun trails here stewarded by The Nature Foundation at Wintergreen.
Interestingly, in the warm months, Wintergreen has leaned into hiking but is not open to mountain biking (which we think is kind of a shame). There is a pool facility available for paid day passes and a golf course that comes highly reviewed.
So Which is Better? Massanutten Ski Resort or Wintergreen Ski Resort
Skiing in Virginia isn’t about shredding the slopes or getting as many vertical miles in one day as you can. In my mind, both are just relatively convenient ways to get up on skis – to stay comfortable without a lot of concern or work. It’s a chance for kids to get comfortable on skis without hauling them to the West Coast (and paying those exorbitant prices).Â
Either resort is going to be a fun experience if you go in intending to capitalize on decent weather if you can and good slope conditions when they hit – and to enjoy the rest of the time as a family off-slope.
To that end, the best resort fit for you is really about the feeling you want and how you want to spend your downtime!
If you are looking for waterparks, ice skating, a nearby college town, and occasional bands playing, then Massanutten is for you.
If you want a mountain getaway in a cabin, with board games, movie nights , and stunning views, then Wintergreen is for you.
Visit Massanutten Online at www.massresort.com
Visit Wintergreen Online at www.wintergreenresort.com
