Sensational Skiing & Snowboarding Stays

By Natalie Kaar & Tiffany Peng

When the temperatures start dropping to near freezing in the valleys and the snow starts falling heavily on the mountains, it may signal the beginning of hibernation season for many, but for skiers and snowboarders, it marks the start of a super-fun season at their favorite winter playgrounds. And that time is now.

In order to help skiers and boarders get the most out of this year’s roughly four-month window to grab all of the downhill action their adrenaline-loving hearts desire, we caught up with several of our area’s most popular resorts to see what’s in store—not only for skiers and boarders, but for whoever may be accompanying them on their travels. After all, there’s plenty of action to be had on and near the slopes for everyone, and lodging just about doesn’t get any cozier or more relaxing than what’s found there.

Yup, we suggest leaving hibernation to the bears.

Some of the chief reasons we do so: all of the exciting offerings, both new and old, at the wonderful Wintergreen Resort here in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the long-loved ski destinations of Hidden Valley Resort, Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands.

Wintergreen Resort

Wintergreen Resort
If you’ve been downhill swooshing for years, chances are, you’ve spent some time at Wintergreen, or at least heard of it. The resort’s awards are quite numerous. Some examples of the exemplary recognition Wintergreen has received include being named the “Best Ski Resort” in the WashingtonPost.com Annual Reader’s Choice Awards, being ranked No. 6 by the readers of Snow East! magazine as their favorite eastern resort (the only Mid-Atlantic resort to make it to the top 10), being awarded the Best Youth Safety Program award from the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA), and being listed among the “Top 10 Ski Resorts” by skiresorts.com, arguably the ultimate guide to ski resorts. And this year, there is even more to celebrate about the resort, beginning with a thrilling new non-skiing adventure option.

At press time, we were told a new zipline racer was scheduled to be open for service as early as Thanksgiving, definitely by Christmas. According to Wintergreen’s Betsy Dunkerton, it will take riders down a 900-foot track in 60 to 90 seconds, hitting speeds up to 40 MPH.

OTHER ACTIVITIES
And, Wintergreen is already loaded with other fun outdoor activities for non-skiers/-boarders. There’s snow tubing, over three miles of marked hiking trails and Ridgely’s Fun Park for children featuring tubing, a tee pee, snow forts and other kid-friendly wintry wonders. Plus, Wintergreen has an Out of Bounds Adventure Center with a bungee trampoline, climbing wall, mini-golf course and more for those wanting to round out their activities even further, while the Wintergarden Spa is there for guests looking for the ultimate in relaxation, offering a full range of services and treatments.

The chairlifts at sunrise at Wintergreen Resort

SLOPES
Of course, as for those who want to stick to skiing and snowboarding, they’re really in for a treat at Wintergreen. The resort features 100-percent computerized snowmaking, providing the most consistent snow surface possible. Plus, there is a wide variety of slopes and trails (26 in total) for beginners up to the most advanced skiers and riders with two six-passenger high-speed lifts, a dedicated children’s learning area as part of the children’s Treehouse Program, a progressive terrain park to graduate students to the advanced slopes, and absolutely breath-taking, award-winning views.

TICKET INFO
For lift ticket information, the scoop on the resort’s wide variety of lessons, its PSIA/AASI professionally accredited ski and ride school and other must-have information, see the Winter Stays chart starting on page 42.

LODGING
As for where to stay if looking to turn your Wintergreen fun into a little vacay, visit www.wintergreenresort.com to select from over 300 lovely condominiums and homes from studios and lodge rooms to nine-bedroom houses, each with a fully-equipped kitchen and comfortable living area—most with fireplaces and a balcony or deck. This includes a limited number of slope-view and walking-distance accommodations during the winter as well as a number of valley-view condominiums.

DEALS
Rent through Wintergreen, and you’ll receive exclusive benefits including: complimentary and preferred access to the Aquatics and Fitness Center, exclusive 8 a.m. slope access on weekends and holidays during the winter season, complimentary shuttle service to the resort, complimentary housekeeping services, 24-hour check-in and front desk services, 24-hour resort switchboard services and much more.

DINING
When it comes to dining at Wintergreen, you may choose to enjoy Mediterranean cuisine at The Copper Mine Bistro or contemporary American cuisine at Devils Grill (both recipients of the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence). Then again, for more casual dining, you may prefer to dine at The Edge, which is great for family meals and also a hot spot for catching up with friends over a few cocktails; The Lookout, for a hearty lunch at the tubing park; Pryor’s Cafeteria, for some casual cafeteria fare; or Checkerberry Cabin, for a quick burger or perhaps some bratwurst and beer.

Seven Springs Mountain Resort

Hidden Valley Resort, Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Seven Springs Mountain Resort
Looking to head a little further north at some point this season, while still staying within a three-hours-drive of NoVA? Look no further than the Laurel Highlands, spanning Pennsylvania’s highest mountains (elevation: 3,213 ft.) and receiving the state’s largest amount of natural snow—a combination that offers some of the Mid-Atlantic’s best terrain, not to mention scenery, for beginning to black diamond skiers.

DEALS
Adding to the area’s allure, Hidden Valley, Nemacolin and Seven Springs (voted the No. 1 ski resort in the Mid-Atlantic by the readers of Ski magazine for the 15th consecutive year) all offer great ski packages and discounts at SkiLaurelHighlands.com. Plus, on Nov. 27 through 29, skiing and snowboarding at Hidden Valley will be free with a charitable donation.

For further ski and snowboarding information for each resort, plus information on additional outdoor winter activities at each, see the Winter Stays chart.

OTHER ACTIVITIES
The area is also loaded with tremendous après-ski activities including spas (like the new upscale Trillium spa at Seven Springs), concerts, indoor swimming pools, game rooms and dining options for any budget. That includes dining at Nemacolin’s Lautrec Restaurant, awarded both the Mobil Travel Guide Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond awards for 2009—one of only 20 restaurants in the world to hold both the Mobil Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond awards simultaneously.

Little skiers at Seven Springs Mountain Resort; villages at Seven Springs Mountain Resort (bottom).

DINING
Other popular dining destinations in the Laurel Highlands area, according to Julie Donovan of the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau, include: The Yukon Restaurant, featuring salads, soups and gourmet sandwiches for lunch, and steaks, seafood, chicken dishes and pasta options for dinner; The Café, which offers light salads, soups and other healthy options; and Ski Lodge Express, featuring breakfast sandwiches, burgers, wraps and pizza at Hidden Valley.

Away from the slopes, just five miles west of Hidden Valley, Out of the Fire Café (3784 State Rt. 31, Donegal, Pa.), with affordable gourmet fare, also comes highly recommended.

Meanwhile, The Tavern at Nemacolin is known for offering great pub-style casual fare and drinks, plus pool playing; and the resort’s Autumn Restaurant, according to Donovan, is “the place for a hot breakfast and a Starbucks fix.”

At Seven Springs, places to be include: The Foggy Goggle, “legendary” for enjoying some post-slope beers while sitting on oversized leather chairs; First Tracks, with its quick and hearty fare; and Helen’s, popular with those looking for a little romance and fine intercontinental dining.

LODGING
As for where to stay in the area, besides the renowned Nemacolin, top picks include the Log Haven Bed and Breakfast in Rockwood, LogHaven.net, an authentic timber home tucked in the woods about eight miles from Seven Springs and Hidden Valley; Sylvania Mountain Lodge, in Somerset, a restored Craftsman-style lodge overlooking a beautiful mountain stream, minutes from Hidden Valley and Seven Springs; and Cottages at Fayette Springs, two charming original log cabin cottages with wood-burning fireplaces and full kitchens, just off Rte. 40, close to Nemacolin.

DEALS
Looking to sleep cheap? Bunk it up at The Hostel on Main, HostelOnMain.com, in Rockwood.

(December 2009)