Virginia is a beautiful state full of green forests and rolling hills. Most people think of the area as an escape from the hustle and bustle of the east coast, but there are also plenty of opportunities to go snowboarding if you know where to head in the winter months.
I’ve been snowboarding for most of my life and love to get out and travel as much as possible. I’ve been to a few resorts in Virginia and spoke with some other snowboarders familiar with the area to develop this list.
This post will spotlight all of the best places to snowboard in Virginia. I’ll provide you with a bit of information on each location, such as what the trails are like and what the destination is best known for.
Let’s get started.
Contents
1. Wintergreen
- Official Website: https://www.wintergreenresort.com/
- Opening Day: January 5 (Average)
- Closing Day: March 11 (Average)
- Best Known For: The largest resort in Virginia, easy to access
One of the best locations to snowboard in Virginia is Wintergreen Resort. This is a top destination for people living in the state or just visiting and gives you close access to the larger cities in the area like Richmond.
You can reach the slopes of Wintergreen in about a 90-minute drive from Richmond, so it makes for an easy day trip if you don’t want to stay overnight. Once you get to the mountain, you’ll have access to some of the best riding in Virginia.
This is the largest resort in the state, which doesn’t mean it’s huge. But you still get access to almost 30 different runs that line the rideable acreage. It is enough room to have a blast and spread out a bit to avoid the crowds.
There is also an excellent terrain park for any freestyle riders who want to bomb down a halfpipe or try new tricks on various features. You can spin laps in the park all day long, thanks to a special lift that runs up and down it.
Wintergreen gets a pretty decent amount of snow for Virginia, but that doesn’t mean you can expect powder all season long. Still, the resort does a good job of supplementing things with artificial snow if there is no real stuff in the forecast.
2. Bryce
- Official Website: https://bryceresort.com/
- Opening Day: December 16
- Closing Day: March 11
- Best Known For: Closer to Washington DC, family-friendly, good for beginners
Bryce is another solid snowboarding destination in Virginia. This one is closer to the Washington DC metropolitan area, so it’s a popular choice for people living there. Depending on the traffic, you can be on the slopes in a few hours’ drive from the city.
Bryce is also a very family-friendly resort, and it has a laid-back vibe and fun atmosphere that make it welcoming for snowboarders of all ages. You won’t experience a stuffy or unwelcoming vibe here, and that’s pretty easy to get used to.
The resort isn’t huge and only has eight runs. That means it can get pretty crowded, especially on the weekends or holidays. But as long as you are prepared for that, you can still enjoy your time and have a lot of fun.
The smaller nature of Bryce also makes it a good place for beginners, and it’s an ideal resort to learn how to snowboard if you have never tried it before. You can take a lesson with a good instructor and learn all of the basics.
If you want to stay the night, there is a town nearby called Woodstock with plenty of rentals and some lodges. The options aren’t immense, but you can still find a cozy place to bring the family if you look around.
3. Massanutten
- Official Website: https://www.massresort.com/
- Opening Day: December 15 (Average)
- Closing Day: March 20 (Average)
- Best Known For: Night riding, tubing, a large patio at the lodge
If you are looking for a fun and easy-going spot to snowboard in Virginia, Massanutten should definitely be on your list. This is another small resort in the state that offers decent snowboarding and many amenities to keep you satisfied in the winter.
The mountain has eight different lifts giving you access to all of the terrain when there is snow on the ground. There are only 13 runs, but you can still spread out and enjoy yourself with friends or family when you visit.
In addition to solid snowboarding, Massanutten also has a variety of other fun winter activities to explore. There is a large tubing hill that is always a blast, a large ice skating rink, and the lights come on at night to allow you to go night riding as well.
There are a few lodging options right at the base of the mountain, but you’ll want to be sure to book your rooms ahead of time to make sure they are available.
4. Omni Homestead Resort
- Official Website: https://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/homestead-virginia
- Opening Day: January 6 (Average)
- Closing Day: March 4 (Average)
- Best Known For: Excellent amenities, historical vibe
The Omni Homestead Resort is another decent spot to go snowboarding in Virginia. This is a very small resort, but the accommodations are awesome.
You have access to ride nine different runs here, and there are only two chairlifts. That means it gets a bit crowded, and you don’t have a ton of room to spread out.
But the hotel is beautiful and makes up for a small area to ride. It’s been around for over 100 years, and you can get a room right at the base of the mountain.
FAQs
Here are a few quick answers to some of the most commonly asked questions relating to the best places to snowboard in Virginia.
Is there good snowboarding in Virginia?
There are a few resorts in Virginia that offer good snowboarding. If you visit these during the height of winter, you’ll have access to decent conditions. Virginia doesn’t have as big of mountains as other areas in the country, but you can still have a lot of fun here.
What is the largest ski resort in Virginia?
Wintergreen is the largest ski resort in Virginia. While it’s not massive by western standards, it has plenty of terrains to explore and is decent for the east coast. There are 26 different runs of varying pitches to challenge your ability levels.
Does Virginia have snowy mountains?
Virginia does have snowy mountains. In the winter, some of these areas get enough snow to snowboard, which is why the state can maintain a few solid resorts. The mountains aren’t as high in elevation as the larger ranges out west, but they still get snow.
Final Thoughts
Virginia doesn’t have a ton of places to snowboard, but all of the resorts mentioned here are worth checking out if you live in the area or are visiting during the winter months. They are all decent, especially if you are a beginner or intermediate rider.
About Lorraine