Travel in Virginia – Ski, Golf, Swim, Hike or Just Relax
By Elaine Allen
We’d decided on our Thanksgiving get-away many months ago. As the time got closer, we checked weather reports and saw “flurries” on Wednesday. No problem – it would be pretty but not impact the roads. Silly us! We woke this morning with four inches of “flurries” and more pouring down – those huge fluffy flakes we rarely see in the Atlanta area. It’s truly beautiful, and we braved the roads which are constantly being plowed. Not bad at all. It’s a mountain, and a ski resort, so they are prepared.
Located fewer than three hours from Washington, D.C., there’s a four-season resort offering everything from day trip adventures to full vacation packages, regardless of the time of year. If winter makes you think of skiing, just head west on I-66, then south on I-81 and follow the signs to the Massanutten Resort.
For more than 40 years, Massanutten has operated as a ski resort, but through the years, they have continued to add adventures to please the entire
family. In addition to 14 slopes and seven lifts, you’ll find a Family Adventure Park with a Mega Zip Line for adults and kids over seven years old, a Kids’ Adventure Course, snow tubing (voted “Best Snow Tubing” by Washingtonian Magazine in January, 2014), and even an ice skating rink.
There is also a miniature golf course, a go-cart track, two Rec Centers offering indoor and outdoor (weather permitting) swimming, hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms, tanning, racquetball, basketball, volleyball, game rooms and various classes for resort guests. Other possibilities include horseback riding, fishing, a petting farm, mountain biking, tennis, even a Kids’ Club where your children enjoy supervised activities with their friends while the adults experience adventures of their own. Lessons and clinics are available for most sports.
Depending on the season, the Nature Center offers numerous shows and workshops as well as more than thirty miles of hiking trails. And if golf is your
game, you can choose from two gorgeous courses offering breathtaking views as well as some of the best mountain golf you’ll ever experience. There’s also a golf learning center, a golf simulator, a driving range and a junior golf program to introduce beginners to the sport. (Not much golfing going on today, though… But it’ll be in the 60s by Sunday…)
But the Massanutten Indoor/Outdoor Waterpark is probably where your kids will want to go. It’s all here – waves to surf, tube slides, body slides, playgrounds and pools for all ages – and even an arcade. It’s a great place to escape bad weather any time of the year or just work off all that excess energy.
If relaxing is your favorite sport, be sure to visit The Spa at Massanutten. Special packages are available with a variety of body treatments, massages, natural nail care, professional makeup and skin care. Reservations are required for many services.
Massanutten offers a variety of lodging options – everything from hotel rooms to condos sleeping up to twelve guests. Restaurants range from snack bars to buffets to menu service. Summer activities include kayaking, canoeing, and tubing, a rock climbing wall and other kid-friendly amusements.
So if escape from the everyday grind is something you’re dreaming of, make a phone call and reserve your spot. The air is crisp and clean, the mountains are spectacular, and there’s plenty of adventure to satisfy any dreamer’s desires. And you might get snow!
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