Ski, Shop and Savor Yuletide Treats in Virginia

From snowy mountain slopes at Wintergreen Resort to the patchwork, pastoral valley below, holiday seasons in Nelson County, Virginia capture the wintry beauty and warm nostalgia of Christmases of yore. Midst holiday open houses, craft workshops, carriage rides, wine tastings, family fun and a traditional Christmas parade, an array of new sports options and facilities will debut at Wintergreen Resort in December. The area’s exciting mix of outing opportunities will appeal to the entire family.

Wintergreen Resort December Debuts
Always focusing on offering family vacation fun, Wintergreen Resort will open The Slide, its newest tubing park. Designed to provide a gentle downhill experience for both younger and young-at-heart tubers, The Slide offers four lanes of slope less steep and of shorter distance than The Plunge Tubing Park that opened last year. In contrast, tube rides at The Plunge (better known as the ‘Scream Machine’) can reach speed of up to 25 or 30 miles per hour.

Prepared to ensure optimal skiing conditions, Wintergreen has invested in a new automated snowmaking system that uses computer technology to continuously monitor and adjust the ratio of water to compressed air.

Special for advanced skiers, Wintergreen will open its newest ski trail, Cross Cut. Connecting Upper wild Turkey Slope to the midsection of Cliffhanger Slope, Cross Cut creates new combinations and choices for fans of the Highlands, Wintergreen’s highly regarded advanced terrain complex.

At mid-slope, Wintergreen also is opening The Lookout, a 4,000-sq. ft. guest services center. A casual restaurant, lift ticket/tubing ticket outlet, restrooms, locker space and wrap-around viewing deck are housed in a wood, stone and glass-walled lodge-like building, complete with sweeping mountain view.

Holiday Festivities
Beginning in late November and running through December, Nelson County slates a full schedule of holiday events. Post-Thanksgiving weekend celebrations Nov. 28 through 30 at Valley Green Gallery, Rockfish Valley Garden Center’s Christmas Shoppe, Wintergreen Winery and Wintergreen Resort kick off the Christmas holiday season. Design wreathes and garlands, try your hand at crafts and see how-to demonstrations, take the kids to a children’s carnival, join a gingerbread house workshop, select a Christmas tree, taste wines, shop for gifts, sip mulled wine and hot, spiced cider, munch on cookies and sweets, or feast on traditional dinners.

The season officially starts when Santa Claus comes to town at 3pm Dec. 1 in Lovingston’s annual Christmas parade, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. The following weekend, visit an open house at Afton Mountain Vineyards for the release of red wines, barrel tasting and bowls hot minestrone soup. Or drop in at Hill Top Berry Farm and Winery for wine tasting and tour plus tasty treats. Also check out the special holiday gift selection and case discounts.

Down the road Spruce Creek Galley opens its doors to holiday music, hot mulled cider and home baked cookies while you browse and shop.

On the mountain at Wintergreen, discover a Blue Ridge Mountain Christmas with fun family holiday activities and even Santa on the slopes. Courtyard caroling, winter stargazing, homemade cookies, hot chocolate, fireside Appalachian folktales and a family puppet show please the kid in everyone. Traditional Christmas and New Year’s feasts and parties round out the resort’s offerings.

Nelson County, a scenic and rural outdoor recreation destination in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, is located just 35 minutes southwest of Charlottesville. With attractions such as waterfalls, hiking trails, canoe runs, bicycle trails, wilderness areas, campgrounds, ski slopes, golf courses and nature programs, there is something for anyone who loves to be active outside. Picturesque bed and breakfasts, Wintergreen Resort, Walton’s Mountain Museum, wineries, national forests, the Appalachian Trail, historic and Civil War sites, apple orchards, and craft and antique shops make vacations rich with options.

To obtain Nelson County brochures, information and contact information for holiday outdoor activities, accommodations, wineries, restaurants, orchards, art galleries, antique and other shops, contact the Nelson County Department of Tourism (800) 282-8223, www.nelsoncounty.org or by email info@nelsoncounty.org.