The Allegheny and Blue Ridge Mountains dominate Western Virginia with the immense Shenandoah Valley falling between the ranges. The central Piedmont region, characterised by its rolling hills, levels out into the extensive sandy coastal plain toward that vast expanse of water we know as the Atlantic Ocean.

Anyone contemplating skiing in Virginia would do well to visit Blue Ridge Mountains where the Wintergreen Resort offers what many regard as the best and most exciting winter sports facilities in the region. This stunning 11,000-acre ski area provides enchanting mountain views and offers a first rate winter ski destination or weekend retreat with top class skiing and snowboarding, first rate accommodation and many culinary delights.

Wintergreen Resort is both peaceful and refreshing, with a vast selection of winter activities and is accessible by car, air and rail. The resort is located in the heart of Virginia adjacent to the Blue Ridge Parkway, just 90 minutes from Richmond and approximately three hours from Washington, D.C. and North Carolina.

With 125 skiable acres, Wintergreen offers 25 slopes and five lifts (including two high-speed, six-passenger lifts) with one surface lift, not to mention the slopes which offer the most extensive beginner-to-expert terrain, with 14 slopes illuminated for night skiing. This is definitely the best ski resort you will find in Virginia and probably the single best ski resort in the south.

Not all ski resorts have a good selection of slopes to cater for all abilities. Wintergreen, however, is a great all-round destination with 20% of the terrain is suitable for beginners, 40% for intermediates and 40% for advanced skiers. Wintergreen's credentials for winter sports are impressive and there is even a dedicated terrain park for snowboarding. With a top elevation of 3516 feet and a 1003 foot vertical drop, Wintergreen Resort has enormous scope for beginners and experts alike.

You will find yourself surrounded by winding trails, cascading streams and lush forests. This versatile four-season vacation and conference location even has amenities such as 45 holes of championship golf on two courses. With winter skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing, the resort offers an award-winning tennis program, a mountain top spa, outdoor amusements such as hiking, fly fishing, horseback riding, swimming and mountain biking and an assortment of gourmet dining options.

There are many special packages and children's programs available and a host of special events and activities to keep everyone entertained throughout the year so this is a great resort for families. Besides enjoying boating, golf, tennis, swimming and horseback riding, families learn about birds, fossils, wild flowers and stream life on the frequent guided hikes through the resort's own nature preserve.

The Out of Bounds Adventure Center is a very popular attraction at the resort with rock climbing and bungee trampolines. The Outdoor Wilderness Leadership school offers corporate retreats, real rock climbing, rappelling and mountain biking.