Located in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, Massanutten has grown into a popular ski destination. In the late 19th century, the area was the site of a health resort, built on the reputation of the natural spring waters that flowed nearby. After that popularity waned, it was developed in the 1970s into a winter sports haven, centered on the dramatic Massanutten Peak, a 1,500-foot tall mountain at the southern end of the Massanutten Mountains near Harrisonburg in Rockingham County. Now the area draws outdoor lovers year-round, whether it’s for a round of golf in the spring, hiking in the summer and fall, or speeding down the famous ski trails in the winter.

To get to Massanutten, you can fly into Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport (SHD), located about half an hour to the southwest or Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport (CHO), less than an hour to the southeast. The closest big airports are Dulles International Airport (IAD), which sits about two hours to the northeast, and Richmond International Airport (RIC), about two hours to the southeast. If you’re coming to the region by train, there are stops in Staunton, about 45 minutes to the southwest, as well as Charlottesville, approximately an hour’s drive to the southeast. Regional buses also run to Charlottesville. If you’ll be moving around the region, the best bet is to get a car. Private transportation options are available.

The best times to head stay in one of Massanutten’s vacation rentals all depend on what you’re looking to do there. Snow sports are, of course, the major draw of the winter months. The area typically sees snowfall from November to April, with the most snow around late January and early February. But there are just as many outdoor activities here that are suitable for the snow-free months. July through October is a popular travel period, especially for golfing, mountain biking, and other outdoor activities. Every season brings its own kind of celebration, with Snow Moon Fest (complete with an Arctic plunge) in the winter, Summer Jam for Independence Day weekend, and Fall Festival in early October.

Year-Round Sports

The 6,000-acre mountain is host to the Shenandoah Valley’s best slopes, whether you’re looking to ski or snowboard. But it also is home to other winter favorites, such as snow tubing and ice skating. Even when there’s no powder in sight, the outdoor activities here are endless: fishing, golf, hiking, kayaking, river tubing, running, tennis, volleyball, and swimming. Plus there’s an 80,000-square-foot waterpark that’s always a temperate 84 degrees Fahrenheit.

Massanutten Ridge Trail

The trailhead for one of the best hiking trails in the area, the 4.5-mile out-and-back Ridge Trail, starts at the parking lot at the end of Del Webb Drive. Follow the blue blazes from the wooden steps, but be aware that the trail is considered a challenging one since the ridge can be rocky in places. But the payoff of panoramic mountain views is well worth the climb.

Shenandoah National Park

It’s just a 20-minute drive to the 200,000-acre park’s Swift Gap Run Entrance, one of the four entrances to the scenic Skyline Drive, a 105-mile route along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains, built in the 1930s to showcase the area’s sprawling beauty. Adventure seekers can also find hiking, climbing, birdwatching, and fishing in the park.