Wintergreen Heading for Record Year

Wintergreen, VA Feb. 7–The 25th Anniversary is not the only thing Wintergreen Resort is celebrating this season. The Virginia ski area is heading towards a record year for both snowfall and skier visits.

Perched atop the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia, Wintergreen, has been blessed this season with cold temperatures, snow, and a season pass deal for $99 that’s selling like hotcakes. These factors have led Wintergreen to a snow base of 45-70 inches and the sale of over 4,000 passes.

“Our gut feeling at this time is that we’re having a pretty darn good year,” said David Zunker of Wintergreen Resort. “If the weather holds up, we think we will be heading for a record year for skier visits.”

On Jan. 23, Wintergreen sold 240 passes, setting a single-day sales record. The winter weather and subsequent school closings have generated more sales of the $99 pass.

Still, resort officials may have a hard time tracking record skier visits this year, as they are not tracking passholder visits. With so many passes sold, skiers just show up to the resort and strap on their skis. In past years, Wintergreen kept track of skier visits primarily by counting the number of tickets that were sold.

On average, Wintergreen receives about 40 inches of natural snow per year, most of which falls during the month of March. This year, however, they have already received 24-26 inches of natural snow.

“Halfway through the season we’re on track to easily reach our average for snowfall,” added Zunker. “But if history holds true and we get our usual March snowfall, we could have a record year.”

Another notable record: Wintergreen is home to Virginia’s only half-pipe. The 11,000-acre four-season resort also offers golf, tennis, and outdoors adventure property for fly fishing and hiking.

Wintergreen is about three hours southwest of Washington, DC, by car.