Massanutten Ski Resort, located in Central Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley just east of Harrisonburg, VA is a spectacular four seasons resort.  Best known for its winter sports, Massanutten certainly does not disappoint and is an ideal place to plan a Virginia mountain cabin getaway.

The ski vacation destination has hosted over three million skiers and snowboarders, and boasts over 1,110 feet of vertical drop.  This drop is the greatest elevation change for any ski vacation destination in Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.  There are 10 ski-able acres, with 14 trails stretching to nearly 4 .25 miles throughout this Blue Ridge Mountain Ski Resort.  There really is something for everyone. Difficulty levels range from beginner to black diamond.

Lessons are available for beginners and intermediates.  Choose from group or private instruction.  There is even adaptive instruction available to help physically challenged individuals overcome personal handicaps and enjoy winter sports.

Two terrain parks provide opportunities for those just learning and for those more advanced.  The CMB Terrain Park is the premier park in the region, and is open to snowboards, snowblades, and skis.  It even has its own dedicated lift.  The Easy Street Terrain Park uses smaller features, making it perfect for those just learning the sport.  Both terrain parks are groomed, shaped, and changed daily to keep your experience interesting.  Between the two, you’ll find tons of rails, boxes, and other challenging features to conquer.

If streaking down the hill at breakneck speeds with one or two skinny boards strapped to your feet isn’t your idea of fun, perhaps you’d enjoy snow tubing.  Massanutten’s snow tubing park, known as the Peaked Mountain Express, opened in 1998, and boasts a 900 foot hill that is certain to give you a rush as you speed down the slope with no worries about bumping into other participants.  The tubing lanes are designed in such a way as to keep each tube in its own space, much like the lanes of a bowling alley, but with berms along the sides instead of gutters.

The snow sports are slated to open early to mid-December, depending on the weather conditions.  You can check out their webcam overlooking the slopes right here.

Ice skating at Massanutten is brand new for 2011.  The 4,250 square foot outdoor facility, located at the LeClub Recreation Center, is able to accommodate up to 132 skaters at a time.  The rink is open from mid-December through mid-March.  Ice skating lessons are available, in either a group format or as private instruction.

There are plenty of other activities at Massanutten Resort.  On warmer days, check out the Woodstone Meadows Golf Course.  This 18-hole, 65-par course is open all winter.

The Indoor Water Park is a great way to reflect back on summer even while it is still bitter cold outside.  At a constant 84 degrees, you’ll want to break out the bathing suits.  There are so many rides and features, the whole family will be entertained for hours.  Try your hand at surfing on the Pipeline, the largest FlowRider in Virginia.  For the little ones, the Frog Pond is perfect, with a maximum depth of 12”.  There are swings, water spraying noodles, and a frog slide.  Maybe floating lazily down a river is your idea of relaxation at its best.  You can, in the Blue Ridge Rapids.  The central feature, known as the Massanutten Meltdown, contains water cannons, waterfalls, five slides, a giant tipping bucket, and more.

Water slides are always popular.  Thrill to the insane speeds, twists, and turns of the Avalanche and the Skyline Falls body slides.  Both are 250’ long with a 39’ vertical drop.  If you’d rather slide in a tube, check out the Country Cooler, the Peak Splash, and the Melting Mogul.

The Shenandoah Cove family friendly pool is great for hanging out, splashing around, and generally relaxing.  And no wintertime water activity would be complete without a hot tub.  The Shenandoah Hot Springs is an indoor/outdoor hot tub that will soak away the soreness in those muscles that came from a long day of skiing.

In addition to all the above, the staff at Massanutten plans literally hundreds of classes and activities, so you’re sure to find something of interest.  Popular options include horseback riding, volleyball, scuba lessons, horseshoe tournaments, exercise classes, and bingo.

With all this activity going on, Massanutten Resort is the perfect day trip or overnight stay for today’s active families.

Written by +Stan Horst for +RentItToday.

Stan is the owner and manager of Cabin Creekwood, a popular destination featuring pet friendly cabins and Shenandoah Valley cabin rentals.  Their comfortable, fully-furnished and well-equipped cabins in the Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains will make you feel right at home.  The staff is friendly and extremely knowledgeable about things to see and do in the area, including information on local ski resorts such as Massanutten.

Visit Cabin Creekwood’s Virginia Mountain Cabin Rentals on Rent It Today.