We recently enjoyed a two-night, three-day winter getaway to Massanutten Resort as a family of four—it was the perfect mix of adventure, relaxation, and quality time together. Located in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, Massanutten is a year-round destination with a long history dating back to the early 1970s. What began as a ski resort has grown into a full-scale resort offering four-season activities, making it a favorite for families looking for variety and value.
One thing became clear very quickly: there is so much to do at Massanutten, and not nearly enough time to do it all in just one visit. The resort offers a great balance of free daily activities and paid experiences, along with parks, hiking trails, pools, a waterpark, ski slopes, tubing, ice skating, arcades, and more.
Here’s how we spent our winter trip.
Day 1: Arrival, Exploring, and Winter Fun
We left Fredericksburg, VA, around 9 a.m., and the drive to Massanutten took about two hours, making it an easy getaway without a long travel day.
We checked into Regal Vistas and immediately loved the gated community and spacious accommodations. Our unit truly felt like a home away from home, with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a full kitchen, a comfortable living area, and even a washer and dryer. We especially loved the views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. We were also conveniently located near the community pool (closed for the season) and the fitness center, which I used one morning during our stay.
After unpacking, we headed out for our first activity at Massanutten’s petting farm. While they offer pony rides and trail rides, we opted to simply visit the animals. It was a beautiful area, and the kids loved meeting the rabbits, cows, and alpacas.
We then left the resort briefly for lunch at the only Buc-ee’s in Virginia, followed by a stop at Green Valley Book Fair. Before returning to Massanutten, we couldn’t resist an ice cream cone from the famous Kline’s Dairy.
That evening, we headed to our ice skating session, which uses real ice. Skates are provided, and sessions last one hour. There weren’t skate buddies available for beginners, but the rink was still very family-friendly. A cozy fire just outside the rink made it easy to warm up afterward.
Next was one of the highlights of the trip: Northern Lights Tubing adventure. Tubing under colorful lights and music made it extra fun. The tubing hill features 16 lanes, stretches 900 feet long, and has a 120-foot vertical drop. Two conveyor lifts helped get everyone back to the top quickly, though each run starts once all lanes are cleared. Our tubing session flew by.
Dinner was planned at Base Camp, but since it was a Thursday and the restaurant closes earlier midweek, we headed to Elevations Lounge, which offers the same menu. It was a relaxed way to end a very full first day.
Day 2: Skiing, Waterpark Fun, and Arcade Games
Day two was our big ski day. We grabbed a quick breakfast at Virginia BBQ, which had just enough options to fuel us for the slopes. Our daughter also picked up a chocolate chip muffin from Lift Coffee Bar that she had spotted the day before.
To save time, we completed all waivers and ski information the night before. Equipment pickup was smooth and well-organized — helmets first, then boots, skis, and poles.
Our ski passes were time-based. We could warm up in the lesson area using the beginner lift, but once we scanned our tickets and rode a main lift for the first time, our hours officially started. This was only our kids’ second time skiing, but they chose to skip lessons and did well sticking mostly to the green runs.
Lunch plans at Mid-Mountain Grill (located at the top of Ski Lift 4 and only accessible by the slopes) fell through since it was closed. Instead, we opted for grab-and-go sandwiches and drinks, then headed back out for more skiing.
One thing that stood out was Massanutten’s impressive snowmaking capabilities, which help ensure solid conditions throughout the season, even when natural snowfall is limited.
After several hours on the slopes, we wrapped up skiing for the day and stopped by the LOVE sign before driving up for sweeping views of the ski area.
Later that afternoon, we spent time at Diamond Jim’s Arcade, located in the same building as the WaterPark. We played a mix of games, collected tickets, and redeemed them mostly for candy. My husband especially enjoyed some of the retro arcade games.
From there, it was off to the Massanutten Indoor WaterPark. The kids loved the slides, lazy river, and main hot tub. My husband gravitated toward the quieter, hidden 18+ hot tub, which was the perfect place to relax.
Dinner that night was at Campfire Grill, which is a must-visit. The food was great, and the desserts were even better — we shared three desserts and didn’t regret it. After such a full day, we were completely exhausted.
Day 3: Rainy Weather and Scenic Stops on the Way Home
We were glad we packed so much into our first two days, because day three brought heavy rain. Outdoor activities weren’t an option, so we slowed things down. I squeezed in a quick workout at the gym, we played a new board game we had received for Christmas, and then stopped by The General Store to grab snacks and breakfast items for the drive home.
Since the weather was gloomy, we turned our drive back to Fredericksburg into a mini road trip, stopping at:
- Shenandoah Caverns – stunning caves and interesting history
- Route 11 Potato Chip Factory – fun tasting of unique flavors
- Historic Meem’s Bottom Covered Bridge – a charming and photogenic stop
🏔️ Planning Your Massanutten Getaway
Want to plan your own trip? Here’s a little help to make it even sweeter:
- Use code 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗬𝗙𝗔𝗠𝗔𝗗𝗩𝗩𝗔𝟮𝟲 for 10% off hotels and 15% off condos from January 4 – March 15, 2026.
- Use code 𝗪𝗣𝗙𝗔𝗠𝗔𝗗𝗩𝗩𝗔𝟮𝟲 for $45 WaterPark General Admission + $5 Arcade Card on Sundays from January 4 – March 22, 2026.
(Not valid 1/18/26 & 2/15/26. Cannot be combined with any other offers.)
💡 Tip: Book early for midwinter fun and make the most of both slopes and WaterPark activities!
Family-Friendly Winter Deals: KidWeek Specials
Traveling with kids? Massanutten’s KidWeek Specials, starting January 12, 2026, make winter midweek stays even better for families.
- Mid-Week Free Night: Book a winter midweek condo stay and enjoy three nights for the price of two (Sunday–Thursday stays; availability varies).
- Kids Tube Free: Buy one adult ticket to Northern Lights Snow Tubing and one child tubes free. Available Monday–Thursday with advance online purchase. Use promo code KIDZRULE.
- Kids Eat Free: Warm up at Campfire Grill with a complimentary kids’ entrée for each adult entrée, available Wednesday–Friday.
These specials make it easy to enjoy more family fun at Massanutten — without stretching your budget.
Final Thoughts: Why We Loved Our Massanutten Winter Getaway
One of our favorite parts of this trip was meeting people from all over the world. Massanutten employs staff internationally, and we met several Brazilians during our stay. My husband’s Portuguese is a bit rusty, but he enjoyed chatting — and even received a compliment when someone asked where he was from in Brazil.
From skiing and tubing to ice skating, the waterpark, great dining, and comfortable accommodations, Massanutten Resort truly delivers a winter wonderland experience in Virginia. Whether you’re planning a quick weekend trip or a longer family vacation, there’s something here for every age and interest.
Don’t miss the chance to experience Massanutten for yourself — we’re already looking forward to our next visit.
