We had a wonderful weekend at Wintergreen Resort. We were celebrating one of the ladies retirement. We selected October in order to enjoy the fall foliage. There were 4 of us. We rented a 4-bedroom-3 1/2 bathroom home directly from Wintergreen. Originally we were looking at booking through an outside agency. I'm so glad we reconsidered booking with Wintergreen which gave us so much more than if we had gone with the other property service. The house was beautiful, very nicely decorated and comfortable. We had plenty of room to spread out.

I can't say enough about the spa. The therapist were professional and very good. The quite room warm and inviting with magnificent views. We sent most of our day at the spa. We booked the VIP package which offered us 10% off of our spa services.

The restaurants were good. They all offer different cuisines. Check with the restaurants directly for accurate menus the website menus were outdated. We dined at the Devils Grill for dinner - very good food and service. The Black Rock deli offered a variety of good sandwiches. We dined at Stoney Creek for dinner our 2nd night the food a good. The buffet breakfast at Cooper Mine was very good. We received 10% off of breakfast another benefit from the VIP package.

The shuttle service - was GREAT! Very convenient. They picked us up within 5-10 minutes of calling took us anywhere on the property we needed to go. We did not have to drive anywhere until it was time to check out. Wintergreen makes it really convenient for you.

If you book through a priviate owner/directly you will not receive this benefit and in some cases you have to pay to use the facilities. Booking through a priviate owner is considerably less money. If you're not going to use any of the facilities other than stay at the condo or house booking through a private owner would probably be your best option but if you plan to do things around the resort and don't want to drive everywhere than booking through Wintergreen is you best option. So whatever you decide to do you will enjoy Wintergreen Resort.

If you go to Wintergreen, book your place through a private owner. You will pay about twice the price for the same place if you book through the resort. Yes, you will have some daily fees to pay, but the money you save from a private owner, more than makes up for them. The resort has some places to improve, but overall it is a great place to unwind and relax. Great during the summer and fall. We rented this place: [--]
It was very nice. Owners were great to work with

Wintergreen is booked mostly as a ski resort for those who have never skiied before but having spent many years there, I reccomend the fall and summer.
Fall: Central VA in Ocotober is amazing, lots to do. Plan on driving the Skyline drive to see the leaves change, golf, tennis, hiking, rock climbing, wine tasting, horse back riding. Wintergreen also hosts a indoor pool and tennis courts. Try the family hayride- same guy has been doing it for 25 years and I recomend sending kids to any of the resort hosted events for kids.
Summer: Send the kids to the tree house camps where kids go anywhere from 1/2 day to the whole summer. They swim, hike, tube, learn about nature, golf, do arts and crafts, play tennis, horse back ride and go camping. Then take the adults for a wine tour, lay by one of the several pools or play tennis and golf.

Tips:
Don't stay in the lodge, get a house or condo- one bedrooms are available but so are houses that sleep upwards of 10 or 12.
Make a point to leave the mountain and visit the valley lake or stables.
Stop at a market on the way instead of shoping for food in the resort where the options are limited and overpriced.
This isn't a big party resort in the bars, although some live bands do play. Plan on bringing a group of friends and staying in at night.
There are tons of easy hikes, more like gentle scenic walks.

We have rented at Wintergreen several times and I have never written a review so I will cover seasons. There is a wonderful 10 degree lower temperature at the top of the mountain from the valley, so it is great in the summer and good for skiing in the winter.

Regarding the resort - there is a small hotel with conference facilities that were built in the 70s and 80s. They aren't the greatest, but are OK. Most people stay in condos, townhouses or houses that are owned and rented through the resort - although some rent direct. There is a big difference in price. Renting through the resort, depending on the package, gives you access to the pools, fitness center, etc. It is important to check your package or the use fees are high. The resort rental program is upgrading the properties, but this is not a cookie-cutter operation like a Marriott - you are renting people's homes. Some are really outstanding, some could use some love - I understand that the "best"properties are rented first and on busy weekends, the "lesser" properties are - in that order. And they are scattered throughout the resort - most are on top of the mountain where there is skiing, one golf course, plus pools and hiking trails.
The restaurants: The Copper Mine is their premier room with great steakhouse-like dining. The buffet lunch and breakfasts are adequate. The Devil's Knob Grill is smaller, but has wonderful food at the golf course (and is our favorite) for lunch and dinner. The Edge is the casual lunch-dinner-bar for burgers, sandwiches and music on weekends. There is also a cafeteria for skiers. In the valley, 20 minutes away, is the very nice Stoney Creek golf course and restaurant. Good for lunch and dinner. There is a pretty good little deli with pizza, wine and necessities at top with not outrageous prices. Dinners at the CM & DK are expensive, but 1st class.
Golf: Devils Knob has amazing views and tight fairways on top of the mountain. You must play if you love golf - it's the highest point in VA. Stoney Creek has 3 9s that are championship quality with lots of creeks...Practice tee with golf balls with round.
Hiking - Many, many trails (and mountain biking).
Pools - 2 at the top and one at Stoney Creek. Plus indoor pool with hot tubs and Fitness Center (not small, but not huge)
Lake - at Stoney Creek for a lazy afternoon with rafts and canoes.
Spa - great massages - book in advance!
Tennis - what a great place - indoor and outdoor!
Skiing - Great snowmaking and 3 areas for different abilities. Enough for the advanced as well as beginners & average. The lines on weekends can be long, but do move.

During storms and fog, it can be challenging to drive up and down the mountain. We love going there and take full advantage of the resort's amenities - it is a laid back "natural" place that is not for the cheap. It is not the Greenbrier nor a campground.
In beautiful weather there are few places that match Wintergreen, especially with a book and a glass of wine overlooking the mountains with the setting sun.