Who says you have to huddle inside during the winter months? Venture out and enjoy bracing air, sunshine, and exercise with our favorite winter sports and activities along the Beerwerks Trail. Make sure you finish the adventure with a trip to a nearby brewery for some warm-up brews.
Skiing
The Beerwerks Trail runs through the Valley, but several ski resorts are an easy drive away. Stop at a brewery along the Trail to warm up after your day on the slopes!
- Everybody, regardless of ability, will find their thrills on Massanutten Resort’s extensive network of ski trails. There are eight lifts, a freestyle area, and 16 lanes of snow tubing. If you want to warm up away from the slopes, check out Massanutten’s indoor waterpark.
- The Omni Homestead Resort is a winter paradise in the Alleghenies with downhill ski runs catering to various abilities. The resort has won awards for being beginner- and family-friendly, and skiers over the age of four can take lessons. The resort offers night skiing and lanes for tubing.
- Wintergreen Ski Resort has 26 runs served by high-speed chairlifts with options for all ability levels to ski, snowboard, and snow tube. Visitors can sign up for group or individual lessons, and there’s a Terrain Park with a dedicated lift for developing your skills or rail, spines, and 40+ features.
- Bryce Mountain Resort offers skiing, snowboarding, and lessons in the winter. 8 slopes can be accessed by ski lifts as well as a dedicated area for beginners with carpet lifts. Beginners ages 8 and up can book lessons with the Horst Locher Snowsports School. Three 800-foot snow tubing lanes and an ice skating rink round out the fun.
Skating
Adjust your sparkles and lace up your skates for some triple-axel fun at one of these well-maintained outdoor ice rinks along the Beerwerks Trail.
- Generations Park in Bridgewater offers free skating to town residents! Non-residents can book rink tickets and skates online.
- There’s room for both future Olympians and beginners to practice twirls and leaps on a 5,000-square-foot rink at Massanutten Resort.
- If you want a break from the slopes, Bryce Resort has a skating rink in front of its restaurant.
Horseback Riding
Horseback riding can be lots of fun in the winter. Here’s where to get back in the saddle.
- Enjoy a guided trail ride around the base of Massanutten Mountain with Woodstone Meadows Stable and Petting Farm. All riders – even beginners – 10 and up can enjoy this experience year-round, weather permitting.
- Get back to nature in the saddle of a gentle horse at Star B Stables. Riders six and up can enjoy an hour-long adventure on a gentle horse.
- North Mountain Outfitter leads half and full-day rides through George Washington National Forest. You can also book all-inclusive getaway weekends, complete with lodging, rides, ranch-style meals, and entertainment.
Hiking
Winter trails are less crowded and sightlines are clearer when the leaves are off the trees. Plus, you’ll score an excellent workout and earn yourself a beer.
- The universally accessible Augusta Springs Wetlands is a nice destination to look for birds and take a stroll with kids or dogs on a chilly day. The mile-long main trail is a loop that uses boardwalks to traverse marshy areas. You can add additional distance by taking the .7-mile Upland Trail spur.
- For an easy, mostly flat hike with the family, visit Natural Bridge State Park for a view of the bridge and a two-mile scenic hike along the Cedar Creek Trail to Lace Falls. A short spur trail leads to Saltpeter Cave, which was used to store ammunition during the Civil War. Check out the Rockbridge Outdoors website for more hikes throughout Lexington, Buena Vista, and Rockbridge County.
- Harrisonburg and Rockingham County hikers should download the Harrisonburg Trail Guide for information on a slew of nearby hikes like Hone Quarry and Furnace Mountain.
- Several of our localities have in-town parks with strong trail systems. Plan to explore and stop off for food or beer afterward. Staunton’s Montgomery Hall Park and Harrisonburg’s Rocktown Trails trails at Hillandale Park have miles of looping hiking/mountain biking trails. The South River Greenway in Waynesboro and Lexington’s Chessie Trail are flat paths running along scenic waterways. Waynesboro’s Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail includes a dark journey under Afton Mountain.
- Don’t forget to take advantage of Shenandoah National Park in the colder months. Many views open up after the leaves fall, and water features sport cold-weather ice formations. The entire South River Falls Trail hike is a 10.6-mile loop, but you can cut it in half if you do an out-and-back to the 83’ falls, the third-largest in Shenandoah. Winter is also an ideal time to take the easy 2.5-mile Turk Mountain Hike. Expect some rocky areas near the summit and incredible views to the west.
- The 4-mile Trimble Mountain Hike has pretty winter-only views of Big Bald and Little Bald Mountains.
The winter is a wonderful time to have outdoor fun along the Beerwerks Trail! Plan your adventure today!
