Why Massanutten Resort Virginia is the Perfect Escape From Reality: Your Destination Guide

It wasn’t until I recently started to visit the Shenandoah Valley that I realized just how beautiful it is. Breathtaking sunrises, fresh air, and escaping from my typical mix of suburban streets and city traffic is exactly what I need to recenter myself – especially with life’s responsibilities looming over my head every. single. day.

When I was invited to visit Massanutten Resort, Virginia’s premier all-season mountain resort, I almost jumped out of my office window. And I probably cried a couple tears of excitement (this is a no judgement zone, right?). Nestled in the foothills of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains is 6,000 (yes – THOUSAND) acres of mountain attractions and amenities – including twelve on-site restaurants, snow tubing, an indoor water park, skiing and snowboarding, a full-service spa, golfing, zip-lining, go-karts, ice skating, escape rooms, and the list goes on. I had an AMAZING time there, and you will too.

Here’s your guide to Massanutten Resort Virginia through my mountain escape experience – where to stay, things to do, and everything in between for peak relaxation and fun. See what I did there?

Where We Stayed: Regal Vistas

There are nine different communities to choose from at the resort for every budget and lifestyle preference, but we spent the weekend enjoying a two-bedroom condo in Regal Vistas on the left half of the home pictured above. You can also rent out the entire home, if you have more people with you!

Having a master bedroom with a full bathroom and jetted tub, a second bedroom with a bathroom in the hallway, a full kitchen stocked with dishes and cookware, a spacious living room, a washer/dryer, and even a garage for my little Jetta, we felt right at home the entire weekend. So much, that we loved coming back and cooking our meals after we did our activities – from fajitas to chicken linguine! That’s why if anything, I recommend booking a unit in the resort where you can live like you’re at home.

What We Did: Live at the Lodge @ Encounters Lounge

Even though we didn’t arrive to the resort until 7:30PM, we still wanted to check out the 21+ lounge on-site. Encounters is on the second floor of the ski lodge, and boasts a fully-stocked bar, food, table service, cocktails, multiple televisions, and live entertainment! Every Friday and Saturday is the “Live at the Lodge” party complete with a band. The night we arrived hosted Red Dirt Revolution, a country music band. Even though country isn’t my usual vibe, I knew all the songs because of my mom’s obsession with country music. As my date looked at me with a bewildered face, I pulled him onto the dance floor and we danced the night away!

Although we didn’t get food, we did get cocktails – which were spectacular and reasonably priced. Overall, I loved the vibe of the place – quaint, but everyone was there to smile, dance, and have a good time.

What We Did: Massanutten Indoor WaterPark

Questions that need answers: HOW do they make it feel like summer indoors!? Apparently they keep the park heated to 84 degrees every day! Visiting the Massanutten Indoor WaterPark was one of my favorite parts of the trip because it was a slice of summer in the middle of the winter. There were SO many things inside of there – the Massanutten Meltdown which is the playground area full of water cannons, sprayers, and tipping buckets, huge slides (shout out to to the burgundy slide that’s pitch black inside!), a winding lazy river, hot tubs, a pool, and the FlowRider indoor surfing machine where 50,000 gallons of water allow you to body-board on an ocean-like wave (that was the STRUGGLE! Glad there’s no video evidence…). The WaterPark also has an arcade upstairs with car racing games, skeeball, a bowling simulation, PacMan, Tomb Raider, and more.

Since we came during the winter, the Outdoor WaterPark was closed. If you come between Memorial Day Weekend and Labor Day, it’ll be open – and apparently they’re adding four new attractions this summer!

Hot tip: Bring your own towels, because they don’t provide them at the park! Also, I recommend renting a locker.

What We Did: Northern Lights Evening Tubing

So rule number one of going snow tubing, which I admittedly learned the hard way. Don’t wear rubber boots – you will be sliding everywhere on the way up the hill and bust your booty. Luckily, after my first tumble, the attendant and my date took turns letting me hold them for stability (while I hung my head in mild embarrassment LOL) and made sure I got settled on the tube! I’d never been tubing before, besides in my neighborhood on a pool floatie when I was a kid. This was way more official – and a blast! They also have daytime snow tubing available. The sessions are two hours long, but one hour was more than enough for us.

Pro tip: Don’t forget to bring your gloves, and wear thick socks!

What We Did: Private Ski Lesson

The Shenandoah Valley has views for DAYS, and I was awestruck to see the rolling hills, white-dusted trees, and the sun reflecting on blankets of snow. They offer both skiing and snowboarding, and both group and private lessons for all ages (as young as 4 years old – so cute!). Skiers and riders who visit Massanutten Ski Slopes can look forward to 70 skiable acres, including 14 runs serviced by 7 ski lifts.

When we arrived, Gary and Cheryl greeted us warmly and made sure we got our boots, skis, and pole rentals smoothly. I LOVED how hospitable everyone was – not just here, but the entire trip.

It was my very first time skiing, so I was thankful to have private instruction from someone who had been teaching for 45 years. Basil was super patient, kind, and helped me graduate from the learning area to the little bunny slope! It was a little hard at first – but the rush of the wind in your face and gliding around is so undeniable.

Here are the rates for the equipment rentals, slope time, and lessons.

The Verdict

Massanutten Resort was an AMAZING weekend getaway – and I’ll certainly be back for a longer stay with them. All the activities, the beautiful home we stayed in, and the hospitable staff made it a trip for the books. Check out Massanutten Resort’s website for all the details on rates, additional activities, and where to eat if you decide to dine on the property! Don’t forget to subscribe to the Marissa Daily for more weekend getaways, travel tips, and lifestyle content!

Disclaimer: This post was created in partnership with Massanutten Resort. As always, all opinions & thoughts expressed above are 100% my own – I wouldn’t have it any other way!