Just Chill

            It's the middle of winter and the family has cabin fever.

            You're aching to get out on the boat and pull the water skis, wakeboards and tubes out of storage. Unfortunately, summer fun is still a few months away. But you can still get in some skiing, boarding and tubing this winter if you're willing to take advantage of what the cold weather has to offer. Pick a resort, gather up the kids and hit the road for a long weekend of winter fitness and fun.

Wintergreen Resort

            Located less than two hours from Smith Mountain Lake, Wintergreen offers a wide variety of activities. The mountain features 26 slopes and trails, more than half of which are equipped for night skiing. Experienced snowboarders will love the terrain parks, which are constantly reshaped for a different ride every trip.

            Can't ski or board? No problem. Wintergreen offers private and group lessons for all abilities. The Guaranteed Learn to Ski and Ride Program allows you to re-take a lesson at no additional cost if you can't turn, stop or ride the lift after your first lesson. It also provides a discount card for future lessons. The Wintergreen Adaptive Skiing Program teaches adults and children with disabilities how to maneuver the slopes.

            If skiing is not your thing, there are plenty of other options at the resort. The Plunge tubing hill shoots riders down a 100-foot vertical drop at up to 30 mph. You can also relax at the spa or exercise at the aquatics and fitness facility.

            There are plenty of programs for children at the Treehouse, where kids participate in activities supervised by counselors, and at Ridgely's Fun Park, where little ones can frolic in the snow. Baby-sitting services also are available.

            The whole family will have a blast at Out of Bounds Adventure Center, a facility featuring bungee trampolines, a 25-foot climbing wall and a miniature golf course.

            The resort also features lodging, dining and entertainment. For more information, call 434.325.2200 or visit wintergreenresort.com.

The Homestead

            Located in Hot Springs, about two hours north of SML on U.S. 220, The Homestead is a family friendly resort with 45 acres of wide slopes and skiable terrain great for beginners and experienced skiers alike. Private and group skiing, snowboarding and ice-skating lessons are offered.

            When you're ready to leave the slopes, there are plenty of other activities to keep you busy. The resort offers lessons, guided tours and equipment rental for cross country skiing and snowshoeing. Show off your moves on the outdoor, Olympic-sized ice-skating rink or zoom down the two-lane tubing track.

            One of the most popular winter activities at The Homestead is snowmobiling. Guided tours take you along some of the resort's 40-plus miles of scenic trails. To drive a snowmobile you must be at least 16 years old and have a valid driver's license. Passengers must be at least 6 years old.

            There's always something for kids to do at The Homestead Kids Club. Kids ages 3 to 12 can stop by the clubhouse for games, arts, crafts, ice-skating, cocoa and more. Baby-sitting services are also available.

            The resort also has a spa, lodging, dining and more. Call 866.354.4653 or visit thehomestead.com for more information.

Winterplace Ski Resort

            Located in Ghent, W.Va., about two and a half hours northwest of SML, Winterplace features more than 90 acres of skiable terrain. Twenty-eight trails and a terrain park should keep you occupied for a full day and night of fun on the slopes. Private and group lessons are offered with the option to take the class again free if you don't learn how to ski or snowboard. The SkiWee program gives instruction to kids, and day care services are available.

            When you're ready to take the skis off, be sure to check out the tubing hill, which features two Super Carpet lifts that carry you and your tube to the top of the hill before you glide back down.

            The Adaptive Program offers several types of instruction for people with disabilities, including visual, physical or hearing impairments.

            The resort has a food court, several restaurants and the Snowdrift Lounge, which features live entertainment, movies, drinks and more. Lodging is available near the resort.

            To learn more about Winterplace, call 800.607.SNOW or log onto winterplace.com.

Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre

            Catering to snow sports enthusiasts of all levels is the new Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre in Lynchburg, only about an hour from SML.

            Owned and operated by Liberty University, the facility is open year-round to the general public for skiing, snowboarding and tubing. Snowflex is a synthetic material designed to simulate the texture of real snow. The slopes - beginner, intermediate and advanced - have multiple layers to cushion skiers and snowboarders if they fall.

            The complex also features an 8,000-square-foot lodge, which includes a full-service gear rental shop, a Starbucks and a snack café. The expansive exterior decking provides a spot to catch not only the action on the slopes, but also a spectacular view of Lynchburg and the surrounding mountains.

            Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre is open seven days a week and offers peak ($7 per hour) and non-peak ($5 per hour) pricing. Staff members are also available to provide lessons. For all the details, log on to liberty.edu/snowflex or call 866.504.7541.