February News from www.ExperienceNelsonCounty and Kim Chappell            Home Page

My Wintergreen Blog:

The monthly Experience Nelson County newsletter has been so popular, that I have added a Wintergreen Blog.  (go to:  www.myspace.com/ExperienceWintergreen)  You don’t have to be a “member” of anything to view the blog.  I will be updating the site several times a week.  This includes skiing, promos, coupons, some weather news and the calendar of events.  There is already a calendar posted that includes some great wine and ski events.  We are also looking for some “guest reporters” on the blog for ski conditions, activities, photos.  If you love Wintergreen Resort, this is your opportunity to let everyone know. 

Story Ideas: 

Several of you have already stopped by the office or sent me an email with story ideas.  Keep sending those ideas!  I want both the newsletter and the blog to provide useful information about Nelson County and Wintergreen Resort.  I have had a lot of recent requests for information about restaurants and groceries.  That is covered in this month’s newsletter.  Don’t forget about the free classified section in the monthly newsletter.  It’s a great place to advertise private rentals, gear for sale, etc.

 

 

  

February Wintergreen Skiing

We had some very cold weather in January.  One Saturday, the slopes opened with a high of 4 degrees.  The resort made tons of snow in January and skiing is great in February.  I have received several emails about the ski and weather conditions in early February.  Yes, we have had some warm days for “Spring Skiing” in the first few days of February. I was just out skiing and conditions are good.  The best news is that cold night temperatures return later this week and snow-making will continue.

 

How is “Ski Season 2008”?  We have been very, very busy in the resort every weekend since mid-January and even busy during the week.  It has been great to see everyone in the resort.  If you are planning a day trip to the resort on Saturday or Sunday, I suggest that you arrive and park early.  Then, go have breakfast at the buffet in the Copper Mine or grab a breakfast biscuit in the Colony Coffee Shop in The Mountain Inn.  If you are renting gear, either arrive early or reserve your gear at The Ski Barn at the bottom of the mountain. 

 

If the parking areas near The Mountain Inn are full, head up to the spa area (corner of Wintergreen and Blue Ridge Drives) and park.  There are shuttles running to take you to the slopes.

 

Check out the calendar at www.myspace.com/ExperienceWintergreen for the current February ski calendar.  There are some great activities scheduled in February. 

 

Food in Nelson County

The good news is that Wintergreen Resort and Nelson County has had a great 2008 ski season.  The bad news is that there has been a wait at many restaurants for lunch and dinner.  Here are some tips from the locals:

 

  1. Make Reservations:  Did you know that you can make reservations a few weeks in advance?  So, if you know you are coming to the resort, go ahead and book some dinner reservations.

The Copper Mine:  Wintergreen’s steak house.  434-325-8090

Devil’s Grill:  Open on Friday and Saturday Nights:  434-325-8100

Stoney Creek:  See Description Below:  434-325-8110

 

Yes!  Stoney Creek (located in Nellysford and Stoney Creek at Wintergreen) IS OPEN on Friday and Saturday nights.  There is a special menu available and a great salad bar.  Call them for more info.

 

The Edge:  This restaurant is always great for a burger, salad, nachos and full-entrees.  But, they don’t take reservations

  1. Don’t forget that Pryors Porch is open, with an updated selection of food.  The porch opens each day at 10AM and is open for dinner.  Items include salads, soups, pizza, hot dogs, hamburgers and a “blue plate” including turkey and dressing.  You can also order a pizza to-go.  If The Edge is busy, you can quickly pick up a resort burger and fries at Pryors Porch.
  2. The Lookout:  This restaurant is at the top of The Plunge Tubing Park.  Don’t forget that it is open during ski season from 11AM-9PM for sandwiches, etc.
  3. Black Rock Market:  Don’t forget that they have sandwiches and pizza to go.  (also a nice wine and beer selection)
  4. NEW:  The Dogwood Restaurant has opened in Nellysford!  We have been dining in the original Dogwood in Amherst County for years and are excited that the Dogwood II has opened in Nellysford.  Currently, the restaurant is only open for lunch but will add dinner and breakfast soon.  This is a home-cooking restaurant that will be popular and fits a needed niche in the community.  (Open for dinner starting February 24th)
  5. BBQ To Go:  The Blue Ridge Pig in Nellysford has been written up in The Washington Post and many magazines as some of the best BBQ in Virginia.  Stop by and pick up some and dine at home.  Call ahead and place an order:  434-361-1170
  6. Basic Necessities in Nellysford:  Open for lunch and dinner, but I suggest making reservations for dinner.  They also have a great international wine and cheese selection.  Reservations:  434-361-1766.
  7. Ambrosia in Nellysford:  Is OPEN with the new owners.  Great sandwiches, salads and desserts to go for lunch.  Order a whole cheesecake or pie for the weekend.  Place an Order:  434-361-9661
  8. Great Local Pizza:  If you are interested in a great local pizza, call Chirios Pizza in Nellysford at 434-361-9188.  They even have a limited delivery area.  Our favorite is the vegetarian pizza.  If you have a vegetarian in your family, this makes a great treat.
  9. Worth The Drive:  The locals take a short drive to enhance the dining selection.
    1. The new, hot restaurant is the Blue Mountain Brewery in Afton.  It’s a lot more than just a micro-brewery with a wood-fired pizza oven, sandwiches and salads.  The beer selection is great and the atmosphere fun.  Call 540-456-8400 for details.
    2. Lovingston, VA:  Check out The Lovingston Café (434-263-8000) for interesting entrees and some great burgers and our favorite, Vitos Italian Restaurant. (434-263-8688)  They have great pizza and pasta that are value-priced.
    3. Thai Food in Piney River:  If you love Thai food, then this is the best we have ever eaten.  Thai Siam Take-Out is a little hard to find.  Email Kim Chappell for details on finding this great spot for Thai food.
    4. Waynesboro:  Locals go to Waysnesboro to dine in chain restaurants.  Everything is there from fast food to unique restaurants such as South River Grill.
Groceries:    Where do the locals go for groceries?  Many of you may have stopped by the IBA in Nellysford in past years and were disappointed.  They are under new management and the shelves are now stocked.  I will say that this is a store to just pick up the basics.   Most locals to Wintergreen go to Waynesboro for their shopping.  Waynesboro now has some “metro shopping”, even with a new Target.  The grocery store of choice is Martins.  (almost like Ukrops out of Richmond)  Let us know if you need directions to Waynesboro

The Seasons at Wintergreen Resort

The Seasons is now in full construction.  The Seasons is Wintergreen’s new community of luxury townhouses.  We will have the model open on Saturday, February 16th from 1PM-4PM.  Stop by for some Nelson County wine and beer and Enter To Win a Wintergreen Vacation.  (If you already live in Wintergreen, your can use this vacation as a gift)

Resort Real Estate: 

Wintergreen Resort Premier Properties is happy to report that the office met its sales quota for 2007.  What does this mean to you?  It means that the office showed a profit and provided funds back to the resort.  We give 50% of our profit back to the resort to build features and benefits for the guests.

I am very pleased to have received the 2007 Marketing and Business Development Award from Wintergreen Resort and from Roy Wheeler Realty.   You will see many more new marketing ideas from Experience Nelson County in upcoming months.
How is the market?  I had my best month in January 2008.  Lenders are reporting to the resort agents that they can lock-in on rates from 5 3/8’s to 5.75%.  About 10% of the mountain properties are listed for sale.  So, on Wintergreen mountain, this is slightly a “buyers market”. (An even market is 8% of inventory listed for sale)  Sales in Stoney Creek are predicted to pick-up in Spring, which is a traditional trend.   We have a lot of buyers looking in the resort.  Out showing property yesterday, I bumped into agents showing the same properties—always a good sign.  Another great sign of the market is that agents are reporting that they are receiving multiple offers on properties.  We have not seen that since 2005.   Prices are down from 2005/2006, so this could be a great time to buy in Wintergreen Resort.  Interesting inventory and great interest rates.

Browse the complete resort inventory at:  www.ExperienceNelsonCounty.com.  The listings are updated every morning on this web site and the site includes all property listings, from all agents.

 

Building Lots:  We have a great selection of building lots.  Prices are starting in the  $80K’s.  I can introduce you to several builders.

Golf Properties:  It is not too early to start thinking about golf in Wintergreen.  I have some great golf-front homes listed for sale:

650 Fawn Ridge:  The mountain’s value priced golf-front home.  (even has 5BR)

1211 Blue Ridge:  Soaring windows for golf views, your own path to the course.

370 Laurel Springs:  A Glenn German design with great golf views

Condos:  If you are interested in being a new home owner in Wintergreen, a one-bedroom condo makes a great “starter home”.  Check out these properties:

179 Mountain Inn:  Walk to everything from this ski lodge loft condo

2210 Tanners Ridge:  Value priced with many new features

490 Three Ridges:  Already a Gold on the WTG rental program.

319 Dobie:  2BR, 2BA ski-out condo Just REDUCED to $349,900.  Renovated in 2007…everything NEW.

Listings:  I don’t want to leave any listings out, so I will be showcasing them throughout the blog. (coming soon will be a review of properties with a VIEW)  I also now have listing flyers available in the lobby of Pryor’s Porch Restaurant.  So, if you are taking a break from skiing or mountain fun in Pryor’s Porch, pick up some property listing information.

 

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