“Vehicles stuck in the snow on Wintergreen’s primary roads can create havoc. ”
Check Wintergreen weather here
See Virginia road conditions here
View the Blue Ridge Parkway status here
Snow is the reason many enjoy Wintergreen in the winter. A dedicated staff using more than 15 pieces of specialized equipment keep Wintergreen's 50-plus miles of roads in the valley and on the mountain clear of snow and ice.
When snow and ice hits, WPOA crews will work 24/7 until road surfaces are clear. Major plowing on primary roads often takes place at night when the roads have less traffic.
Travel in the winter at Wintergreen requires extra caution and care from drivers. Snow and ice can make even plowed roads unpredictable. Vehicles stuck in the snow on the primary roads can create havoc. WPOA offers these proven safety suggestions to their members and visitors to Wintergreen in the winter:
Carefully and regularly check the weather forecast for Wintergreen and plan accordingly. Wintergreen mountain tops out at 3850 feet. When winter weather elsewhere in Virginia predicted to be light rain, on the mountain here it can be heavy snow or ice.
As the snow falls expect to see snow bermed at the entrance of some driveways during street plowing.
Enjoy watching the snow from your Wintergreen home. So that the crews can do their job, stay off the roads until the snow stops coming down and the roads are clear of ice and snow.
No matter the weather or road conditions, do not hesitate to call 911 for medical or other emergencies. WPOA stands ready to direct all its resources for a timely response to time-critical situations.
Have a snow shovel and other appropriate supplies at your Wintergreen home and in your car. Plan ahead. Supplies in Virginia can become scarce during a storm, assuming you can get to a store.
Four-wheel drive vehicles or chains are best during snowy travel. When it’s ice, it’s best to stay put.
Snowfall in the Blue Ridge is truly beautiful, but it is best enjoyed by being prepared and patient.
See more on being prepared for winter storms here
As the snow falls, please expect to see snow bermed at the entrance of some driveways during street plowing. Property owners should be ready to clear snow from their driveway themselves, or pre-arrange for a private contractor to clear it. See a list of local firms providing residential snow removal here.
What Makes a Car Good in the Snow?
Outside Magazine’s Wes Stiler says it’s really all about the tires. “No doubt, an AWD vehicle on decent all-season tires will get moving pretty well,”
Woody Rogers, who is the head of Tire Rack’s testing team, says, “With AWD, you can get moving easily enough that you can overestimate your ability to stop and turn. Every vehicle uses the same four contact patches to stop and turn. AWD is not a benefit there.” Read more
When thinking about driving in the snow, the first thing to remember is that a burly four-wheel-drive vehicle doesn't necessarily keep you safer on gnarly roads, especially in the high country. "It's like giving someone the best skis on the market," says MasterDrive's vice president of training, Mark Stolberg. "It's not going to make them a good skier. You have to train the driver, regardless of what the equipment is."