Wintergreen spills down the slopes of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains roughly 45 miles west of Charlottesville. A master-planned private resort, it begins 3,800 feet above sea level at Devils Knob, where it overlooks the Shenandoah Valley, and ends in the valley of the Rockfish River. Altogether it covers 11,000 acres, 60 percent of which remains forested in evergreens, towering oaks, and other hardwoods. The forest also hold 13 species of orchids and one ancient fern bed estimated to be 1,000 years old. Some 30 miles of marked hiking trails thread through the property, with connections to one of the most scenic stretches of the Appalachian Trail.
Ecologically sensitive, Wintergreen has long followed a philosophy of preserving as much of the natural environment as possible while still carving out space for homes, condos, golf courses, tennis courts, and ski runs. Concentrating the lodging along the ridge tops at Devils Knob meant they could leave substantial tracts of forest undisturbed, and the construction that did take place adopted the colors of the earth, rocks, and trees in order to blend with the surroundings. There are thousands of condos and homes scattered through the property, but their very unobtrusiveness would lead you to guess far fewer. Deed covenants ensure that that will never change, and so does the fact that the resort is owned not by a corporation but by the property owners themselves, who don’t want to see the value of their investments undermined by the continual addition of new housing stock.
Its physical beauty aside, one reason to choose Wintergreen, especially in the summer, is that temperatures at Devils Knob are typically 10 to 15 degrees cooler than those in the surrounding lowlands. Many of the second home owners come from Washington, D.C., Richmond, and other nearby cities seeking relief from the summer swelter. And it’s no accident, therefore, that the largest of the resort’s tennis complexes drapes across a ridge at the top of the mountains.
There are two tennis complexes at Wintergreen: a small four-court (all clay) facility at Stoney Creek next to the golf clubhouse and the main 18-court complex at Devils Knob. The latter consists of 15 clay courts laid out among the evergreens and hardwoods near the top of a ridge and three hard courts beneath a tent-like pavilion. Devils Knob has a full-service pro shop, and its location puts it just down the road from the Wintergreen Spa and Aquatics & Fitness Center. (Wintergreen also owns the one hard court and pool at Rodes Farm, down in the valley, an otherwise independently managed inn and restaurant with cabins and stables.)
There's a daily roster of activities as well as an adult academy program and summer junior camps. Among the latter are 5 Nike Tennis Camps, some with an overnight option and/or tournament training option to cater to higher level players. The result is that from the time the snow melts in March or April until beyond the fall foliage season in October, these courts are a haven for avid players.
Tennis Programs: The Tennis Academy programs at Wintergreen run three or four days, some midweek, others over weekends. These run year round on the weekends, supplemented by midweek options on certain dates from June through August. In addition, private groups can book customized programs midweek from September through May. Sessions average 2 to 4 hours a day and include intensive drilling and supervised match play, much of it doubles.
The Academy aside, the resort offers a full menu of clinics such as the Advanced Workout for 4.0’s and up, Cardio Tennis, Drills for Skills, and a tactical point playing clinic called Matchplay Madness. Beyond that there are private lessons, game matching, and occasional exhibitions.
Courts Fees: Outdoors: $22/hour midweek; $26/hour weekends and holidays.
Indoors: $35/hour midweek; $45/hour weekends and holidays
Off Court
Golf Courses: Wintergreen has two distinctively different golf courses: one at the top of the mountains at Devils Knob, the other in the valley below along Stoney Creek. It also has a golf academy.
Devils Knob Course: Designed by Ellis Maples, a native of Pinehurst, North Carolina, this challenging 18-hole course follows the surprisingly flat ridges at the top of the mountain. At 3,850 feet it is the highest in the state, with 40 to 50 miles views of the Shenandoah and Rockfish Valleys. That elevation means summer temperatures are cooler than in the valley below but also limit its season to April through November. Par: 70. Length: 5,101-6,300 yards.
Stoney Creek Course: Unlike Devils knob, which is seasonal, this 27-hole championship course remains open year-round. Rees Jones designed the original 18 holes (the Monocan and Shamokin nines), giving them roomy fairways that meander along the valley floor and feature bold mounding like that found on many British courses. He returned 10 years later to add the Tuckahoe 9, which opened in 1998. He laid it out over the hills and through woods, skirting meadows and preserved wetlands. Water hazards are plentiful and so are his trademark moundings. Par: 72. Length: 5,500-7,005 yards.
Spa & Fitness Center: The Wintergarden Spa and Fitness Center stands just up the road from the Devils Knob tennis center. It has indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a sauna, a workout room with windows on the indoor pool, and a spa with 11 rooms for massages and beauty treatments. There is another small fitness center and pool at the golf clubhouse adjacent to the four clay courts in the valley at Stoney Creek.
Out of Bounds Adventure Center: Relocated to Discovery Ridge, the Out of Bounds Adventure Center is a multi-use recreation site with a 25-foot rock-climbing tower, a bungee-trampoline, paintball team competitions and target shooting, a miniature golf course landscaped with hardwood trees and shrubs, a skate park,
Some 30 miles of nature trails wind through the resort, connecting at the top with the Appalachian Trail. Mountain bikes can be rented at the Adventure Center for the 7.2 mile descent to the valley floor or to take on the challenge of the obstacles at the free-ride center. Down in the valley, there is a 20-acre Lake Monocan stocked with bass and pan fish. The lake also has a dock with canoes and paddleboats, picnic areas, volleyball, and a beach of sorts. Rodes Farm at Stoney Creek, while independent of the resort, has a complete English-oriented equestrian center.
Children's programs: The resort runs highly regarded adventurous summer children’s programs for those ages 2½ to 14. During the height of summer, there is also the option for 6 to 12 year olds of a Friday and Saturday evening program in summer so parents can have their own weekend evening out and a midweek overnight campout.
Dining: There are four restaurants at Wintergreen, three at the top of the mountain, a fourth at the golf clubhouse in Stoney Creek.
Accommodations
Getting there
Seasons: That elevation means that temperatures at the main Devils Knob tennis courts are typically 10 to 15 degrees cooler than on the valley floor below, and that helps to make Wintergreen a popular summer weekend getaway for lowlanders in places like Washington, DC, and eastern Virginia. Spring and early summer bring a spectacular display of wildflowers, autumn a blaze of fall colors.
Travel Instructions: By Air: The Charlottesville/Albemarle Airport (CHO) is 44 miles from Wintergreen.
559 Reviews on “Wintergreen Resort - Wintergreen Tennis Academy”
Excellent
4.5
559 reviews
On Court Experience
3.8
Off Court Experience
3.8
Overall Tennis
5.0
Overall Pickleball
3.8
Adult Tennis Camp Experience
3.8
Tennis Instruction
5.0
Pickleball Instruction
1.3
Adult Tennis Camp Experience
2.5
Accomodations
3.0
Resort Amenities
3.5
SW
We have been continually impressed with the instruction and facilities at Wintergreen. Coach Colleen is fantastic. We have had our daughter in for several lessons, and she’s been terrific working with her on the fundamentals, getting on her level to teach things and breaking them down in developmentally appropriate and tangible steps. Looking forward to going back again this winter!
JL
Colleen and Ethan were both wonderful tennis instructors. As advanced players my partner and I have trained with a lot of coaches and these were among the best. The drills were very helpful and a little different than anything we’ve done before and the focus on our level and needs was perfect. The indoor facility is clean and well lit and allowed us to play even when it was a rainy icky day. We came out of the week feeling like we had really improved our doubles skills and strategies.
MK
As I’m returning to the tennis court after a long absence, I decided to schedule two tennis lessons at Wintergreen with Ethan Matthews, one of their pros. The experience was positive in all respects. Wintergreen has a very nice indoor tennis facility. As for Ethan, he exceeded my expectations. He’s knowledgeable, an excellent teacher and communicator, and has an appealing demeanor. I highly recommend both Ethan and tennis at Wintergreen.
KJ
My husband and I came to Wintergreen to improve our tennis. We took a series of lessons from Colleen – she was exceptional. She listened to our goals and then set up a regimen to help us meet them. Her coaching exceeded our expectations and we would highly recommend her! The tennis facilities are first rate and all the staff was very helpful. We also joined in some pickup pickleball and had a great time.
SM
The staff for racquet sports at Wintergreen are professional, knowledgeable, high energy, and fun to be around. My goals of getting back into tennis (after many years off) and beginning pickleball have been a great experience with the Wintergreen racquet sports team. Nice facilities, welcoming staff, good eats, and absolutely gorgeous natural surroundings are just a few of the reasons to visit Wintergreen– great place!
TM
JS
At 3,400’ up, Mother Nature provides great playing conditions in spring, summer, and fall. The indoor facility provides year around great pickleball and tennis. Incredible views and hiking opportunities atop the Blue Ridge.
MM
Great weather. Pleasant surroundings. Many things to do. Get away from fast pace.
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559 Reviews on “Wintergreen Resort - Wintergreen Tennis Academy”
We have been continually impressed with the instruction and facilities at Wintergreen. Coach Colleen is fantastic. We have had our daughter in for several lessons, and she’s been terrific working with her on the fundamentals, getting on her level to teach things and breaking them down in developmentally appropriate and tangible steps. Looking forward to going back again this winter!
Colleen and Ethan were both wonderful tennis instructors. As advanced players my partner and I have trained with a lot of coaches and these were among the best. The drills were very helpful and a little different than anything we’ve done before and the focus on our level and needs was perfect. The indoor facility is clean and well lit and allowed us to play even when it was a rainy icky day. We came out of the week feeling like we had really improved our doubles skills and strategies.
As I’m returning to the tennis court after a long absence, I decided to schedule two tennis lessons at Wintergreen with Ethan Matthews, one of their pros. The experience was positive in all respects. Wintergreen has a very nice indoor tennis facility. As for Ethan, he exceeded my expectations. He’s knowledgeable, an excellent teacher and communicator, and has an appealing demeanor. I highly recommend both Ethan and tennis at Wintergreen.
My husband and I came to Wintergreen to improve our tennis. We took a series of lessons from Colleen – she was exceptional. She listened to our goals and then set up a regimen to help us meet them. Her coaching exceeded our expectations and we would highly recommend her! The tennis facilities are first rate and all the staff was very helpful. We also joined in some pickup pickleball and had a great time.
The staff for racquet sports at Wintergreen are professional, knowledgeable, high energy, and fun to be around. My goals of getting back into tennis (after many years off) and beginning pickleball have been a great experience with the Wintergreen racquet sports team. Nice facilities, welcoming staff, good eats, and absolutely gorgeous natural surroundings are just a few of the reasons to visit Wintergreen– great place!
At 3,400’ up, Mother Nature provides great playing conditions in spring, summer, and fall. The indoor facility provides year around great pickleball and tennis. Incredible views and hiking opportunities atop the Blue Ridge.
Great weather. Pleasant surroundings. Many things to do. Get away from fast pace.