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.
560 Reviews on “Wintergreen Resort - Wintergreen Tennis Academy”
Excellent
4.5
560 reviews
On Court Experience
5.0
Off Court Experience
5.0
Overall Tennis
5.0
Overall Pickleball
5.0
Adult Tennis Camp Experience
5.0
Tennis Instruction
5.0
Pickleball Instruction
5.0
Adult Tennis Camp Experience
5.0
Accomodations
4.3
Resort Amenities
4.8
TW
Great facilities, fantastic instructors with terrific personalities.
GM
It is a beautiful location in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The temperature is typically at least 10 degrees cooler than other parts of the Mid-Atlantic. The tennis facilities are well maintained and the staff is excellent and very personable.
KR
Outstanding coaching and teaching. Wonderful facilities and temperatures.
CZ
Great Pro and Staff
CB
Great instruction!
KM
With 19 courts on the mountain and also courts in the valley, this is a great place for tennis. Coming from the DC area the temperature is almost always 5 – 10 degrees cooler making it a great summer location to get away for tennis. Pros focus on the one or two things that can best impact your game, rather than tearing your game apart and leaving you frustrated. Nelson County Farmer’s Market located adjacent to the Wintergreen valley location is one of the best farmer’s markets I have ever been to.
EH
Great tennis facility, instruction and shop. I have played tennis all over the world and Wintergreen is the best by far .
HB
Great instruction from the knowledgeable and friendly pros. Perfect ratio for our team’s academy. No weaknesses!
ST
Great instructors. Beautiful setting and pleasant temperatures
TB
Outstanding staff dedicated to ensuring an enjoyable and learning tennis experience. Facilities both indoor and outdoor where kept in pristine condition.
MB
I told everyone of my friends who play tennis to go to the Wintergreen Tennis Academy. I have been 7 times and I absolutely love it!
CR
I was really impressed with Wintergreen’s program. The staff is enthusiastic and attentive, and the drills and instruction are great. I really appreciated the time they took to evaluate my game and suggest improvements. In addition, the price is very reasonable, and I loved the fact that they had indoor facilities available when it rained. The half hour private session was another bonus, as I had the opportunity to receive instruction specific to my needs. Most impressive, however, was that they shipped my racquet to me for free when I realized a week later that I had left it at their facility. I will definitely be returning to Wintergreen.
LB
Wintergreen Tennis has been fabulous for our whole family. The instructors are friendly, thoughtful, knowledgeable, and FUN. The setting is beautiful and serene. Overall, excellent.
ML
Dave Hardy was our coach over the three days. He was very positive, calm and knowledgeable. A 1/2 private lesson was included, and it was well worth it. Be sure to ask questions. He sent us an email the following week with lots of things we worked on so we didn’t have to remember everything…because it is a lot to remember! No weaknesses, really. Just thought the pro shop was very pricey…even with the 25% off.
EG
The tennis pro’s are top notch. I’ve been going here for over a year and a half to get my USTA team ready for the various season’s. Jon and Dave have made us much better and smarter players.
CR
Wintergreen tennis is fantastic. Jon and Dave are both phenomenal instructors who know how to make tennis fun, and even more importantly for those of us looking to improve, they know how to elevate our games. They are great at isolating things to work on and improve, and they coach both fundamentals as well as strategy. You can’t get better instruction elsewhere. I’ve spent a handful of weekends with them at Wintergreen, and my game has really taken off because of it.
TC
Love it! High intensity, top quality, non-stop training and fun! Been there a few times and will be back for more!
EK
Terrific location, friendly and helpful tennis pros and staff, and well maintained facilities.
OL
Working directly with the top pro at the resort is a big plus. Jon has a very involved style, and every time I train there – usually every other month for a weekend – he is right in tune with what we’ve been working on. He is able to effectively customize our lessons and build on my abilities. As a 4.5 it’s hard to find a coach who can teach and get you to the next level, but Jon and Dave are terrific at teaching advanced aspects of the game. I would like to see WG offer more scale in it’s pricing so that larger groups get better discounts.
RK
Good group instruction, made me feel like I had a lot of personal attention even though I came with friends….I’ll be back asap.
DH
beautiful resort. indoor and outdoor facilities. skilled instructors. great location. lots to do for family members even if they don’t play tennis. LOVE.
BA
I recently participated in a Tennis Academy with my mixed doubles team. Based on what what I had read about Wintergreen Tennis, we went in with high expectations. Everything about the weekend was spectacular and exceeded expectations in every way!!! The instruction, attention to detail, customer service, and the STAFF were unlike anything I have ever experienced at any other tennis resort or at my home country club. YOU MUST GO!!!
MM
Fun, knowledgable pros. Beautiful surroundings. Cooler mountain air.
KL
The tennis professionals are absolutely FANTASTIC! There are both indoor courts and outdoor, so the weather is a non-issue. The resort also has a spa, a great restaurant, golfing for spouses who don’t play tennis (!), and it is situated in the beautiful Blueridge mountains…what more could you want?
MM
Dynamic group headed by Jon Sarosiek. Staff is very friendly and helpful with matching partners. They have a tennis ball machine which is wonderful. It is a fantastic tennis resort!
MR
Great Staff
CB
Great tennis instruction. Very good courts.
IR
Beautiful mountain resort with nice amenities. Excellent tennis instruction is personal and geared to your individual talents/weaknesses. Players get a written critique of their strengths and weakness.
RM
Excellent resort for tennis but also with access to a diverse range of activities.
PZ
Personalized service/Friendliness/Good knowledge
MC
The most beautiful setting for tennis!
KL
The staff is the BEST!!! Friendly, informative and can change your game.
JJ
the training at the camp is top notch! the pros are excellent instructors and value your input and feedback. They will cater the training towards your needs/goals. I highly recommend!
BM
WOW!!! Jon and his staff were able to pinpoint our strengths and weaknesses almost immediately. They then built our entire Academy around what WE needed! It was totally customized! If you live in the state of Virginia or Maryland, save your travel money and attend the Wintergreen Tennis Academy- only 3 hours from NOVA!
BM
Loved the academy with knowledgeable pros and great tennis tips. Would recommend this to all avid tennis players.
SB
Staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and professional! I loved the tennis and I would recommend the place to those looking to have a good time and receive top-notch instruction.
SS
Staff is second to none. If a draw is there are 3 indoor courts.
HL
One of the best I’ve been too. Great teaching style.
SK
Jon and his staff of tennis instructors do a fantastic job teaching strategy and hitting techniques that work for all tennis playing levels. The weather is always cool in the summer. There are plenty of fun things to do at the Wintergreen resort and surrounding area throughout the summer. Its a great girls getaway especially going to the wineries in the area in the afternoon and evenings. . SIMPLY WONDEFUL !!!!
JW
I have gone to the camp three times and it is outstanding! The instruction is top rate. The pros really work well together and provide excellent feedback. The progression of drills fit nicely together and were specifically related to real game situations. The facility is great. The outdoor courts are beautiful and if it rains then players are able to play indoors. I love Wintergreen and will be back next summer.
KC
The setting was perfect – the resort is right near the Blue Ridge Parkway near hiking, wineries, and a cidery. The tennis facilities were in excellent condition. I’m a former college player and thought the instruction was excellent. There are several options for lodging; ours was good and close to the tennis facility. No complaints! It was a wonderful few days and I am looking forward to my next visit.
MG
Fantastic staff and a great setting. Your game will definitely improve after attendng the various sessions/drills/lessons!
TF
Excellent instructions, very thorough. Great resort in a beautiful location. My favorite in the fall!
BM
Knowledgeable and fun pros and staff. I would recommend Wintergreen Tennis to everyone looking to improve their tennis game.
AU
Eight of us from my USTA team went for a weekend academy and had an amazing time. We played and learned a ton and had a great time. I highly recommend Wintergreen’s Academy. We stayed at a players house and cooked ourselves so I can’t comment on the lodging. I’ve been to the restaurants before though and they were excellent.
DM
Many residents to play with
DG
Wonderful tennis instruction in a beautiful setting. David, Dave, and Jon are insightful and fun teachers, and the academies are fun and useful. Highly recommend.
JW
Good instructors
WN
A great get-away on top of a mountain thus 10 degrees cooler that the valley but no night lights.
MH
We have had several visits over the years to Wintergreen and the outside clay courts are well maintained, some of the very best we have played on. We also had some friends one year who agreed and also took some lessons. Great value. I would rate the resort and its tennis AAA.
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560 Reviews on “Wintergreen Resort - Wintergreen Tennis Academy”
Great facilities, fantastic instructors with terrific personalities.
It is a beautiful location in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The temperature is typically at least 10 degrees cooler than other parts of the Mid-Atlantic. The tennis facilities are well maintained and the staff is excellent and very personable.
Outstanding coaching and teaching. Wonderful facilities and temperatures.
Great Pro and Staff
Great instruction!
With 19 courts on the mountain and also courts in the valley, this is a great place for tennis. Coming from the DC area the temperature is almost always 5 – 10 degrees cooler making it a great summer location to get away for tennis. Pros focus on the one or two things that can best impact your game, rather than tearing your game apart and leaving you frustrated. Nelson County Farmer’s Market located adjacent to the Wintergreen valley location is one of the best farmer’s markets I have ever been to.
Great tennis facility, instruction and shop. I have played tennis all over the world and Wintergreen is the best by far .
Great instruction from the knowledgeable and friendly pros. Perfect ratio for our team’s academy. No weaknesses!
Great instructors. Beautiful setting and pleasant temperatures
Outstanding staff dedicated to ensuring an enjoyable and learning tennis experience. Facilities both indoor and outdoor where kept in pristine condition.
I told everyone of my friends who play tennis to go to the Wintergreen Tennis Academy. I have been 7 times and I absolutely love it!
I was really impressed with Wintergreen’s program. The staff is enthusiastic and attentive, and the drills and instruction are great. I really appreciated the time they took to evaluate my game and suggest improvements. In addition, the price is very reasonable, and I loved the fact that they had indoor facilities available when it rained. The half hour private session was another bonus, as I had the opportunity to receive instruction specific to my needs. Most impressive, however, was that they shipped my racquet to me for free when I realized a week later that I had left it at their facility. I will definitely be returning to Wintergreen.
Wintergreen Tennis has been fabulous for our whole family. The instructors are friendly, thoughtful, knowledgeable, and FUN. The setting is beautiful and serene. Overall, excellent.
Dave Hardy was our coach over the three days. He was very positive, calm and knowledgeable. A 1/2 private lesson was included, and it was well worth it. Be sure to ask questions. He sent us an email the following week with lots of things we worked on so we didn’t have to remember everything…because it is a lot to remember! No weaknesses, really. Just thought the pro shop was very pricey…even with the 25% off.
The tennis pro’s are top notch. I’ve been going here for over a year and a half to get my USTA team ready for the various season’s. Jon and Dave have made us much better and smarter players.
Wintergreen tennis is fantastic. Jon and Dave are both phenomenal instructors who know how to make tennis fun, and even more importantly for those of us looking to improve, they know how to elevate our games. They are great at isolating things to work on and improve, and they coach both fundamentals as well as strategy. You can’t get better instruction elsewhere. I’ve spent a handful of weekends with them at Wintergreen, and my game has really taken off because of it.
Love it! High intensity, top quality, non-stop training and fun! Been there a few times and will be back for more!
Terrific location, friendly and helpful tennis pros and staff, and well maintained facilities.
Working directly with the top pro at the resort is a big plus. Jon has a very involved style, and every time I train there – usually every other month for a weekend – he is right in tune with what we’ve been working on. He is able to effectively customize our lessons and build on my abilities. As a 4.5 it’s hard to find a coach who can teach and get you to the next level, but Jon and Dave are terrific at teaching advanced aspects of the game. I would like to see WG offer more scale in it’s pricing so that larger groups get better discounts.
Good group instruction, made me feel like I had a lot of personal attention even though I came with friends….I’ll be back asap.
beautiful resort. indoor and outdoor facilities. skilled instructors. great location. lots to do for family members even if they don’t play tennis. LOVE.
I recently participated in a Tennis Academy with my mixed doubles team. Based on what what I had read about Wintergreen Tennis, we went in with high expectations. Everything about the weekend was spectacular and exceeded expectations in every way!!! The instruction, attention to detail, customer service, and the STAFF were unlike anything I have ever experienced at any other tennis resort or at my home country club. YOU MUST GO!!!
Fun, knowledgable pros. Beautiful surroundings. Cooler mountain air.
The tennis professionals are absolutely FANTASTIC! There are both indoor courts and outdoor, so the weather is a non-issue. The resort also has a spa, a great restaurant, golfing for spouses who don’t play tennis (!), and it is situated in the beautiful Blueridge mountains…what more could you want?
Dynamic group headed by Jon Sarosiek. Staff is very friendly and helpful with matching partners. They have a tennis ball machine which is wonderful. It is a fantastic tennis resort!
Great Staff
Great tennis instruction. Very good courts.
Beautiful mountain resort with nice amenities. Excellent tennis instruction is personal and geared to your individual talents/weaknesses. Players get a written critique of their strengths and weakness.
Excellent resort for tennis but also with access to a diverse range of activities.
Personalized service/Friendliness/Good knowledge
The most beautiful setting for tennis!
The staff is the BEST!!! Friendly, informative and can change your game.
the training at the camp is top notch! the pros are excellent instructors and value your input and feedback. They will cater the training towards your needs/goals. I highly recommend!
WOW!!! Jon and his staff were able to pinpoint our strengths and weaknesses almost immediately. They then built our entire Academy around what WE needed! It was totally customized! If you live in the state of Virginia or Maryland, save your travel money and attend the Wintergreen Tennis Academy- only 3 hours from NOVA!
Loved the academy with knowledgeable pros and great tennis tips. Would recommend this to all avid tennis players.
Staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and professional! I loved the tennis and I would recommend the place to those looking to have a good time and receive top-notch instruction.
Staff is second to none. If a draw is there are 3 indoor courts.
One of the best I’ve been too. Great teaching style.
Jon and his staff of tennis instructors do a fantastic job teaching strategy and hitting techniques that work for all tennis playing levels. The weather is always cool in the summer. There are plenty of fun things to do at the Wintergreen resort and surrounding area throughout the summer. Its a great girls getaway especially going to the wineries in the area in the afternoon and evenings. . SIMPLY WONDEFUL !!!!
I have gone to the camp three times and it is outstanding! The instruction is top rate. The pros really work well together and provide excellent feedback. The progression of drills fit nicely together and were specifically related to real game situations. The facility is great. The outdoor courts are beautiful and if it rains then players are able to play indoors. I love Wintergreen and will be back next summer.
The setting was perfect – the resort is right near the Blue Ridge Parkway near hiking, wineries, and a cidery. The tennis facilities were in excellent condition. I’m a former college player and thought the instruction was excellent. There are several options for lodging; ours was good and close to the tennis facility. No complaints! It was a wonderful few days and I am looking forward to my next visit.
Fantastic staff and a great setting. Your game will definitely improve after attendng the various sessions/drills/lessons!
Excellent instructions, very thorough. Great resort in a beautiful location. My favorite in the fall!
Knowledgeable and fun pros and staff. I would recommend Wintergreen Tennis to everyone looking to improve their tennis game.
Eight of us from my USTA team went for a weekend academy and had an amazing time. We played and learned a ton and had a great time. I highly recommend Wintergreen’s Academy. We stayed at a players house and cooked ourselves so I can’t comment on the lodging. I’ve been to the restaurants before though and they were excellent.
Many residents to play with
Wonderful tennis instruction in a beautiful setting. David, Dave, and Jon are insightful and fun teachers, and the academies are fun and useful. Highly recommend.
Good instructors
A great get-away on top of a mountain thus 10 degrees cooler that the valley but no night lights.
We have had several visits over the years to Wintergreen and the outside clay courts are well maintained, some of the very best we have played on. We also had some friends one year who agreed and also took some lessons. Great value. I would rate the resort and its tennis AAA.