Summer Activities
Lake Laura | Zip Line Adventure Tour | Mountain Tubing | Grass Skiing | Mountain Boarding | Chairlift Rides | Climbing Wall & Bungee | Tennis | Miniature Golf | Hiking | Fishing | Summer Sports Camps | Horseback Riding | Swimming |
There’s lots more to do at Bryce Resort than ski or golf. Try our new Zip Line Adventure Tour. Water-lovers rave about crystal-clear, 45-acre Lake Laura, with its Allegheny Mountain views and serene alpine setting. It's a great place to swim, raft, or boat. Canoes, boats, and paddleboats are available to rent at the lake. It’s also a great place to take the kids fishing. Also, visit our new state of the art Climbing Wall and Bungee Ride.
A public swimming pool is located off Rt. 263 in Basye, and public tennis courts are located nearby.
Did you know that Bryce Resort is the only Virginia Resort to offer Grass Skiing? Young people, from all over, love to come to Bryce Resort in the summer months to hone their skills in mountain boarding and grass skiing. Instruction is available. For those less adventurous, chairlift rides to the top of the ski mountain are also offered in the summer, affording breathtaking mountain views (you’ll be looking into West Virginia!) in all directions.
Other outdoor activities include miniature golf, horseback riding and pony rides, and hiking.
For more ideas for places to go and things to do, see Area Attractions.
Summer Mountain Tubing
Bryce Resort is offering the exciting mountain tubing rides that will thrill visitors during the summer season. The Italian-made system offers waterless tubing on special gliding mats that create the same sensation of snow tubing but without the snow! AND, because it's waterless, there's no need to worry about changing clothes before or after. Just come as you are! Pretty soon, you and your entire family, young and old alike, will soon be shouting "we're having fun on the tubing run." The run is 340 feet long. Children four years and older.
Hours of Operation 2009
July 4th Weekend Special Sessions
Friday, July 3rd:
11 am – 12:30 pm, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm, 3:00 – 4:30 pm, 5:00 – 6:30 pm, 6:30 pm – 8pm
Saturday, July 4th:
11 am – 12:30 pm, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm, 3:00 – 4:30 pm, 5:00 – 6:30 pm, 6:30 pm – 8pm
Sunday, July 5th:
11 am – 12:30 pm
June 9th - September 6
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Days: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday Evenings: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday |
11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. |
Cost
$10 per person for 1 1/4 hour session
***Purchase tickets at ski lift building beside carpet lift***
Group Rates
During the scheduled hours of mountain tubing, a group rate will be offered for 15 or more persons. Also, we are offering on weekdays and weekends mountain tubing parties for adults, children, and families. Please do not hestitate to contact us at skischool@bryceresort.com to plan your event.
Zip Line Adventure Tour
This exciting ride consists of ten zip line platform stations connected by over 3,000 feet of cable traversing down the ski slopes and through the woods. With speeds of up to 40 miles per hour, riders will experience the thrill of flying through the trees and sailing across the open ski slopes, as high as 65 feet above the ground, as they work their way from the top to the bottom of the mountain.
Cost per Session: $40.00
Operation Hours 2009
***Advance Reservations Required, please email skischool@bryceresort.com***
June 9 - September 6
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, & Sundays
1:30 pm & 3:30 pm
July 4th Weekend Special Sessions
Friday, July 3rd
1:30 pm, 3:30 pm, & 5:00 pm
Saturday, July 4th
1:30 pm, 3:30 pm, 5:00 pm & 6:30 pm
Sunday, July 5th
1:30 & 3:30 pm
October 3 - 25
Saturdays & Sundays
1:30 pm & 3:30 pm
Group sessions can be scheduled at any time (Minimum 8 persons). Please call or email.
Tour Details:
Bryce Resort is the only resort in Virginia to offer this activity during the summer and fall. A chair lift ride takes you to the top of the ski area, next to the first zip line station. From there, guides will take you down through ten platform stations, ending in front of the resort lodge. The tour takes between one and one and a half hours to complete, depending on the size of the group. Groups vary between five and twenty participants. After your reservation(s) have been received, we will contact you for confirmation of your selected day and time. Please email skischool@bryceresort.com
Minors will need a parent signature on liability waiver, please see Zip Line Release and Assumption of Risk Agreement.
Check in Location
Ski School Office at the rear of the ski rental building at the bottom of the ski slope.
What to Wear and Bring Along
Closed toe footwear is required (sneakers or hiking boots). No sandals or flip flops will be permitted. Long hair must be tied back in a clip or pony tail to prevent interference with the equipment. Pants or shorts just above the knee. T-shirt or collared shirt is recommended.
Weight Limit
70 lbs. minimum and 240 lbs. maximum
Age
9 years old and up
Safety
This activity creates increased adrenaline and requires good health and conditioning from the participant. We reserve the right to refuse service to any customer whose physical condition does not meet these standards. We will provide you with Petzl harness equipment and your hands must be free. You cannot carry anything in your hands during the tour. Each tour will be guided by two trained resort guides.
Climbing Wall and Bungee Ride
Join us this summer for a new state of the art climbing wall and bungee ride.
Hours of Operation 2009
July 4th Weekend Special Sessions
Friday, July 3rd:
11 am – 12:30 pm, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm, 3:00 – 4:30 pm, 5:00 – 6:30 pm, 6:30 pm – 8pm
Saturday, July 4th:
11 am – 12:30 pm, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm, 3:00 – 4:30 pm, 5:00 – 6:30 pm, 6:30 pm – 8pm
Sunday, July 5th:
11 am – 12:30 pm
June 9th - September 6
Mornings: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday
11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Evenings: Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday
6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Prices
Mountain Tubing...$10
Climbing Wall or Euro-Bungee...$8
Climbing Wall & Euro-Bungee...$15
Climbing Wall, Euro-Bungee, & Mountain Tubing...$20
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Lake Laura
Lake Laura is a 45-acre, man-made, private lake with a grassy beach area. There is NO lifeguard on duty. Activities include swimming, boating, and fishing. Pets, alcoholic beverages or grills are not permitted at the lake. Nature-lovers enjoy the 3-mile hiking trail around the lake throughout the year. The walk to the beach area is a vigorous one! There is a drive around drop off area located off of Brenda Lane. For further information, contact the Lake Staff at 540-856-2121, extension 253.
The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries manages fishing at Lake Laura. A State of Virginia fishing license is required. The license may be purchased at the Walmart store in Woodstock, Virginia. Children under sixteen do not need a license if residents of Virginia or under twelve if non-residents. Boating is permitted except that, if powered, only electric motors are allowed. Boats stored on Resort property require a valid permit. The annual fee is $30. Permits may be obtained at the Bryce Resort Administration Office.
Boating & Swimming
Hours of Operation 2009
Weekends only
Memorial Day Weekend (May 23rd) through June 7
11:00am - 6:00pm
June 8 - September 7
Weekdays (11:00am - 5:00pm)
Weekends & Holidays (11:00am - 6:00pm)
Due to weather conditions, hours of operation are subject to change.
Rates (Boat Rentals)
Paddle boat $15 per hour; Canoe $10 per hour —
Note: Last paddleboat or canoe rentals will be available 1 hour and 15 minutes before beach closing.
Beach Admission Rates
Adults & Children $5 per person
3 years old and under — free
Lake Laura season passes — $175 family or $75 single
Fishing
Lake Laura and local streams are stocked by the state with fish including bass, pike, perch, walleye, catfish and native trout.
No fishing is permitted from the beach area at Lake Laura; however, you may fish Lake Laura by renting a paddle boat or canoe during boating and swimming hours (see above).
State fishing licenses are available in Woodstock (18 miles.....540-459-9229) at Walmart, 461 W. Resevoir Road, Woodstock, VA 22664.
Shenandoah County Parks & Recreation Kid's Fishing Derby
Saturday, June 6, Ages 5-12
Lake Laura at Bryce Resort, sponsored by Shenandoah County Parks & Recreation and the Woodstock Walmart.
Mountain Boarding, Grass Skiing, and Lift Rides
Grass skiing and mountain boarding require physical strength, agility and fitness. We recommend these sports for athletic persons only, and for ages 11 years and older.
Please send an email to skischool@bryceresort.com for more information.
Mountain Boarding & Grass Skiing Hours of Operation Summer, 2009
June 9th - September 6th
Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday 10:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
10:45 a.m. mandatory check-in for first time boarding & skiing packages.
Chair Lift Rides Hours of Operation 2009
Summer:
Memorial Day Weekend & June 9 - September 6
Tuesdays, Thursdays & Sundays
Noon - 1:30 pm
Fall:
Sundays Only, October 4 - 25
11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Due to weather conditions, times are subject to change.
Rates
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Sightseeing chairlift rides |
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$3 |
First-time mandatory boarding or skiing package |
$27 |
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Group rates for 12 or more (for first time package) |
$23 |
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Lift ticket (experienced boarders or grass skiers only) |
$12 |
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Rental skis or boards |
$13 |
Swimming
Hours of Operation 2009
Weekends only Memorial Day Weekend (May 23rd) through June 7
11:00am - 6:00pm
June 8 - September 7
Weekdays (11:00am - 5:00pm)
Weekends & Holidays (11:00am - 6:00pm)
Daily Admission...$5 per person; Age 3 and under...free
Groups of 20 or more...$4 per person
Weekly(for up to 6 people)...$60
Season Pass(for up to 6 people)...$175
Visitors can enjoy the outdoor swimming pool located near the Bryce Hill Condominiums (just up the road past the Community Store) in Basye for a small fee. Picnic tables and a volleyball court are also available here. The pool at the central recreation area at Bryce Resort is for Bryce Resort members only.
Tennis
Public tennis courts are located at the recreation area near the Bryce Hill Condominiums, up the road past the Community Store in Basye. In additon, three lighted tennis courts are open to the public at the central recreation area at Bryce Resort. Reservations are required; please call 540-856-2124.
Rates
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Court |
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$15 (1 hour) |
Light Tokens |
$3 (1 hour) |
Tokens must be purchased at the Golf Shop before 6 pm.
Tennis Pick-up Games
Tennis pick up games occur each Thursday and Saturday morning and on Monday and Friday afternoons. For schedule and times, please click here.
For further information, call Dave Franz at 540-856-3680 or email dnmnfranz@earthlink.net
.Miniature Golf
The Stoney Creek Lilliputt miniature golf course is located at the entrance to the Resort, adjacent to the driving range. Call 540-856-3698 for more information.
Hours of Operation
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Monday-Saturday |
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2 pm - 8 pm |
Sunday |
12 - 6 pm |
Open daily Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day (May 23 - September 7)
Open weekends only during spring and fall.
Rates (Group discounts available)
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Adult |
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$5 |
Child 12 years and under |
$4 |
Horseback Riding
Enjoy horseback riding at the Fort Valley Horseback Riding Stable operated by Sandy and Rick Deschenes. Camping and guided trail rides. Horses and Mules. Located at 299 South Fort Valley Road, Fort Valley, VA 22652, approximately 45 minutes from Bryce Resort.
Call 1-540-933-6633 or 1-888-754-5771 for reservations.
How to get there from Interstate 81: At exit 279, turn east on highway 675 for 1 mile to highway 11. Turn left on highway 11 for 1/2 mile to the Jeep car dealer. Turn right on highway 675 over the mountain for 5 1/2 miles to the Kingscrossing Junction. Turn right on highway 678 for 1 1/2 miles to the stable entrance.
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Hiking
Bryce Resort sits in a small valley along the foothills of Great North Mountain, surrounded by 700 miles of blazed and named hiking trails. Great North Mountain and Massanutten Moutain, located 12 miles east of Bryce, are part ot the Lee Ranger District of the George Washington National Forest. Great North Mountain, known for its spectacular displays of mountain laurel in late spring, has 47 blazed trails with magnificent panoramic views. Massanutten Mountain, which is actually a doughnut ring of mountains, offers several hundred miles of trails in addition to mountain biking, off-trail-vehicle roads and camping.
The Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, a volunteer organization with more than 7,000 members, helps to blaze and maintain these trails, and provides accurate maps. The organization’s trail maps and guide books—including Guide to Great North Mountain and Guide to Massanutten Mountain—can be purchased at ranger stations, outdoor stores, and at the Bryce Golf Shop in the main lodge. Additional hiking information can be obtained from the Take a Hike Group at Bryce and Hiking Upward at its website, hikingupward.com. The free monthly local newspaper, The Mountain Courier, also carries articles describing area hikes, complete with directions and maps.
The Take a Hike group at Bryce Resort sponsors organized group hikes twice a month, and the public is welcome and encouraged to participate. Every 2nd Friday and 4th Tuesday, the group meets at the Basye Post Office at 8:30 a.m. April through October and at 9:30 a.m. November through March. Saturday Hikes begin On Saturday, May 5th and will continue every other Saturday thereafter. To be added to the group’s email list or for more information about specific trails or hiking schedules, please send an email to Nancy Meyer.
Visitors can enjoy hiking the many miles of roads throughout the Bryce area, but please remember safety rules and be courteous of property owners. For safety reasons, walking is not permitted on the Bryce Golf Course.
Take a Hike 2009 Hiking Schedule
Abbreviations:
GN-Great North Mountain
MM-Massanutten Mountain
SNP-Shenandoah National Park
January 9: (GN) Big Schloss. This hike will be from Forest Road 92 via the Big Schloss Cutoff Trail and ending at Wolf Gap Recreation Area on Rt. 675. This is a moderate hike of 4 to 5 miles with some steep inclines. Leader: Dale Wurzer or John Modolo
January 27: (GN) Great North Mountain Trail from the towers on Crooked Run Road (Rt. 720), along North Mountain, then going down a logging road to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church on Orkney Grade Road in Basye. This is an easy hike of 4 ½ miles. Leader: Anne Tyler
February 13: (GN) Tibbet Knob. This hike will start on Judge Rye Road (Rt. 691) and end at Wolf Gap Recreation Area on Rt. 675. This is an easy to moderate hike of 2 miles. Leader: Rick Rhoades
February 24: (GN) The hike starts at Alum Springs on Rt 717 near Bird Haven Time Shares. The trail begins about 1 mile north of where 717 (Alum Springs Road) intersects with Rt. 263 (Orkney Grade Road). The hike goes through a woodland logging road continuing back to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church on Orkney Grade Road. This is an easy hike of 3.5 to 4 miles. Leader: John Fienup
March 13: (GN) Markley Rocks on Three Mile Mountain. We will start near Camp Strauderman and climb to Markley Rocks. Near the top we will have to bushwhack through brush. This hike is a steep 2-mile ascent for about 4 miles round trip. Leaders: John Kreitzburg and John Modolo
March 24: (SNP) Hawksbill Loop. The circuit hike starts at Milepost 45.6 on Skyline Drive and goes from Hawksbill Creek to Hawksbill Peak and back to the parking lot. The hike is a moderate to easy hike of about 3 miles. Leader: Steve Balanda April 10: Slate Lick Lake and Hog Pen Lake. This hike is in the Dry River District of the National Forest near Fulks Run. It is a 4-mile hike along dirt roads to two lakes. We expect Trout Lilies to be in bloom and possibly other wildflowers. Leader: John Kreitzburg
April 28: (SNP) Dark Hollow Falls and Rose River Loop. This hike starts at milepost 50 on Skyline Drive. The hike follows the Dark Hollow Falls Trail and Rose River Loop ending at Milepost 51 on Skyline Drive where we will leave cars. This hike is 4 miles and is considered moderate with a steep return to Skyline Drive. Leader: Dale Wurzer
May 8: Trillium Hike. This hike is on Blue Mountain where the Appalachian Trail runs through Richardson Park off Freezeland Road in Linden, VA. It is a very easy short hike. Leader: Anne Tyler May 26: (SNP) Buck Ridge. This is a circuit hike that starts on the Buck Ridge Trail at Milepost 33 on Skyline Drive. We will connect with the Buck Hollow Trail. This is a moderately strenuous 5.6-mile hike with ¼ mile of steep grade on trail. Leader: John Fienup
June 12: (GN) Laurel Run/Stack Rock. The hike starts on Forest Road 252 at Laurel Run, and follows the Laurel Run Trail, North Mountain Trail, Laurel Run Spur Trail, and Stack Rock trail to make a loop. It is a 6.5-mile circuit with an elevation gain of 1200 feet with some steep areas. Leaders: Ken and Theresa Erney
June 23: (SNP) Devil’s Ditch Gorge. The hike is off Rt. 615 in the Rapidan Wildlife Management Area just outside the western boundary of the Shenandoah National Park in Greene County. The hike starts on the Conway River Trail and then goes up Devil’s Ditch along the Conway River, a great trout stream. It is a moderate hike of about 3 miles round trip. Leader: John Modolo
July 10: (SNP) Overall Falls. This hike starts at Milepost 21 on Skyline Drive. We’ll follow Overall Trail to Overall Falls and on down the mountain to a parking area off Rt. 340 where cars will be pre-positioned for the return trip. The hike is 6.4 miles downhill along Overall Run. Leader: Dale Wurzer
July 21: To Be Determined.
August 14: (SNP) Corbin Cabin Hike. This hikes starts at Milepost 37.9 on Skyline Drive and follows the Corbin Cabin Cutoff to Corbin Cabin and returning to Skyline Drive on Nickolson Hollow Trail. It is a 4.2-mile moderately strenuous hike passing several old homesteads. Leader: John Fienup
August 25: North River Gorge. This hike is near Bridgewater, Virginia. It is a 4.2-mile hike with no elevation change. There are 6 crossings of the North River that could be difficult if the water is high. We will park cars at both ends of the hike. Leader: Dale Wurzer
September 11: (MM) Stickler Knob. This hike is on South Massanutten Mountain Trail off Crisman Hollow Road. We will hike in on Scothorn Trail to Massanutten Mountain Trail to Stickler Knob and return. The hike is a moderate 6 miles round trip. Leader: Rick Rhoades.
September 22: (GN) Half Moon Mountain Trail. The trail in West Virginia starts in Trout Run Valley. It is a moderate but steep trail of about 6 miles round trip. Leader: Ed Provost
October 9: (MM) Signal Knob Area. We will start the hike at the Strasburg Reservoir and hike up Tuscarora Bear Wallow Trail to Maneka Peak, then Signal Knob, and back to the reservoir. It is a moderate 5-mile hike. Leader: Rick Rhoades
October 27 (SNP) Starting between Mileposts 25 and 26 on Skyline Drive we will take Thornton River Trail along the Nort Fork of Thornton River to SR 612 where cars will be pre-positioned. The total hike will be about 5.4 miles following the river down at a slight grade. This is an easy hike. Leaders: Susan Chiaramonte and Anne Tyler
*Nov 6: (SNP) Cave Falls. The hike starts at Milepost 33.5 on Skyline Drive. We will take Hazel Mountain Trail to White Rocks Trail and turn off on Cave Falls trail. It is a moderate 5.3-mile round trip hike with about ¼ mile of steep terrain to the falls. Leader: John Modolo
*Nov 17: (SNP) Doyles River Falls. The hike starts at Milepost 81.1 on Skyline Drive. It is a moderate 3.2-mile round trip hike going down to the falls and returning steeply up-hill. Leaders: Theresa and Ken Erney
December—Annual Pot Luck Dinner, date and place will be announced.
*NOTE—November hikes have been moved forward one week to finish the hikes for the year before Thanksgiving week.
*NOTE—We have moved the November hikes forward one week to avoid hiking during deer hunting season in the National Forest.
Take a Hike over the last seven years has hiked hundreds of miles on our local trails, and we have great knowledge to share. If you want information about a trail fee, please call 540-856-2462 or email nrm1934@aol.com. Take your friends and families, but do it right and be safe. Good maps and guide books can keep you from becoming lost. PATC's booklets and maps are worth the investment. Good maps to purchase are "Great North PATC F," "Massanutten G and H," and "Shenandoah National Park 9 and 10." PATC Guide Books: "Great North," "Massanutten," and "Shenandoah National Park."
These resources can be purchased at the Edinburg Ranger Station, Bryce Resort Pro Shop, Skyland Gift Shop(SNP), and some outdoor stores.
Please check back for scheduled hikes. For additional information, e-mail Nancy Meyer.
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