Wintergreen, Virginia

A parent's plea--"Go outside and play" --takes on new meaning when the Blue Ridge is your backyard.

Ridge-top condos at Wintergreen let you wave and watch from the balcony as the kids mountain-bike or -board the day away. In addition to tennis and golf on two very good courses, the Out of Bounds Adventure Park has skateboarding, rock-tower climbing, paintball, and bungee trampoline. Youth and family programs include teen nights, horseback riding, and campouts.

Just want to walk? Wintergreen has 30 miles of its own trails, or drive a few minutes uphill and hop on the Blue Ridge Parkway to Three Ridges or Humpback Rock.

Guest condos and homes have everything to prepare a home-cooked meal, or dine out at one of Wintergreen's four restaurants.

Need gear? Blue Ridge Mountain Sports has set up shop on the mountain.

Bottom line: Probably the best choice for families with teens, Wintergreen has all the comforts of a home, with the Blue Ridge as your playground.

Wintergreen Resort, 800-266-2444; wintergreenresort.com. Rates: $99 a night for a studio to $749 for a seven-bedroom house.