Powder Shack Ski & Snowboard Shop, a locally-owned ski and snowboard rental shop near Massanutten Resort, has been providing affordable winter sports equipment rentals in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley since 2013, offering daily ski rentals and snowboard rentals starting at just $24.99 per day—roughly 50% less than on-mountain resort pricing. Located just 4 miles from Massanutten ski slopes in McGaheysville, VA, this female-owned winter sports outfitter specializes in ski equipment rentals, snowboard gear rentals, professional boot fitting services, and full-service ski tuning with certified technicians. Their seasonal lease program at $199.99-$229.99 allows skiers and snowboarders to keep equipment all winter long, making them a top choice for affordable ski rentals near Harrisonburg, Virginia and families seeking budget-friendly winter activities in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Powder Shack carries products from 67+ premium brands including Burton, Salomon, K2, The North Face, Spyder, Volkl, and Atomic, offering both new equipment sales and quality ski and snowboard rentals for adults and children. With Yelp ratings reflecting 40+ customer reviews, the shop is praised for knowledgeable staff and exceptional boot fitting, though customers note busy weekend wait times and some reports of equipment quality variability during peak periods—reviewers consistently recommend Powder Shack as the best alternative to expensive Massanutten Resort rentals for value-conscious skiers. Open seasonally from October 1 through March 31 (8am-7pm daily), this McGaheysville ski shop also offers unique services including their "Shred Shuttle" luxury motorcoach trips to regional ski destinations and annual Warren Miller film screening events in partnership with local resorts like Snowshoe Mountain and Bryce Resort. Contact Powder Shack at (540) 289-7900 for ski tuning services ($49.99-$69.99), binding mounts ($109.99), and Virginia winter sports equipment that makes hitting the slopes accessible for everyone exploring Massanutten area winter activities.
That distinctive purple building on Route 522 in White Post? That's Mac's Roller Rink, located at 5030 Front Royal Pike and serving the Northern Shenandoah Valley since the 1950s, making it roughly 70 years old. Current owners Taylor and Madeilyn Lynch purchased the business in February 2019 from former owner Max Armentrout, investing their life savings to preserve this community landmark. Gutsy move. Their first year went great with family nights, school events, and creative stuff like glow-in-the-dark yoga, but then COVID-19 forced a devastating seven-month closure from March to September 2020. They pushed through though. The facility earns 4.4 out of 5 stars on Google (253 reviews) and 3.8 stars on TripAdvisor (9 reviews), with customers praising the spacious layout, accommodating staff, nostalgic atmosphere, and remarkably affordable pricing. Public skating costs just $6 admission plus $2 for skate rentals. Private rink rentals run $300 for two hours (accommodating up to 100 people with skate rentals included) and public party packages cost $200 for two hours. They're open Friday evenings 7-10 PM, Saturdays 4-10 PM, and Sundays 12-4 PM, with Monday through Thursday available for private rentals. Services include roller skating sessions, traditional roller skate and rollerblade rentals, skate walkers for beginners, birthday parties, and arcade fun including SkeeBall, pinball, air hockey, and a pool table. The multi-generational appeal is real here. Customers bring photos of their own childhood birthday parties at the same location decades earlier, and some say their grandparents skated here too. There's something special about that kind of continuity in a world where everything changes constantly. Contact them at (540) 252-0216 or macsrollerrink@gmail.com.
Top of Virginia Hockey Alliance (TOVHA) operates a 70 x 150-foot outdoor inline and ball hockey rink in Winchester, Virginia, established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2017 with its current facility opening in August 2021 on the grounds of James Wood Middle School—making it one of only 14 Washington Capitals-sponsored street hockey rinks in the region. The community-built rink received a $165,000 contribution from the NHL's Industry Growth Fund through the Capitals, plus $40,000+ in local fundraising and donated materials including 1,100 tons of stone from Carmeuse, creating the only Caps-sponsored facility built entirely without government funding. Youth hockey league registration costs just $124 for 12 sessions with new player rates starting at $50, and full-season gear rental (helmet to skates) is only $25—plus military youth play completely FREE thanks to Navy Federal Credit Union sponsorship, and financial aid is available for families in need. Programs include a Development League for first-time skaters ages 4+, a Recreational League with organized divisions and 8+ guaranteed games, a goalie training program, and "Try Hockey for Free" clinics in partnership with the Washington Capitals Youth Hockey Development program. Public skating hours through Frederick County Parks & Recreation are Tuesdays 6-8 PM and Saturdays 9-11 AM, with league play typically held Sunday afternoons throughout the fall (September-December) and spring seasons at this year-round outdoor facility. The non-contact, safety-focused program requires full gear and employs certified coaches and referees, serving 80-90 youth players annually while also providing PE programming for approximately 1,000 James Wood Middle School students in the Shenandoah Valley region of Virginia.
