By Lani Gering

Many of you faithful “Road Trip” readers might remember when we featured our summertime excursion to this fabulous place two years ago. Mountain Lake Lodge is located in the southwest mountains of Virginia in Pembroke, VA. Nearby is the campus of Virginia Tech, the New River, Appalachian Trail and plenty of mountains. At approximately 4,000 feet on Salt Pond Mountain, you will find the stone lodge, rustic cabins and cozy cottages that make up Mountain Lake Lodge.

Mountain Lake Lodge has long been immersed in the area’s history and is where the iconic Dirty Dancing was filmed 37 years ago. Known as Kellerman’s Mountain House in the classic movie, according to many visitors, it is still the ideal place “to have the time of your life”! The property is surrounded by amazing views and is crisscrossed with 22 miles of pristine trails.

We were invited to the opening of this year’s ‘Magical Christmas Village & Marketplace Grand Illumination’ event and definitely couldn’t resist the invitation. While it is a bit of a drive from Old Town on a good day – four and a half hours via Routes 66 and 81 – we ran into a few snags on the way there and it turned in to a seven-hour trek. We did make a stop to grab some eats that ended up taking up one of those extra hours but the bulk of the time was spent in traffic. We thought we had left in plenty of time to avoid the normal rush hour traffic locally, but we didn’t factor in the rain, a couple of accidents and the “rush hour” around Harrisonburg and Roanoke and snow flurries on the mountain. Our return on Sunday, however, was a piece of cake. No rain or snow, no accidents and, obviously, no rush hour. We took Route 11 for a good portion of it since we love going through all of the small towns that line this highway. This being said…leave an hour earlier than you think you have to and take a leisurely drive home on a Sunday.

The lobby in the Main Lodge is very welcoming and the beautiful stone fireplace was still all lit up when we got there despite the late arrival. This building is also home to the resorts dining options.

Harvest (a white table cloth restaurant), Stone Creek Tavern (a fun casual place to eat and get a fantastic Bloody Mary) and Mary’s Market & Café (a coffee and sandwich/snack/sweets shop). Rounding out the drinking and dining options, is the Salt Pond Pub (a heated, outdoor bar located adjacent to the lodge and is host to the European Biergarten during the holiday festivities). Sandwiches and apps are available at the pub as well as some great brews and beverages.

We were very excited to see the snow – especially after we arrived. We checked in and headed to our room in the Chestnut Lodge. There are 16 rooms in this lodge that is located a short way up the hill from the Main Lodge. The rooms are rustic and have wood burning fireplaces, private balconies and amazingly comfortable beds. Each room has a mini fridge and microwave as well as cable tv, wifi, etc.

After a good night’s sleep, we headed down to the Main Lodge to embark on our first holiday adventure of the season.

The snowfall was just enough to cover the mountains and the ground and made it really feel like Christmas. Unfortunately, the temperature topped out at 39 degrees and the wind started up and was blowing 15 miles an hour all day. We didn’t get to participate in a couple of the activities (ice skating and a ride on the Pine Cone Express) we scheduled but we made it a full afternoon of checking out a few of the various cabins located around the grounds that are home to The Christmas Village shops during the event.

After our brief foray out into the elements, we settled in at Stone Creek Tavern for some late lunch and an adult beverage. The tavern is one of our favorite places here. It was nice to see it all decked out in holiday décor.

The menu isn’t extensive but there is plenty of choose from especially if you are a burger lover. Bob picked the Black Angus with fries and I took the healthier route with the Harvest Fall Salad – both good choices. I have to say, however, that my Bloody Mary stole the show! Later in the evening, we dined at Harvest – pork loin for Bob, trout for me. Food, ambiance and service all outstanding. If you there on the weekend, we highly recommend making reservations.

I could go on and on about all of the great things Mountain Lake has to offer but we were there to join in on the celebration and to report back to you in the hopes you might make an overnight stay here a part of your holiday ritual.

The annual holiday festival, reminiscent of a whimsical European village, opened with the “Grand Illumination” when the entire storied resort was “bedazzled” in a backdrop of lights the evening of November 23rd.

“Our Magical Christmas Village & Marketplace has become a premiere destination to celebrate the season and enjoy all the things that make the holidays so special,” said Heidi Stone, president and CEO of Mountain Lake Lodge.

Highlights of this year’s festival include entertainment, holiday cheer, food and dining:

• Holiday Shopping at The Christmas Village Shops – Features Toyland, North Poll Emporium and Winter Whimsy, each with its own gifts, toys and holiday delights.
• New Pinecone Express Train Rides – Runs regularly around the Village.
• Gingerbread House on Marshmallow Way – Offers hot chocolate, an adult cocoa bar and s’mores ready for making at adjacent firepits.
• European Biergarten – Delicious fare and brews.
• Winter Bliss Ice-Skating Rink – Features special glow-in-the-dark ice-skating.
• Horse-drawn Carriage Rides, Dec. 14th and 21st – Nostalgic rides through the Village.
• Brunch with Santa at Harvest, Dec. 15th – Continues the tradition with a festive meal.
• Christmas Day Dinner Buffet at Harvest, Dec. 25^th – Details on website.

Live Holiday Performances

A line-up of talented performers will headline the Mainstage in the resort’s beloved Mary’s Barn each Saturday night. Tickets are available online.

• Bells & Carols, Dec. 7th – Belle & Beaux Handbell Choir & Victorian Christmas Carolers
• Celtic Christmas, Dec. 14th – Highland Heritage
• Bluegrass, Dec. 21st – Andrew Small & Ashlee Watkins
• Candlelight Serenade, Dec. 28th – Harp, Violin & String Quartet
• New Year’s Eve Magic & Marvels, Dec. 31st – Spellbinding grand finale with Magician Bryan Saint’s close-up illusions and tricks.

The event is open to the public through January 4^th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. A Two-Night Magic overnight package includes accommodations, breakfast each morning, and ice-skating passes.

For detailed information on all of the above, visit http://www.mtnlakelodge.com or call 540-626-7121. Mountain Lake Lodge has been recognized by TripAdvisor’s Travelers Choice Awards 2024, The Knot Best of Weddings 2024 and 2023 and The Knot Best of Weddings Hall of Fame, and received first place in Virginia Living’s Best Resort and Best Special Event Venue 2023.

Mountain Lake Lodge

115 Hotel Circle

Pembroke, VA

540-626-7121

www.mtnlakelodge.com