Blog–VA Outdoors
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Duane Zobrist

BIKING IN CHARLOTTESVILLE

Charlottesville is a biking mecca, thanks to being near the mountains. Numerous locations in the city, and destinations a bit further away make this an

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September 9, 2020 No Comments

A Few Greenbrier Activities You Might Enjoy

A Cabin in The Woods–Escape Boar’s Head Escape Room

As the legends tell, the old house in the woods was a place of occult practices and black magic rituals. Your friend, a journalist, was on a track to solve the mystery of this place. Now, he is in trouble...You and your group of friends will face brain teaser, riddles and occult clues as you work towards your escape, all while the clock is ticking. Will you be successful and make it out? or will escape prove impossible and riddles too hard to escape in time? Join us for a nail biting hour and test your thinking skills... You won't regret it.
  • Easy
  • 1.5 Hours
  • 8
Charlottesville VA Vineyard

The Spirits of Virginia–Distillery and Winery Tour

A tour and tasting at two local spirits manufacturers  To offer tour and tasting experiences of Charlottesville area businesses we have partnered with King Family Vineyard, Pro Re Nata Brewery, and Ragged Branch Distillery .  All trips will begin and end at Boar’s Head Resort. Above all we want you relaxed, so all transportation, tour and tasting fees will be handled by us.  Each of the locations will give you a tour of their facilities, with a tasting either before or after.  On these tours they will go over how they make their beverages and answer any questions. Food Ragged Branch has a rotating menu of farm to table meals, and Pro Re Nata has food trucks, with availability on their website.  Whereas King Family only offers light snacks they do allow outside food. If you would like, Boar’s Head can also order you a sandwich through a locally  sourced gourmet sandwich shop. Private trips are available with the possibility to visit all three sites. For reservations or questions please contact us
  • Easy
  • 1.5 Hours
  • 12
falconry experience at Boar's Head Resort

Falconry Experience

WHAT IS FALCONRY?Falconry, the art of flying trained birds of prey after wild quarry, is alive and well in the United States. Imagine the thrill of walking through a field with a falcon flying above your head at 1,000 feet or higher. She is waiting for you to flush a pheasant from the bushes. You know it is there because your well trained pointers have indicated. When the falcon is in the proper position, you flush the game, the falcon turns and begins its head first dive. Your adrenaline is rushing. The next thing you know, the falcon hits the pheasant in the air, binds to it, then carries it to the ground where she will patiently await her reward. This is Falconry….

Picture yourself walking through a field hitting every piece of brush and trying to flush out rabbits. Your Harris Hawk follows you from tree to tree, waiting and anticipating the flushing of game. Suddenly a rabbit breaks from the brush, the hawk quickly takes off, and turns to chase the rabbit in aggressive pursuit. Eventually the rabbit out maneuvers the hawk, he turns in mid-air and returns to your glove for a small reward.

This is Falconry….

THE SPORT OF KINGS.   Historically, falconry was used as status symbol for the nobles of Medieval Europe, Middle East, and Mongolian Empire. The sport was mainly restricted to these classes due to the commitment of time, money, and space. Although the nobles would not train the birds themselves, they would pay Master Falconers extravagant sums of money. The Master of the Mews was in charge of obtaining, grooming, and keeping the best hawks in constant readiness for hunting. Thus, Falconry became the Sport of Kings!Within nomadic societies, birds of prey were not a status symbol. Instead, falcons were trapped and used to hunt small game during the winter months. These falcons helped to supplement their very limited diet.

Falconry Experiences

Beginners Lesson

The Boar's Head Falconry Beginners Lesson offers guests the rare opportunity to experience the 4,000-year-old sport of falconry, or “the sport of kings”. This incredible beginners lesson allows you to feel the thrill of working with majestic birds of prey. Most of our lesson takes place at our private bird chambers on the property of The Boar's Head Resort. You will get the chance to interact with a variety of captive-bred, trained birds, including owls, falcons, and hawks.The lesson begins with a flying demonstration and a chance to learn about the fascinating history of this sport. You will be transported to our mews where you will meet the rest of our birds. After learning the appropriate techniques from our professional guides, you will get to hold a trained hawk on your fist. This lesson is truly a once in a lifetime experience!

Intermediate Lesson. Once you’ve had a taste of falconry during the beginner’s lesson, you’ll want to book an intermediate lesson — an amazing, hands-on excursion with a trained Harris Hawk. Accompanied by an expert guide, you’ll venture out onto one of The Boar's Head Resorts's scenic trails.Once there, you will don a falconry glove, and have a trained hawk placed on your gloved fist. Under supervision of our expert, you will cast the hawk into a nearby pine and watch as it follows you from tree to tree, returning right to your glove for a small reward. This is a once in a lifetime experience.

  • Easy
  • 1.5 Hours
  • 12
an individual stand up paddle boarding in Charlottesville VA

Stand Up Paddle Boarding

This guided Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) adventure is a great time for any age or skill level. Spend the afternoon on our gorgeous, local mountain lake learning the sport of Stand Up Paddle Boarding or SUP for short. SUPing is a growing sport among water lovers and boarding enthusiasts.  What started in the Pacific Islands as a means of transportation has come to the mountains of  Virginia. Paddleboards are a wider, more stable version of an ocean surfboard that allows users to easily maneuver the board through the water using a longer version of a rafting paddle.  Our paddleboarding adventures are designed for paddlers of all ages and skill levels, including first timers! All Transportation and equipment is provided.
  • Easy
  • 2.5 Hours
  • 12
Kayaking on the Greenbrier River

Flatwater Kayaking

This guided paddling clinic is a great time for any age or skill level. Create fun memories to last a lifetime! Until recently, traditional kayaks were best suited for navigating ultra-challenging white water rapids. Today, a new breed of wider, more stable boats has made kayaking a sport that can be practiced by just about anyone. In our paddling clinic, you’ll discover for yourself the thrills of recreational kayaking. Grab a friend and master the two-person kayak — or go solo and feel the speed of a sleek Perception Kayak. Who knows what adventures the river might hold…you might catch a glimpse of an osprey fishing for lunch or share a scenic view with a herd of deer foraging on the side of the river. It’s a great retreat to nature — relaxing and refreshing. This 3 hour clinic covers the basics of river safety and paddling on the mild waters of a local lake or river. Our large selection of boats and the ability to safely handle participants of most ages makes this a favorite trip for families staying at The Boar's Head Resort or visiting Charlottesville, VA. All necessary equipment and transportation are included.
  • Easy
  • 2.5 Hours
  • 12

Ancient Weapons and Axe Throwing Experience

What better way to be immersed in the Virginia countryside than to learn the ways of Ancient Warriors! During the Ancient Weapons Experience, you will get the chance to participate in archery,  and throw traditional tomahawks! ARCHERY Start the morning by experiencing the feel of traditional archery with skilled instructors and groomed facilities. Prior to entering the shooting range, participants will receive a safety briefing and introduction to the skills necessary to succeed. AXE THROWING With archery and air rifles out of the way, participants have the chance to try their hand at a traditional, 2.5 turn tomahawk throw. Under the instruction of a guide, learn the proper technique and skills to stick a tomahawk in a wooden target at 8.5 paces.
  • Easy
  • 2.5 Hours
  • 12

Bike Rentals

Bike amid the splendor of the Blue Ridge Mountains with the luxury and service you expect from The Boar’s Head Resort. At the Boar’s Head, an entire fleet of high-end mountain bikes are at your disposal. Choose a Cannondale or a Trek bike, and feel free to bring the whole family for a wilderness adventure— we have equipment for everyone, including Trek kiddie-trailers, tag-alongs, and a full range of children’s bikes. Cannondale and Trek bikes are the highest quality production bicycles available in the United States. Our unique rental structure allows you to rent a bike for a four or eight hour period. No matter what you choose to ride, you’ll find breathtaking scenery at every turn of the amazing trails that wind through The Boar’s Head property or surrounding Charlottesville. VA. Rentals are available to resort guests as well as Charlottesville visitors.
  • Easy-Difficult
  • 1-8 Hours
  • All Ages

Scavenger Ox! The Charlottesville Challenge

Explore The Greenbrier property in a whole new way using our app based scavenger hunt. This interactive activity is perfect for groups large or small. The Charlottesville Hunt utilizes your phone’s camera and video functions in order to complete challenges around the chosen location. The Boar's Head Resort property and historic Charlottesville are our two most popular options. Some of these challenges include taking a picture or video while some challenges require more interaction. Uncover the history that surrounds you as you follow clues and solve riddles that make Charlottesville a unique living history museum. The Charlottesville Hunt allows guests to challenge one another as individual teams or work together to accomplish the 35+ challenges spanning all corners of the resort. Questions are given to groups in a random order, allowing the group members to prioritize and determine their desired route. Each team will select a unique route, however they frequently see each other along the way, adding to the competitive nature of the event. See what the competition is up to with a live feed leaderboard and real time feedback from Boar's Head Outfitters staff. This is the perfect way to get the whole group exploring the beauty and history that is Charlottesville.    
  • Easy
  • 2-3 Hours
  • 5-100

Paintball Challenge

Devise offensive strategies, create defensive plans, eliminate your opponents in an exciting game of paintball.

Welcome to the world of paintball! During your visit to Charlottesville, VA or during your stay at The Boar's Head Resort, experience one of the fastest growing sports in America. As you arrive at our wooded field, you and your 10 member team will feel the excitement grow as we discuss safety and game rules, and are issued gear and paintball markers. During your two hours at the Boar's Head Outfitters paintball course, you will participate in multiple game scenarios. These games might include capture the flag, where teams compete to be the first to retrieve the opposing team’s flag, or elimination, a timed game where the team with the most members left at the end of a predetermined time, wins.The price per person includes everything needed to enjoy the competition. Each team member will receive a semi-automatic gun, paintballs, coveralls, and a face shield. So, put your goggles on and feel the excitement of the pursuit 2020PRICING AND AVAILABILITY Pricing: $99++ per participant Availability: Tuesday and Friday at 9:30a, with reservation Duration: 2 hours If your group has 4 or more players, and would like to play outside our normal tours, just give us a call!
  • Easy
  • 2 Hours
  • 12

Geocaching

Geocaching allows families and friends to work together to accomplish the ultimate scavenger hunt by using a combination of maps, GPS’s, clues, and answers to complete the quest. Some objects and answers can be collected at specific locations while others must simply be observed throughout the event. Locations are given to groups in a random order, allowing the group members to prioritize and determine their desired route. Each team will select a unique route, however they frequently see each other along the way, adding to the competitive nature of the event. Our geocaching course is designed for younger kids 10 and younger. If you would like another fun family activity, check out our Scavenger Oz!  The Charlottesville Hunt!
  • Easy
  • 2 Hours
  • 2-25
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