Strap on the Skis: There's Snow in the North Carolina Hills

Cold weather makes a lot of otherwise normal people do some strange things, such as strapping narrow boards to their feet so they can slide very fast down mountains. Fortunately for them, North Carolina has a lot of places that cater to their breed.

In the NC high country, there are slopes that can handle beginners and families, as well as slopes for expert skiers and snowboarders; those who perfer to plummet rapidly downhill. Let’s hit the slopes to help you find the best fit.

Snowtubing is a relatively new addition to North Carolina’s winter sports menu. Cataloochee, Hawksnest, Scaly Mountain, Sugar Mountain and Wolf Laurel feature runs guaranteed to elicit squeals from snowtubers of all ages.

Appalachian Ski Mountain and Ski Beech each offer ice skating, too. And, right next door to the City Hall in the Town of Beech Mountain is a free public sledding area. More adventurous sledders also may find spots along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Snowboarding has rapidly gained popularity on the North Carolina slopes. There are terrain parks at Hawksnest, Appalachian Ski Mountain, Sugar Mountain and Ski Beech for the audacious winter sports aficionado. Snowboarders also are welcome at Cataloochee, Sapphire Valley and Wolf Laurel.

Appalachian, known for its French-Swiss Ski College, turns outs students equipped to take on its entry level slopes like the Candied Apple, or tough runs like the Hard Core.

Cataloochee has 10 slopes, 25 percent aimed at beginners, 50 percent at the intermediate level and 25 percent for advanced to expert. Hawksnest has 12 slopes, 20 percent for beginners and 40 percent each for intermediate and advanced. Ski Sapphire has three runs, one for each level of expertise. Ski Beech, the highest ski resort in the eastern United States at 5,506 feet above sea level, has 15 slopes and 10 lifts.

Sugar Mountain has a 1,200 foot vertical drop, 20 trails and eight lifts spread over a 115 acre site. Some of the expert trails on the upper mountain have a 60 percent pitch. Wolf Laurel has 65 acres of skiing terrain, two new beginner slopes, a new double chairlift and a new magic carpet lift.

After your day on the slopes, if you aren’t too sore, there are plenty of dining, dancing and partying opportunities, too. From the Boone Saloon to Woodlands Barbecue and Pickin’ Parlor, you’ll find food and music that fits your tastes.

So, strap some wood to your feet and slide on over to North Carolina this season.

For more information on North Carolina ski areas go to the VisitNC.com ski report, GoSkiNC.com or call 1-800-VISIT NC.


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