It’s that time of year again: The leaves are starting to fall, temperatures are dipping farther and farther each night, and snow lovers are getting ready for their season. While the Western Rockies boast the highest peaks, are often remembered in books and movies, and are home to the richest, most exclusive ski resorts, the Appalachian Mountains are home to a select few. Notable is the scenic Blue Ridge, which forms the western borders of Carolina and Virginia; and in these hills, as the natives say, are to be found some of the best places in the country for winter sports.
When planning a skiing vacation, it is often a good idea to choose a destination with access to several slopes. If you’re thinking about the rolling Blue Ridge, you might as well make Boone, NC, your home base. With three major slopes within a forty-five minute drive, Boone has earned the nickname “Heart of the High Country.” Two hours from Andrew and located on the east side of the valley, the college town is named after the famous author Daniel Boone, it is a short distance by car to the great ski resorts of the western region: Sugar Mountain, Beech Mountain, and Appalachian Ski Mountain. All three have a western geography because they get the bulk of their snow from clipper systems, weather systems in the midwest. These snows are formed when cold air is pushed southeast from the Great Lakes region, rising in elevation. occurs on the western slopes of the Appalachians. Condensation is the result of this rising activity, when cold air hits warmer air aloft, and when the temperatures are right: Presto, lots of snow!
January and February are by far the favorite season for snow lovers, accounting for fifty percent of the year’s snow. The temperature during the day averages about forty degrees Fahrenheit, and in the night of Mercury it sinks to about twenty, although the single digits are not uncommon. An average winter brought about a hundred inches of fresh snow; When the weather doesn’t cooperate, the algae allow their temperatures to rise, but this isn’t too frequent. Check out the site for local weatherman Ray (http://www.booneweather.com); His forecast covers the entire country, and his story Snowman-o-mometer promises weekly snow.
Appalachian Ski Mountain (800-322-2373) is close to town, just two miles south of Hwy 321, between Boone and Blowing Rock. They open the 2005-2006 regular season on December 15, and the season runs through March 13. Expect to find a lot of young people here, as the nearby Appalachian State University offers its students suitable classes at this location. Appalachian Ski Mountain boasts nine trails, including the Black Diamond Hard Core, which is known to many ASU students. with a face full of snow. Lessons, lodging, rental, and benefits are all available. Prices are listed on the comprehensive website (www.appskimtn.com), and reservations can be made by phone.
The closest is Sugar Mountain (800-SUGAR-MT or 800-784-2768), so named for its powdery winter appearance. Sugar, accessed from Hwy 105 south of Boone, then Hwy 184 West, has its main reputation as a drop of a mile, the largest in the Southeast, and its peak features some sixty percent of the pitches. Home to twenty trails in all, Sugar is still great for beginning and intermediate skiers, as the lower mountain tends to be gentler. There are also tubing instructors available and seventy ski instructors to give lessons. Although Sugar doesn’t offer accommodations directly, it does package deals with nearby properties. Check the latest conditions at (www.skisugar.com).
A short drive on Hwy 184 past Sugar brings you to the small town of Elk, where you start. Ascent of Beech Mountain (800-438-2093). The highest in elevation of all three destinations, Beech Ski Mountain boasts the distinction of operating the highest slopes in eastern North America. Before you hit the dust, make a stop at Fred’s General Mercantile, one of the oldest and certainly the highest-elevation general stores east of the Mississippi. Like Sugar, Ski Beech doesn’t offer its own accommodations, but the website (www.skibeech.com) offers a long list, and the town of Beech Mountain itself is home to many cabin and condo rental. In addition to rent and lessons, Beech offers a nursery, an ice skating rink, and a youth learning center. In addition to the standard week/weekend pricing, Ski Beech offers special events, such as Ladies Night (Mondays, ladies receive a free lifetime ticket and $15 ski rental) and two for Tuesday ($10 ski rental and purchase one free lifetime pass). As the highest elevation, Beech also receives the highest average annual snowfall, which can only get accumulated. I went for a week, though, and found a great trail for sailors and explorers of all skill levels.
When you think about your winter blue privation, remember that you can throw quite a lot in late January / February; Skiing during the day should be comfortable, but the wind really picks up at night, so invest in a really good scarf. Alright, you’re ready now. What are you waiting for? Make your reservation!
