Monday, May 20, 2013
Monday, May 20, 2013
There may not be any snow on the ground here, but area ski slopes have been open for business since last month. Natural snow, combined with snowmaking capabilities, have made for great bases on the mountains.
From downhill and cross-country skiing, snow boarding and snowshoeing to ice skating and tubing, seven ski resorts in North Carolina, one in Tennessee, two in Virginia and three in West Virginia provide a winter playground for area snow enthusiasts.
Here’s a look at what the winter resorts closest to the Tri-Cities have to offer.
NORTH CAROLINA
Appalachian Ski Mountain
Location: Blowing Rock
Slopes: 12
Lifts: 6
Night Skiing: Yes
Snowboarding: Yes
Tubing: No
Terrain Parks: Yes
Ice Skating: Yes
Upcoming Events: The ski resort is celebrating 50 years. Upcoming events include Dragon Go Big or Go Home, a unique rail jam that is free to enter and will offer lots of prizes, set for Jan. 25. SFTC Big Air is set for Jan. 27, followed by the Red Bull ThingamaJIB on Feb. 2, Ladies Park Night on Feb. 9 and SFTC Slopestyle Finals on Feb. 23.
Contact: (800) 322-2373 or www.appskimtn.com
Beech Mountain Resort
Location: Beech Mountain
Slopes: 15
Lifts: 7
Night Skiing: Yes
Snowboarding: Yes
Tubing: No
Terrain Park: Yes
Ice Skating: Yes
Upcoming events: Now in its 45th season, Beech will host the 32nd annual adaptive ski clinic Jan. 21-25. A Boarder/Skier Cross race is set for Feb. 9.
Contact: (800) 438-2093 or www.beechmountainresort.com
Cataloochee Ski Area
Location: Maggie Valley
Slopes: 17
Lifts: 6
Night Skiing: Every night except Sunday and Monday
Snowboarding: Yes
Tubing: Yes
Terrain Park: Yes
Ice Skating: No
Upcoming events: Military Appreciation Days, with special reduced rates for military personnel with valid ID and their families, will be held Jan. 24 and 25. Law Enforcement Appreciation Days will be held Feb. 7 and 8, with Fire and Rescue Appreciation Days on Feb. 21 and 22.
Miscellany: TubeWorld, located four miles from the ski area, offers five snow runs
Contact: (800) 768-0285 or www.cataloochee.com or www.tubemaggievalley.com
Hawksnest Resort
Location: Seven Devils, between Boone and Banner Elk
Slopes: Tubing only (20 lanes)
Night Skiing: No
Snowboarding: No
Tubing: Yes
Terrain Park: No
Ice Skating: No
Miscellany: Recognized for having the largest snow tubing park on the East Coast, the resort has added the longest zip line tour on the East Coast as well, featuring 19 cables, four of which are known in the zip line industry as super or mega zips. The zip line operates year-round.
Contact: (800) 822-4295 or www.hawksnest-resort.com
Sapphire Valley Ski Area
Location: Sapphire
Slopes: 2
Lifts: 2
Night Skiing: Yes
Snowboarding: Yes
Tubing: Yes
Terrain Park: No
Ice Skating: No
Miscellany: The ski area installed additional snow making equipment for the 2012-2013 season.
Contact: (828) 743-7663 or www.skisapphire.com
Sugar Mountain Ski Resort
Location: Sugar Mountain
Slopes: 20
Lifts: 7
Night Skiing: Yes
Snowboarding: Yes
Tubing: Yes
Terrain Park: Yes
Ice Skating: Yes
Special events: Slalom & Giant Slalom races for qualified college students will begin at 9 a.m. Jan 20 and 21. The USSA Slalom and Giant Slalom Competition for licensed USSA racers will be held Jan. 26 and 27.
Miscellany: Showshoeing tours offered every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, as guides take full advantage of the area’s diverse terrain, with tours winding through snow-covered forests, up challenging hills and across open fields.
Contact: (800) 784-2768 or www.skisugar.com
Wolf Ridge Ski Resort
Location: Mars Hill
Slopes: 22
Lifts: 5
Night Skiing: Yes
Snowboarding: Yes
Tubing: Yes
Terrain Park: Yes
Ice Skating: No
Contact: (828) 689-4111 or www.skiwolfridgenc.com
TENNESSEE
Ober Gatlinburg
Location: Gatlinburg
Slopes: 9
Lifts: 4
Night Skiing: Yes
Snowboarding: Yes
Tubing: Yes
Terrain Park: Yes
Ice Skating: Yes
Upcoming events: Free Flow Friday will be held in the terrain park on Jan. 18. The K2 “Pop This!” High Ollie Contest will also be held Jan. 18. Ladies Night 2013 is set for Jan. 28, with ladies receiving a free lift ticket for the hours between 6 and 10 p.m. The Special Olympics Tennessee Winter Games 2013 will be held Jan. 28 and 29.
Miscellany: Ober’s Snow Tubing Park offers 10 lanes and a 50-foot vertical drop. The Scenic Chairlift offers 15 minutes of air time and scenic views of the Great Smokies.
Contact: (800) 251-9202 or www.skiobergatlinburg.com
VIRGINIA
The Homestead Resort
Location: Hot Springs
Slopes: 9
Night Skiing: 6-9 p.m., Saturdays
Snowboarding: Yes
Tubing: Yes
Terrain Park: Yes
Ice Skating: Yes
Miscellany: Snowmobiling also offered as weather permits
Contact: (540) 839-1766 or www.thehomestead.com
Wintergreen Resort
Location: Wintergreen
Slopes: 26
Lifts: 5
Night Skiing: Yes
Snowboarding: Yes
Tubing: Yes
Terrain Park: Yes (2)
Ice Skating: Yes
Miscellany: The Winter Zip offers a 900-foot zipline ride with speeds approaching 40 mph
Contact: (434) 325-2200 or www.wintergreenresort.com
WEST VIRGINIA
Snowshoe Mountain Resort
Location: Snowshoe
Slopes: 60
Lifts: 15
Night Skiing: Yes
Snowboarding: Yes
Tubing: Yes
Terrain Park: Yes
Ice Skating: No
New this season: The new Hare Racer Zipline is located in the heart of the Village. With its side-by-side design, you can go by yourself or race a friend through the Village.
Miscellany: Five snowmobile tours are offered and include sunset, moonlight and private backcountry tours.
Contact: (877) 441-4386 or www.snowshoemtn.com
Winterplace Ski Resort
Location: Ghent/Flat Top
Slopes: 27
Lifts: 9
Night Skiing: Yes
Snowboarding: Yes
Tubing: Yes
Terrain Park: Yes
Ice Skating: No
Miscellany: Offers West Virginia’s largest snow tubing park with two super carpet lifts
Contact: (800) 607-7669 or www.winterplace.com
Timberline Four Seasons Resort
Location: Davis
Slopes: 37
Lifts: 4
Night Skiing: Yes
Snowboarding: Yes
Tubing: No
Terrain Park: Yes
Ice Skating: No
Contact: (800) 766-9464 or www.timberlineresort.com
