Ski Resorts in the Area Part Three - Appalachian Ski Mountain

With ski season soon approaching, we wanted to share some of our favorite places to visit for some winter fun. Next up, Appalachian Ski Mountain

 Appalachian Ski Mountain

Located in Blowing Rock, NC, Appalachian Ski Mountain is the smallest in the area --but that doesn't mean it is short on things to do.

Originally opened in the winter of 1962 under the name Blowing Rock Ski Lodge, it was the first ski area in Northwestern North Carolina. The area consisted of a 12,000 square foot base lodge and three slopes serviced by two rope tows and a T-bar. Appalachian Ski Mountain officially got it's beginning Dec. 4, 1968.

Today the resort has 12 slopes (3 easiest, 6 more difficult, 3 most difficult) serviced by two Quad lifts and one double lift with a total hourly capacity of 5,764. There are also two conveyor lifts and one handle-pull tow. The mountain is fully covered with lights for night skiing and has 100% snow making coverage.The peak elevation is 4000' with a base elevation of 3635'. Check out the trail map for more information.

The mountain also has a Zamboni-maintained ice rink operating Noon to 2pm, 2:30pm to 4:30pm, and 7pm to 9pm. It includes complimentary skate rental with ticket purchase. It is located in a spectacular scenic setting overlooking the ski slopes on one side and the Blue Ridge Mountains on the other. Appalachian’s outdoor ice arena has a refrigerated ice floor and is fully lighted for skating under the stars seven nights a week. Skaters and non-skaters can watch the action and warm up by our rink-side bonfire.

The mountain also has three awesome terrain parks (Appaljack, Appal Jam and AppalTop).

Need to take a break and grab some food and warm up? Well the lodge has all the things you need. Enjoy an amazing view of the slopes from the 200’ observation deck or from the dining rooms in the restaurant. Sit, relax and warm yourself by our large stone fireplace. The slopeside restaurant offers daily specials and healthy food choices. It is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The Alpine Ski Shop, located on the lower level of the lodge, carries a huge selection of top quality ski equipment, apparel and accessories. The Appalachian Gift Shop, located on the second level of the lodge, is packed with ski and snowboard related souvenirs, accessories, t-shirts and other logo apparel.

Their is free wireless internet service available in The main dining room, dining room annex, and the snowcloud room. Other amenities include: a TV room, a video game room, dressing rooms, lockers and clothes dryers.


We think you will enjoy Appalachian Ski Mountain so for more information visit their website http://www.appskimtn.com

And if you need a place to stay on your visit, we have you covered. 

Ski Resorts in the Area Part Two - Sugar

With ski season soon approaching, we wanted to share some of our favorite places to visit for some winter fun. Next up, Sugar Mountain.

Sugar Mountain Resort 

The resort opened in 1969 with four lifts and eleven slopes. Today it hosts a gamut of activities including tubing, ice skating and a ski and snowboard school.

 

Sugar Mountain Resort is probably the area's most popular ski resort with 20 slopes and trails spread over 115 skiable acres and seven lifts (included are two of North Carolina's longest). In the trail map, you will find easy as well as double-black diamond trails, and everything in between, so there is something for everyone in the family.

If the trails aren't your thing, or you just want to hang with the kids, head on over to the tubing runs. Located on the Sugar Mountain Golf Course, the 700 ft long tubing lanes are serviced by a Magic Carpet lift.

Sessions are just under two hours long and run from 10:00am until 10pm. Please see the Snow Tubing policies, guidelines and important information before heading out.

Still need something to do? Sugar has a 10,000 square foot refrigerated outdoor ice skating rink. Skate sessions are 1 1/2 hours long and are available at 10:00am, 12:00pm, 2:00pm, 4:00pm, 6:00pm, and 8:00pm. Four hundred pairs of rental ice skates are available. Here is more information on skating sessions and more.

For the little ones out there, Sugar not only offers special rates for children 11 and under, but also has the Sugar Bear Ski School in the Children's Learning Center for skiers age 5 through 10. The program includes lift ticket, rental equipment, lessons, lunch, supervision, and lots of fun. Children ages 7 through 14 learn to snowboard in the Polar Bear Snowboard School. This program also includes lift ticket, rental equipment, lessons, lunch and supervision. For the young non-skiers, daycare is available.

Of course if you need somewhere to take a break and get refueled Sugar has it. For the adults in attendence there is the The Last Run Lodge, which serves up your favorite adult beverages and sandwiches. You can sit back by the fireplace and gaze out the big picture windows for a view of the slopes. For the under 21 crowd (or if you do not partake) the cafeteria is open daily from 8am to 10pm and serves hamburgers, hot dogs and more. Oh and you can also pick up a big ole cup of hot chocolate to warm up.

We think you will enjoy all that the mountain has to offer. To learn more visit their website: http://www.skisugar.com

And if you need a place to stay on your visit, we have you covered.