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.

Ski Resorts in the Area Part One - Beech

Ski Resorts in the Area Part One - Beech

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

Beech Mountain Ski Resort

Sitting at a peak of 5,506 feet Beech Mountain is the highest ski resort in the eastern United States and covers 95 skiable acres. This is one our favorite places to visit each winter mainly because of the fun winding mountain roads on the drive up (and down, of course) as well as the friendly small-town atmosphere that is the town of Beech Mountain.

With 14 trails ranging from easy to black diamond, and 2 freestyle terrain trails and 7 lifts to get you to the top, there is something for everyone. 

The resort has many amenities to make your visit enjoyable, including four restaurants, two sport shops, full rental facility, wireless internet connection, ice skating, game room, coffee shop, retail store, ski repair/rental shop, and a snack shop.

Oh...we couldn't forget to tell you about the free sledding. Although it isn't part of the resort, The town of Beech Mountain has a wonderful sledding hill for the kids (sorry parents you will have to stick to the slopes, although it's okay to help smaller ones along). The hill is even outfitted with its own snow-making machines!

For more information, visit their website at http://www.beechmtn.com.

If you need a place to stay, we have you covered.

Blowing Rock Halloween Festival

Yes, it's a that time of the year where we get dressed up in our favorite sports gear or the most spooky costumes and go out and gather some yummy treats. One of our favorite things to do is head over to historic downtown Blowing Rock for their annual Halloween Festival.

This year the festival will be held Oct 29, 2011 from 3 - 9 pm in downtown Blowing Rock.

Activities include:

Air walks in Memorial Park 3:00p.m.-8:00p.m.

Games & a Fun House in the Recreation Center for the Kids! 3:00p.m.-5:30p.m.

Hay Rides through Blowing Rock with Tom: 4:00p.m.-8:00p.m.
(Meet in Memorial Park)

THE MONSTER MARCH: Line up at the American Legion at 5:30p.m. Parade at 5:45p.m.

Trick or Treat Downtown Blowing Rock: 6:00p.m.-until (look for the black and orange balloons)

Bonfire in the Park: 6:30p.m.-9:00p.m.

Costume Contest: (Sign up at the Recreation Center by 6:45p.m.) - 7:00p.m.
Location: Recreation Center (White Building by the Tennis Courts)

Moonlight Scavenger hunt at Broyhill Lake- BEGINS After Costume Contest
participate in teams (max: 3 per group) (ages 6-13) Bring your flashlight!!!

6th Annual Valle Crucis Punkin Festival Oct. 22

The Valle Crucis Punkin Festival marks its sixth year in 2011. It was founded in 2006 as a kid-friendly event tied to the harvest season. Although it is a small festival, it is big on fun – starting with the name. The organizers chose the name “simply because it’s a lot more fun than pumpkin”.

Kids are invited to participate in all kinds of old-fashioned games like Apple Bob (bobbing for apples hanging from a string), Hoop-La (can you hook the ring?), Punkin Sack Races (try to do that without laughing), and Dog Bowl In (get the ball to stay in one of the dog bowls). Everyone can get their face painted and enjoy food, of course. In addition, kids and their parents have an artistic outlet to carve their Jack ‘o Lanterns with no muss and no fuss. Festival volunteers “cut and gut” the pumpkins for you! Proceeds from the day go to the Western Youth Network (WYN), a non-profit group serving youth and families in Ashe, Avery, and Watauga Counties and the Valle Crucis Elementary School Parent Teacher Student Association. That leads right into one of the event’s theme: Carving for a Cause.

Kids will need a parental permission form completed in order to participate.  Download a PDF version and fill it out before the festival so you can join in the fun right away.

The festival is staffed by volunteers from WYN, Appalachian State University, Valle Crucis Elementary School, and the Mast General Store.

For more info call 828-963-4712 or e-mail punkinfestival@gmail.com.

Weekend Happenings at the Ski Resorts

Beech Mountain Resort Winterfest 2011

January 7-9

It's That time of year again to celebrate all things Winter. Come out and enjoy the mountain and enjoy live music, ice skating exhibitions and more.

Oh and don't forget about the chili cook-off from 10:30AM - 1:00PM Click here to learn more.

National Winter Trails Day - Winter Feels Good

January 8

Sugar Mountain Resort is hosting it's 16th annual Winter Trails Day. For folks young and old that are new to snow sports here is your chance to try snowshoeing for FREE!

Guided 45 minute tours are avalible from 9AM until 4PM. Learn more here.

Ladies Park Night at Appalachian Ski Mtn.

January 8

Just for the ladies this night. App Terrain Park will have a section of the park specifically designed for learning and progression. All ages and abilities, both ski and snowboard, are welcome to get together and ride in a laid-back environment among friends.

Sessions begin at 7PM. More information is here.

And of course, if you need a place to stay we are happy to help, just drop us a line at mountaincabinnc *at* gmail dot com.

Wildlife Watch at Adlerhorst!

By Adler the Eagle

Some friends just returned from Adlerhorst and reported how wonderful it was to be right in the middle of nature! Here is a running list of all the creatures that have been spotted on or near the property:

- A Bobcat

- Deer

- A Groundhog

- Rabbits

- Wild Turkey

Come stay at Adlerhorst and see what you can discover here! 919-802-4924 or mountaincabinnc@gmail.com.