14th Annual WinterFest in Blowing Rock

January 26-29  -  Winterfest. Join the Village of Blowing Rock NC to celebrate the fun side of winter at the 14th Annual Winterfest. From the Wine Auction, ice carving and Live Bluegrass, to the Chili Cook-Off, Kids' Activities and the Polar Plunge in Chetola Lake, there's something for everyone.

January 27  -  Winterfest Family Night. is held in conjunction with Blowing Rock’s annual Winterfest, and will highlight several unique and fun events including: Late night skiing 5pm – Midnight; Special Late Night Ice Skating 10pm-Midnight; Roasting Smore’s; Snow play zone; The Sanctuary Massage Stations 5-8pm; Special Learn to Ski/Snowboard package deal; 50th Celebration Golden Scavenger Hunt Part 3 (Items 21-30).

Get a link for WinterFest and other Blowing Rock NC events HERE

FREE Snowshoeing at Sugar Mountain Ski Resort

January 7   17th annual National Winter Trails Day at Sugar Mountain Ski Resort. The event offers children and adults new to snow sports the chance to try snowshoeing for FREE. Discover the fun and fitness of snow sports. Snowshoe rental and guided tours are free. Guided tours are available on a first-come first-serve basis at 9am, 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3 pm and 4pm.

The program includes a 45 minute tour and snowshoe rental. Adult tours are for 12 years or older. Children's tours are for 8-11 year olds. Sign up at least 15 minutes prior to your tour time at the Ski/Snowboard School.

Get a link for National Trails Day and other 

Sugar Mountain NC events HERE

Four NC Ski Resorts and Areas are Open for the 2011-2012 Season

This weekend four of the six NC Ski Areas and Resorts are open for the 2011-2012 season.  After several false starts and the best efforts of the snow making machines, Mother Nature finally brought the requisite consistent cold temperatures this week.

Skiing in North Carolina has always required man-made snow. Each year the Ski Areas add to or upgrade their snowmaking capabilities. But even state-of-the-art snow machines can't do it all. A minimum of 36 to 48 hours of below freezing temperatures are need to properly prepare the slopes to begin building a usable snow surface. The last two years in NC have seen record early cold weather allowing longer ski seasons than usual with earlier starts and skiing well into March.


This weekend Cataloochee Ski Area, Sugar Mountain Resort, Beech Mountain Ski Resort and Appalachian Ski Mountain are all open for day time skiing on 40-60% of their slopes and bases of 6 inches to 45 inches. Sugar Mountain is host to the annual SugarFest and Appalachian is celebrating its official 50th season opening. Sapphire Valley Ski Area is hoping to open on December 17 and Wolf Ridge Ski Resort has not yet announced an opening date.

Get links for all NC  Ski Areas and Resorts and 

information about NC Skiing and winter sports HERE