Ski NC - The Slopes are OPEN and Conditions are Great for Winter Sports

North Carolina Ski Resorts and Areas will ALL be open this weekend with great conditions from natural and man made snow. Check the individual websites for specific times and special events.

Slope and Resort reports as of 12-15-2017:

Appalachian Ski Mountain is  OPEN for the 2017-18 Season   Skiing 7 trails with 5 lifts on a base of 24-36 inches.   Ice Skating now open.   December 24 - Skiing with Santa; December 25 - Christmas Day Skiing,  ASM will be open until Midnight every Friday and Saturday Night from December 9 - March 17.  1 PM - 10 PM.  Ski or Ride for only $10 on the first Sunday of each month (Dec 3, Jan 7, Feb 4, Mar 4) 1/2 night session is from 7:30 – 10 PM, purchase online and get an extra hour FREE - 6:30-10PM.



 
Beech Mountain Ski Resort is OPEN for the 2017-18 Season   Skiing 12 trails with 5 lifts on a base of 16 - 46 inches.  December 16, 17 - Santa visits Beech Mountain; Ongoing - Music and events at Beech Tree Bar and Grille and Beech Mountain Brewery.




 


Cataloochee Ski Area is  OPEN for the 2017-18 Season.  Skiing 16 slopes with 4 lifts on a base of 28 - 52 inches from 9 AM to 4:30 PM with night skiing beginning 12/16.  December 25 - Christmas Day Skiing with Santa 1 PM - 10 PM.









Sapphire Valley Ski Area is   OPEN for the 2017-18 Season. Opening Day December 16.  Beginner and Training slope 29 - 49 inches; Main Slope 29 - 51 inches. Frozen Falls Tube Park: 30 - 42 inches.
 




Sugar Mountain Ski Resort  is OPEN for the 2017-18 Season  Skiing 12 slopes with 4 lifts on a base of 16 - 48 inches for day and evening sessions. 12/8 - Pre-Season Ski Clinic; 12/8 - SugarFest. Ice skating is open with sessions at 10am, 12pm, 2pm, and 4pm. Tubing is open. Live music weekends at the All Decked Out Grill.

 


  Wolf Ridge Ski Resort  is OPEN for the 2017-18 Season   Skiing 10 slopes with 2 lifts on an average base of 50 inches. Tube Run is OPEN 9.00 AM to 10.00 PM.

Get links for ALL NC Ski Resorts and Ski Areas on our 

NC Skiing and Winter Sports Guide 

Ten Things to do this Weekend in the NC Mountains

You can find links and more events on our  

NC Events Calendar

photo by Dr. Matt Estep, ASU, 10-9-16

1.   Look at the Leaves! Colors are developing and Boone, Blowing Rock, Grandfather Mountain and other High Country cities and locations should be near peak this weekend. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park shows good color at the highest elevations, proceeding down the mountains a little each day.

2.   Ghost Train Halloween Festival at Tweetsie Railroad  - October 14 - 15, 2016 - Blowing Rock NC.    Advanced ticket purchase is recommended for this very popular event. The ghastly special events include Ghost Train Rides Exciting Haunted House, Halloween Shows, 3-D Maze, Black Hole™, Trick-or-treating and the Freak Forest. Get a complete list of events and times at the website.

3.   Beats, Burgers & Brews at the Old Rock Café - October 14 - 15, 2016 - Chimney Rock NC.
 After leaf peeping, relax outdoors to the beat of bluegrass, Americana, folk, blues or other genres while enjoying a regional craft brew or glass of wine on our riverside deck. Talented local musicians and singer-songwriters liven up the scene on Friday & Saturday evenings in October at this popular burger joint in Chimney Rock Village. The Old Rock Café features one of the 2014 Zagat-rated “Must-try Burgers across the Country” with Hickory Nut Gap Meats’ 100% grass-fed beef burger. The full menu includes grilled sandwiches, salads and fresh-baked fruit cobbler.  

4.   The Haunted Farm - October 14 - 15, 2016 - Hendersonville halfway to Asheville.  If you dare... come visit this spooktacular farm sitting on a mysterious, blood-soaked stretch of land where the deranged Missy Mae Lively eternally pines for her lost groom. Just 15 minutes from Asheville, The Haunted Farm is  billed as the scariest halloween attraction in Western North Carolina. The Farm is  frightful fun with three main parts: The Woods, The Farm and The Haunted Hayride. New for 2015 - There are more gruesome scenes, horrifying sights, special effects, incredible details and startling scares then ever before. Don't miss the chance to defend against the Zombie Army with your paintball weapon.  Admission - $20 (cash only); $3 parking 

5.   Peanuts Pumpkin Patch Express  - October 14 - 16, 2016 - Bryson City NC - Peanuts Pumpkin Patch Express   The PEANUTS gang return the the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Pumpkin Patch for this annual family fun favorite. The excursions, which are themed after Charles M. Schulz's classic story "It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown," will be departing from the Bryson City Depot and arriving at the Pumpkin Patch. Event activities include campfire marshmallows, a coloring station, temporary tattoos, trick or treating, bouncy house, hayrides and live musical entertainment. Two trips per day at 12 PM and 3:30 PM.

6.    Annual Leaf-Lookers Gemboree  - October 14 - 16, 2016 - Franklin NC.    An Annual Gem Show with dealers from all over the southeast. Rough and Cut Gems, minerals, fine jewelry, supplies, beads, door prizes, dealers, exhibits and demonstrations. Adults: $2; Under 12 Free. Watch for $1 off coupons in local newspapers. Sponsored by Franklin Chamber of Commerce and Gem & Mineral Society of Franklin. Look for $1 off coupons in local newspapers.

quilt show at The Harvest Festival

7.    Annual Harvest Festival  - October 14 - 16, 2016 - Robbinsonville NC.   Mountain traditions come alive at the annual Harvest Festival in beautiful Stecoah Valley at the Cultural Arts Center on the grounds of the historic Stecoah School. The former community school was built in 1926, and today is the home of the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center, an organization dedicated to preserving Southern Appalachian mountain culture. Tickets for the Saturday evening concert are on sale now  -  Admission-adults $25.00 Students k-12 $10.00.  Performing this year will be The Cleverlys. The Sunday afternoon concert is free. 

8.     Family Animal Encounters - October 15 - 16, 2016 - Chimney Rock NC.   Meet some of Grady the Groundhog’s woodland friends or possibly the birds of prey, a Red-tailed hawk and Great Horned Owl.  A Park naturalist will explain each animal’s role in our ecosystem, how they came to live at the park and lessons on what can be done to help protect wildlife. Animal Encounters meet at the Outdoor Classroom Saturday and Sunday. Afterward, grab a Track Trail brochure at Grady’s Den and take a hike along the Great Woodland Adventure trail with 12 interactive education stations.

Wooly Worm

9.    Wooly Worm Festival  - October 15 - 16, 2016 - Banner Elk NC.  The 38th Annual Festival includes the infamous wolly worm "waces" along with live entertainment, arts and crafts, food vendors and amusement rides.  A family-oriented weekend and one of the most popular NC mountain annual events. Admission is $5.00 for Adults, $3.00 for Children 6-12, Free for 5 and under.

10.   The Valle Country Fair - October 15, 2016 - Valle Crucis.   Enjoy an old fashioned County Fair at the peak of fall color leaf season. Activities include crafts, food, mountain music, 150 juried fine art and crafts booths, an activity area for kids, freshly pressed apple cider , Hot-out-of-the-kettle apple butter, Homemade jams & jellies, Brunswick stew, chili and barbecue.  

 

Earth Day Celebrations and Events in the Mountains

photo courtesy NOC

April 22 - 24, 2016
NC City:  BRYSON CITY
Event:     NOC Spring Fling    This event is NOC's way of welcoming spring to the Southeast. Come out and be a part of World Kayak's Hometown Throwdown, race in the Boater Cross or push your skills on the Nantahala Cascades. Don't forget to check out the season's hottest gear at the NOC's Outfitter's Store, plus, enjoy free live music and local brews at Big Wesser BBQ + Brew.

photo courtesy Chimney Rock State Park

April 23, 2016
NC City:  CHIMNEY ROCK
Event:     Earth Day Celebration at Chimney Rock State Park  Join Chimney Rock State Park rangers, biologists and other environmental educators to learn about the great work being done to protect the beautiful landscape. Booths will be located in Chimney Rock Village behind the Old Rock Café.   

April 23, 2016
NC City:  OLD FORT
Event:     Mountain Thunder Car Show    Annual Mountain Thunder Car Show in downtown, historic Old Fort. Sponsored by the Route 70 Cruisers, all makes and models of cars, trucks and motorcycles are invited to join the fun, no entrance or admission fees! There will be food, crafts and a “swap meet” area for treasure hunters.  

April 23, 2016
NC City:  NEBO
Event:     Folk Rock and Trees for the Earth - Skiffle Creek.   Come to South Creek Winery, give a listen to this great local group and raise a glass to original and cover tunes. Freddy Bradburn, who has released several CDs, including critically acclaimed “Cartoonland,” heads up the trio. Tasting room opens at 11 am with wine tasting for a nominal fee; music begins at 1 PM.  


April 23, 2016
NC City:  SYLVA

photo courtesy mainstreetsylva.org

Event:     Greening up the Mountains   This annual spring festival, named for the way the “spring green” creeps up the mountainsides, is a celebration of the local economy, sustainability, and traditional heritage crafts. Three full music stages will feature local bands, children’s performances, and heritage dance, along with the annual Youth Talent Show and more. Storytelling, face painting, an inflatable slide, the recycled materials Superhero Costume Contest, volunteer projects and more. Annual Greening Up the Mountains 5K Run. It also celebrates the greening of the environment, with information about sustainable living and presentations by environmental groups. It is held on on Main and Mill Streets in historic downtown Sylva from 10 AM to 4 PM.

photo courtesy visitNC.com

 April 23 - 24, 2016
NC City:  MAGGIE VALLEY
Event:     Southeastern Mini Truckin' Nationals   An open car show with spectators welcome. Hundreds of mini trucks will compete. Auto and Food Vendors will be on site. Held on the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds at 3374 Soco Road 

photo courtesy visitNC.com

April 23 - 24, 2016
NC City:  ROBBINSVILLE
Event:     Cheoah River High Flow Weekends   The Cheoah river has many Class IV/IV+ rapids and lots of residual vegetation that require a high skill level to negotiate. With the exception of two or three half-mile or so sections, the Cheoah is unusually continuous with a gradient that is consistently steep for a river its size. The 9+ mile run can be broken into three sections and represents a whitewater experience not often found in the Southeast. Recommended for experienced paddlers only. 




    

What To Do This Weekend in the Mountains

Date:       October 16 - 17, 2015
NC City:  BLOWING ROCK
Event:     Ghost Train Halloween Festival at Tweetsie Railroad   Advanced ticket purchase is recommended for this very popular event. Fun for the whole family this ghastly special event admission includes: all the nighttime activities in the park - the ride on the Ghost Train, trick-or-treating for the kids, Haunted House, Tweetsie Palace Spooktacular, the rides in the Creepy Carnival, and the attractions in "The Boneyard” section, featuring the Black Hole, 3-D maze, and the “Freaky Forest.” 

Date:      October 16 - 18, 2015
NC City:  BRYSON CITY 
Event:     Peanuts Pumpkin Patch Express   The PEANUTS gang return the the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Pumpkin Patch for this annual family fun favorite. The excursions, which are themed after Charles M. Schulz's classic story "It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown," will be departing from the Bryson City Depot and arriving at the Pumpkin Patch. Event activities include campfire marshmallows, a coloring station, temporary tattoos, trick or treating, bouncy house, hayrides and live musical entertainment. Two trips per day at 12 PM and 3:30 PM.

Date:       October 16 - 18, 2015
NC City:   ROBBINSVILLE
Event:     Annual Harvest Festival    Mountain traditions come alive at the annual Harvest Festival in beautiful Stecoah Valley at the Cultural Arts Center on the grounds of the historic Stecoah School. The former community school was built in 1926, and today is the home of the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center, an organization dedicated to preserving Southern Appalachian mountain culture. Tickets for the Saturday evening concert are on sale now  -  Admission-adults $25.00 Students k-12 $10.00.  Performing this year will be The Cleverlys. The Sunday afternoon concert is free.  

Date:       October 16 - 18, 2015
NC City:   FRANKLIN
Event:     Annual Leaf-Lookers Gemboree    An Annual Gem Show with dealers from all over the southeast. Rough and Cut Gems, minerals, fine jewelry, supplies, beads, door prizes, dealers, exhibits and demonstrations. Adults: $2; Under 12 Free. Watch for $1 off coupons in local newspapers. Sponsored by Franklin Chamber of Commerce and Gem & Mineral Society of Franklin

Date:      October 17, 2015
NC City:  DILLSBORO
Event:    ColorFest, Art and Taste of Appalachia   Autumn's colors and flavors take center stage  during this popular annual festival. This arts and food event fills the sidewalks of Dillsboro with a variety of mountain artisans demonstrating their skills, plus food vendors serving up a taste of the North Carolina mountains.  Local musicians and street entertainers add music to festivities, while restaurants and shops are open to serve the crowds throughout the day.  10 AM - 4 PM.

Date:      October 17, 2015
NC City:  LITTLE SWITZERLAND
Event:     Black Light nighttime Mine Underground Tour   Black Light is the common name for ultraviolet light because it is invisible to human sight. Be amazed by the bright colors in the Bon Ami Mine revealed with short-wave ultraviolet lights. Bon Ami Mine is one of the few places in the world where you can visit an underground mine at night and see brightly flowing fluorescent Hyalite Opal and other rare minerals. No reservations needed. Admission: $15/adults; $10/students and seniors

Date:      October 17, 2015
NC City:  ASHEVILLE
Event:     Asheville Art in the Park   The finest handcrafted art in the area is on display and for sale at Pack Square in downtown Asheville. Nationally known artists exhibit at this event and the best part is- they are local. Muddy Knees Design and Production is proud to once again offer local artists the opportunity to connect with the public in Asheville‘s Pack Square Park. This is the last October show for 2015.

Date:      October 17, 2015
NC City:  VALLE CRUCIS
Event:     The Valle Country Fair   Enjoy an old fashioned County Fair at the peak of fall color leaf season. Activities include crafts, food, mountain music, 150 juried fine art and crafts booths, an activity area for kids, freshly pressed apple cider , Hot-out-of-the-kettle apple butter, Homemade jams & jellies, Brunswick stew, chili and barbecue. 

Date:      October 17 - 18, 2015
NC City:  MAGGIE VALLEY
Event:     Maggie Valley Fall Arts and Crafts Festival  Come and spend the weekend at this annual art and crafts event enjoying the panoramic view of the mountains in Maggie Valley.  A variety of fine handmade crafts created by artisans from throughout the Southeast including furniture, jewelry, knitting, pottery, quilted items, painted shirts, floral arrangements, leather work, scroll work, crochet, soaps and plenty of Food Vendors will be serving all your favorites. There will also be chainsaw demonstrations.

Date:      October 17 - 18, 2015
NC City:  BANNER ELK
Event:     Wooly Worm Festival   The 38th Annual Festival includes the infamous wolly worm "waces" along with live entertainment, arts and crafts, food vendors and amusement rides.  A family-oriented weekend and one of the most popular NC mountain annual events. Admission is $5.00 for Adults, $3.00 for Children 6-12, Free for 5 and under.

Date:      October 17 - 18, 2015
NC City:  BLOWING ROCK / LINVILLE
Event:     The Colors of Grandfather Mountain   A guided walk led by Grandfather Mountain's education staff takes guests out onto the trails of Grandfather to discuss fall color. Topics include the reasons trees change color and the different forces that affect fall color. The different species of trees around the trail will be identified. “The Colors of Grandfather” will visit various locations around Grandfather Mountain to showcase a spectacular contrast of stunning autumn hues. The programs begin at 1 PM each Saturday and Sunday and are included with regular admission. For more information about “The Colors of Grandfather,” call 800-468-7325  

Date:      October 17 - 18, 2015
NC City:  ASHEVILLE
Event:     North Carolina Chrysanthemum Society Annual Show    A popular annual judged show presents hundreds of chrysanthemum blooming in vibrant and varied colors. The exhibits will be judged by Accredited National Chrysanthemum judges and strict NCS standards  highlight the exceptional variety in size, shape and color of these popular fall flowers.

Date:      October 18, 2015
NC City:  CHIMNEY ROCK
Event:     Naturalist Niche: Simon Says Fall Birdwalk at Chimney Rock State Park   Now is the perfect time to start preparing for winter birding. Grab your binoculars and field guide to join world-traveled birding expert Simon Thompson for an early look at which of our feathered friends are staying around for winter. Limited to 15; advance registration required. Call 800-277-9611 to reserve your spot. 

          

FREE 2013 Visitors Guide to Jackson County NC

Get details about hiking, rafting, fly fishing and other mountain outdoor activities in the 2013 Jackson County NC Visitors Guide, now available at no charge from the Jackson County Tourism Development Authority (TDA).

The 48-page, full-color guide explores a variety of leisure pursuits in Jackson County's popular mountain towns of Cashiers, Cherokee, Cullowhee, Dillsboro and Sylva.

Visitors may learn about unique destinations like the Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail, the nation's only fly fishing trail, and the Richland Balsam Overlook, the highest point on the Blue Ridge Parkway at 6,053 feet in elevation.

There's also information on shopping, dining and lodging, as well as a detailed pull-out map of hiking trails and waterfalls. Lodging options include cozy bed-and-breakfast inns, cabin rentals, riverside hotels and notable mountain inns.

"Unplug from the hustle and bustle and relax in the scenic mountains of Western North Carolina," said Julie Spiro, executive director of the Jackson County Chamber. To receive a complimentary NC Mountains Visitors Guide, call (800) 962-1911, or submit a request online at: www.MountainLovers.com. The guide can also be downloaded online.

The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce is located at 773 West Main Street in historic downtown Sylva NC