Where to Ski in the Blue Ridge Mountains

It’s that time of year again: The leaves have begun to fall, temperatures are dipping further and further each night, and snow-lovers are gearing up for their favorite season. While the Rockies of the West boast the highest peaks, are memorialized more often in books and movies, and are home to the wealthiest, most-exclusive ski resorts, the Right Coast’s Appalachians are home to a few choice ranges of their own. Most notable is the scenic Blue Ridge, which forms the western borders of North Carolina and Virginia; and in these hills, as the locals say, some of the region’s best locations for winter sports are to be found.

When planning a skiing getaway, it’s often a good idea to choose a destination with access to multiple slopes. If you’re thinking about skiing the Blue Ridge, you would do well to make Boone, NC, your home base. With three premier slopes within a forty-five minute’s drive, Boone has earned the nickname “Heart of the High Country.” Two hours from Charlotte and situated in a valley on the range’s eastern side, the college town, named for the famous pioneer Daniel Boone, is just a short distance by car to the big slopes of the range’s western escarpment: Sugar Mountain, Beech Mountain, and Appalachian Ski Mountain. All three benefit from their west-facing geography because they receive the bulk of their snow from clipper-type, midwestern weather systems. These snowstorms occur when cold air from the Great Lakes region is pushed south and east, rising in elevation as it encounters the western slopes of the Appalachians. The result of this rising action is condensation, when the cold air encounters warmer air aloft, and when the temperatures are right: Presto, lots of snow!

January and February are by far the most popular time for snow lovers, accounting for fifty percent of the yearly snowfall. Daytime temperatures average around forty degrees fahrenheit, and at night the mercury dips to about twenty, though single digits are by no means rare. An average winter for the slopes is about a hundred inches of fresh snow; when the weather doesn’t cooperate, the cold temperatures allow the slopes to blow their own, but this isn’t a too-frequent occurrence. Check out the website for local weatherman Ray (http://www.booneweather.com); his forecast covers the entire region, and his legendary Snowman-o-mometer gages the weekly snowfall.

Appalachian Ski Mountain (800-322-2373) is the closest to town, just two miles south on Hwy 321, between Boone and Blowing Rock. They open the 2005-2006 regular season on December 15, and the season runs through March 13. Expect to find lots of young people here, as nearby Appalachian State University offers its students skiing classes at this location. Appalachian Ski Mountain boasts nine trails, including its black diamond Hard Core, which has been known to leave many an ASU student with a face full of snow. Lessons, lodging, rental, and group rates are all available. Prices are listed on their comprehensive website (www.appskimtn.com), and reservations may be made by phone.

Next closest is Sugar Mountain (800-SUGAR-MT or 800-784-2768), so named for its powdery winter appearance. Sugar, accessed by taking Hwy 105 South from Boone, then Hwy 184 West, has its main claim to fame in its 1200 ft. drop, the largest in the Southeast, and its summit features some tricky sixty-percent pitches. Home to twenty trails in all, however, Sugar is also great for beginning and intermediate skiers, as the lower mountain tends to be gentler. Tubing is available, too, and seventy ski instructors are available to give lessons. Though Sugar does not directly offer accommodations, package deals are available with nearby establishments. Check the latest conditions at (www.skisugar.com).

Just a short drive on Hwy 184 past Sugar brings you to the small town of Banner Elk, where you’ll begin your ascent of Beech Mountain (800-438-2093). The highest in elevation of all three destinations, Beech Mountain’s Ski Beech prides itself on the distinction of operating the highest slopes in eastern North America. Before you hit the powder, make sure to stop at Fred’s General Mercantile, one of the oldest and certainly the highest-elevation general store east of the Mississippi. Like Sugar, Ski Beech does not offer its own accommodations, but their website (www.skibeech.com) offers a long list, and the town of Beech Mountain itself is home to numerous cabin and condo rentals. In addition to rentals and lessons, Beech offers a nursery, an ice-skating rink, and a youth learning center. In addition to standard weekday/weekend pricing, Ski Beech offers special events, such as Ladies Night (Mondays; ladies receive a free lift ticket and $15 ski rentals) and Two-for Tuesday ($10 ski rentals and buy-one-one-free lift tickets). As the highest elevation, Beech also gets the greatest average snowfall annually, which means it can get crowded. Come during the week, though, and you’ll find a great assortment of trails for skiers and boarders of every skill level.

As you plan your Blue Ridge winter getaway, keep in mind that it can get pretty blustery in late January/February; daytime skiing should be comfortable, but the wind really picks up at night, so invest in a really good scarf. Alright, now you’re ready. What are you waiting for? Make your reservations!