Speedy New Lift and New Tube Park
Elevate NC Winter Sports Season
As temperatures drop, the action heats up at winter resorts in the North Carolina mountains. The 2015-16 season opens with a new tubing park at Beech Mountain Resort, a new high-speed, six-seater chairlift at Sugar Mountain Resort and other improvements on and off the slopes.
“Every year brings new reasons to get excited about North Carolina ski and snowboard season,” said Wit Tuttell, executive director of Visit North Carolina. “Our six ski areas elevate the state’s western mountains to the top among winter destinations in the Southeast. And based on new research, their economic impact is nearly $120 million.”
A year after debuting the Black Diamond Gunther’s Way trail, Sugar Mountain Resort introduces North Carolina’s first six-seater, detachable, high-speed chairlift. The Summit Express, manufactured by Doppelmayr, offers passengers cushy seats, comfortable foot rests and spacious elbow room for the five-minute ride to Sugar Mountain’s 5,300-foot peak. The lift also promises easy loading and unloading. Other updates to the lift system’s architecture will streamline traffic flow and increase the mountain’s uphill transportation capacity.
Beech Mountain Resort’s state-of-the-art tubing park, adjacent to the Alpine Village at the base of the slopes, features runs of up to 700 feet long with a magic carpet conveyor to transport riders back to the top. The resort has also advanced the infrastructure of the lifts and enclosed the terminal at the top of the quad to prevent exposure to the harsh elements.
“When the world was created, North Carolina’s Appalachian Mountains received special consideration ― the highest mountains east of the Rockies, temperatures cold enough for snowmaking, incredible scenery and some of the friendliest folks in the world,” said Kim Jochl, president of the North Carolina Ski Areas Association.
North Carolina’s six full-service ski and snowboard areas are home to slopes that range from beginner to Double Black Diamond, as well as freestyle terrain parks, ice skating, tubing and more. Most of them even offer rental clothing for those who don’t own proper apparel but want to get in on the fun. With the coldest climates and highest elevations in the Southeast, the western mountains have become a regional destination for winter sports. Temperatures drop 3 to 4 degrees for every 1,000-foot rise in elevation, so ski areas can often support snowmaking even when it’s sweater weather at lower elevations.
According to a study on the 2014-2015 season commissioned by the North Carolina Ski Areas Association, the overall economic impact of the ski resort industry was $197.2 million, which includes $119.5 million in direct spending and $77.7 million.in indirect and induced value. The average expenditure per person per ski trip within North Carolina was $182.84. More than half of the 653,654 ski visitors came from other states.
Here’s a rundown on what awaits this season at North Carolina’s ski areas and other winter sports resorts. Find trip-planning information and more inspiration for a winter getaway at VisitNC.com.
Location: Between Blowing Rock and Boone.
Terrain: 12 slopes on 27 skiable acres. Includes three terrain parks with about 60 features. Peak elevation: 4,000 feet. Vertical drop: 365 feet.
Lifts: Two quads and a double plus two conveyors and a handle pull.
Other action: Ice arena.
Amenities: Clothing and equipment rentals, dining, TV room and video game room.
Learning: Instruction from the French Swiss Ski College, Burton Learn to Ride and programs for children.
This season: New and upgraded snowmaking on Orchard Run, Big Appal and Appaljack slopes to provide faster coverage and more base depth, consistency and quality snow conditions; Midnight Blast every weekend plus Dec. 26-Jan. 2, Jan. 17 and Feb. 14.
What a deal! Ski or ride for $10 the first Sunday of every month.
Location: Beech Mountain (near Banner Elk).
Terrain: 16 trails including two freestyle terrain areas on 95 skiable acres. Peak elevation: 5,506 feet. Vertical drop: 830 feet.
Lifts: High-speed quad, fixed-grip quad, four doubles and a magic carpet.
Other action: Ice arena, tubing park.
Amenities: Clothing and equipment rentals, dining, 5506’ Skybar, Beech Mountain Brewing Co. and game room.
Learning: Instruction from the ski school, Burton Learn to Ride and programs for children.
This season: New tubing park withchutes up to 700 feet long;lift system upgrades, including an enclosed structure at the top of the quad; improved snowmaking; renovations at Beech Tree Bar & Grill.
What a deal! Free Beginner lessons Monday-Thursday (non-holiday) with purchase of rental equipment. Valid for ages 8 and older.
Location: Maggie Valley.
Terrain: 18 trails, including Cat Cage Terrain Park, on 50 skiable acres. Peak elevation: 5,400 feet. Vertical drop: 740 feet.
Lifts: Quad, triple and double plus two moving carpet conveyor lifts.
Other action: Tube World (nearby).
Amenities: Clothing andequipment rental, boot drying system, dining.
Learning: Ski school and children’s programs.
What a deal! Slide in 5 ($299 for five lift tickets, fIve ski rentals and five lessons plus a free pair of Elan skis with bindings upon completing the lessons).
Location: Sapphire (near Cashiers).
Terrain: Two slopes across eight skiable acres. Peak elevation: 3,400 feet. Vertical drop: 200 feet.
Lifts: Quad, moving carpet.
Other action: Frozen Falls Tube Park, zip-line tours.
Amenities: Clothing and equipment rental, dining.
Learning: Ski school.
This season: Increased snowmaking ability, new moving lift at the beginner’s hill, additional lanes at the tube park. Also, the resort’s signature Outhouse Race celebrates its 10th anniversary run on Feb. 13.
What a deal! Twenty-eight percent savings on a two-night stay-and-play package.
Location: Sugar Mountain (near Banner Elk).
Terrain: 21 slopesplus terrain park on 125 skiable acres. Peak elevation: 5,300 feet. Vertical drop: 1,200 feet.
Lifts: High-speed, six-passenger lift plus four doubles, a triple, a handle tow and two magic carpets.
Other action: Snowshoeing, tubing, ice skating.
Amenities: Equipment rentals, dining, Last Run Lounge.
Learning: Professional Ski Instructors of America and American Association of Snowboard Instructors School, children’s programs.
This season: Addition of the Summit Express, a six-seater, high-speed chairlift, and other lift system updates; new automated SMI snow machines and an additional variable speed, fully automated water pump; cafeteria remodeling to allow made-to-order selections and new bottled drink options.
What a deal! Save up to 40 percent on lift tickets, rental equipment and lodging with a Winter Value Package.
Location: Mars Hill.
Terrain: 15 runs plus terrain park on 17 acres of skiable terrain. Peak elevation: 4,700 feet. Vertical drop: 700 feet.
Lifts: Quad, double, surface lift.
Other action: Tubing park.
Amenities: Two lodges with equipment rentals and dining.
Learning: Snow sports school, children’s programs.
This season: New dedicated beginner lesson area with its own surface lift to decrease crowding on the main slope; new parking area to allow guests to park closer to the resort’s top lodge.
What a deal! 2 For Tuesday (buy one lift ticket, get one free).
Tubing and more
Hawksnest
Hawksnest boasts the largest snow-tubing park on the East Coast plus major zip-line action. The resort features four different tubing areas with 30 lanes ranging from 400 to 1,000 feet long with two magic carpets to transport riders back to the top. The experience for 2015-16 should be the best yet, thanks to new snow-making facilities and lane-grooming equipment plus more lighting for night sessions. For zip-line riders, the Eagle Tour and the Hawk Tour make use of 20 lines ― including four mega-zips, two of which extend 2,000 feet. The lines total four miles and take in heights of more than 200 feet at speeds up to 50 mph as they convey riders through the trees and over lakes and creeks with panoramic views. Hawksnest is at Seven Devils, between Banner Elk and Boone.
Jonas Ridge Snow Tubing
Six tubing lanes cater to various needs for speed, and there’s a magic carpet lift to take tubers back to the top. The park also offers night tubing. Snacks and a warm fire await inside the lodge. Jonas Ridge is about 15 miles south of Banner Elk.
Moonshine Mountain Snow Tubing Park
Moonshine Mountain features 500 feet of fun and allows trains of up to eight people, which other places forbid. Moonshine Mountain is in Hendersonville.
Scaly Mountain Outdoor Center
Scaly Mountain offers year-round tubing with snow in the winter and artificial turf in the summer. The resort offers a separate slope for young tubers and also has a skating rink. Sandwiches and snacks are available at Annie’s Café. Scaly Mountain is near Highlands.
Beech Mountain Sledding Hill
The town of Beech Mountain maintains a free sledding hill for children 12 and younger (parents can ride with smaller children), next to Town Hall. A combination of natural and man-made snow keeps the conditions right. Plastic sleds are required.