CHECKLIST

Enjoy a magical snow day, any day: Here are a few of WINTER Our State’s favorite spots to ice-skate, WONDERLANDS ski, , 10 snow tube, and sled.

BEGINNER AT CATALOOCHEE SKI AREA Who are we to judge? There’s no shame in preferring a mellow ride on a “magic carpet” conveyor belt to the top of the slope. Whether you’re learning to “pizza” or easing in the kids, you can’t go wrong with this ski area’s novice hill. Beech Mountain 1080 Ski Lodge Road Maggie Valley, NC 28751 (828) 926-0285, cataloochee.com SLEDDING AT BEECH MOUNTAIN’S APRÈS-SKI DRINKS AT SNOW TUBING AT SAPPHIRE VALLEY YOUTH SLEDDING HILL BEECH MOUNTAIN BREWING COMPANY RESORT’S FROZEN FALLS TUBE PARK At this popular sledding spot in town, you After a long, cold day, there’s nothing Even without an ounce of skiing talent, can feel the wind in your hair even if you like an après-ski craft beer — at one of the whole family can get in on a snowy can’t feel your toes — no rentals required. the only breweries owned and operated adventure. All it takes is a running leap You don’t even need a snow day: When by a ski area — to bring feeling back to onto this 500-foot-long tubing hill — and Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate, Parks your fingers and toes. Try the 5506 Pale its 60-foot drop — to get your heart racing. and Rec breaks out the snow gun. Ale, named for the town’s elevation. Warning: A face full of snow is still possible. 403 Beech Mountain Parkway 1007 Beech Mountain Parkway 127 Cherokee Trail Beech Mountain, NC 28604 Beech Mountain, NC 28604 Sapphire, NC 28774 (800) 468-5506, beechmtn.com/sledding (828) 387-2011 (828) 743-7663, skisapphirevalley.com beechmountainbrewingco.com ICE-SKATING IN DOWNTOWN HIGHLANDS SNOW TUBING AT HAWKSNEST Twirling beneath the sparkly lights at ICE-SKATING AT If you prefer to have options, head to this picture-perfect outdoor rink in APPALACHIAN SKI MOUNTAIN Hawksnest, where you can zip down more downtown Highlands might just be the Glide over the state’s only Zamboni- than 30 lanes in four different snowy closest you can get to experiencing maintained outdoor ice-skating rink while areas. Yes, that means there are gentler life in a Hallmark holiday movie. enjoying a view of the ski slopes on one slopes, too, for risk-averse riders. Oak Street side and the Blue Ridge Mountains on 2058 Skyland Drive Highlands, NC 28741 the other. Take a spin beneath the stars, Seven Devils, NC 28604 (828) 526-3556 then warm up by the rinkside bonfire. (828) 963-6561, hawksnesttubing.com highlandsnc.org/recreation-ice-rink 940 Ski Mountain Road Blowing Rock, NC 28605 (828) 295-7828, appskimtn.com ICE-SKATING AT THE SNOWBOARDING AT U.S. NATIONAL WHITEWATER CENTER APPALACHIAN SKI MOUNTAIN EXPERT SKIING AT While this spot isn’t located in the mountains Catch some air at one of the most progressive like the other winter wonderlands on our list, terrain parks in the South. Appalachian SUGAR MOUNTAIN RESORT its ice-skating experience is so unique that Terrain Park prides itself on design Most of ’s black diamonds can’t we couldn’t resist adding it: A 17,000-square- creativity and variety, and is a favorite compete with those out West — but Sugar’s foot “ice trail” is surrounded by festive lights among thrill-seeking snowboarders from can. Its double-black is so steep, the crew and encircles a charming, on-ice Airstream nearby Appalachian State University. hooks their snow groomers up to winches to serving hot cocoa — and cold craft beer. 940 Ski Mountain Road reach the most vertical pitch. Watch out below. 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway Blowing Rock, NC 28605 1009 Sugar Mountain Drive Charlotte, NC 28214 (828) 295-7828, appskimtn.com Sugar Mountain, NC 28604 (704) 391-3900, usnwc.org (828) 898-4521, skisugar.com

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