Snow
SPORTS
...THINGS TO DO IN THE SNOW
MOSES CONE TRAIL
SUGAR REOSRT ICE RINK
POPLAR GROVE RD
OFF HWY 211 - BLOWING ROCK
HAWKSNEST
Tubing
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Hawksnest is king of the mountain when it comes to tubing, with the largest park on the East Coast. Sugar Mountain also offers six tubing lanes. And Beech Mountain has eight lanes. Chutes are machined formed and regularly groomed for a fantastic ride. Once at the bottom, a conveyor lift takes you back to the top for another ride down. Tubing sessions last one hour and 45 minutes. All you need to do is dress warm. Check with the resorts for session times and ticket prices.
Sledding The snow sport created just for kids—sledding—makes for an easy, fun family treat. There’s always snow on the free sledding hill next to the Beech Mountain Chamber of Commerce. Snowmaking machines and natural snow keep this hill open all winter long. Plastic sleds only. For more info call 1-800-468-5506 or 828-387-9283. Or, simply look around for a snow-covered hill. There’s an extremely popular place on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Blowing Rock. Go 1.7 miles south from Blowing Rock on Highway 221. You’ll find it near the Parkway entrance next to the bridge.
Snow Artists Snowmen, snow angels, snow forts and snowball fights. Hopefully your winter visit will include some snow so you can get outside and enjoy a winter wonderland of snow. In the past, area organizations have hosted contests for the most creative snowmen. Be a snow artist!
Ice Skating Appalachian Ski Mtn, and Sugar Mountain Resort offer outdoor ice skating rinks. The rinks are refrigerated and regularly maintained for ice resurfacing. The rinks are fully lighted for night skating. You’ll find plenty of skate rentals available. Ice skating is an excellent activity for everyone in your group or family. Call ahead for group rates.
Cross-Country Skiing The “off-road” skiing experience is a great way to explore the High Country back country on your own time. If closed, the Blue Ridge Parkway is the perfect place to cross-country ski, especially around Moses Cone Manor, which has 25 miles of carriage trails. Beech Mountain and Roan Mountain, Tenn., are two other popular crosscountry skiing spots because of the mountains’ isolated, unpaved roads. Pineola Inn (828-733-4979) near Newland sells and rents cross-country skis. VISITOR’S GUIDE WINTER 2022
