4 minute read
Winter Fun on the Plateau
Old-Fashioned Family Fun
WORDS BY KRISTIN BOWEN
Trending today is the idea of strengthening the family bond by sharing more memorable and meaningful moments together. Families are increasingly electing to put down their smartphones and turn off their televisions in order to find outdoor activities away from screens. In the new year, if you and your family resolve to find quality time together then the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau has several terrific options to enjoy good old-fashioned family fun outdoors. plays, you’ll see some young and old holding hands, solo skaters finding their own magic, and observers on the sidelines snapping photos of loved ones and sipping hot chocolate. While there is the option to use your own skates, the $5 entrance fee includes skates, making it an affordable form of entertainment. And for those with more limited skating abilities, plastic Skate Helpers are available to assist in keeping everyone upright on the ice. One visiting Atlanta family staying in town was thrilled to find amusement of this kind for their five kids ranging in age from 5 The small town of Highlands, surrounded by national to 13. They loved the accessibility of the rink and the forest and nestled in the mountains at 4118’ of beauty of its surroundings. elevation, appears like something out of a Norman Rockwell painting. The town plan lays out ideally for visitors and residents alike to easily walk and enjoy the quaint shops and plentiful restaurants, or sit on a bench to watch the world go by (perhaps with an ice cream cone in hand). Steepled churches, rhododendron walkways, and front porches adorned with rocking chairs make for a handsome picture-perfect postcard. Adding to the charm and character of the town is the ice skating rink that draws more families to experience the fresh Private parties can be scheduled for Monday and Tuesday and are limited to 30 skaters. While the rink hosts birthday parties, after-school gatherings, and events, “date night” has become popular on Friday and Saturday nights when the rink remains open late. No matter who is on the ice, bliss and delight seem to be a common theme. If you need to be outfitted for chilly weather, go to Highland Hiker in Cashiers or Highlands to find the best brands in outdoor apparel. Highlands Ice Skating Rink Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park $5 admission, includes skates and Skate Helpers Go to highlandsnc.org to make a reservation Seasonal November to March Telephone # 828-526-3556 Rink Hours of Operation: Thursday 1:00-8:00 p.m. Fridays and Saturday 1:00-10:00 p.m. Sunday 1:00-5:00 p.m. air and find fun on the ice. Around town or at the rink, you may just run into Sandwiched between Main Street and KelseyHutchinson Founders Park, the town green space is named after Samuel Hutchinson and Clinton Kelsey who founded Highlands in 1875. The state-of-the-art rink was a gift to the town by Art and Angela Williams of Old Edwards Inn and Spa. Open from November to March, Thursday through Tuesday, the ice rink entices families and singles to wrap themselves in fleece and don their skates. an old-timer who recalls many years past when ice skating on local lakes was commonplace. Neighbors and families would gather to enjoy a good skate, but not before shoveling lots of snow off the ice. Times have changed because winters are not as cold as they once were, but this area is fortunate to have two manmade rinks on the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau, along with other outdoor sport offerings for you and your family. With the summer crowds gone, winter is a perfect time to enjoy the beauty this area holds. Don’t People of all ages take to the ice amid gleeful faces let time skate by before you and yours find some and peals of laughter. While lively background music adventure on the ice.
OTHER OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
SAPPHIRE VALLEY
127 Cherokee Trail, Sapphire, NC Telephone # 828-743-7663 skisapphirevalley.com
Bringing a favorite pastime from the Alps to North Carolina, SMOC is famous for its snow tubing, providing loads of fun to families. It's open year-round with winter months specializing in snow tubing and ice skating. Spring and summer offer a variation of snow tubing plus trout fishing and gem mining. Have a visit to Bartram Market, an old-timey market with cool gifts, games, candy, fudge, and ice cream. Annie’s Café also serves lunch. Sapphire Valley offers snow skiing (day and night), snowboarding, a ski school, tubing and zip line tours. Open year-round, with ski slopes only open mid-December to March, cold weather permitting. Visit the website for hours,
SCALY MOUNTAIN OUTDOOR CENTER
snow conditions, and other sport details.
HIGHLANDS AERIAL PARK
You’ll find “the best of the Alpine Ropes Courses” here with zip line canopy tours, nature trails, and a four-story-high giant swing. Operating year round, January and February are reservation-only months while in March through December you’ll find them open daily 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., seven days a week. HAP is now hosting small to large groups for team building and bonding programs.
