The North Carolina Blue Ridge mountains are a spectacle like none other. Once the summer ends, the scenery turns into a beautiful winter wonderland where snow-covered mountain tops are visible for many miles. People visiting the area can tour through the Blue Ridge Parkway, which is a 469 mile stretch of highway that is the longest single-unit planned road in the United States. The roadway is an elongated park that protects the mountain landscapes beyond the shoulders and passes through North Carolina and Virginia. During winter, parts of the roadway close because of snow and ice. Therefore, some of the winter activities include claiming part of the roadway for winter sports and activities.
Skiing, Snowboarding, and Tubing
The area has a variety of resorts that cater to those enjoying winter sports. These include the Appalachian Ski Mountain in Blowing Rock, Sugar Mountain Resort in Banner Elk, and Cataloochee Ski Area in Maggie Valley, North Carolina, among many more. While Sugar Mountain is the largest resort in North Carolina, Hawk’s Nest is the largest snow tubing park on the East Coast, providing access to 20 lanes for snow tubing that are between 400 to 1000 feet long. Best of all, the park has two conveyor lifts that gives visitors the ability to jump back to the top for more rides. For those with the desire to experience more thrilling winter sports, practically all the resorts offer snowboarding or skiing lessons during the snow season. Beginners can take a class and begin practicing the sport while intermediate snowboarders and skiers can brush up on their skillset before plunging down the mountain.
Hiking
Among the favorite activities in the winter in this region of the country is hiking. Best of all, there are no mosquitoes or bugs around to ruin the walk. Winter offers different type of views, including partially or fully frozen waterfalls, that are unique photo opportunities. These waterfalls are generally easy to access in the winter. Some of these views are unique as winter provides access to scenic masterpieces that are not available at other times of the year because of the blocked visibility of the foliage and leaves. However, do keep in mind that the temperature may fall. Therefore, dress appropriately, and prepare for the walk. The Blue Ridge Mountains offer a vast number of hiking trails for hikers of all levels. For those wanting a guided tour, Mount Jefferson offers such hikes during the weekend. This area rises over 1600 feet and is visible from the Blue Ridge Parkway, and hikers have the option of taking child-friendly tracks or experiencing strenuous trails, thus giving all visitors the best that the Blue Ridge Mountains have to offer.
From Vacation Living to Relocating
Staying in the area is the best way to enjoy the mountains. Many visitors prefer to stay in cabins in the mountains to truly become immersed in the winter landscape. Blue Ridge mountain cabins offer a great way to experience a retreat with easy access to auto touring roads and winter sightseeing activities. Some people enjoy the area so much that they end up purchasing real estate in the area. The tranquility of a cabin and the spectacular mountain living captivates visitors, giving them a reason to make the area home. One of these excellent places is Asheville, North Carolina. With mild weather, access to waterfall hikes, and mountain cabins, the region is a great place to relocate or plan a vacation. The combination of low taxes, an enormous list of activities and things to do, and the reasonable prices for homes make the Blue Ridge mountains the perfect place to live or, at the very least, make the area perfect for a winter getaway.