St. Petersburg Times....

BLUE RIDGE SKI COUNTRY:

A WINTER SPORTS PLAYGROUND

For Florida skiers, the Blue Ridge Mountains beckon this time of year. From Georgia all the way up to West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland, Sunshine State skiers have begun heading to their northerly neighbors for the best in white stuff.

Blue Ridge ski season and winter sports are better than ever, thanks to additions and improvements at mountain resorts throughout the region. Winter sports in the southeast once meant skiing and more skiing, but the region now boasts a wide range of other activities to augment mountain pursuits for the snow set. With more runs, more facilities, and the addition of offerings like snowboarding, tubing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, sleigh rides, and much more, the Blue Ridge's mountain resorts have become complete winter sports playgrounds. "Our resorts are now complete winter mountain activity centers," says Steve Showalter, president of the Southeast Ski Areas Association.

Of course, skiing is still big business at the region's resorts. Thanks to the white stuff from Mother Nature and lots of state-of-the-art snowmaking, southeast skiing has developed into a viable alternative to catching a plane for New England, the Rockies, or the Alps. New and speedy lifts, additional runs, more rental and purchase possibilities, expansion of lessons, and overall mountain amenities additions have made winter in the Blue Ridge Mountains positively sporty.

But a day, weekend, or weeklong southeast ski trip has developed into something much bigger and better. Following a national trend, the addition of snowboarding and tubing (as well as other activities), has more and more people heading to the mountains. Resorts have met the growing demand with more facilities for snowboarders, tubing parks, and a wide range of other mountain pursuits for skiers and non-skiers alike.

Snowboarding is by far the biggest boon for the region. "More than 4 million people went snowboarding last year and the southeast is one of the most popular regions," says Ali Zacaroli, spokesperson for SnowSports Industries America (SIA). "The general growth is huge, but the biggest news is that the demographics are evolving. There are now many snowboarders in the 30s and 40s and there are also lots more women." Ms. Zacaroli says that the uniqueness of snowboarding, along with simplicity of equipment and ease of learning, make it ideal for skiers and non-skiers.

This demographic shift has also changed winter vacationing in general. Snowboarding has reunited families on the mountain, as more parents try it with their kids. Of course, youngsters still love the 'rad'ical nature of the sport and the fashion statements they can make with special clothing, but snowboarding has definitely become more mainstream.

The national growth in snowboarding has been mirrored throughout the southeast. "Snowboarding has given the industry a much needed lift," Snowshoe's communications manager, Joe Stevens, says. "We estimate that 20 percent of our visits are snowboarders." With this growth, southeast resorts have accommodated with more terrain, special parks for snowboarders, more rentals, and more lessons.

Tubing is providing the other avalanche of visitors. "There's one thing for sure [about tubing]," says Heidi Schultz, managing editor at SAM--Ski Area Management magazine. "It's bringing people to ski areas."

Tubing's simplicity is what draws many people to the mountain resorts--it's really only limited by age and size (which varies throughout the region). Tubing is like a modern version of the old days of sledding, except you don't have to trudge back up the hill or mountain. The resort supplies the huge tube and banked lanes and you just provide an interest in having fun. Handle-tows pull you back up the slopes for another fast-paced run down a banked lane. It's easy to learn how to ride, stop (banks slow you down), roll off the tube, and ride back up the lift.

Last year saw the serious emergence of tubing as a top pursuit at mountain resorts throughout the region. This year's tubing opportunities are even bigger and better than ever. New tubing parks, more lifts, more lanes, extended hours (some resorts sell by the number of runs and other sell for specific timeframes), and additional snowmaking are sure to make tubing a top pick again this season.

Dale Walters and his company, Pennsylvania-based Multi-Lifts, have been a huge part of this growth, building tubing lifts throughout the region (they built more than 35 tubing lifts nationwide each of the past two years). "The southeast is ideal for tubing and we've loved being a part of that growth," he says.

In addition to snowboarding and tubing, southeast ski resorts are adding many other non-skiing options. The possibilities include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, spas and fitness centers, year-round pools, evening activities, children's programs, and even sleigh riding. That's why skiers and non-skiers alike are heading to the Blue Ridge Mountains in record numbers every winter.

GEORGIA

As the Peach State's only ski resort and just two hours from Atlanta, Sky Valley Resort also offers the region's most southerly skiing at the southern tip of the Great Smoky Mountains. At 3,500 feet, Sky Valley's temperatures are typically ideal for natural and manmade snow. Highlights include expanded ski rentals, more ski school programs, 'Ski Georgia First' group packages, new grooming equipment, and a popular range of lodge rooms, rental houses, and dining.

MARYLAND

Overlooking Deep Creek Lake, Wisp Four Seasons Resort is Maryland's winter wonderland. Set amidst the mountains of Garrett County, Maryland's largest freshwater lake is 12 miles long and features 65 miles of shoreline. The mountain offers more than 12 miles of trails, slopeside accommodations, and many mountain activities. There are also lakeside resorts, hotels, condominiums, and houses for rent.

NORTH CAROLINA

The Tar Heel State is all white in the winter, with smaller resorts like Appalachian Ski Mountain, Cataloochee Ski Area, Hawksnest Golf and Ski Resort, and Wolf Laurel Ski Resort among many excellent state choices. The options at these four friendly resorts vary, but you'll definitely find expanded skiing and more snowmaking, snowboarding parks, tubing, ice skating, and lots of lodging, dining, amenities, and lots of mountain resort charm, North Carolina-style. For example, Hawksnest slopes stay open until 2am on Friday and Saturday nights.

As the highest altitude ski area east of the Rockies, Ski Beech is a popular with choice, with a new group picnic and lounge area, shaped skis in the rental department, a new state-of-the-art grooming machine, ice skating, and a charming alpine village setting. Sugar Mountain Resort, open since 1969, is the state's largest ski area, with highlights including a 1 1/2-mile run, 1,200 feet in vertical drop, 18 slopes and trails, and the state's two longest lifts.

TENNESSEE

As the Volunteer State's only ski resort, Ober Gatlinburg is a unique Great Smoky Mountains getaway, with the added attraction of the charming Tennessee town of Gatlinburg. Draws include eight slopes, with snowboarding a big draw on all trails, and a bungee tower.

VIRGINIA

The Old Dominion offers lots of new wintertime possibilities. Bryce Resort and Massanutten continue to cater to families and multi-sport visitors, with the possibilities including skiing, snowboarding, tubing, and other winter activities. The Homestead is definitely a unique winter getaway, with a multi-million revitalization of the 232-year-old grande dame, skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, tubing, and a completely renovated spa (skiing and skating are included in the price of the room). Finally, Wintergreen Resort continues to expand on and off the slopes, a variety of packages for skiers, snowboarders, and even golfers (their valley course is often open when the slopes are open).

WEST VIRGINIA

West Virginia winters just keep getting better. Of course, Snowshoe Mountain Resort is leading the way, with more than $36 million in improvements this year and more than $100 million spent since 1995 (see below). Canaan Valley Resort continues to focus on its successful role as a complete winter playland, with added amenities like cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, a year-round pool, tubing, an ice rink, evening activities, children's programs, and even sleigh riding. Nearby, Timberline tops the list for skiers in search of something a bit different, with highlights like Salamander--one of the region's longest runs--and the resort's ten miles of mapped and marked backcountry trails.

Winterplace is winding up more than five years of enhancements, a period when they expanded every off-season. Winterplace is a winter wonderland for skiers in search of a full-service and all-inclusive ski resort. This year brings even more snowmaking to one of the most convenient resorts in the southeast. In addition, Coolfont Resort adds another unique West Virginia option to any tubing itinerary. This legendary eastern panhandle resort opened a tubing park to rave reviews last year and the 1998-99 season promises even more fun. After a day of tubing, guests can enjoy a host of Coolfont amenities, including varied accommodations options, dining, a spa, and much more.

SIDEBAR

SNOWSHOE MOUNTAIN RESORT:

BIG BUCKS MAKE IT BIGGER

AND BETTER THAN EVER

With $36 million in enhancements this past summer and more than $100 million spent since 1995, Snowshoe Mountain Resort has become one of the Blue Ridge's biggest and best mountain resorts. Big things are happening at this four-season resort, which is celebrating it's 25th year of operation this season.

This summer's capital improvements are the largest for any resort in the history of winter sports in the mid-Atlantic and southeast regions. Owner Intrawest, the leading developer of mountain resorts in North America, expects most of the work to be completed by June.

Highlights of the project range from construction of Rimfire Lodge (part of the new mountaintop Village of Snowshoe Mountain Resort) to the installation of a new quad lift and adjoining trail system for famed Cupp Run. Other changes include: quadrupling the size of the resort's major water source, Shaver's Lake (which will aid future expansion and snowmaking); doubling the lighting for night skiing and snowboarding at Silver Creek; adding 1,500 new shaped skis to the rental program, making it 100% shaped skis; and expansion of the popular Ruckus Ridge Tubing Hill at Silver Creek.

"We are excited about this summer's projects, as this shows Snowshoe's renaissance has begun in earnest," says Steve Rice, Snowshoe's president. "We expect to have all of the on-slope mountain improvements in place for this season's mid-November opening and our 25th year of operation."

The region's newest high-speed detachable quad lift will service the Cupp Run trail system. In addition to the lift, the current 1 1/2-mile trail system will be doubled in size with an adjoining trail (called Shay's Revenge) that will also feature a 1,500-foot vertical drop (the largest vertical drop south of New York). The new trail will also feature 100% snowmaking.

But the cornerstone of Snowshoe's future will be the Village of Wildcat, which, when completed, will include more than 400 mountaintop homes and 100,000 square feet of retail, restaurant, and service space. The construction of Rimfire Lodge is the first step in the development of the new mountaintop village, a formula which Intrawest has used successfully in the past.

The Vancouver-based company's credentials include: Blackcomb Mountain at Whistler; Tremblant, Quebec; Stratton, Vermont; Copper Mountain, Colorado; Panorama, British Columbia; and four-season resort villages and amenities at Keystone, Colorado, California's Mammoth Mountain, and Squaw Valley at Lake Tahoe. "The village will give Snowshoe a permanent year-round attraction that will draw people from the entire region," says Lorne Bassell, senior vice president of resort development for Intrawest.

Real estate at Rimfire Lodge is already a success story. More than half of the original units were sold within weeks of their offering and the other half are sure to be sold by the time you read this, marking one of the most successful real estate offerings in the state. But don't despair, more Village of Wildcat real estate will be available on an on-going basis.

Buyers are flocking from throughout the region. "I'm excited about Intrawest's plans for Snowshoe," said one of the first buyers, Dave Fisher, of Columbus, Ohio. "This is a resort ready to happen."

Another early buyer, Fairmont, West Virginia resident Greg Dorfner said, "We felt like we needed to be a part of Snowshoe's renaissance." This renaissance on the real estate and resort amenity front was part of a hugely successful summer for Intrawest, when more than $100 worth of mountain resort real estate was sold at Snowshoe, Mammoth Mountain, Stratton Mountain, and Copper Mountain.

To be part of this renaissance, just go to Snowshoe this winter or next spring. You have to see (and ski) this multi-million investment to believe it.