Atlanta Journal Constitution...

SOUTHERN WINTER RESORTS:
WHERE THE SOUTH LEARNS
TO RIDE THE WHITE STUFF

If you live in the south and you ski or snowboard, chances are you learned at a southern winter resort. For those who haven’t yet tried riding the white stuff, any resort with a southern accent is the ideal place to start.

You don’t have to go to the Northeast, the Rockies, or Europe to enjoy winter sports. Whether you’re a first-timer or a veteran, varied options are available throughout the region and they’re within easy driving distance.

Thanks to some strong snowfall and lots of snowmaking, southern skiing and snowboarding have developed into convenient and less-costly alternatives to catching a plane to fly further afield. Fast and modern lifts, additional runs, more rental and purchase possibilities, expansion of lessons, and additions of amenities have made winter in the south positively sporty.

TEACHER’S PET

At Georgia’s Sky Valley and elsewhere in the south, there are lots of programs to get first-timers heading down the slopes on the very first day. Ski and snowboard instruction, along with special equipment for beginners, has made learning to ride the white stuff easier than ever. From Rossignol’s ‘Short Cut’ skis to Burton’s ‘Learn-to-Ride’ programs (and special boards) for snowboarders, it’s just a matter of hitting the slopeside classroom.

The south is an ideal learning environment because it’s close, convenient, and beginners have lots of company. Special slopes, lifts, and packages provide the perfect situation for those who don’t know a boot from a binding.

Just two hours from Atlanta, Sky Valley is Georgia’s only winter resort and is the southeasternmost ski resort in the nation. Catering to Atlanta-area skiers and snowboarders since 1969, Sky Valley specializes in beginners. Mountain manager Steve Mason says, “The Sky Valley Ski School offers private and group instruction and we are continually educating our instructors and expanding programs.”

One of Sky Valley’s most popular programs is Friday’s ‘Learn to Ski & Snowboard Free,’ which takes place every Friday at 5pm with the purchase of a lift ticket (weather permitting and space available). After a day of learning, beginners can soothe their sore muscles at the Tavern and the Fireside Room Restaurant, which are both located right on the slopes.

“Our region is traditionally the place where southerners learn to ski and snowboard,” says Joe Stevens, communications director at West Virginia’s Snowshoe Mountain, the region’s largest winter resort. “Through a wide range of lessons, we average more than 35,000 students annually!”

Along with Snowshoe, other popular West Virginia resorts like Canaan Valley, Timberline, and Winterplace are also popular spots to learn. For instance, Canaan Valley offers a popular ‘Learn to Ski Free’ weekend special December 13-15 that includes two nights lodging, two buffet breakfasts, one dinner, a two-day ski lift ticket and rental, a group beginner’s lesson, and more for just $139 per person (double occupancy).

Over in Virginia, Wintergreen, Massanutten, Bryce, and The Homestead are all known for introducing Virginia gentleman (and women) to skiing and snowboarding. Wintergreen offers a wide range of choices, including a GETSkiing and GETRiding option that offers novices as young as six a free beginner group lesson with every ski or snowboard rental. “We want each guest to start off with a solid introduction to the sport in order to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience,” says John Kirchner, Wintergreen’s ski area manager.

Down in North Carolina, where they have more winter resorts than any other state in the region, more options for beginners await. Sugar Mountain Resort offers a wide variety of learning packages, including mid-week ‘Learn to Ski’ and ‘Learn to Snowboard’ packages for just $49 and $62, respectively, as well as the popular ‘Sugar Bear Ski School’ or ‘Sugar Bear Snowboard School’ for kids. “Midweek packages provide it all,” says Sugar’s marketing director, Kim Jochl. “Beginners will find cheaper rates, individual attention, and virtually no lift lines.”

Similar packages and options are available at Ski Beech, Cataloochee Ski Area, Appalachian Ski Mountain, Hawksnest, Sapphire Valley Ski Area, and Wolf Laurel Ski Resort. For instance, the Cataloochee Ski & Snowboard School has taught more than 100,000 skiers and snowboarders since 1975, including a special ‘Guaranteed to Ski or Ride’ package for just $35-$50 during the week!

Elsewhere in the region, more opportunities await beginners. The choices also include Tennessee’s popular Ober Gatlinburg and Maryland’s ever-expanding Wisp at Deep Creek Mountain Resort. Both mountains offer even more ways for southerners to hit the slopes for the first (or 40th) time!

“The first impression is the most important,” says Rob Mahan, ski and snowboard director at Snowshoe. “If a person enjoys skiing or snowboarding when they try it the first time, they will continue to grow and participate in the sport.”

MORE THAN SKIING & SNOWBOARDING

Mountain resorts in the region are also evolving from simple ski areas to winter recreation destinations. There is now an outdoor winter pursuit for the entire family.

Along with snowboarding, tubing has given the region’s families yet another reason to head to the mountains. Both snowboarding and tubing are attracting younger crowds in record numbers, as new boarding and tubing parks are being built or expanded at virtually every Blue Ridge resort. Both parents and kids who have never skied or boarded before are now quite comfortable with vacationing in the southeast during winter.

In addition to snowboarding and tubing, the region’s resorts continue to add many other non-skiing options. The possibilities include snowshoeing, snowmobiling, ice skating, large and luxurious spas and fitness centers, year-round pools, evening activities, children's programs, a wide range of restaurants and entertainment, a backcountry cabin, and even winter golf or sleigh rides.

Thus, first-timers and veterans alike will soon be heading to southern mountain resorts. With so many programs and amenities, there’s no reason to catch a plane to go any further than this region!

MAKE THE CALL (OR LINK) TO THE BEST OF SOUTHERN WINTERS

Phone numbers and websites for all southern resorts covered:

GEORGIA:
Sky Valley Resort: (800) 437-2416; www.skyvalley.com

MARYLAND:
Wisp Four Seasons Resort: (301) 387-4911; www.skiwisp.com

NORTH CAROLINA:
Appalachian Ski Mountain: (800) 322-2373; www.appskimtn.com
Cataloochee Ski Area: (800) 768-0285; www.cataloochee.com
Hawksnest Golf and Ski Resort: (828) 963-6561; www.hawknest-resort.com
Sapphire Valley Ski Area: (828) 743-1163; www.sapphirevalleyresort.com
Ski Beech: (800) 438-2093; www.skibeech.com
Sugar Mountain Ski Area: (800) SUGAR MT; www.skisugar.com
Wolf Laurel Ski Resort: (800) 817-4111; www.skiwolflaurel.com

TENNESSEE:
Ober Gatlinburg: (800) 251-9202, www.obergatlinburg.com

VIRGINIA:
Bryce Resort: (800) 821-1444; www.bryceresort.com
The Homestead: (800) 838-1766; www.thehomestead.com
Massanutten: (800) 207 MASS; www.massresort.com
Wintergreen Resort: (800) 266-2444, www.wintergreenresort.com

WEST VIRGINIA:
Canaan Valley Resort & Conference Center: (800) 622-4121; www.canaanresort.com
Snowshoe Mountain: (877) 441-4FUN; www.snowshoemtn.com
Timberline Four Seasons Resort: (800) SNOWING; www.timberlineresort.com
Winterplace: (800) 607-7669; www.winterplace.com