Real Estate News, North Carolina

North Carolina Skiing - The Rocky Mountains of the East

North Carolina Ski Resorts
Published on October 20, 2015

NORTH CAROLINA MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES NEAR SKI RESORTS

Are you an all seasons sports buff looking to remain active year round in the great outdoors? The High Country could be the right place to look for retirement living in one of the many North Carolina mountain communities. The Blue Ridge Mountains in Western North Carolina have some of the highest peaks in Eastern United States - Mount Mitchell is the tallest, measuring 6,684 feet above sea level and is the highest point in the Appalachian Mountains. High peaks provide great skiing in the winter and great hiking or mountain biking in the summer.

The area near Boone offers some of the best of the Blue Ridge. The mountain scenery is unparalleled and access to the Blue Ridge Parkway allows an easy drive through some of the most spectacular views in the United States. The Parkway starts in the High Country of North Carolina and ends in the Shenendoah National Park in Virginia. Boone is home to Appalachian State University and the historic downtown offers shopping, dining, green markets and galleries.

Locals refer to the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina as 'The Rocky Mountains of the East', a contributing factor to this moniker is the Ski Resorts in the area. North Carolina ski resorts in the area are generally open from Thanksgiving through the end of March. The mountain biking and hiking season starts shortly thereafter; generally the first of May through mid October. Most of the resorts have the ability to make snow for skiing and then prepare the trails for biking and hiking for year round active lifestyles. For the outdoor enthusiast, it's the perfect place to find Blue Ridge Mountain homes.

Among the best ski resorts in the Eastern United States, Sugar Mountain takes top honors in the state for true up vertical descent at 1180 feet; other excellent ski choices include Ski Beech at 830, Cataloochee at 740 and Appalachian ranks at 365.

Resorts near Boone:

  • Sugar Mountain has 21 trails, 9 ski lifts as well as ice skating and snowboarding. In the summer along with mountain biking and hiking trails the resort hosts events such as BarBQue Boot Camp and Octoberfest.
  • Beech Mountain is the highest elevation ski resort in the eastern US sporting 8 lifts and 15 trails, skiing, snow tubing, ice skating and a terrain course. The trails are reinvented for a challenging Mountain Biking experience in the summer.
  • Appalachian Ski Mountain is known for its APP terrain course and its Midnight Blast night skiing events. Skiing, snowboarding and ice skating are also available. 12 trails serviced by 6 lifts are at this resort.

While you are skiing, mountain biking or hiking in the Boone - Blowing Rock area take some time to tour our favorite North Carolina mountain communities:

  • Blue Ridge Mountain Club - Located in Blowing Rock this 6,000 acres of wilderness is just right for the outdoor lover. In this community of rustic mountain homes there are ten dedicated trails run throughout the property ranging from one to five miles in length. Homesites are available with long mountain views, a newer community still under construction the clubhouse with a fitness and wellness center is set to open in 2017.
  • SweetGrass - This 328 acre gated community is located in Blowing Rock. A rarity among mountain communities there are gently sloping trails for hiking and biking. Social life is centered around a 3,700 SF clubhouse and fitness center located on a private lake in the community. Blue Ridge Mountain homes are available with long views of Grandfather Mountain and Lakeview as well.
  • Echota - This diverse gated community is located in Boone and centered around family fun. Loaded with amenities for all ages Echota offers housing types from condos and townhomes to single family homes and homesites. The Amenity Package includes two clubhouses for a resort style experience, indoor and outdoor pools, fishing ponds, bocce courts, fitness center, hiking trails and more.

Waynesville area:

The Waynesville and Sylva area is another great place to live and play. The ski resort in this area is Cataloochee Ski Area with a ranking of 740 feet of vertical drop within the resort.

  • Cataloochee Ski Area is open for the winter sports of skiing and snowboarding. There are 18 trails and 5 lifts.

Summer Events in the area include the season long Brevard Music Festival and all the fun of mountainside waterfalls and hiking, mountain biking and trout fishing you can dream of. Our favorite North Carolina mountain communities in this area include:

  • Sunset Falls at Bald Creek - An intimate 300 acre gated community located 20 minutes from Waynesville. A relatively young community the infrastructure and gates are constructed and homes to homesites are available with long mountain views and access to National Forest areas.
  • Balsam Mountain Preserve - Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Sylva, North Carolina, Balsam Mountain Preserve is the epitome of getting back to nature with full luxurious style. The gated community occupies nearly 4400 acres of pristine forest; approximately 75% of the property is held in conservation easement and features 30 miles of private, maintained riding, hiking and walking trails. Another feature of this community is its the Arnold Palmer Signature Golf course.
  • Laurel Ridge Country Club - Waynesville's answer to a great place to live and play, this mountain community is packed with amenities. A 19,000 SF clubhouse with a 6,000 SF stone pavilion overlook an 18 hole golf course and tennis center. Dining is available on site as well as a catering service. Couple this with the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountain homes and nearby shopping and cultural events, this is a great place to call home.

Leaf peeping season may be drawing to a close, but soon the holidays will be upon us and the soothing white flakes of snow will be quieting our world. Time to get out into the great outdoors and enjoy skiing in the High Country of Western North Carolina.