Skiing and Snowboarding - Cashiers, Sapphire Valley and Balsam, North Carolina

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Skiing and Snowboarding - Cashiers, Sapphire Valley and Balsam, North Carolina

Obviously North Carolina is not often thought of as a ski haven but there are places and times of the year that there is snow, particularly in the higher elevations.

Sapphire Valley offers a day of skiing on the gentle slopes which are an integral part of the  5,700 acre area that is great to see anytime  of the year.  Nestled in a pristine mountain valley high in the North Carolina Blue Ridge Mountains with an average elevation of 4,300 ft you can ski in the winter, hike in the summer and enjoy nature all year round.

You can get ski and snowboard lessons in the area which gives those that can add to the enjoyment of the mountains. There is a 1,600 foot main run with a vertical drop of 200 feet, with a lift for your pleasure.

There is also a 700 ft. multi-laned snow tube hill with a vertical drop of 70 ft. If you have never tried this, it's a blast!

It is just a couple hours from Atlanta and Knoxville making it a great place to get to for a good weekend of entertainment.

When you want to enjoy the quite of the mountains in a manner that only those that have done it will understand, get your cross-county skies out and hit the trails.  You will be able to experience those wonders offered by the mountains in the remote areas perfect for cross-county.

Usually the ski season in the area opens Thanksgiving weekend and runs through the end of March, some years the weather has cooperated to allow for a longer season.

There are ski areas in North Carolina that you may want to check out on the web before making your reservations.  Many of them have live cams to show what the weather is doing and the condition of the slopes.