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I'm planning on driving from Palm Beach FL to the closest snow destination. I've heard NC is the best place to go. I'd like some suggestions on the easiest route, kids-friendly snowy areas and lodging. Thanks!
Tony's Tube world(I think thats the name of it) in Maggie Valley seems to be a decent sized attraction....one big Hill kids can sled/ride down in rubber tubes....
when do you Plan on Coming?.....Mid to Late December through February is the best time for Snow id say.....
I'm planning on driving from Palm Beach FL to the closest snow destination. I've heard NC is the best place to go. I'd like some suggestions on the easiest route, kids-friendly snowy areas and lodging. Thanks!
The only place in NC you're gauraneteed to see snow in NC is at the highest elevations, which are usually in the wilderness, not in any place you can actually drive to
HOWEVER, starting Thanksgiving week most of the ski slopes will begin making snow. Plan to head to one of those and you'll be sure not to disappoint your kids. Beech Mt is at some of the highest elevation in the state, so look at traveling there
I'm planning on driving from Palm Beach FL to the closest snow destination. I've heard NC is the best place to go.
Best compared to what?!? You do know that NC is a Southern state? The farther north you go, the likelihood increases greatly. We go a whole winter sometimes with no snow in most of the state. People move to NC to get away from snow!
I would say the mountains of Virginia or even West Virginia. NC might be the closest place with mountains that sometimes get snow, but it's not as if they are covered with snow all (or even most of) the winter. A lot of the ski slopes in NC make fake snow. If I were planning a trip somewhere based on finding snow, I'd go a bit farther north, for sure.
^ OP said they want to go to the closest snow destination. Of course, I wouldn't consider NC (even WNC) to be a "snow destination", really. It's just a place where it snows sometimes. You would be better off getting yourself a plane ticket to Vermont. That is the most picturesque "snow destination" I can think of, really. Flying to Boston and renting a car for a week would be a bit more expensive, sure, but it would be much more worth your time and money than driving up to WNC. Here, it's just bitter, windy cold, lots of bare trees, and snow if you're lucky. If you want to see a "winter wonderland" with gorgeous mountains, forests, two-lane roads, farms, rolling pastures, all in a state where billboards on the roadside are illegal, Vermont is the spot. It's truly the best place on the East Coast to go for a winter vacation. You can go to maple sugaring places, go ride snowmachines, skiing, snowshoe hiking, lots of art, bed and breakfasts, just everything you imagine when you think of a winter vacation. I can't say enough good things about Vermont - as a state to vacation in, that is. Living there, well, that's another story for another day.
But yeah, that's my recommendation. I know it might not be what you were looking for, but I promise you will get a lot more out of a winter trip if you go there than here. This town REALLY shuts down in the winter, and it's just bitter cold with no snow. That's the reason I want to go north one day; they get very similar temperatures, but WAY more snow. We kinda get screwed in that way: we get all the cold, but none of the snow of northern locations. You factor in the wind coming off the mountains when the air temp. is 15-20F at night, believe me, it's colder than you would think. And this is coming from someone who loves cold and is considering Fairbanks, Alaska as a possible future home.
Thank you everyone for great suggestions! Yes, I understand that the 'real' snow is way up north and I am aware of many wonderful snowy areas throughout the states. Unfortunately this winter I'm unable to fly, but I still wanted my son to experience real (compare to S FL) winter for the first time. We were planing on going at end of December.
I'm also in the same boat. last year was able to go to colorado, but unable to this year. Was thinking of driving somewhere in NC from fl. Just not sure of a good spot so the kids could play and do alittle sledding. Some of the sledding places you have to be 5 or a certain height and my youngest is 4. I'm dreaming of a little cabin on a snowy hill.
I just researched that topic of "Snow" for our trip at Christmas. There are two ski locations just outside of Asheville. One is north and the other is west (both about 20-30 minutes drive).
We plan to do the snow-tubing for a couple of days just for fun -- they have either real snow or will make the snow for the tubing. We, too, are from South Florida and I know exactly what you want if your child is under 10 years old. We did the same thing but took our child to Switzerland for a sledding holiday two years ago. We were that desperate for the "snow" experience!
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You do know that NC is a Southern state? The farther north you go, the likelihood increases greatly. We go a whole winter sometimes with no snow in most of the state. People move to NC to get away from snow!
