Calling all NC natives...Vacation Help!

[Ed&Betty]

cowboy_wilhelm, yes Wolf Laurel is about a 20 minute drive off of the new section of I-26.

Ed

[medic70]

Thanks ya'll for the help. You've given me someplace to start. No one in my family is particularly interested in skiing...just enjoying the snow with some tubing, horseback riding, ice skating, etc. This vacation is sort of a trial run for us with the snow. I have heard that going in December is risky...better off in January. Thanks again...will check out Sapphire Valley.

[BLUEMIND]

How much to pay for a small house or condo (2/2) in Asheville or something close to? We are in florida an we think we'll be in NC by next January.

[MariGirl]

Originally Posted by medic70

Thanks ya'll for the help. You've given me someplace to start. No one in my family is particularly interested in skiing...just enjoying the snow with some tubing, horseback riding, ice skating, etc. This vacation is sort of a trial run for us with the snow. I have heard that going in December is risky...better off in January. Thanks again...will check out Sapphire Valley.

I am wondering if the person who recommended Sapphire Valley has actually been there or just saw something on TV. We went there a few years back, and while a very pretty area, the skiing was absolutely HORRIBLE as was the tubing. (I have bigger hills in my neighborhood for that!) There is no ski run to speak of and it was pure ice. Those are awful conditions for anyone, but especially beginners. Don't waste your money there.
I think you would have a more enjoyable time at Sugar Mtn or Beech. The Banner Elk area is gorgeous and has far nicer ski facilities and one of them (I think Beech) also has ice skating, and both have tubing. Both of these resorts have good beginner runs along with classes and kids ski schools.
As others have written though, December is very unreliable for snow in our ski areas, usually not cold enough for it. It is snowing today (so pretty!) here in the Piedmont/Sandhills, so the mtns are likely getting some good stuff. But typically it's not cold enough until Jan. or Feb. for them to make snow. Honestly, we try to go once a year, and everytime we do I think we should have just popped for airfare and headed west.... and we're just average skiiers, not beginners but not experts either. It's just that there is nothing like powder, and you won't find that anywhere near here.