Where to experience beauty of winter in NC? (Asheville, Henderson: ski resorts, live)

[belle80]

Hi,

I'm from Richmond VA and planning to visit NC for a weekend with my family. We would love to experience winter (not very harsh though) - beautiful mountains, snow, lakes and the like. While surfing the internet, came across Asheville/Hendersonville.. Could you please recommend some places at 4-6 hours drive from Richmond?

Thanks,
Belle

[anifani821]

Gosh, I believe it is about 320 miles from Richmond to Boone and Asheville . . . why would you just not spend the time in Virginia? One of my favorite spots is Abingdon, VA . . . check out Martha Washington Inn there . . . Also, Peaks of Otter (Bedford) is another of my favorites. Welcome to the Peaks of Otter Lodge, Bedford Virginia

Just a long trip to get to NC and when you have the Blue Ridge right there in VA . . .

[chickenista]

Hi.. I lived in Richmond for years and years before moving back home.
I concur that it is at least a 7 hour drive from Richmond to the WNC mountains.
However.. up and down I-81 in Va you can find tons of great places to stop.. my favorite place to visit is Monterey Va..ok, there is not much there, but the road between Monterey and Blue Grass Va made the list of the most beauiful drives in America. And as much of a WNC native as I am... if I had money I would move to Monterey so fast my head would spin..
But you ahve lots of great mountains there and great places to see like the Natural Bridge and all of the caves! Best of luck!

[belle80]

@Anifani

Thanks for your suggestions, we're pretty new in VA and hence not having much of an idea about the beautiful places in and around Peaks of Otter look awesome, I so wish we knew of this place during fall! Hope winter will be as beautiful, I couldn't find any winter images of the peaks in the site or in internet, if you have any, would you mind sharing?

@Chickenista

Thanks for your wishes and suggestion, I read up about Monterey, looks like a wonderful place to be in. The farms and highlands really appeal to us. Hoping for a good winter experience. Would you mind sharing one/two images of the area?

Will try to visit both these places

[chickenista]

Sadly, I do not have any good photos of the area.
If you have kids.. Monterey and the area, while beautiful, is more of a drive around and gawk place. Perhaps some of the ski resorts would offer tons of fun like snow tubing etc..Massanutten or Wintergreen for instance.