The Winter Wonderland of North Carolina

Warming the hearts and souls of all that visit, discover why North Carolina is a national treasure. 

Baby, It’s Cold Outside 

Slide down the slopes in North Carolina’s High Country. Nestled high in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the ski runs and luxury chalets of the Tar Heel State offer an enchanting escape for everyone. Embrace the safety of wide-open spaces while reaping the mental and physical benefits of outdoor recreation in North Carolina.  

Featuring two mega-lines each over 2,000 feet long, Hawksnest Ziplining gives visitors a bird’s eye view of the Blue Ridge Mountains all year round as they fly through the canopy at speeds up to 50 miles per hour. Conveniently located near Boone, North Carolina, Hawksnest offers panoramic views from 200 feet off the ground and is one of the best ziplines on the entire East Coast.  

At Wolf Ridge Mountain, adventure calls. Begin a stay on the mountain by checking into a stunning winter rental. Whether a cozy cabin with a private hot tub or a modern lodge with breath taking views, Wolf Mountain Realty and Carolina Mornings Vacation Rentals find visitors the ideal abode for their mountain retreat.  

Next, head up the mountain to the family-oriented Wolf Ridge Ski Resort. Ride the Wolf a variety of ways – skiing, snowboarding and snowtubing – and with lighted slopes the fun doesn’t end because the sun went down. Beginner skiers, snowboarders, and first-time snow bunnies will have a howling good time participating in group or private lessons at the Wolf Ridge’s Snow Sports School. And between the resort’s Snow Sports School’s top of the line instruction and their adherence to the North Carolina’s Skier Safety Act – it’s clear that safety is a top priority on Wolf Ridge.  

Smooth sloping dunes create an otherworldly landscape at Jockey’s Ridge State Park in Nags Head. The salty coastal winds and the area’s soft sand has long made it a favorite for those wishing to take to the sky. To the north of Jockey’s Ridge, the Wright Brothers flew their homemade gliders off Kill Devil Hill and the area is ideal for kite-flying and hang-gliding. With Kitty Hawk Kites, a wide variety of aero adventures await like parasailing, flight training, and private scenic flights in a bi-plane or helicopter. But the Outer Banks activity that attracts visitors all winter long is sandboarding – think snowboarding, but on sand. Sliding down the dunes on strapped boards does require a free permit from Jockey Ridge State Park and is only allowed on designated areas from October - March, but sand sledding on strapless boards is allowed all year long.   

Take a walk on the wild side and see the Wild Spanish Mustangs of North Carolina’s Outer Banks. Isolated from man for almost 400 years, the herds of stallions, mares and foals have survived in the wild and isolated barrier islands of North Carolina. For a perfect photo opportunity, arrange a tour through outfitters like Wild Horse Adventure Tours, Shackleford Wild Horse and Shelling Safari, or Corolla Wild Horse Tours – their knowledgeable tour guides provide an up-close view of these magnificent creatures.  

Known for flowing, streaming, endless gorges, and spectacular mountain top vistas, North Carolina has another stunner up its sleeve – frozen waterfalls. Visitors to North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains will be in awe at the icy formations at Dry Creek Falls, one of the most popular frozen falls on the East Coast. Sixty miles from downtown Asheville and located within the Nantahala National Park, an easy quarter mile hike down a paved path leads from the parking lot to the falls, and a wide recessed ledge lets visitors walk behind the 40-foot tall sheer ice wall. At Upper Whitewater Falls, listening to the booming sounds of shifting ice. At a staggering height of 411 feet, the Upper Whitewater Falls is the tallest waterfall in North Carolina.  

When the mercury drops, one of North Carolina’s most daring outdoor adventures is ice climbing. With tours lead by companies like Fox Mountain Guides and NC Outdoor Adventures, adventures ascend a wall of ice for unbelievable views and unforgettable memories.  

At Sugar Mountain Resort, guests are invited to slow down and take in the astounding views and wilderness on a snowshoeing tour. The one-hour tours can be intense or as casual as you’d like and when you arrive back at the resort, grab a hot cocoa from the cafeteria and check out the goodies at the gift shop because it doesn’t get much sweeter than a day on Sugar Mountain.  
skisoutheast.com 
visitnc.com 
outerbanks.org 

Enticing Indoor Escapades  

Warm up with these special spas, saunas, shops and more. For those averse to the cold, who need a little rest and relaxation after time in the great outdoors, or who prefer to take in sights and sounds of a twinkling cityscape, these destinations are for you.  

Head into eclectic Asheville for a serious spa sojourn unlike any other. After all the outdoor action, give your feet a break at Wake Foot Sanctuary in the Historic Grove Arcade. Sip on a warm cup of tea or perfectly chilled sparkling wine as a heated neck wrap melts away any tension. Lean back in the ultra-plush chairs and rest your feet in large hand-hammered copper bowls, delighting in the aroma and sensation of the intoxicating hand-crafted soaks. For a wintertime wake me up, try the Old #9 – a stimulating yet soothing blend of wintergreen and rosemary. The chandelier-lit, relaxing ambience, the attentive and genuine customer service, and the out-of-this-world soaks and massages make Wake Foot Sanctuary and must for the weary wanderer.  

For the inner child in all of us, head to Asheville’s Retrocade. Over 5000 games, like skeeball, billards, video games, and pinball, line the walls and the ten-dollar admission includes all the plays you want – no quarters or tokens necessary. Grab a craft beer from one of North Carolina’s many breweries, like the Asheville favorites – Highland Brewing Company’s Highland Gaelic Ale and Asheville Brewing Company’s Perfect Day IPA – and enjoy the trip back in time at Asheville’s Retrocade.  

At bR3 in Raleigh – every guest will leave relaxed, rejuvenated, and restored. Experience the weightlessness of warm magnesium salt in a distraction-free float therapy session. Reap the benefits of cryotherapy with a full-body treatment, facial, or targeted area session. By briefly reaching sub-zero temperatures, the non-invasive cold therapy reduces inflammation, stimulates the body’s natural healing responses, and rejuvenates skin.  

Taste the variety of all the Raleigh has to offer with its new Food Halls. Part marketplace, part eatery, and all community – the Transfer Co. Food Hall and Morgan Street Food Hall are offering a unique dining experience. Relish the fresh caught seafood and smoky barbeque of North Carolina or sample the latest food trends, like rolled ice cream, macarons, or bubble tea. With a variety of dining options conveniently located in one place – there is something to entertain and excite everyone’s palate.  

A trip to Raleigh would not be complete without shopping in the downtown Warehouse District. The Raleigh Denim Workshop and Curatory creates one of a kind, hand crafted denim pieces with artistically placed paper airplanes hanging from the ceiling. Using quality materials that radiate character and evoke personality, this American enterprise is constantly striving to create the perfect pair of jeans. Featuring the sharpie signature of the jeansmith who created it, you know every pair is expertly made with a whole lot of love.  
exploreasheville.com 
visitraleigh.com 

Be enthralled by the packs of ponies on the Crystal Coast. Hike the rugged terrain of the Blue Ridge Mountains for fantastic views of flowing waterfalls seemingly frozen in time. Swoosh down the powdery slopes of snowy Sugar Hill Mountain. Enjoy a soothing soak and an outstanding shopping spree.  

In North Carolina, discover the perfect winter vacation.