How an Epic Street Journey Hit the Area’s High Winter Locations in Simply Over Two Weeks
It was day one in all 16, and I used to be snowboarding off a 5,400-foot peak within the Smokies. That’s not one thing I ever imagined publicly admitting. But right here I used to be, having a blast at Cataloochee Ski Space close to Maggie Valley, N.C.
Two steeper trails come off the highest at Cat, which claims 740 ft of vertical, earlier than splitting into simpler choices and a terrain park. The scenic slopes have been principally empty throughout a Thursday morning in mid-January. Plus, snow situations have been wonderful throughout the area, given below-freezing temps have been permitting loads of snowmaking blended with pure snowfalls.
Finally, I started snowboarding with a pleasant retiree named Joe. We talked favourite journeys on the carry and made quick runs again down. Till noon, when Joe was clipped by a runaway faculty child.
“It’s filling up with Jerrys,” he muttered, utilizing a humorous nickname for reckless skiers.
After saying goodbye, I drove previous Cataloochee Ranch, an upscale selection for ski getaways, providing cabins, restaurant, and lodge constructed within the mountain rustic model. Then I turned north towards much more snowboarding.
Is Snowboarding 17 Resorts in 16 Days a Good Concept?
The quick reply might be no, nevertheless it was enjoyable. Plus, I had a survival plan. Some backstory: I used to ski out West, working from the street whereas chasing powder with a Mountain Collective Move. After transferring to the Southeast, I had an surprising break for a number of years. After I lastly resumed snowboarding, I puzzled if I might recreate my epic street journeys in an inexpensive method, nearer to residence. The answer was the well-priced Indy Move, which incorporates two days every at over 200 unbiased ski resorts, principally across the U.S., some abroad, and lots within the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic.
With the arrival of an epic 2024-25 season, I made a decision so as to add stops at some close by non-Indy resorts. This meant zero relaxation days, however I’d see every thing throughout optimum situations. To protect my legs, I’d restrict myself to morning classes. Every afternoon, I’d drive a couple of hours to my subsequent vacation spot. Then repeat for 16 days, or till I couldn’t stroll.
Regardless of aiming for smaller mountains, I wanted to coach. So, I did an annoying variety of squats, mountain biked in freezing temps, and at last skied in Austria utilizing my Indy Move. This included a enjoyable stick with my spouse on the downtown Resort das Innsbruck, the place we joined locals shouldering planks to coach stations, earlier than snowboarding hundreds of meters down sheer glaciers. Yup, I went to the Alps to organize for snowboarding the Southern Appalachians.
Day 2: Ober Mountain & Gatlinburg, Tennessee
After redeeming my Indy Move, I caught the fifth chair to the wooded summit at 3,208 ft. To beat its hotter local weather, Ober operates quite a few snowmaking machines. This made for good situations throughout my morning laps. By noon, the floor was getting slushy, and the Friday crowds descended. Among the many smaller areas I visited, Ober claims 660 ft of vert and 10 trails, which appear finest for inexperienced persons or informal skiers searching for household locations.
The night time earlier than, I stayed on the nice Rocky Waters Inn, overlooking the Little River. I wandered by means of neon Gatlinburg, passing a zipper line, drop tower, curler coaster, and ski tram. Dinner was at Smoky Mountain Brewery, the place I nursed a single-hop IPA and unveiled my ski-marathon technique to the bartender.
“Preserve the waters coming, please.”
Day 3: Hatley Pointe & Asheville, North Carolina
Upon arrival in Asheville, I finished by Second Gear, an out of doors store that relocated after flooding from Hurricane Helene. A chilly snap was coming, and I wanted layers. Then I checked right into a high-rise room at Cambria Downtown and walked across the semi-vacant metropolis. Over a bison burger and Dunkel at Depraved Weed Brewing, I listened to resilient locals share storm tales and their hopes for a rebound.
The following morning, I drove by means of rain that grew to become moist snow close to Hatley Pointe Mountain Resort. In the present day’s powder jogged my memory of Sierra mashed potatoes, and snowboarding off the 4,700-foot peak was nice. Half of the 17 trails are positioned on the higher mountain, and the structure made this Indy Move member really feel greater than its claimed 700 ft of vert. Because the fog lifted, I discovered recent tracks for a number of hours. In fact, on the decrease greens, everybody slowed to a crawl, inching by means of moist cement again to the lone important carry. That setup causes a bottleneck, however one host claimed the not too long ago renovated Hatley caps every day customers round 500-600 to restrict overcrowding.
Day 4: Sugar Mountain & Banner Elk, North Carolina
With fatigue setting in, I dropped my duffel on the Finest Western and limped contained in the Banner Elk Café for a wonderful prime rib dinner. Situated close to three non-Indy resorts, this mountain city was popping on a Saturday night time. I’d beforehand loved smaller Appalachian Ski Mountain and medium-sized Beech Mountain Resort. So, I received an early begin the following morning at Sugar Mountain Resort.
Sugar isn’t low cost at practically $100 for a weekend day ticket, however I’d heard massive issues about terrain (and crowds): 1,200 ft of vert, 21 trails, and 7 principally highspeed lifts. Positive sufficient, the primary two hours have been superior, with many longer runs to discover. The summit was icy, however the midmountain snow was plush. Then the Saturday crowds arrived. One smart man within the lurching carry line, presumably me, joked all of us regarded like a winter herd from The Strolling Useless. A number of of us began stumbling like zombies with ski poles. Subsequent time, I’ll purpose for a post-apocalyptic midweek go to.
Day 5: Winterplace – West Virginia
It was 5 levels above zero, and I used to be sporting each layer I had, once I stepped onto the slopes at Winterplace Ski Resort. Yesterday, I’d cautiously pushed mountain roads by means of a snowstorm. I spent the night time surrounded by a frozen forest on the Cabins at Pine Haven. Regardless of it being Monday of a vacation weekend, I virtually had this distant space to myself.
Winterplace is an Indy Move member claiming 600 ft of vert, most of it present in an higher bowl, the place I plowed by means of a number of windblown powder stashes. I took frequent warmup breaks within the midmountain lodge, stretching my aching legs by the hearth. Then I dashed outdoors and skied circuits round this widespread resort’s 27 trails.
Day 6: Snowshoe Mountain – West Virginia
Departing my room at Expedition Station round dawn, I hustled by means of the summit village at Snowshoe Mountain Resort. It was 5 levels under zero, and sometimes friends have been stepping outdoors, panicking, and darting inside the closest doorway.
Whereas trying to find espresso, a pleasant shuttlebus driver invited me aboard for an impromptu tour. Snowshoe is a western-like resort identified for good snow and a stunning 1,500 ft of vertical reduction. There are eating places, outlets, and 257 acres of skiable terrain. Corporately owned by Alterra, Snowshoe has pricy day tickets and seems on the Ikon Move, which begins round $1,100. On this case, you do get what you pay for.
Regardless of the bone-chilling temps, I spent a full day snowboarding right here, beginning with a number of dozen frontside runs by means of snow-covered timber. Then I sauntered throughout the street to the few long-rolling trails of the Western Territory. I by no means made it to the adjoining Silver Creek space. Subsequent time.
Day 7 to 9: Canaan Valley, West Virginia
The closest factor to a relaxation throughout my whirlwind journey was a three-night keep within the cozy lodge at Canaan Valley Resort. That put me simply minutes away from three standout choices throughout a go to with common snowfall. Timberline Mountain is a neighborhood favourite and non-Indy resort with a claimed 1000 ft of vert, three highspeed lifts, and 37 runs—a number of within the mile-plus vary. I discovered the tree snowboarding and snowmaking to be tops, and I’ll positively return to this valley.
Extra highlights got here on the two Indy Move members. White Grass Ski Touring was probably the most distinctive providing. A cross-country and backcountry snowboarding space with 1,200 ft of vert and 30 miles of trails, half groomed and the remainder pure. Utilizing my Alpine Touring gear, I skinned as much as Bald Knob at 4,308 ft and skied again down. My final day, I caught the state park’s Canaan Valley Resort on a uncommon powder day. The claimed vert is simply 850 ft, the lifts are gradual, and traversing is necessary. However among the many 47 widespread trails, I discovered limitless strains by means of tree-lined corridors
Day 10: Wisp – McHenry, Maryland
I used to be in line for an early chair, once I realized my Indy Move didn’t qualify for the 8am begin. An hour later, I lastly circled the enjoyable however busy Wisp Resort, discovering the perfect snow was already skied. Typical for the Alleghanies, the summit is a flat knob, and the condo-lined slopes steepen towards the underside.
A quiet Saturday morning was progressively changed by a rowdy scene. One carry took me over a trip neighborhood, the place guests in scorching tubs waved up at these extra bold. A pair of chummy faculty youngsters begged me to have a lightweight beer with them through the journey.
Up prime, 4 lifts from completely different instructions meet. In the present day was the NFL Convention Championship, and a few Philly Eagles followers arrived from one facet, simply as some Washington Commanders followers got here up the alternative carry. Throughout a face-off, the raucous followers bellowed at one another earlier than awkwardly snowboarding away collectively.
Day 10 to 12: Laurel Highlands – Southwestern Pennsylvania
Round noon, I drove an hour north and loved a quiet vibe swap at Laurel Mountain Resort. This smaller however stunning gem claims 761 ft of vertical and 20 trails that wind by means of undeveloped woods, funneling to a single carry. Laurel additionally claims the steepest run in Pennsylvania, Decrease Wildcat, although I discovered its snow to be skinny and icy. That mentioned, this was an pleasurable place for purists, with enjoyable ledges and spooky night-skiing involving a carry journey by means of full darkness.
Like my subsequent two stops, Laurel has been corporately owned by Vail Resorts since 2021. All three are on the Epic Move, which has choices hovering above and under $1k. Fortunately, advance day tickets usually are not outrageous.
For 2 nights, I stayed in the primary lodge at Seven Springs Mountain Resort, the place I wandered by means of wood-paneled corridors to eating places and outlets.
On Sunday, I walked from my room to the slopes, the place a complete of 33 trails and 10 lifts sprawled throughout 285 acres with an amphitheater really feel. Seven Springs is certainly a scene, albeit household pleasant, and by afternoon, the snow was skied right down to dust in patches.
That made my Monday morning at Hidden Valley PA much more pleasurable. This small locals’ resort claims 470 ft of vertical, with 31 trails throughout two bowls linked by a remarkably lengthy towrope. The spectacular tree snowboarding was icy however clearly can be wonderful after a storm.
Day 13: Blue Knob – Pennsylvania
Blue Knob All Seasons Resort was like stepping inside a ski film from the Nineteen Eighties. Colourful ski fits. Fascinating hairdos. An previous lodge that felt like an ice rink, the place I made a dozen buddies inside hours. Plus, creaky lifts and a wind maintain, which gave my weary legs a relaxation till midday.
Constructed atop a Chilly Warfare radar base, this can be a distinctive place. The paths are slim, zig-zaggy, and lengthy, with a claimed 1068 ft of vert. Given restricted snowmaking capabilities, and every week since a pure fall, the bottom was skinny and icy. The timber did look compelling, so I’ll return to this Indy Move member when situations warrant.
Day 14: Bryce Resort – Northern Virginia
Turning southeast into Virginia, I used to be on the house stretch. After driving icy roads for 2 weeks, sunny days warmed the panorama. I spent an evening in a slopeside rental earlier than zipping across the small Bryce Resort, the place groomed snow quickly yielded to slush. It is a tidy members’ membership, claiming 500 ft of vert and eight trails. Identified for classes, this Indy Move member would make for an excellent learn-to-ski getaway.
Day 15: Massanutten – Shenandoah Valley, Virginia
Throughout my 16-day journey, I encountered quite a few skiers who held sturdy opinions about sure regional resorts that they’d been to as soon as or by no means. Others informed me to anticipate stunning issues. One man recommended I skip Massanutten, however I’m glad I didn’t. This Indy Move member gives some wonderful terrain, claiming 1,100 ft of vertical and 23 trails.
The explanation for such wide-ranging opinions? Many critics confessed to going throughout poor situations and by no means returning. In the meantime, most regional resorts will progressively enhance their snowmaking, lifts, and terrain. That’s the case at Massanutten Resort, the place I spent hours utilizing the newer highspeed quad accessing superior runs. I used to be significantly appreciative of the break up between higher and decrease slopes, which separates inexperienced persons and superior skiers and reduces bottlenecks.
Day 16: Wintergreen Resort – Virginia
On the final day in January, I reached my closing cease at Wintergreen Resort. I stayed in a loft on the summit lodge and loved a slopeside sundown over the Blue Ridge Mountains. The terrain options scenic rolling ridges, with a claimed 1,000 ft of vert and 27 trails unfold throughout three faces. Regardless of heat climate inflicting regionwide slush, this was a enjoyable place that I’d revisit throughout higher situations.
My celebratory meal was a burger and distinctive IPA at close by Devils Spine Brewery. After visiting 11 Indy Move members, and 17 resorts in 16 days, I’d made two selections. I used to be prepared for a break. However having discovered a lot inside placing distance, I’d be renewing the inexpensive Indy Move for an additional season.
