Snow

Southeast Spring Snowboarding

/ debgnigh / Leave a comment
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App Ski

Who knew you could snowboard in North Carolina on March 23? I wouldn’t have guessed it and can hardly believe it is even possible. Last year, on a sunny day in late March with high temperatures in the 60’s, App Ski and Terrain Park were almost 100% open. Of course with that much warmth, conditions were quite slushy, but it was so pleasant. I rode in a lightweight hoodie and a t-shirt.

While App is not the biggest resort in the area, it is very well run and they have a great Ski/Snowboard school. I have snowboarded here and there for about 7 years now, but it wasn’t until this spring session that I actually got a lesson. After my experience, I would definitely recommend it. The teacher I had was awesome and because it was so warm, any falls I took were into soft melty snow instead of ice (a definite plus for someone like me who is still learning).

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David catching some air at App Ski

Apparently, Appalachian Ski Mountain consistently stays open well into March. They are super efficient at making snow and since it is a smaller area they are able to keep it well covered deep into our southern spring.

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Wolf Ridge, night session

Another spot that’s been particularly great for night sessions (6pm-10pm) is Wolf Ridge Ski Resort in Mars Hill, NC.  We love this spot because it’s right above Asheville making it easy to hit an incredible restaurant on the way to or from the slopes. Most recently, we went to a new favorite, OWL bakery and cafe, to load up on some great coffee, delicious tartines (open faced sandwiches), and a savory pastry before cranking out a few hours of riding. With our ridiculously mild February weather, conditions have been slushy but so comfortable with temperatures in the high 50s.

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OWL bakery tartine to-go

If you’re considering a skiing or snowboarding trip, there is still time this season! With snow expected this weekend, March is a completely viable time for this pseudo-winter adventure. Appalachian, Wolf Ridge, and Cataloochee (another favorite for night sessions) are all predicting open slopes for this weekend and beyond.

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Sierra at Tahoe, spring snowboarding 

While these North Carolina slopes may not have the epic elevation and deep powder of western ski resorts (like the one pictured above), they certainly provide plenty of fun at a very reasonable price (particularly on weekdays- as little as $12 for a night session at Wolf Ridge on “2 for Tuesday”!).  These mountains are subject to exceptionally comfortable conditions and the relative convenience is remarkable. Two out of these three  ski areas are just over 1.5 hours from Greenville!  That means you can slip out of work at 4:30 in sunny South Carolina and be on the slopes in time for a full session of snow sport. How cool is that?

IMG_6614Keep looking for adventure far and nigh! (and get out for a spring session!)

A Snowy Run at Lake Conestee Nature Park

/ debgnigh / 1 Comment

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February 11, 2014

A snowy run is rare in the South, which definitely makes it feel more magical. Instead of sloshing through gray slush for 2-4 months straight, we get 1-3 short-lived blankets of shimmering whiteness that usually melt into a memory within 24 hours.  We have to seize our winter wonderland moments and enjoy them to the fullest before they disappear. This year we enjoyed several snow runs, which we found very exciting. Our favorite occurred at Lake Conestee Nature Park.

My husband and I were itching to get in a trail run before the the whole city was completely socked in with our four inches of snow. Unfortunately, businesses, schools, and as it turned out, state parks, were all shutting down in rapid succession. Conestee was the only trail area in close proximity that was still open, so we hurried over there to sneak in a run before getting “snowed in”. It was amazing! We didn’t run for long, but every moment was expanded by the novelty of padding through a transformed landscape.

Lake Conestee Nature Park is a 400 acre area with 5 or 6 miles of trails that will one day connect to the longer section of Greenville’s Swamp Rabbit trail. What it lacks in expansiveness, it makes up for in charm and convenience.  It’s a wonderful green space located about 10-15 minutes from downtown. The trails are well kept (and seem to be expanding?), and there is a great playground/picnic area beside a very pleasant restroom facility.  My husband and I have participated in multiple races here including Half Moon Outfitter’s Drifter 6k, an annual favorite. It’s a great venue for races with ample parking and plenty of nice space for post-race refreshments. During this run, we attempted to retrace the race course since some of the markers were still in place from the previous weekend.

Run this Trail: The address for Lake Conestee Nature Park is: 840 Mauldin Road, Greenville, SC 29607

Rather than vaguely describe what we attempted to do without directions in hand, I am posting this link to the Half Moon Outfitter’s 6k race course. If you’re looking for a shorter trail run near Greenville, this is a great option, and you can always double it for a longer workout. Here is a link to Conestee’s website as well.

Recommendations: Trail specific shoes are always nice for trail running, but you could definitely get away with road shoes on this relatively smooth and at times paved trail.  Bring the family and a picnic! This whole area is so nice.

 

 

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