Appalachian Ski Mountain
Encyclopedia
Appalachian Ski Mtn. is one of three ski mountains in the Watauga County area in western North Carolina
. It is located off of US 321 between Blowing Rock
and Boone
, North Carolina.
opened to mark the advent of commercial alpine skiing
in North Carolina, Blowing Rock Ski Lodge followed suit in the state’s western High Country region.
1968: Name changed to Appalachian Ski Mtn.
3,635 feet (1,107 meters) and a peak elevation of 4,000 feet (1,219 meters), having a vertical drop of 365 feet (111.2 meters). The whole mountain can be skied at night, and the mountain's snowmaking capacity is 100%.
Starting the 2010-2011 ski season Appalachian has introduced a police requiring all people intending to use the upper level terrain parks to have a park pass. To receive a pass, riders must watch a short video on park safety and etiquette and complete a short 10 question quiz on the video. Additionally, riders must pay a $5 fee for an annual pass or $3 for a day pass. All riders under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian present before being able to complete the necessary paper work. This program is designed to improve rider awareness and promote a safe environment for everyone.
Terrain Park Features
equipment can be rented as well as helmets. The ski rental repository has 2125 pairs of skis, 450 snowboards, and 75 skiboards. Equipment that can be rented includes bibs, gloves, jackets, goggles, and helmets.
The lodge has a slopeside restaurant open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A gift shop and ski shop is also located in the lodge.
In addition to skiing and snowboarding, App Ski Mountain has an outdoor skating rink
. The skating rink is 6,000 square feet (557.4 square meters), and offers night skating. As with ski/snowboard equipment, ice skates can be rented from the base lodge.
Appalachian Ski Mtn. is the home of the French Swiss Ski College. Ski instructors at the French Swiss Ski College have taught various groups how to ski, ranging from US military divisions to handicapped athletes to southerners who have never seen snow. Instruction is offered in groups or individually on a daily basis. Appalachian is the only southeastern ski area that advertises terrain park instruction.
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
. It is located off of US 321 between Blowing Rock
Blowing Rock, North Carolina
Blowing Rock is a town in North Carolina, USA, situated in both Caldwell and Watauga counties. The population was 1,418 at the 2000 census. However, during the summer the town's population increases to about 10,000.]]\\...
and Boone
Boone, North Carolina
Boone is a town located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina, United States. Boone's population was reported as 17,122, as of 2010...
, North Carolina.
History
1962: Around the time that Cataloochee Ski AreaCataloochee Ski Area
Cataloochee is a ski area located near Maggie Valley, North Carolina. The area has fourteen ski slopes and trails. Approximately 25% of the slopes are rated beginner, 50% intermediate, and 25% advanced. With a top elevation of , Cataloochee has a maximum vertical drop of . The slopes are accessed...
opened to mark the advent of commercial alpine skiing
Skiing
Skiing is a recreational activity using skis as equipment for traveling over snow. Skis are used in conjunction with boots that connect to the ski with use of a binding....
in North Carolina, Blowing Rock Ski Lodge followed suit in the state’s western High Country region.
1968: Name changed to Appalachian Ski Mtn.
The Mountain
The mountain offers 11 ski trails consisting of 2 beginner, 6 intermediate, 3 advanced trails, and 3 terrain parks. To access the 11 trails, there are two quad chairs, a double chair, a handle tow, and a conveyor lift. The longest trail is Orchard Run at 0.5 miles (0.80 kilometers). The base elevation is3,635 feet (1,107 meters) and a peak elevation of 4,000 feet (1,219 meters), having a vertical drop of 365 feet (111.2 meters). The whole mountain can be skied at night, and the mountain's snowmaking capacity is 100%.
Appalachian's Season
| Season | Opening Day | Open Date | Closing Day | Close Date | Total Days Skied |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-09 | Friday | 11/21/08 | Sunday | 3/29/09 | 128 |
| 2007-08 | Wednesday | 11/21/07 | Sunday | 3/30/08 | 130 |
| 2006-07 | Wednesday | 11/22/06 | Sunday | 4/1/07 | 118 |
| 2005-06 | Wednesday | 11/23/05 | Sunday | 3/26/06 | 123 |
| 2004-05 | Saturday | 11/27/04 | Sunday | 3/27/05 | 120 |
| 2003-04 | Wednesday | 11/26/03 | Sunday | 3/28/04 | 123 |
| 2002-03 | Sunday | 11/24/02 | Sunday | 3/23/03 | 119 |
Snowmaking
All of Appalachian's slopes are covered with snowmaking. Appalachian's ski area management has a philosophy of making snow on closed slopes or during non-skiing hours as much as possible. Appalachian has a practice of making snow up to the next to last day of the season if weather permits. Appalachian's snowmaking capability has allowed the ski area to remain open through its scheduled closing day for nine consecutive years as of the 2008-09 season. During peak season, it is common for the snow base depth to be over 100 inches, often exceeding that of many western resorts.Terrain Parks
Appalachian has 3 terrain parks, including North Carolina's only Burton Progression Park, and one of only 11 Burton Progression Parks in North America. The 3 terrain parks are AppalTop, Appaljack, and Appal Jam. The terrain park staff at Appalachian rebuilds one of the parks on a weekly basis. These rebuilds are conducted after skiing hours. Appalachian has at least 2 terrain park staff members on site every session.Starting the 2010-2011 ski season Appalachian has introduced a police requiring all people intending to use the upper level terrain parks to have a park pass. To receive a pass, riders must watch a short video on park safety and etiquette and complete a short 10 question quiz on the video. Additionally, riders must pay a $5 fee for an annual pass or $3 for a day pass. All riders under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian present before being able to complete the necessary paper work. This program is designed to improve rider awareness and promote a safe environment for everyone.
Terrain Park Features
| Rails | Boxes | Other |
|---|---|---|
| 35' Flat Rail | 24' Trapezoid Box | 10' x 16' Red Bull Wallride |
| 19' Round Flat Rail | 6'7 Kicker Box | 4'6" Red Bull Can Bonk |
| 10' Double Barrel Flat Rail | 8' Flat Box Top | 8' DVS Picnic Table |
| 12' Flat Rail 2' tall | 20' Rainbow Box | 19' Lift Tower Jib |
| 12' Flat Rail | 12' Flat Box | 16' Adjustable Wall |
| 16' Flat Rail | 12' Juice Box | 6' Pole Jam |
| 36' M Rail (Triple Kink) | 16' Juice Box | 19' Lift Tower Jib |
| 20' Down Handrail | 20' Flat Box | 19' Lift Tower Jib |
| 20' Handrail | 20' C Box | 41' Lift Tower Jib |
| 20' C Rail | 20' C Box | 20' Ledge Wedge |
| 25' Flat Down Flat Rail | 30' Down Flat Down Box | |
| 24' Flat Down Rail | 30' ATP Logo Box | |
| 25' Trapezoid Rail | 24' Shark Fin Box | |
| 24' Flat Rail | 24' Flat Box | |
| 24' Flat Rail | 24' Flat Box | |
| 24' Flat Rail | 16' Flat Box | |
| 20' Down Flat Kink Rail | 20' Flat Box | |
| 32' S Rail | ||
| 32' Rainbow Rail | ||
| 24' Elbow Rail | ||
| 30' Down Flat Down Kink Rail | ||
| 15' Flat Down Rail | ||
| 10' Up Rail |
Services
In the bottom of the lodge, ski/snowboardSnowboard
Snowboards are boards, usually with a width the length of one's foot, with the ability to glide on snow. Snowboards are differentiated from monoskis by the stance of the user...
equipment can be rented as well as helmets. The ski rental repository has 2125 pairs of skis, 450 snowboards, and 75 skiboards. Equipment that can be rented includes bibs, gloves, jackets, goggles, and helmets.
The lodge has a slopeside restaurant open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A gift shop and ski shop is also located in the lodge.
In addition to skiing and snowboarding, App Ski Mountain has an outdoor skating rink
Ice rink
An ice rink is a frozen body of water and/or hardened chemicals where people can skate or play winter sports. Besides recreational ice skating, some of its uses include ice hockey, figure skating and curling as well as exhibitions, contests and ice shows...
. The skating rink is 6,000 square feet (557.4 square meters), and offers night skating. As with ski/snowboard equipment, ice skates can be rented from the base lodge.
Appalachian Ski Mtn. is the home of the French Swiss Ski College. Ski instructors at the French Swiss Ski College have taught various groups how to ski, ranging from US military divisions to handicapped athletes to southerners who have never seen snow. Instruction is offered in groups or individually on a daily basis. Appalachian is the only southeastern ski area that advertises terrain park instruction.
Annual events
- Fireworks on December 31, and February 14 (when Valentine's Day falls on a weekend day)
- Shred for the Cup Rail Jam, Sunday, February 24
- Shred for the Cup Slopestyle Final Sunday March 23
- Meltdown Games Saturday, March 29