“Snow in Miami!” is a headline South Floridians have only seen once. That was on January 19, 1977. Since then the Sunshine State has only experienced one other snowfall.
On January 3, 2018 there was a light snowfall in Jacksonville. But given Florida’s paltry history of winter flurries you can’t trust that snow will fall upon you anywhere in the State of Florida. So if you are a Floridian that wants to see snow, pack your bags, load up your car or head to the airport and get ready to head to one of the X east coast destinations we list below.
Tennessee
Gatlinburg
Just twelve and half hours from Fort Lauderdale by car is the Ober Gatlinburg ski resort in Tennessee. This mountaintop resort has a 3,300 foot summit with 10 ski trails. Visitors to the area don’t have to be skiers though. You can just rent a cabin and enjoy a whole host of other wintry activities in the Smoky Mountains around Gatlinburg.
Some of the things you can do around Gatlinburg include:
- Check out the Winterfest Lights, more than 4 million of them light up the town of Gatlinburg from November to February;
- Take a hike in Great Smoky Mountain National Park;
- Enjoy a guided tour through the Smoky Mountains;
- Shop in the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community, the largest of its kind in the United States;
- Visit area museums;
- Go snow tubing, ice skating or enjoy a ride on the Downhill Mountain Coaster.
North Carolina
Wolf Ridge Ski Resort in Mars Hill
The Wolf Ridge Ski Resort is located in Mars Hill, North Carolina. This Carolinian ski resort has 15 ski trals, a terrian park and the world famous Wolf Ridge Tube Run. Wolf Ridge features a 4,700 foot summit with 700 foot vertical drop. The resort’s ski runs have four different lifts to transport skiers to their run of choice. There are plenty of beginning and intermediate ski runs, making it perfect for skiers of all ages and all levels.
Beech Mountain Resort
Beech Mountain boasts the highest elevation on the East Coast with a summit elevation of 5,506 feet. With such a high elevation and over 16 ski trails Beech Mountain is a local favorite. Beech Mountain Resort has a lodge that reminds you of Bavaria in Germany. The lodge has a restaurant complete with a deck for sunning in the snow. At the top of the mountain visitor to Beech Mountain can enjoy hot beverages while taking in the endless views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. There is also ice skating and snow tube activities at the base of the mountain for those that want to enjoy snow but that don’t want to ski.
Sugar Mountain Ski Resort
Sugar Mountain is the largest ski resort in North Carolina. This resort offers visitors a 1,200 foot vertical drop and 21 ski runs spread out over 125 acres. Because of its vast size, Sugar Mountain has skiing for beginners and seasoned skiers. The resort also has a base lodge with a large sun deck and outdoor sitting area for relaxing between runs. If visitors want a break from skiing altogether there is snowshoeing, snow tubing and ice skating available.
New Hampshire
Attitash Mountain Resort
The Attitash Ski Resort is a great place for families to ski. It as 68 trails and 9 lifts that connect Attitash to Bear Peak. The runs in Attitash are made for skiers of all ages and all levels.
Situated in the White Mountains Attitash has more to offer than just skiing. You can hike in the mountains, ice skate, snowmobile, glissading, visit museums and shops and enjoy the nightlife.
Having been to Attitash personally, I can say that it is a gem on the East Coast worth taking the time to visit and enjoy.
Bretton Woods
Bretton Woods is not far from the Attitash resort and another great place to ski. It is the state’s largest ski area. Like Attitash there are ski runs for skiers of all levels. You can enjoy the bucolic scenery of Mount Washington or the Presidential Range from the runs at Bretton Woods. Ranked as one of the best ski resorts in the area Bretton Woods boasts has 464 acres of trails and chairlifts for the whole family to enjoy.
Vermont
Killington Ski Resort
Killington, nicknamed the Beast because of its 4,200+ feet summit with an over 3,000 foot vertical drop. It has over 1,500 acres of ski trails and runs. Alongside its New Hampshire neighbors, Attitash and Bretton Woods, it has been named as one of the East Coast’s best ski destinations. Having been here with my family as well, I can say that Killington leaves nothing to desire – it is a great place to ski.
The runs around Killington span six different mountains. There are over 150 trails served by 21 lifts. You can ski all day at Killington and not make a dent in the various trails. The diverse and vast terrain makes offers many options to skiers of all levels.
If you are not a skier you can enjoy snowmobile tours, the Beast Coaster, gondola and sleigh rides, snow shoe tours, tubing, glissading and well pretty much anything wintry you can think of!
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