Asheville may be firmly in winter’s chilly grip, but that doesn’t mean you have to put your outings on ice! Here, Mosaic Realty agents share how they warm up to winter in Western North Carolina with some of their favorite cold-season activities.
These Asheville real estate agents like to have a ball in the snow
In winter, the Asheville area becomes host to an array of exciting, snow-centric activities: Mosaic agents Caley Bowman, and Jackie Dirscherl cite skiing as tops on their list of snowy adventures, with Bowman enjoying the newly opened Hatley Pointe (formerly Wolf Ridge Ski Resort) in Mars Hill, and Dirscherl a fan of Cataloochee Ski Area in Maggie Valley and Beech Mountain.
Mosaic agent Justin Mitchell loves to grab his snowboard and take to the powder. Here he is seen snowboarding with some of his clients on a fresh powder day in WNC.
In addition, snow-tubing destinations like Tube World near Cataloochee Ski Area and Zip N Slip in Mars Hill, add to the downhill fun.
A brisk time to bike and hike
Mosaic owner Mike Figura takes particular joy in winter gravel bike rides in Bent Creek Experimental Forest, an experience that holds its own singular wintry beauty. In addition, Figura finds that hiking along the Mountains-to-Sea Trail in the winter affords a unique perspective not present in the warmer seasons: Without leaf-laden trees, you can more easily see surrounding peaks as you soak in the nature around you.
In addition to the MST, there are many hiking opportunities to enjoy, from wide-open balds to frozen-waterfall walks. You can check out the National Parks Services website for the latest updates on what’s opened and closed.
And for in-town hiking, visit The North Carolina Arboretum for an easy afternoon of wintry exploration. The popular destination boasts a network of well-groomed trails, and with more and more trails reopening post-Helene, now is the perfect time to take in all that the arboretum has to offer.
Surround yourself in warm ambiance
Mosaic agent Kathleen Cook says her winter go-to spots include Shoji Spa and Retreat https://shojispa.com in East Asheville – where you can enjoy a wooded view from your personal outdoor hot tub – and the Biltmore Estate garden conservatory and greenhouse – especially wonderful to inject a little tropical warmth into winter. You can even bring a snack or lunch to enjoy on one of the conservatory benches, surrounded by pungent blooms and lush foliage.
Game for a good time
When the weather is frightful, there’s nothing better than enjoying cozy company over snacks and a board game. Mosaic’s Shane Peters states, “I like to spend cold winter days in warm places playing games with friends. We have a weekly group, Asheville Board Game Club, that meets every Wednesday night at Well Played on South Slope.” Visit this FB group to get in on the game action.
Some other activities to consider when the cold’s closing in…
· Star turn: Take in a planetarium show at the Mayland Earth to Sky Park in Burnsville
· Tune in: Enjoy local music at one of Western N.C.’s many intimate venues (Jack of the Wood and 5 Walnut Wine Bar are two area favorites)
· Read the room: Spend a wintry afternoon amid book stacks and vinyl racks at local stores like Malaprops, Downtown Books and News, Harvest Records and Citizen Vinyl.
· A cozy cup: Sip on specialty brews at an eclectic tea house – Dobra Tea and High Climate Tea Company boast a range of soothing options to warm you up
· In good taste: Broaden your kitchen repertoire with a local cooking class – check out The Asheville Kitchen or Cottage Cooking Asheville.
· Get crafty: Hone your creative skills as you gather with others at group crafting events. Buncombe County Public Libraries are the perfect place to start, with offerings like knitting and crochet clubs, quilting bees, and sewing circles.
For information about lifestyles or real estate in Western N.C., please contact us at Info@MyMosaicRealty.com, or call us anytime at 828-707-9556.
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