Cross Country Skiing High Country NC Mountains
Cross Country Skiing High Country NC Mountains
Cross-country skiing and snow shoeing are great ways to "hike" and enjoy the snow in the High Country NC Mountains. Unfortunately, there are no trails that have snow blowing, so you must wait for mother nature to provide 4 or more inches of natural snow! Here are some locations for cross-country skiing:
LOCATIONS
- Blue Ridge Parkway- Moses Cone Manor Carriage Trails
The 25 miles of carriage trails are an ideal place to cross country ski. The trails are completely smooth with not roots, well maintained and graveled. This makes the trails a great place to ski when the snow is not too deep. The trails are also accessible from Blowing Rock via Bass Lake or Trout Lake, so you can hop on even when the Blue Ridge Parkway is closed. Pick up a detailed map of the carriage trails at the High Country Visitor Center or view trails HERE.
- Blue Ridge Parkway- Motor Roads
The gates are closed at entrances to the paved road during inclement weather. By not pushing snow or applying salt or other melting agents to the road, the surface will stay intact longer and cost less for maintenance. This also allows for great cross country skiing and snow shoeing! Here are our recommended parking locations:
- Blowing Rock Entrance off Hwy 221
- Linville Entrance (past the Grandfather Mountain entrance) off Hwy 221
**This is the location to park if you would like to hike to the Linn Cove Viaduct - HERE is a link to the Blue Ridge Parkway Real Time Closures Map. You can confirm closures in the High Country region by calling the visitor center at 828-264-1299
- Roan Mountain State Park
The 13 miles from Carver's Gap to Elk Park at Roan Mountain is considered THE place to cross country ski in North Carolina. The Carver's Gap parking area is about an hour from Boone. There aren't many detailed maps, but plenty of personal accounts can be found online! Here is a map with Carver's Gap marked.
- Boone Greenway Trail
The most used park in Boone, the Greenway Trail is a nice flat trail that meanders through the woods and mountains and along creekbeds. The trail is maintained by the Town of Boone, but it is "last on the list" to be scraped for snow after all town sidewalks and roads are clear, soooo there is a good chance you can get in some skiing if you arrive right after a good snow! Here is a map of the trail. We recommend parking in the parking lot on Complex Drive.
- Valle Crucis Park
This park has a nice and flat .75 mile paved loop that is great for some "excerise skiing." **The park also offers great trout fishing locations that are accessible on snowing days. View our Valle Crucis Park Guide HERE
- Beech Mountain Emerald Outback
Free snowshoe rentals are available at the Buckeye Recreation Center on Beech Mountain! Download the form HERE. Check out a pair or bring your cross-country skies and hit the Emerald Outback Trails. HERE is a link to the trail map.
- Elk Knob State Park
Elk Knob State Park is the only North Carolina State Park to offer cross country skiing. The park attempts to stay open in extreme winter conditions to provide the service! Call the park office to make sure they are open on especially snowy days at 828-297-7261. HERE is a link to the trail map.
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