A Wonderful Winter Auto Tour

The High Country is a land of majestic mountain vistas, and at no time is this more apparent than in the winter. Views hidden by the foliage during the rest of the year open when the leaves fall to reveal breathtaking scenes. The air even makes a difference - cool, clear skies add a crispness to mountain peaks unobstructed by muggy or dusty haze. And when the snow falls . . . nothing compares to the cool, clean majesty of freshly fallen snow on the mountainsides.

DRIVER’S GUIDE How to Drive in the Snow Slowly and surely is the key to driving in the snow. Common sense should prevail – allow plenty of stopping time, don’t tailgate, and of course don’t drive when conditions are dangerous. Forcing the gas to accelerate will only make you spin – gentle and even pressure leading up to a slow start is the best. Never slam on the brakes, otherwise you will slide out of control. When your car begins to fishtail, turn the wheel into the slide rather than the direction you are trying to go – exactly opposite of what you would think. Be Prepared For Winter If you plan to do a lot of driving in the snow, a few items stowed in your trunk will serve you well. A set of chains helps in foul weather. Some mountains in the area, such as Beech Mountain, request snow chains of four-wheel drive on slick days. A snow shovel is a helpful tool for digging out stuck vehicles. A blanket, extra clothing (including socks and boots) and a flashlight are helpful in the event of being stranded. Alternative Transportation If you’re not familiar with driving in the snow, utilizing our transportation system is highly recommended. AppalCART bus routes service the entire town of Boone, and bus schedules may be found at various locations throughout, including lodging facilities and local restaurants. In general, buses are provided for weekend service to Sugar Mountain Ski Resort and Ski Beech. Please call 828-264-2278 for more information on the skiing routes as well as Boone town routes.

One of the best ways to experience the beauty of the High Country in winter is from the warmth and comfort of your car. Most regional roads remain open during lighter snowfalls, and all main roads are maintained following deeper snows, with the exception of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Grandfather Mountain
Grandfather Mountain, in Linville, is one of the East’s most popular tourist attractions. A natural Biosphere with a tourism slant, Grandfather Mountain features the famous Mile High Swinging Bridge as well as miles of hiking trails through pristine forest containing numerous flora and fauna, including several rare and endangered species.
Winter is an especially excellent time to visit Grandfather Mountain. During the cold, crisp, clear days of winter at Grandfather, the views are nothing short of awesome. With the leaves of autumn having fallen, little stands in the way of vistas which stretch from horizon to horizon.

The mountain has its own snow removal system and is open most days throughout the winter. It is advisable to call ahead during questionable weather. One interesting bit of weather trivia - occasionally high winds up to over 100 MPH will close the top of the mountain. If these winds are coupled with sub-zero temperatures, the wind chill can reach frosty levels – one time instruments recorded a very cool minus 70 degrees!

For more information on Grandfather Mountain, which also has a Nature Museum and numerous Animal Habitats, contact 828-733-4337.

Blue Ridge Parkway
One of the most popular and heavily traveled (except in winter!) roadways in the United States is the Blue Ridge Parkway. It runs 469 miles along the backbone of eastern America. While most highways seek the easy ways, the valleys and gaps, the Blue Ridge Parkway braves the crests, soaring from 2,000 to 5,000 feet above sea level as it crosses 469 miles of mountains. There is nothing quite like it anywhere else in the world.

While almost all Parkway facilities close down in the fall, the road itself remains open, weather permitting, year round. There is one important fact you need to know: in this area, the Parkway is not plowed after snow storms, nor is it salted. That means road conditions can remain treacherous long after the main highways are clear. Call 704-298-0398 for up-to-date information.

That said, don’t be frightened away from the Parkway - just use some common sense. There is a lot to enjoy this season. First off, the cold settles that characteristic haze that gave the Blue Ridge its name centuries ago. That means you’ll get unmatched views from the Parkway. On a good day, you can pick out individual buildings in Hickory; on a great day, binoculars may show you Charlotte.

Here are some suggested places to visit, arranged by milepost from north to south:

MP 241: Doughton Park offers an extensive trail system with excellent views and a taste of wilderness. As with all trails in the winter, be careful of possible storm damage.

MP 267: Mount Jefferson is clearly visible to the west. This overlook offers an exceptional view of the Ashe County area.

MP 272: The Cascades Nature Trail offers a relatively short walk to a spectacular waterfall that roars down a steep slope to the Piedmont hundreds of feet below.

MP 282: The name of the overlook, Grandview, says it all.

MP 289-290: There are three overlooks here that offer excellent views of the High Country. The first, Raven Rocks, looks down the Watauga River Valley toward the ski slopes. The second and third, Yadkin Valley and Thunder Hill, look far off into the Piedmont.

MP 297: An easy 2 mile loop trail circles Price Lake. The water is covered with a film of ice much of the winter, and with Grandfather Mountain as a backdrop is easily one of the prettiest sights on the Parkway.

MP 299-306: In this section, the Parkway crosses the southern flank of Grandfather Mountain. There are a number of overlooks with wonderful views into the valleys far below. This is also the home of the Linn Cove Viaduct, one of the engineering marvels of the country.

MP 316: After mid-December, the access road to Linville Falls will be closed. But, if you’re up to a 1.5 mile hike in, you’re welcome to take a look. The falls, the largest in the region, swirl down into Linville Gorge, a scenic valley that remains wild.

Highway 194
One of the most delightful backroads to be found in the High Country is NC 194, which meanders in a zigzag fashion from the Virginia border all the way to Banner Elk and beyond. While some of its length passes through congested areas such as downtown Boone, most of the journey along NC 194 will take the motorist through undeveloped valleys and rich farmlands, past scenic rivers, and right to the front doors of such historic architectural landmarks as the Todd General Store and the Mast General Store.

While there are numerous routes which lead to NC 194, one of the most logical might begin in Boone. Take US 421 out of Boone toward Winston-Salem and turn left onto NC 194 just past the New Market Shopping Center. NC 194 will head east to Ashe County weaving through farming areas and alongside one of the most scenic stretches of the New River before ending up at the Todd General Store, one of the High Country’s oldest merchandisers. From Todd, follow NC 194 through mountain valleys and deep forests to the town of West Jefferson.

Back in Boone, you can follow US 421 west toward Tennessee to the community of Vilas, where NC 194 will head south toward Valle Crucis. While in Valle Crucis, visit the Mast General Store and its Little Red School House prior to heading south to Banner Elk. The Valle Crucis-to-Banner Elk segment of NC 194 is narrow and winding. From Banner Elk NC 194 continues to Elk Park at the Tennessee state line.