The Great Snowy Mountains

If you’re anything like me, seeing our snow-covered city this past January might have lit a fire under you (or frozen one). The icicles, the makeshift sledding, the cozy nights at home with a cup of tea … it’s a rare experience for us Floridians but not necessarily unrepeatable. Winter is arriving, and the big question on your mind might be: Where can I go to see snow again?

Tallahassee is only 200 feet above sea level (about the height of a Ferris wheel), so if we want to sniff out snowflakes, we’re going to have to climb. Higher than Thomasville, higher than Atlanta, higher than Chattanooga, or even Asheville. We’re going to the Great Smoky Mountains, which line the eastern border of Tennessee and the western border of North Carolina.

Just an eight-hour drive north from Tallahassee (or an afternoon flight to Asheville), you’ll find not only the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but a little skyward paradise called Maggie Valley, where winter snow is as common as sweat in Florida summer. Here, many of us may experience a first: hitting the slopes on fresh, sparkling powder. And there’s no better place to do this in the South than the Cataloochee Ski Area.

Since 1961, Cataloochee, which began as a winter employment opportunity for ranch hands, has enriched the South with winter sports opportunities that are usually few and far between. The mountain now boasts 15 trails—six suitable for beginners—and three terrain parks where winter athletes can show off their tricks.

No tricks yet? No problem. The Cataloochee Ski Area offers private and group lessons for all ages multiple times per day, a Kids Adventure course, and weekly programs for those who might be staying put a little longer. Beginners will learn all the necessary skills needed to enjoy a perfect day on the slopes. Just grab a slope pass and some rental gear, which are both available on-site.

And where would the discerning “firebird” (a reverse snowbird) choose to make the most of this icy journey? Somewhere with impeccable style, of course. The Swag in Waynesville, North Carolina (a 45-minute drive from Cataloochee) is the clear answer if you’re looking for somewhere to chill out, warm up, and refresh yourself in anticipation of the new year. Not only are winter rates lower at The Swag, but there is a plethora of snowy sojourns to augment your getaway.

The Swag’s rustic character may cater to our fantasies of going back in time and holing up in a firelit log cabin while a storm blows by outside the window, but you can expect a few extra bells and whistles here. Take a day to drop your tension at The Still, or linger at the on-site restaurant––all meals are complimentary with your stay, including packed lunches, which will be convenient for all the exploring to come, guided by The Swag’s Experts in Residence. The winter lineup this season includes  cooking school with The Swag culinary team, hiking and outdoor photography excursions with outdoor adventure photographer Steve Yocom, history and the outdoors classes with National Park Service retiree Florie Takaki, and more.

The winter holidays are firmly on The Swag’s radar, too. Wreath-making workshops (featuring materials foraged from the property) and gingerbread baking give you the chance to spruce up your cabin for Santa, who will be arriving in time for breakfast. For a more romantic or indulgent experience, The Swag’s restaurant will be serving a holiday-inspired tasting menu the week of Christmas, a five-course supper on New Year’s Eve, and harvest-season wine tastings with the resort’s sommelier and wine director, Cara De Lavallade.

Despite the business of fun swirling around, the best part of your trip might be simple: gazing off the side of a mountain to see a corner of the world covered in snow … the peace of pure awe. That serenity might just inspire a fresh way of thinking for the year to come.