At one time in history, the state of North Carolina was one of the country’s top ten states for drive-in theaters with its number of drive-ins being over two hundred. In addition to once being one of the states with the highest number of outdoor movie theaters, it is also one of the states with the highest number of drive-in closings. Today, there are only five drive-in movie theaters that remain in operation throughout North Carolina. The hope is that these surviving five drive-in theaters will continue to be open for many, many years to come.
- Movie Theater Near Me: Badin Road Drive-in
- Drive-in Theaters Near Me: Eden Drive-in Theater
- Drive-in Theaters in North Carolina: Raleigh Road Outdoor Theater
- Movie Theaters Near Me: Hounds Drive-in, North Carolina
- Drive-in Theaters in North Carolina: StateLine Movie Time Drive-In Theatre
More Ideas: Appalachian Ski Mountain
Located in Watauga County, North Carolina, Appalachian Ski Mountain is northwestern North Carolina’s oldest ski resort, featuring 12 slopes in the Blue Ridge Mountains reaching a peak elevation of 4,000 feet, as well as lodge accommodations, a restaurant, and a shopping area. Appalachian Ski Mountain is the second ski resort to stand at its current location, the first being Blowing Rock Ski Lodge, which was opened in 1962 by M.E. Thalheimer.
History
Six years later, the resort closed as a result of bankruptcy, and its land was purchased at public auction in December of 1968 by Grady Moretz. Moretz began the process of replacing chairlifts the following year and made major renovations to the resort’s existing 12,000-square-foot lodge, including the expansion of the lodge’s restaurant and the addition of a gift shop. The resort partnered with the French-Swiss Ski College in 1970, which offered an accredited ski college program and brought a number of skiing luminaries to the resort, including Olympic gold medalist Jean Claude Killy. Major renovations continued throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s, including the addition of several Doppelmayr quad chairlifts and an outdoor ice skating rink.
Permanent Attractions
Today, the Appalachian Ski Mountain resort encompasses 12 slope areas divided into three distinct terrain parks, with peak elevations reaching 4,000 feet. Slopes are divided into difficulty levels, with three Appaljack slopes rated as beginner areas, six Appal Jam slopes as intermediate, and three AppalTop slopes reserved for expert skiers. The resort’s longest slope area is its Orchard Run, which spans over a half mile of terrain. All slope areas are fully lit for safe nighttime skiing experiences. Six chairlifts service the resort’s slopes, including two quad chairlifts, one double chairlift, two conveyor lifts, and a handle-pull lift, with a total lift capacity of over 9,000.
The resort’s Base Lodge, designed in 1962 by architect William P. Reinhardt, is constructed to evoke an old-world Bavarian-style lodge. Located at the base of the resort’s slopes, the lodge complex encompasses 46,000 square feet and offers a variety of amenities for skiers and non-skiers. A Slopeside Restaurant offers classic American fare with healthy options and daily specials, and a large stone fireplace provides relaxation after a long day at the slopes. A 200-foot Observation Deck also provides views of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. An Alpine Ski Shop offers sales and rentals of high-quality ski equipment and apparel, and an Appalachian Gift Shop carries skiing-themed souvenirs and apparel. The lodge is a smoke-free facility and offers complimentary wifi to all visitors. Dressing rooms, lockers, clothing dryers, and a video game arcade are also offered.
The resort’s Ice Skating Rink is the only Zamboni-maintained outdoor rink in the state of North Carolina, offering views of the ski slopes and the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains. The rink is fully lit for nighttime skating and offers hockey and figure skate rentals. A rinkside bonfire serves as a resting place for skaters to warm up or an observation area for non-skating visitors. A Lodge Nursery is also offered for children ages 1-4, providing lunches and safe play while adults ski the slopes.
A variety of lodging options are offered by the resort, including four chalet facilities located within a few minutes of walking distance from the lodge facility. Lodging accommodations sleep between eight and 14 guests and offer amenities such as gas fireplaces and grills, remote control televisions with DVD players, complimentary wifi, and fully-equipped kitchens and laundry rooms. Reservations must be made through the resort’s Reservations Office and require an advance deposit. Electrical hookups for RVs and motorhomes are also provided.
Ongoing Programs and Education
Group rates are available for small groups and organizations, including discounted rates for equipment rentals and lodging. A variety of ski lesson courses are offered by the French-Swiss Ski College, including beginner group lessons for new skiers and novices looking to develop techniques for more difficult terrain. Intermediate workshops focus on turn techniques and drills to maximize slope time and increase confidence. Private lessons are also offered, with instruction tailored to individual skiers’ needs. For young skiers, the resort’s Skiwee and Cruiser Camp programs offer instruction and free play opportunities. Snowboarding lessons are also offered as part of special lesson packages.
Several skiing and snowboarding clubs are headquartered at the resort, including an Appalachian Junior Race Team for skiers ages 4-18 and an Appalachian Snowboard Club for riders ages 7-18. Midnight Blast Weekends at the resort offer late-night skiing sessions throughout the season, including special Holiday Midnight Blast Session events. Moonlight skating is also offered on New Year’s Eve at the facility’s ice skating rink.
940 Ski Mountain Rd, Blowing Rock, NC 28605, Phone: 828-295-7828
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More Ideas: Chetola Resort at Blowing Rock
Surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains in the heart of Western North Carolina, Chetola Resort at Blowing Rock is an inviting mountain resort that offers a tranquil escape from the city.
Set on 87 acres of pristine wilderness and forestland, Chetola Resort offers luxurious accommodations, fine dining, exceptional meeting and conference facilities, and an array of recreational pursuits to enjoy. Located adjacent to a 3,600-acre National Park and just a short walk away from a quaint mountain village, this comfortable, home-away-from-home resort has something for everyone.
Accommodation at the Chetola Resort is spread over three categories, namely Chetola Lodge, Chetola Condominiums and the Bob Timberlake Inn at Chetola Resort. All guest rooms feature standard amenities, including flat screen televisions, DVD Players, in-room safes and private bathrooms with showers and/ baths.
Chetola Lodge features 42 well-appointed guest rooms with beautiful views of the surrounding grounds or Chetola Lake. These rooms spacious and bright with two queen or one king-size bed, private en-suite bathrooms with bath and/shower combinations, refrigerated wet bars, microwaves, and sleeper sofas.
Five spacious Bob Timberlake Hillside Suites can also be found at Chetola Lodge and feature two queens or one king-size bed, two bathrooms with whirlpool tubs, separate dining and living areas and full-size sleeper sofas.
Condominiums range from one to four bedroom units with fully equipped, full-size kitchens with washer and tumble dryers, dining and living areas with sleeper sofas and some with fireplaces. Bedrooms feature two queens or one king-size bed, and bathrooms offer walk-in showers, whirlpool bathtubs, fine linens and towels and luxurious bath products. Some four-bedroom units feature two gas fireplaces and cozy dens with flat screen televisions.
Named after the owner of Chetola Resort, the Bob Timberlake Inn features individually themed and decorated suites, which are themselves named after prominent local that have played a role in the growth of the Resort. The luxurious bed and breakfast style Inn is decorated with rich tapestries and artwork, thoughtful accessories and charming mementos, all of which add to its elegant appeal. While guest rooms are individually decorated, all rooms feature standard amenities, including flat screen televisions, DVD Players, fireplaces, in-room safes and private bathrooms with whirlpool tubs and plush robes.
Timberlake’s Restaurant serves an inspired menu of American cuisine with an international twist in an elegant and relaxed setting. The restaurant features three dining rooms, an intimate wine room and a broad patio for alfresco dining, and the charming Headwaters Pub is just next door. The menu features a variety of delicious dishes such as freshly prepared salads, savory shrimp, pan-seared duck and roasted Carolina quail, along with a delectable range of desserts. Complimentary breakfast is served every morning at Timberlake's Restaurant, which also hosts a variety of special events throughout the year.
Headwaters Pub boasts a traditional pub-style setting with warm, dark interiors, historic photographs lining the walls and a comprehensive menu of craft and imported beers, aperitifs, cocktails, fine wines from around the world and regular favorites such as cappuccinos and coffees.
Chetola Resort offers an array of first-class amenities and facilities ranging from an exclusive spa and wellness center and outdoor activities such as golf, fishing, and tennis to kids camps.
Facilities at Chetola include an indoor heated swimming pool and sunbathing deck, a dry sauna, tennis courts, ping pong tables and both an indoor and outdoor playground for children. A fully-equipped fitness center offers an array of equipment, as well as yoga, Pilates, and other classes, while the fully stocked lake is perfect for canoeing, kayaking or fishing.
The nearby Highlands Sports and Recreation Center offers challenging fitness classes, supervised kids camps, and a variety of recreational and outdoor pursuits. There are also several superbly maintained hiking and mountain biking trails in the area.
Spa
Inspired by the beauty of the natural surroundings, The Spa at Chetola Resort features five soothing treatment rooms, including one couple’s treatment room, a relaxation room complete with crackling fireplace, a salon-style nail treatment area, and the Swan Bar for refreshments. Spa services include a range of massages and massage therapies, body treatments, skin care and facials and salon services, such as manicures, pedicures, cosmetic applications, and hair styling.
Chetola Resort features a variety of meeting rooms, indoor and outdoor event spaces and function areas for all types of gatherings. Venues range from the picturesque lakeside setting of Peninsula Point or the exquisite waterfront Arbor by the Lake to the elegant Evergreen Room with its floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace or the richly decorated historic Timbers Room.
185 Chetola Lake Drive, Blowing Rock, NC 28605, Phone: 828-295-5500
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