Although cold weather dominates the days and nights in Maggie Valley and the surrounding area through January and February, you can still find plenty to do in this mountain friendly place.

In the Snow
Cataloochee Ski Area is still in high gear and should continue making snow through March. Cataloochee offers a FREE beginner lesson with all Cataloochee rentals any non-holiday Monday through Thursday, all season long!! This free lesson is for 1 1/2 hours and you should be present 30 minutes prior to your chosen lesson time to sign up! Lesson times run 9:30, 11:30, 1:30, 3:30, 5:30 and 7:15pm. No excuses. Get out there and give it a try.

Looking for a tamer way to enjoy the snow. Check out Tube World. The experts at Cataloochee Ski Area know how to keep the snow in shape for a perfect tubing experience. Because of the carpet lift that takes you back to the top of the run, you get that much more time to spend tubing. With a dedicated Wee Bowl Snowplay area even the tots can enjoy the snow. Tube World will keep you in the snow from the middle of December to the first of March.

Cold Weather Avoidance
Head on out to the historic Biltmore House in Asheville. With admission discounts through to March 31 when ordering tickets online and 7 days in advance plus kids’ 16 and under admitted free through March 31, this is an indoor activity that guarantees to entertain.

Visit us at Mystic Mountain Cabin in Maggie Valley and ask about winter discounts.

The Winter holidays descend upon Western North Carolina in an intimate, small town tradition. From Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve, you can create holiday memories that will last a lifetime. Here are 5 events you will definitely want to experience.

Christmas at the Biltmore
The Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC gets decked out for the holidays in early November. With spectacular Christmas trees on display throughout the 250 room chateau, the artistic displays are guaranteed to inspire your creativity and to enliven your spirit. Shop for unique holiday gifts at the Biltmore gift shops. Your day pass also provides access to Antler Village for dining, shopping, and historical exhibits.

Grove Park Inn: “Gingerbread is in the Air”
The Grove Park Inn of Asheville, built during the heyday of the Biltmore Estate, provided accommodations for many of America’s luminaries including William Jennings Bryan and F. Scott Fitzgerald. You won’t want to miss the expansive Great Hall, 120 feet across with 24 foot ceilings and two grand 14 foot fireplaces. At the Inn, the annual national gingerbread house competition highlights the holidays.

“A Night before Christmas” in downtown Waynesville, NC
A fun night in this charming mountain town with hayrides, caroling, live music, Santa, and more. You’ll feel like you have taken a step back in time when you visit Waynesville especially for this celebration. Main Street is closed to cars and the street scene exudes holiday cheer.

All Aboard the Polar Express
The Great Smoky Mountain Railroad brings to life the new modern Christmas classic book The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg. What better way to experience the holidays with your children than traveling to the North Pole to meet Santa. The train departs from Bryson City, NC for a scenic ride through the spectacular Smoky Mountains.

Dance Your Way into the New Year
Join the surge in ballroom dancing and bone up on your moves during a dance camp then end 2010 with a celebration of dance and music. Not interested in the dance camp, you can still reserve a seat and spend your New Year’s Eve at the Crowne Plaza Resort of Asheville enjoying the big band music of the 30s and performances by international dance champions.

Stay with us at Mystic Mountain Cabin in Maggie Valley to be conveniently located for each of these holiday events.

On your next visit to Asheville, you will want to add the Grove Park Inn on to your list of not to be missed activities. You’ll find this grand old inn surrounded by a neighborhood of wonderful Arts and Crafts style homes. Opening in 1913, the spectacular structure of granite boulders is unique to the area.

Upon your arrival, you have options. You could just take a leisurely stroll through the lobby known as the Great Hall. Check out the 24 foot ceilings and the two 14 foot fireplaces. Then, you can explore the public areas of the inn which will lead you to some wonderful gift shops that display original arts and crafts by local artisans. But, I believe when weather permits you should splurge on lunch out on the Sunset Terrace, a casual dining experience. Along with a charming setting and great service, the menu provides a wide variety of excellent choices.

TIPS
1. Check the weather. Afternoon showers are possible.
2. Start your tour from the gardens for a change of pace.
3. Grounds workers and signs will direct you to the garden parking lot.
4. Prioritize your walk. Which gardens interest you? Butterfly, Shrubbery, Italian, Rose to name a few.
5. Plan to end your walk at the stables for a meal or a snack.

I was prepared for the palatial beauty of the Biltmore House and Gardens in Asheville, NC. I wasn’t prepared for the fantasy life created during my stroll through the gardens and around the grounds.

On our last visit to the Biltmore we planned specifically to visit the gardens. That decision led us directly to the parking lot behind the garden gift shop and the conservatory and to a private walking tour around the gardens. To add intimacy to the experience we went directly to the garden tour and skipped the shuttle bus.

Once on the grounds we were allowed to roam around independently. Oddly enough, after we settled into the experience it began to feel to me like my own secret garden. The feeling of ownership took me completely by surprise. My own little fantasy.

The exploration took us eventually to the rear of the house and up the back steps as one would imagine the Vanderbilts and their guests might have done. From there we briefly toured the first floor of the house. Then, it was off to the stables for coffee and dessert.

The employees at Biltmore are very gracious which adds to the illusion that you are guests of the Vanderbilts. In reality, you are! The descendants of George and Edith Vanderbilt are involved in the daily operations of the Biltmore House and Gardens. They truly are committed to providing a warm and welcoming experience to each of their guests.

Plan to stay with us at Mystic Mountain Cabin when planning your visit to Biltmore House and Gardens.