Outhouse Races & more winter activities at Sapphire Valley Resort
Outhouse Races & more winter activities at Sapphire Valley Resort
In Jackson County, hilarity ensues during our annual Outhouse Races at Sapphire Valley Resort. Come for the races and stay to hit the slopes and enjoy some great dining, too! Off-Beat & Oh, So Fun The Sapphire Valley Outhouse Races is as quirky as it gets and it’s just the way it sounds. Homemade outhouses are secured to a pair of skis and pushed down a 120-foot, snow-blanketed racecourse by two team members while a third member sits inside. Taking place annually over President’s Day Weekend, (this year on February 18), the Outhouse Races are fun for all. Dozens of teams return each year to compete by using a variety of materials like wood, cardboard and plastic and other handmade items to construct their ‘thrones’. Each outhouse is uniquely decorated and appropriately named like “The Royal Flush,” and to add to the fun, team members and spectators are always encouraged to wear crazy outfits and incorporate themes! Skiing, Snowboarding & Tubing While at Sapphire Valley, don’t miss out on your chance to ski or snowboard! The resort is home to a 1600-foot run, a chair lift, and an introductory slope with a moving carpet, making it ideal for first timers and beginner skiers. Unlike most crowded ski resorts, lift lines here are short, and there’s even an on-site learning center with certified instructors who can teach the fundamentals. Don’t worry about bringing gear either because you can rent everything you need from skis and boots to poles and snowboards. There’s also a […]
Our Top 5 Trails to Explore during the NC Year of the Trail
Our Top 5 Trails to Explore during the NC Year of the Trail
Lace up those hiking boots because in honor of 2023 being the NC Year of the Trail, we’re highlighting our top trails to explore during each season in Jackson County. WINTER – Schoolhouse Falls Based in Panthertown Valley, this is one of our most beautiful waterfalls, and it’s definitely something to see when its frozen. While the navigation to it isn’t the easiest, nature’s beautiful display is well worth the effort. Just make sure you grab a map at one of our Visitor Centers before you hit the trail. **Why it made the list – for the mix of cascades coming down from a glorious 18-feet. SPRING – Pinnacle Park This one has some strenuous terrain including a 7-mile trek that ascends for than 3,000 ft, but we wouldn’t include it on this list if the views at the top weren’t worth it. Go in prepared with snacks and water, and discover flowing streams, waterfalls, budding wildflowers and panoramic views along the way. **Why it made the list – because it became the first Certified Forest Therapy Trail in the state of North Carolina in 2022! SUMMER – Richland Balsam Save this one for the summer months, because in that time you’ll smell the pleasant aroma of the spruce trees and experience surprisingly cool temperatures all along the route. With stunning views from Haywood-Jackson Overlook, this trail stretches a total of 6,410 feet and loops 1.5 miles. **Why it made the list – it holds the selfie-worthy […]
Holiday Shopping Guide – Jackson County, NC
Holiday Shopping Guide – Jackson County, NC
Finding the perfect gift for family members and friends can be difficult, but our NC Mountain towns of Cashiers, Cherokee, Dillsboro, and Sylva make it easier than you’d think. Avoid the crowded malls and take a shopping sabbatical to Jackson County – located about an hour west of Asheville for some of the best handmade gifts in the mountains.
Find Your Perfect Holiday Centerpiece: Choose and Cut Guide to Jackson County
Find Your Perfect Holiday Centerpiece: Choose and Cut Guide to Jackson County
The return of the holiday season means reminiscing on years past, spending time with loved ones and sharing in traditions that are carried on through generations of families year-after-year. One such tradition that we enjoy being a part of in Jackson County is to choose and cut your own Christmas tree. Thanks to our county’s elevation, location, quality soil conditions and abundant rainfall, the county is perfectly situated for growing beautiful Christmas trees. In fact, genetics show our trees are the fastest-growing, most aesthetically pleasing trees in the region. As a result, Jackson County is home to many locally and family-owned Christmas tree farms offering a gorgeous selection of these holiday decoration centerpieces.
Three Ways to Celebrate Native American Heritage Month in Jackson County
Three Ways to Celebrate Native American Heritage Month in Jackson County
November is Native American Heritage Month, and The Qualla Boundary or Cherokee as it’s more commonly known, in the Great Smoky mountains of Western North Carolina, offers several authentic ways to learn about the culture of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians.
Your Mountain Home for the Holidays
Your Mountain Home for the Holidays
Although we may be focused on fall, big box stores already have the fake trees and inflatable Santas out, reminding us that it may be time to start making arrangements for the holidays. What better place to gather with friends and family this season than in a cozy mountain home in beautiful Jackson County, NC?
Fall for the NC Mountains Photo Contest – Win a FREE Getaway
Fall for the NC Mountains Photo Contest – Win a FREE Getaway
Autumn is here, bringing along with it crisp, clean, and cool mountain air and the beauty of changing leaves. In celebration of the new season, we invite you to submit your best fall pictures captured in Jackson County during our ‘Fall for the NC Mountains’ photo contest running now through November 13th, 2022.
Get Fired Up! WNC Pottery Festival Returns to Jackson County November 5, 2022
Get Fired Up! WNC Pottery Festival Returns to Jackson County November 5, 2022
Mark your calendars for what has been named one of the Southeast’s “Top 20 Art Events.” With over 40 master potters from 15 different states, this fall arts festival is not to be missed. The ever-popular WNC Pottery Festival will take place on November 5, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Sylva’s Bridge Park.
Celebrate North Carolina Beer Month in Jackson County
Celebrate North Carolina Beer Month in Jackson County
Fall is a special time of year in the NC Mountains. Along with the famous hues of autumn comes North Carolina Beer Month in October, which celebrates craft breweries across the state. Throughout Jackson County, there are over 120 locally crafted beverages on tap to satisfy the tastebuds of craft beer lovers, including some of the very best IPAs, sours, and seasonal autumn brews.
Fall Adventure Itinerary for the NC Mountains
Fall Adventure Itinerary for the NC Mountains
Fall is here and it’s time to start planning your trip to the NC Mountains. Check out our Fall Adventure Itinerary for the best views, hikes, and flavors of fall.