North Carolina is fortunate to have topography that allows for winter sports. The High Country alone boasts several ski slopes, as well as tubing at Hawksnest. Now a new book celebrates that heritage.
“North Carolina Ski Resorts,” the
newest addition to Arcadia Publishing’s popular Images of America
series. The book, by author Donna Gayle Akers, was released just this week.
The
book boasts 200 vintage images, many of which have never been
published, and chronicles the history of the state’s ski industry.
During
the early 1960s, local leaders in western and northwestern North
Carolina were dedicated to developing winter recreational opportunities
in the mountains. North Carolina’s ski industry dates back to the winter
of 1961–1962, when the Cataloochee Resort in Maggie Valley developed
the first ski slope in the state.
Once thought impossible to
make snow south of the Mason-Dixon Line, technological innovations in
snowmaking allowed several other resorts to develop through the 1970s,
including Appalachian Ski Mountain, Beech Mountain, Sugar Mountain, Wolf
Ridge and Ski Sapphire Valley, all of which still operate today.
Images of smaller ski areas such as Hound Ears, Seven Devils, and Mill Ridge, are featured to honor these now defunct clubs.
Many
of the present-day resorts have incorporated snowboarding, snowshoeing,
ice-skating and snow tubing, along with mountain biking trails for
summer recreation on the slopes.
“North Carolina Ski Resorts” showcases the rich recreational history of western and northwestern North Carolina.
Highlights of North Carolina Ski Resorts include:
• Many of the images date back to the beginning of the ski industry in North Carolina.
• Each ski resort has a unique story of their survival that can be seen through historic photographs.
• Changes in ski technology are evident in the photographs, as safer bindings and boots were developed.
This books is available
at area bookstores, independent retailers and online retailers, or
through Arcadia Publishing at 888-313-2665 or online.
