Article by Dawn Burns
Originally published in Franklin Lifestyle
Winter is the perfect time to bundle up and hit the slopes! Whether you’re an expert on the black diamond or more comfortable on the bunny slopes, there are many options for winter sports within driving distance from Middle Tennessee. Grab your skis, snowboards and head for the mountains!
1. Perfect North Slopes Perfect North is a ski area in southeast Indiana offering skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing. Daily ski and snowboard lessons are offered, equipment rental is available, and there’s a ski lodge with food options where you can warm up from your day on the slopes. Perfect North also has a first-timers guide with helpful information. Distance from Williamson: A little over 4.5 hours 19074 Perfect Lane Lawrenceburg, IN 47025
2. Paoli Peaks Paoli Peaks is located in southern Indiana, offering skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing experiences. Their 45,000 square foot lodge is equipped with everything you need to enjoy a day on the slopes including ticketing, equipment rentals, cafeteria-style restaurant and pizzeria, a cozy ski bar for 21+, ski patrol first aid station and group sales office. There’s also a ski and snowboard school for beginners. The facility has a large deck that wraps around the backside of the lodge with panoramic views of the slopes! Distance from Williamson: 3 hours and 45 minutes 2798 West County Road 25 South Paoli, IN 47454
3. Ober Gatlinburg Ober Gatlinburg is one of the Smoky Mountains’ top attractions! Ober Gatlinburg is an amusement park and ski area that is open for four seasons. The mountaintop brings fun, excitement and views of the mountains. Guests can enjoy skiing, ice skating, an aerial tram, ice bumper cars and many other attractions. The ski mountain coaster ride begins with a 1000 foot tree-covered, relaxing ride to the top. The mountain coaster is an exhilarating ride that all ages will enjoy! Distance from Williamson: 4 hours 1001 Parkway Unit 2 Gatlinburg, TN 37738
4. Sugar Mountain Sugar Mountain has 125 acres of skiable terrain. Guests will also find a ski school, children’s events, tubing, guided snowshoe tours and other winter activities. Sugar Fest is December 10-12th and will feature ski/snowboard equipment demos, a ribbon cutting celebration, live music, fireworks and ski clinics. During the weekend, there will be a hot chocolate stand. Distance from Williamson: 5 hours and 20 minutes 1009 Sugar Mountain Drive
Banner Elk, NC 28604
5. Beech Mountain Beech Mountain is a complete wonderland in winter but also attract many guests during the rest of the year as well. With Banner Elk just minutes away, Beech Mountain is an ultimate mountain getaway for the family. Skiing isn’t the only thing this place has to offer. At the bottom of the slopes, in Beech Mountain Resort’s Alpine Village, is their own brewing company, which offers incredible craft creations. A sledding hill is available to everyone and is free for children under 12. Don’t miss the Emerald Outback, eight miles of mountaintop trails. It’s a scenic and relaxing place to escape. Distance from Williamson: 5 hours and 20 minutes 1007 Beech Mountain Pkwy Beech Mountain, NC 28604
