North Carolina: Waynesville/Maggie Valley, Taking the Kids to Snow. Slow-paced and out of the way, Waynesville/Maggie Valley is perfect for families wishing to experience the winter season without having to stand in any well-disguised patron lines. With the promise of snow and no lines I had no trouble selling the idea to my family. As with all vacations, the next step was where to stay? The idea of staying on a Christmas tree farm sounded unique.

I chose Boyd Mountain Cabins.  They have six well-equipped cabins nestled among oodles of pine trees. Each housekeeping cabin has a fireplace and most cabins have a sleeping area upstairs. Cabins sleep from two to eight people in each. The rate changes on a per person basis. We were in Cosby Cabin that sleeps up to six, but we were only charged for four people.

When we arrived I found a note in our cabin indicating that during the holidays, as a convenience, guests could have chopped wood placed on the porch. The fee for this service was $10 per day. A good deal I thought! We planned to have a fire going most of our waking hours and I had sort of wondered where the wood would be coming from and how often? There was another option. Bundles of wood could also be purchased on the front porch of the main house.

Only a short walking distance from the cabins is a state-stocked mountain trout stream. I also learned that guests may use any of the three fishing ponds stocked with rainbow trout, bass, brim and catfish. Not in the winter. Guests may fish without a license on the property, but need a license for other locations. There are well-marked hiking trails on and around the property. The trails are usable all-year long and change with the beauty of the season. The best one leads to the top of Boyd Mountain. During warmer days bikes are welcome and useful because the road leading to the cabins is paved. Need to know: Dress in layers is an understatement. The first night we were there I picked up tiny pinecones to make a wreath. I could imagine walking during any season as the hills are filled with rhododendron and azalea bushes.  

Our purpose for going to this area was to see, touch and enjoy snow. Just outside of our cabin was a sledding hill. Sledding discs and sheets were available for guests to use at no additional cost. We picked them up in the barn. Of course other families who do this all of the time brought their own so they could slide where ever they found a slope. We enjoyed being able to sled right from our cabin. When snow is lacking, there is an area for basketball and volleyball nets.  Kid’s note: I liked sledding on a hill where we stayed. There was a lot of snow and I went down a really big hill on a sled. Outside of our cabin I made a little snowman and I called it Chubby. I liked our little cabin because whenever it was cold I went inside and sat by the fire. Another kid’s note: One of my favorite things on the trip was staying Boyd Mountain because the cabins are all on a Christmas tree farm. I had never seen a Christmas tree farm before and I liked looking at all the different sized trees. Both my sister and I each got our own bed upstairs. If we go back to stay in the in the summer I would like to fish in the pond with the fishing poles that I saw on our porch.  The ponds are small so no one needs a boat.

Boyd Mountain Log Cabins are located not more than ten minutes drive from Cataloochee Ranch Ski Area. We took time to scope out the complex. The slopes seemed to be well maintained and they were making snow 24/7 just in case the snow queen didn’t send enough. A quad chair lift was just added to help move skiers to the top of the slopes more often. The cabin was cozy with good insulation and it had a nice fireplace. Bonus points: Good news for families, each year they have a kid’s ski free program. Here’s how it works. Each child under the age of 17 may ski for free Monday-Friday when a paying adult also skiing. Six different properties have joined with Cataloochee Ski Area to help boost skiing. Need to know: Generally Monday through Thursday, they offer special prices for beginners learn to ski or learn to ride snowboard. The package is available for first-time skiers or snowboarders age 8 and older. The package includes a beginner lesson, beginner’s area ticket, and full set of rental equipment. Note: A $300 refundable credit card deposit is required to participate. During the ski season every Wednesday is “Family Day”. This means kids 17 or younger receive a free lift ticket for day, twilight or night skiing when accompanied by a paying parent. The ski season is generally over by the end of March.

We liked the area even though we did not have an all terrain vehicle. We had hot cocoa in Waynesville, a small all-American town with old buildings and brick sidewalks. The charming streets are lined with antique stores, craft shops and art galleries. It is the home of The Museum of North Carolina Handicrafts and nearby is an old-time general store.  People watching benches are located in key locations so when shopping becomes too much there is a solution nearby. Spreading oaks guard brightly painted houses and the highest point in town is a white church spire. Surrounding the town and visible from all directions are the Great Smoky Mountains.  

Activities in the Area.

Look for sapphires. The Old Pressley Sapphire Mine is the world’s largest blue sapphire was discovered here. Now it is a place to pretend. They offer a gem mining experience in the mountains allowing visitors to flume for sapphires and other gems. This is an activity for kids of all ages. If you know a rock hound then this will be a heavenly outing for them. 9Old Pressley Sapphire Mine. Located off I-40, exit 33 they are open year-round, 7 days a week. 1(828) 648-6320.)

The mountain town of Cherokee was about a 20-minute drive depending on the road conditions. It is an all season town that goes into full swing during the summer. One of the attractions is the Cherokee Indian Reservation. The reservation spans about 56,000 acres and is open to the public. In addition to crafts and culture this is the place to go trout fishing.

Make a native connection with history. "Unto These Hills" is presented each year at the Mountainside Theater. From mid-June through August this exceptional outdoor drama depicts the history of the eastern band of the Cherokee. Presented by a cast of more than one hundred this timeline diorama is a thrilling piece of theater. It is best suited for children more than eight years of age because there are some very threatening scenes.  Bonus points: The Museum of the Cherokee Indian is an excellent place to start learning about the complexities of indigenous Americans. An extensive timeline explains the events of the Cherokee people including the “Trail of Tears’ and the current status of their ancient culture. Ask for the scavenger hunt kit and your children will have easier when

Ride the rails. About a 30-minute drive from Waynesville is the Dillsboro and The Great Smoky Mountain Railroad. It is a sure bet for families and great for grandparents traveling with grandkids. It is the summer vacation spot for Thomas the Tank Engine. The time each summer varies. Bonus points: Each year they run a "Santa Train" winter excursion. The three-hour train ride takes passengers through a beautiful section of western North Carolina with views of the magnificent Great Smoky Mountains, winding rivers, and lakes. The excursions are offered on the weekends from October through May and then offered daily in the warmer months. (The Great Smoky Mountain Railroad. Dillsboro.1 (704) 586-8811, toll-free 1-800-872-4681 or  www.gsmr.com)  

Raft a river. Families with an adventuresome spirit may wish to try a “raft and rail” junket. From April through October there are two excursion choices available that combines a train journey with a whitewater-rafting trip on the Nantahala River. One is called “Rapid Transit”  and the other  “Wild Waters.” There is no minimum age but children must way at least 60 pounds in order to participate.