vanced, is for kids 11-14 with adult escort and scales heights of up to 45 feet for adventures that include the Tarzan traverse, tree top climbing wall, Burma Bridge and “Big Air” snowboard zip. ■ Asheville Zipline Canopy Adventures, at the same location, is also open during winter. Several of Western North Carolina’s ski resorts offer snowtubing, an exhilarating experience of riding a specially built inner tube down a specially groomed slope. If you’ve never tried it, you’ll be amazed at how fast and — thanks to the cushy inner tube — how smooth the ride can be. A few places in the area are exclusively dedicated to this fly-by-the-seat-ofyour-pants sport. ■ Tube World, four miles from Cataloochee Ski Area in Maggie Valley, has six slopes and one children’s tubing area, as well as a carpet lift to sweep you back to the top. Scaly Mountain Snowtubing Area at Scaly Mountain, south of Franklin, has two slopes, one lift and a magic carpet ride back. Moonshine Mountain Snow Tubing Park, in Hendersonville, has an observation area overlooking the run-out area — perfect for getting photos of the kids. Jonas Ridge Snow Tubing in Jonas Ridge is in Avery County, near the ski resorts. You can’t help but laugh when you hear tubers shrieking as they come down the slopes. You’ll want to join them, so be sure to wear hat and gloves — tender ears and fingertips can get cold quickly. Other ski areas that offer snowtubing include Hawksnest Winter Resort in Seven Devils, Sapphire Valley Ski Resort
Snow tubing is offered at several locations throughout WNC, from Hendersonville to Beech Mountain. SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT
in Sapphire, Ski Beech, Sugar Mountain Resort and Wolf Ridge Ski Resort.
der with plastic sleds and parental supervision.
■ On top of Beech Mountain, next to the Beech Mountain Chamber of Commerce and town hall, is a free sledding hill (with its own snowmaking machines). It’s for children 12 and un-
■ All of the ski resorts have areas set aside for beginner skiers and snowboarders, and they all offer lessons, if
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