2013
THE MOUNTAIN TIMES WINTER GUIDE
Fast-Paced Fun
PAGE 41
Hawksnest Resort offers tubing, zipline options from novice to expert BY JAMIE SHELL
W
hether it’s the frenetic pace of an inner tube skirting down a snow-covered lane or the rush of air on the face while sailing on a zipline, Hawksnest Resort, nestled at 2058 Skyland Drive in Seven Devils, offers unique action adventure activities for thrill seekers of all ages. Generally opening in mid-November, weather permitting, Hawksnest boasts the largest snow-tubing facility on the East Coast, with 20 lanes varying in distances from 400 to 1,000 feet. Conveyor lifts make it convenient for tubers to catch a ride back to the top of the mountain for another downhill run. Snow-tubing is available seven days a week, at a cost of $25 for one session and $32 for two sessions (non-holiday) Monday through Thursday, $25 per session on Friday and $30 per session on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. Hawksnest also offers a discount of $3 for military personnel. Snow-tubing sessions last one hour and 45 minutes, with sessions at twohour intervals from 10 a.m. through 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. through 6 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and holidays; and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. Holiday rates apply from Dec. 22 to Jan. 3, 2014, as well as Sunday, Jan. 19, 2014, and Sunday, Feb. 16, 2014. Children must be at least 3 years old to snow tube, and purchasing tickets online in advance is recommended to avoid long lines. Online snow-tubing ticket purchases must be made at least one day in advance. In addition to the wide range of tubing possibilities, Hawksnest offers the largest ziplining facility on the East Coast, with 20 cables, including “super-” or “megazips” to accommodate multiple tours for individuals and groups. Hawksnest offers a 1.5-mile, 10-cable Hawk Tour, at a cost of $75, as well as the Eagle Tour, a nine-cable zipline tour that encompasses more than 2.5 miles, at a cost of $85. Eagle Tour is a more extreme tour, with greater speeds and heights than the
People of all ages can enjoy the snow-tubing lanes at Hawksnest Resort in Seven Devils. FILE PHOTO
Hawk Tour. Children must be at least 8 years old to take the Eagle Tour and at least 5 years old to take the Hawk Tour. Tours start at 10 a.m. daily at twohour intervals through the 4 p.m. tour. Reservations are required, and participants need to arrive 30 minutes before a scheduled tour start. Tours take approximately 1.5 to two hours to complete, with no single-person tours. Early morning tours are available upon request. Visitors participating in the zipline tours are asked to wear closed-toes shoes, long shorts or long pants, rain gear (in wet weather), long hair tied back
and no dangling jewelry. Hawksnest ziplining tours are available year round. Ziplining tours are available weather permitting. “We have so many snow tubing areas and choices, which are all a little different,” said Lenny Cottom, general manager of Hawksnest. “We have areas for kids and options that other local resorts can’t offer.” A snow-tubing or zipline release must be signed by all adults 18 years or older before riding. Parents or guardians must sign for children younger than 18. All snow-tubing or zipline participants must
have a signed waiver before receiving tickets or being allowed to tube or start the zipline tour. For more information about Hawksnest Resort, including group reservations, call (828) 963-6561, or visit www. hawksnesttubing.com or www.hawksnestzipline.com.
WANT TO GO?
Hawksnest Resort 2058 Skyland Drive Seven Devils, N.C. 28604 (828) 963-6561 www.hawksnesttubing.com