Blue Ridge Outdoors December 2025

Photo: Kurtis Schachner Design: Nikki Forrester

peak Adventure

West Virginia is as far west as you need for unforgettable winter adventures. With its snowscapes, scenic views and spirited small towns, you can carve out an epic getaway in Tucker County.

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ERIC J. WALLACE

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DEPARTMENTS

7 | OVERLOOK

A new podcast explores the history found along Bicycle Route 76 in Virginia’s Blue Ridge.

47 | THE GOODS

Get ready for winter with our picks for the best new ski and snowboard gear.

48 | THE OUT AND BACK

As nagging injuries stack up, an aging adventurer wonders if he should still go hard as 50 approaches.

50 | TRAIL MIX

Our monthly playlist of new Southern songs, including tracks from Steep Canyon Rangers and Langhorne Slim, as well as a special collaboration between the Avett Brothers and Mike Patton of Faith No More.

GOT A STORY IDEA OR COMMENT? submit@blueridgeoutdoors.com BLUERIDGEOUTDOORS.COM

10 | GET READY FOR SNOW, WITH HELP FROM THE PROS

Regional snowsports insiders share favorite slopes, go-to gear, and après ski hang spots.

16 | BLUE RIDGE ALL-STARS

These women are redefining strength and endurance in the mountains of the Southeast.

32 | 17 RESORTS IN 16 DAYS

A Southern skier tried to see how many slopes he could hit on an epic winter road trip.

44 | OUTDOOR ROCK

North Carolina band the Late Shifters headline iconic adventure festivals—and have the trail, rock, and river cred to back it up.

PHOTO BY MIKE BEZEMEK

PEDAL THROUGH THE Past

A new podcast explores the history found along Bicycle Route 76 in Virginia’s Blue Ridge, and its potential to be a major cycling destination in the region.

BY TOM EWING

MORE THAN 300 MILES OF THE

United States Bicycle Route 76 bring cyclists through Virginia’s Blue Ridge region. From Breaks Interstate Park on the Kentucky border to Rockfish Gap west of Charlottesville, the route climbs over mountains, follows rivers and streams, and passes through towns, farmland, and forests.

Fifty years ago, this route was mapped as part of the planning for the Bikecentennial, designed for cyclists to celebrate America’s 200th birthday. Several thousand riders completed all or substantial parts of the route in the summer of 1976, following distinctive signs marked with a bicycle and the number 76. In the 1990s, most of this same route was officially recognized as United States Bicycle Route 76, and the signs (mostly) remain in place along this route across Virginia. Often called “the Transamerican,” the route is used by cyclists riding across the country, taking multi-day trips, or, most commonly, on day rides near their homes.

Route 76 through the Blue Ridge follows the original intent of Bikecentennial planners by following mostly rural roads. At least three-quarters of the miles across the Blue Ridge are on rural roads: usually just two lanes, sometimes with a center line and marked shoulders, but often with no lines or shoulders. Some sections run parallel with, and briefly on, busier roads, including Route 11. Just over 20 miles are on the Blue Ridge Parkway, between Tye River Gap and Rockfish Gap. Cyclists spend very little time riding through cities and towns, although these locations do provide

opportunities to find lodging, food, stores, and museums.

Cyclists on Route 76 in the Blue Ridge will encounter many hills, with challenging ascents and rewarding descents. Westbound riders climb up Afton Mountain and the even steeper climb to Channels State Forest, with a 7% grade over three miles. Eastbound riders climb from Vesuvius to Tye River Gap, widely considered the steepest climb on the entire Transamerican Bicycle Route. The highest points are along the Blue Ridge Parkway and in the Mount Rogers Recreation Area, challenging rides with repeated ascents and descents with low traffic, excellent roads, and beautiful views.

History is present all along the more than 300 miles of this section of Route 76. That’s why I started the Bike 76 VA podcast, which offers cyclists (and local residents and visitors) 30 episodes that explore history across the entire stretch of Route 76 in Virginia. Each episode uses a location to explore broader themes across more than 500 years of Virginia history. Episodes are spaced about every 20 miles along the route, so a cyclist averaging 60-80 miles would cover three or four episodes in a day. The episodes are 15-20 minutes in length, designed for listening at the end of cycling day, while preparing for the day’s ride, or on breaks along the route. My goal with this project was to provide more context for riders, to encourage them to think more broadly about the places and people encountered along the route, and to connect the origins of this route, in the 1976 Bikecentennial, with the upcoming

semiquincentennial commemoration in 2026.

Many rural roads originated as walking trails for hunting, migration, and trade. Indigenous communities were generally located in valleys in proximity to streams or rivers, and thus walking routes allowed for communication between groups and the mobility necessary for growing crops, foraging in forests, and trading with other communities. The first European explorers followed these same walking routes as they moved inland, displacing Indigenous communities which mostly retreated further into forested or elevated regions. Cyclists will observe how Route 76 follows the contours of the land, along streams and creeks or through gaps in ridges, thus confirming the centuries of foot travel which established these routes. European settlement transformed relations with Indigenous peoples as well as the land in ways that remain evident in the present. As cyclists ride along the valleys west of the Blue Ridge, they are following the same general route taken more than two centuries ago by European settlers looking for land to establish farms, build churches, and sustain communities. The most visible evidence of

sustained community presence are churches which list founding dates as far back as the early nineteenth century.

Enslaved people lived and worked in Appalachian Virginia prior to the American Civil War. Enslaved people in some counties west of the Blue Ridge made up one-fifth of the population, thus confirming the importance of slave labor to economic development and political power. As cyclists ride Route 76, they are often observing fields where enslaved people lived and worked across many generations in the decades before emancipation.

In the late nineteenth century, the expansion of railroads facilitated transportation at the same time that market demand grew for natural resources extracted from Appalachia. Timber brought the first economic boom to the Blue Ridge. Most Virginia forests were clear cut in the late nineteenth century, as timber companies established work camps, built railroads, and transported lumber for shipbuilding, home construction, and heating fuel. The timber industry brought work opportunities to local communities and contributed to economic growth. Once a region had been clear cut, however,

national reputations as destinations for multi-day cycling trips. And Route 76 could be the same, as it approaches major cycling centers, including Roanoke, Charlottesville, Staunton, and Waynesboro. Most importantly, Route 76 can bring cyclists into small towns, thus providing opportunities for lodging, meals, and other activities that support local communities.

the industry moved elsewhere, depriving communities of work and leaving businesses to fail. Evidence of boom-and-bust cycles can be seen in abandoned railway lines and closed mills along Route 76.

The economic dislocation of communities evident in the 50 years since the Bikecentennial resulted from economic and demographic shifts. The interstate highways bypassed many of these communities, depriving them of visitors and shifting businesses closer to major exits. Small industrial plants lost markets to national and global competitors. Populations decreased in many communities. Dickenson and Smyth counties have 15% fewer people now than fifty years ago (over the same period, Virginia’s population almost doubled). Local businesses that served communities were unable to survive as demand declined, and many closed their doors, leaving empty storefronts still visible along Route 76.

But I believe cyclists can help revive these communities, with Route 76 having the potential to provide a boost in the form of recreational tourism. The Virginia Creeper Trail, the New River Trail, and the Blue Ridge Parkway have

All of the historical connections outlined here are explored through podcast episodes along the route from Breaks Interstate Park to Charlottesville. The four episodes distributed along an 80-mile section in southwest Virginia provide a sense of both range of historical themes and the diversity of cycling experiences. The Logan Creek episode (27) examines the history of forests in Appalachia, from the regenerative practices of Indigenous Americans to the clear-cutting of the late nineteenth century, which shaped the environment now encountered by cyclists. Route 76 and the Appalachian Trail intersect in Damascus, so episode 26 explores the similarities and differences in outdoor recreation with roots in twentieth century visions of humanpowered exploration. The Troutdale episode (25) examines how small towns in the early twentieth century experienced industrial booms due to railroad expansion and manufacturing booms, followed by economic dislocation causing population declines evident now in abandoned businesses and homes along Route 76. The Mill Creek episode (24) documents the lynching of Raymond Byrd in 1926, which is also commemorated by a historical marker on Route 76 in downtown Wytheville. For cyclists, the experience of riding this section, featuring a combination of rural roads, challenging climbs, rewarding descents, and beautiful scenery, is enhanced by learning more about the historical forces that shaped communities along this route.

Tom Ewing is a professor of history at Virginia Tech (Blacksburg) and director of the Bike VA 76 project, which features 30 podcast episodes, weekly blog essays, and other materials about Route 76 in Virginia: https://bike76-va. vt.domains/home/.

BY ERIC J. WALLACE

Regional snowsports insiders share favorite slopes, go-to gear, and après ski hang spots.

WHEN THE DAYS SHORTEN and the annual freeze sets in, ski and snowboard season is on the horizon. If you’re getting excited for opening day and making plans for powder-centered winter-cations to come, then read on for some sage advice. Here, we asked three industry insiders and professionals from the Blue Ridge region to tell us about their favorite resorts, favorite gear, and après slope fun.

LUKE WINKELMANN

The Team USA and Burton Americas freestyle and street standout was raised in Blowing Rock, North Carolina, and cut his chops boarding at Appalachian Ski Mountain. “My family lived five minutes from the resort and had me on skis by the time I was two or three,” says Winkelmann, now 25. He switched to boarding around age five and, by eight, was on the slopes every day after school. “I’d be there in the park from nine in the morning until they closed, whenever I possibly could.”

Winkelmann burst onto the pro scene with two NorAm Cup street wins and four podium finishes in 2018. He was runner-up at that year’s Junior World Championships and, most recently, finished second overall in the 2024 Dew Tour streetstyle category.

Local Hill:

These days Winkelmann spends most of his time training at Colorado’s Breckenridge Ski Resort or globetrotting between competitions. But his entire family lives in the Boone and Blowing Rock area, and he visits frequently.

“If I’m home, you can probably find me at App Ski Mountain,” he says. “There’s something about the vibe there that’s unlike anywhere else in the world. It’s just so welcoming and inviting and supportive. I love to come back, bring in some pro friends and throw down in the park.”

Favorite Slope:

Being an official Red Bull athlete has

its perks, and Winkelmann leaned into the sponsorship to give back to his beloved local mountain around 2020.

“They asked me about a project and I knew exactly what I wanted to do,” he says. “I thought it would be amazing to host a serious pro-level event at the resort that helped get me to where I am today.”

Winkelmann worked with Red Bull and App Ski Mountain to design a Colorado-grade streetstyle terrain park called “Wink’s Way.” It was featured in a 2022 Red Bull Rail Yard competition.

“It was so cool to be able to bring a bunch of my tour friends here to ride and watch them have such a great time,” says Winkelmann. Even more inspiring, “was seeing all the kids that came out to watch and how excited they got. I hope to do more to support and help build the scene for this next generation of North Carolina riders.”

Essential Gear:

There’s one item Winkelmann says

he can’t—and won’t—travel without: “I bring a Titleist Vokey sand wedge and some golf balls with me everywhere I go.” He loves to find a range or putting green to chip around on pre and post big events because, “It helps me relax and clear my mind.”

When it comes to the park, his non-negotiable is a Burton Blossom Camber board equipped with Cartel X EST bindings.

When the Snow’s Not Falling:

As you now may have guessed, Winkelmann is a bona fide golf nut. “If there’s a day where I can’t train or hit the slopes, I’m gonna head for the nearest links or driving range,” he says. The Boone Golf Club and Blowing Rock Country Club sit within five miles of App Ski Mountain and are backyard favorites.

Après Ski:

“When I’m back at home, my ski days have a pretty solid routine,” says Winkelmann, chuckling. “My friends and I ride from like nine

to one, then hit up Bojangles for Cajun biscuits at the bottom of the mountain.”

The fuel-up lasts until 9 or 10 p.m., then “we’re headed to Cookout for celebratory milkshakes and burgers.”

COREY LILLY

The former Elan Sports team pro skier grew up in Beckley, West Virginia, and honed his slope skills at nearby Winterplace Ski Resort. When he was young, Lilly’s parents regularly dropped him and his brother off at the resort’s childcare program, SkiWee, and he developed a love of the sports. His sibling was eight years older, and the gap pushed little bro to learn fast and try new things. “We discovered Scott Schmidt and Glen Plake’s Blizzard of Oz ski movie and that blew our minds. From then on, we spent all our time trying to figure out what they were doing and how to replicate it.”

A knack for popping flips on and off big rails led to professional

sponsorships by high school, and Lilly toured the country competitively as a late teen and early twenty-something. A head injury cut his career short, so he pivoted his adventures to a mix of cross-country skiing, mountain biking and extreme kayaking. He now holds a position as Outdoor Community Development Manager at West Virginia University.

Local Hill:

Big powder days find Lilly deep in the backwoods of his home state’s White Grass Ski Touring Center. The iconic cross-country destination backs onto Canaan Valley State Park and the Dolly Sods Wilderness and boasts more than 31 miles of trails centered around 4,463-foot Weiss Knob. An annual dump of more than 140 inches of natural snowfall fuels the action.

Favorite Slope:

Telemark Glades—a section of abandoned former downhill slopes that are part of White Grass—gets and holds “a ton of snow and offers some of the best tree skiing in Appalachia.”

Otherwise, “I carry my skis with me everywhere and love to play in towns and cities during big storms,” says Lilly. He loves how the experience transforms an urban environment into a powdery playland.

Essential Gear:

With a two-year-old daughter, Lilly is obsessed with kiddie gear—and calls the Fisher ONE Ski Boot a gamechanger. “They’re soft in the front and don’t have the clunky feel of stiff-tongued boots,” he says. That lets kids walk more normal when they’re not on skis, while a stiff calf plate keeps their ankles safe on-piste. Better still, an adjustable sizing insert addresses growth spurts and helps parents save bucks.

Lilly also likes the new, selfadjusting HEAD Neves Sunscreen Goggles, which eliminate the need to carry multiple lenses.

When the Snow’s Not Falling: Lilly is an avid whitewater kayaker and says, “If it isn’t snowing and I don’t have to work, you’ll probably

find me running novelty creeks near the New River Gorge.” Big melts and dormant forests transform tiny, backwoods tributaries into hidden roller coasters. “We have the biggest concentration of seasonally navigable streams anywhere in the U.S.,” says Lilly. “So I just grab the fun boat, throw on my full-body wetsuit, and go exploring.”

Après Ski:

Touring the world as a pro skier has its benefits: “I’ve spent time in too many slopeside bars to remember,” Lilly jokes. But one does stick out. The White Grass Café has “a vibe like nowhere else,” he says. The former goat barn turned tiny bar, “has great live music and just brims with authentic ski culture. It’s a true gem and my absolute favorite place in the world to hang out and drink a beer.”

KAMERON TUCKER

The recently crowned Massanutten Resort mountain sports director was raised in Gordonsville, Virginia, and grew up skiing at the Nutt.

“My parents rode there back in the 70s and we all got season passes in our [Christmas] stockings every year,” she says. Trips to the Page Valley included a caravan of family friends and kiddos. Winter vacations centered around legendary hotspots like Killington Ski Resort in Vermont.

The experiences inspired Tucker, now 44, to move to Harrisonburg after college and work as a seasonal ski patroller and instructor. That led to a string of full-time positions around the mountain and a mentorship from her predecessor, Kenny Hess.

“I feel so blessed to do what I do,” says Tucker. “We have an incredible team and it’s truly a dream-come-true to go to work every day and find ways to make the mountain better and better for everyone.”

Local Hill:

While Tucker spends most of her off-work slope hours at the Nutt, she’s also a big fan of Bryce Ski Resort, which is located across the Shenandoah Valley in Basye.

“It’s small, but they’ve made some recent improvements that have just tremendously upgraded

the experience,” she says. A super local-focused and family-friend vibe makes “it awesome for kids and beginners. I have a six-year-old and we absolutely love it there.”

Favorite Slope:

Massanutten has recently seen a lot of 50th-anniversary-inspired upgrades and investments. Tucker’s favorite is a pair of new trails at the summit area. Mueller’s Mile “is super tight and windy, so you can have a lot of fun carving through all the turns.” Ridgecrest,

meanwhile, follows the ridgeline to intermediate-friendly Mass Transit, letting riders “make big loops that are perfect for skill-building.” Best of all, a new high-speed upper quad lets you pack in the runs.

Essential Gear:

When it comes to outerwear, the Mammut Stoney HS Jacket and Pant combo is hard to beat. They’re super durable, comfortable during long days and made from 100% recycled materials.

“I’m also big into layers,” she

PHOTO COURTESY OF MASSANUTTEN RESORT

adds. Long days in the Southeast can bring fluctuating temperatures. A great mid-layer like a Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket can let you ditch the shell and avoid overheating. Sustainably made knitwear from Abode Outside is also great.

When the Snow’s Not Falling: Massanutten’s indoor waterpark is “a blast for kids and parents alike,” says Tucker. The 42,000-squarefoot fun palace boasts a monstrous lazy river, eight slides, numerous splash playgrounds, arcade, onsite

bar, and adults-only jacuzzi area. A multimillion-dollar addition is slated to expand its footprint by nearly 75 percent in 2026.

Apres Ski: Find Elkton Brewery about five miles from the resort. The brewpub occupies “an old historic warehouse that’s been wonderfully renovated,” says Tucker. With a constantly changing beer menu, there’s live music on the weekends and an onsite food truck dishes up stellar wood-fired pizza.

BY LAUREN STEPP

BLUE RIDGE All-Stars

These women are redefining strength and shaping the outdoors in the Southeast.

SARAH BAKER SETS RECORD PACE ON THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL

By the time Sarah Baker reached the summit of Mount Katahdin, she was lightheaded, extremely hungry, and on the verge of exhaustion.

“I was tripping over rocks, running on adrenaline,” Baker says. “It had been cloudy all day, and when I finally got to the top, the sun popped out from behind a cloud. I just collapsed, sobbing.”

On July 28, 2025—74 days, 4 hours, and 42 minutes after leaving Springer Mountain in Georgia—Baker became the fastest woman to complete a selfsupported northbound hike of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.).

For most people, a fastestknown time (FKT) is a bucket-list goal—a chance to test the body and flirt with the edge of endurance. For Baker, it was something closer to salvation.

Years earlier, she was living in the suburbs of west Tennessee,

managing a busy med spa. From the outside, her life looked steady and successful. Inside, she was unraveling.

“I was a high-functioning alcoholic,” she admits. “I kept trying to fit into what I thought my life was supposed to look like. Eventually, I realized I couldn’t keep everything together anymore.”

In her mid-30s, Baker checked herself into a rehab center and got sober. Not long after, she went for a walk on a local trail and felt a gentle breeze blowing through the trees. “It filled my senses,” she remembers. “It felt like God was telling me, ‘This is where you belong.’”

Moved by what she felt in those quiet woods, Baker started running and then backpacking alongside her husband, Jonathan. In 2020, the two set out to thru-hike the A.T. but stopped when the pandemic hit. The next year, they tried again. Jonathan left the trail in Virginia, but Baker kept going alone.

THIRTY-MILE DAYS, TRENCH FOOT, AND NOROVIRUS COULDN’T STOP SARAH BAKER FROM SUMMITING MOUNT KATAHDIN. PHOTO COURTESY OF BAKER

“Once I realized what my body could do,” she says, “I wanted to see how far I could push it.”

Push she did. In the years ahead, Baker chased bigger terrain and longer days, grinding through punishing ultramarathons. Then, earlier this year on May 15, she began her biggest challenge yet: setting an FKT.

For the first leg of her journey, Baker averaged more than 30 miles a day, steadily chugging toward Maine. Then came Virginia. Near Pearisburg, she woke up in a hostel burning with fever. “I started throwing up and couldn’t keep anything down,” she says. “It was norovirus.”

She could barely move. “I’d hike a quarter mile and have to lie down,” she says. “There was no way I was making up the time to beat the overall record. But I decided I wasn’t quitting.”

Weak and dehydrated, Baker pushed through the Mid-Atlantic and into New England. “I was forcing down calories, just whatever I could get,” she says. “By

SARAH BAKER BATTLED DIZZY, CALORIESTARVED

SHE PUSHED TOWARD

*Photo courtesy of Casey Johnson, of Re/Max Lakefront Realty

the end, I was dizzy all the time.”

Still, she moved north—mile after mile, prayer after prayer— until she reached Katahdin. At the summit, Jonathan was waiting. As she collapsed against the wooden trail marker, he wrapped her in his arms. “It’s okay,” he whispered. “You can stop now.”

Today, Baker is back home in Roan Mountain, Tennessee, where she is eyeing her next goal—either another FKT or a late-season ultra.

“I run for a living now,” she says. “It keeps me sober, it keeps me grounded, and it reminds me that I’m capable of more than I ever imagined.”

AMY ALLISON GROWS NORTH CAROLINA’S RECREATION ECONOMY

Long before Amy Allison made her home in the mountains of Asheville, North Carolina, she was a Louisiana teenager falling in love with dirt and sky.

“I really fell in love with the outdoors in high school,” she says. “Two of my teachers started an outdoor club, and through that I was introduced to climbing walls, high ropes courses, and weekend trips to their property in Arkansas for hiking and rock climbing.”

That spark never went out. Allison spent her college summers working as a camp counselor in the Blue Ridge and then built a career helping others connect to wild places—first as a wilderness guide and outdoor educator and later as a traveling trainer with Leave No Trace.

Today, as Director of the North Carolina Outdoor Recreation Economy Office, Allison helps communities harness that same power of place. Housed within the Department of Commerce, the office works to strengthen and grow the state’s outdoor recreation economy, which currently has an economic impact of $16.2 billion. Allison also co-directs the Outdoor Economy Conference.

“This work is both personal and professional,” she says. “I remain inspired every day by the power of the outdoors to connect people, communities, and purpose.”

MARLIES MEJÍAS RIDES FROM CUBA TO THE OLYMPIC STAGE

As a child in Cuba, Marlies Mejías pedaled her red bicycle through her neighborhood in search of joy— not medals.

“Even though there was very little, I was full of dreams,” she says. “Cycling gave me purpose; it made me believe that even in a small place, big dreams are possible.”

That belief carried her far. At 17, she earned her first national medal. In her 20s, she signed her first professional cycling contract. For her, the milestone proved that “a woman from Cuba could stand on the same starting line as anyone in the world.”

Mejías is now based outside of Roanoke, Va., and is training with Team Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY28 as she sets her sights on the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Along the way, she’s

CUBAN-BORN AND ROANOKE-TRAINED, MARLIES MEJÍAS IS QUIETLY GRINDING TOWARD A SHOT AT THE OLYMPIC STAGE.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MEJIAS

balancing the demands of elite sport with motherhood.

“Being a mom and an athlete is not easy,” she says. “There are sacrifices, sleepless nights, doubts, and guilt. But there's also love, strength, and purpose. My daughter is my greatest motivation; she reminds me every day that nothing is impossible.”

LAUREN BYRD TRANSFORMS PAIN INTO PURPOSE ON THE RIVER

When Lauren Byrd was medically discharged from the U.S. Army seven years ago, she had no idea what was going to come next.

“I entered the Wounded Warrior Program at Fort Benning, and they introduced us to different activities,” she says. “I thought it was all stupid. Then they put me in a pool with a kayak, and everything changed.”

A few weeks later, Byrd took her first trip down the Nantahala River and spent most of the time swimming instead of paddling. “I had my first adult temper tantrum,” she laughs. “I swore I’d never do it again.”

A week later, she bought a boat. Today, Byrd is a national champion and has represented the U.S. Women’s K1 Freestyle World Team. Based in Bryson City, North Carolina, and living full-time in a 27foot RV, she spends her days chasing rivers across the Southeast, from the Chattahoochee to the Ocoee. She says the sport is less about proving herself and more about peace.

“If I’m angry, sad, or stuck, I get in my boat,” she says. “The river reminds me that life keeps moving, and so can I.”

PEAK PURSUITS

T he

2026

B ucke T L is T

Start your new year right and embark on an exhilarating journey into the great outdoors with our curated bucket list. Whether you seek thrilling adventures or serene respites, our bucket list is a guide to unlocking the extraordinary experiences in our region. From conquering epic hiking trails to stargazing in secluded wilderness, this list is your passport to a world of awe-inspiring landscapes and unforgettable outdoor and cultural escapades. Join us as we inspire and encourage you to check off each adventure, one at a time.

BEDFORD, VA Home to the New London Tech Disc Golf Course—site of the 2024 PDGA Pro World Championships and the 2025 Disc Golf Pro Tour—Bedford is making its mark on the global disc golf stage, with more major events coming in April and October 2026. Ranked among the top 15 courses in the world, New London Tech offers a premier experience for players, while Bedford’s additional free-to-play courses welcome all skill levels. Off the course, enjoy hiking, local craft beverages, dining, shopping (including Foundation Disc Golf), and mustsee historical attractions like the National D-Day Memorial. Stay in a cozy cabin, farm stay, mountain lodge, or lakefront condo— and for those who prefer to sleep under the stars, camping is also available.

STROLL, BIKE, AND EXPLORE THE RIVERWALK TRAIL

DANVILLE, VA Add the scenic Riverwalk Trail to your bucket list and experience one of southern Virginia’s most charming outdoor escapes. Stretching more than 12 miles along the Dan River, this paved path is perfect for biking, running, or taking a peaceful evening stroll surrounded by river views and nature. Families can enjoy the monthly Storywalk Trail, a collaboration with Danville Parks and Recreation that turns reading into an adventure through 20 story panels along the route. Don’t forget to snap a photo with the brand-new LOVEworks sign, then visit one of the nearby boutiques, bistros, or coffee shops just steps from the trail. Open from dawn to dusk, the Riverwalk Trail blends outdoor beauty, community creativity, and small-town warmth—making it a must-see stop on your next southside Virginia adventure.

VisitSoSi.com

LEARN TO FLY FISH WITH LET’S GO ADVENTURES

VIRGINIA STATE PARKS Add a new skill to your outdoor bucket list and learn fly fishing with Let’s Go Adventures, a Virginia State Parks program designed to help beginners connect with nature through hands-on experiences. Under the guidance of expert instructors, you’ll master the basics of casting, knot tying, and reading the water—all while enjoying the serene beauty of Virginia’s lakes and rivers. Whether you’re trying something new or deepening your love of the outdoors, this adventure is the perfect way to reel in unforgettable memories.

VirginiaStateParks.gov/lets-go-adventures

FIND CREATIVE INSPIRATION AT GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS INSTITUTE AT TREMONT

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK, TN Add a creative escape to your bucket list with the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, where art and nature come together in one of the most inspiring settings in the country. Located inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tremont offers immersive programs that invite participants to live, learn, and create, surrounded by the beauty of the wild. Choose from photography classes open for general registration, or apply to join the annual Writers Conference or Plein Air Smokies, both accepting applications this winter. Each experience blends hands-on creative growth with naturalist-led programs, infusing your art with a deeper connection to the landscape and its stories. Whether you’re capturing light through a lens, painting mountains en plein air, or finding your voice on the page, Tremont offers the perfect setting to nurture both creativity and curiosity.

CAST A LINE IN THE LEGENDARY WATERS OF BUGGS ISLAND (KERR) LAKE

MECKLENBURG COUNTY, VA Experience one of the nation’s top freshwater fishing destinations at Buggs Island Lake, where record-breaking catches are part of the story. Spanning more than 50,000 acres, this expansive lake is a haven for anglers chasing striped bass, crappie, catfish, and more—and it’s home to the world-record blue catfish, weighing 143 pounds and measuring 57 inches, caught in 2011. Whether you’re casting from the shore, launching a boat, or soaking up the lake’s scenic beauty, Buggs Island offers the perfect blend of relaxation and excitement. Stay for a weekend of fishing, camping, and lakeside fun in Mecklenburg County, where every cast could land the catch of a lifetime.

JOCASSEE

OCONEE COUNTY, SC Add a Lake Jocassee boat tour to your bucket list and discover one of South Carolina’s most stunning hidden gems. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, this pristine lake is best explored by water—whether you join a guided pontoon tour, kayak through quiet coves, or cast a line on a fishing trip in search of trophy trout. With crystal-clear waters, hidden waterfalls, and endless mountain views, Lake Jocassee offers an unforgettable outdoor adventure for all ages and experience levels. Plan your trip today with Visit Oconee SC and Discover SC.

VisitOconeeSC.com

SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA Experience over 1,000 miles of professionally managed off-road trails at the Hatfield-McCoy Trails. From scenic beginner routes to rugged climbs for seasoned riders, each trail offers a fresh challenge and stunning mountain views. Many connect to ATV-friendly towns, where you can enjoy local food and Southern hospitality. Trailheads are easily accessible from cabins, campgrounds, and lodges, making multi-day adventures simple to plan. Whether you’re chasing adrenaline or exploring at a relaxed pace, the Hatfield-McCoy Trails deliver a perfect mix of off-road excitement, outdoor beauty, and authentic Appalachian charm.

HatfieldMcCoyCVB.com

WATCH HISTORY COME ALIVE AT WILDERNESS ROAD STATE PARK

WILDERNESS ROAD STATE PARK, VA Reflect on pivotal events at Wilderness Road State Park, where history and heritage meet breathtaking scenery. Explore a full-scale replica of Martin’s Station, an 18th-century frontier fort brought to life through costumed interpreters, demonstrations, and events that immerse you in Virginia’s early frontier days. With hiking trails, scenic overlooks, and family-friendly programs, the park offers a unique blend of adventure and education for all ages.

VirginiaStateParks.gov/wilderness-road

CHALLENGE YOURSELF IN THE VIRGINIA STATE PARKS ADVENTURE SERIES

ACROSS VIRGINIA Take your love of the outdoors to the next level with the Virginia State Parks Adventure Series, a year-round lineup of races, rides, and endurance events set in some of the Commonwealth’s most scenic landscapes. From trail runs and mountain bike races to paddling challenges, these events are designed for athletes and adventurers of all levels. Compete for prizes, explore new parks, and join a vibrant community of outdoor enthusiasts while pushing your limits surrounded by Virginia’s natural beauty.

VirginiaStateParks.gov/adventure-series

PLAY AND STAY AT WUNDERLAND RESORT

OLD FORT, NC Add Wunderland Resort to your bucket list and experience western North Carolina’s newest destination for outdoor adventure and relaxation. Nestled in the heart of Old Fort, this brand-new “outdoor recreation resort” is redefining what it means to vacation in the mountains. Whether you’re hitting nearby trails, unwinding by the water, or taking in stunning views from your cabin or campsite, Wunderland blends adventure and comfort seamlessly. With thoughtfully designed spaces and easy access to McDowell County’s wild beauty, this is one getaway that truly lives up to its name.

DestinationMcDowell.com

STEP BACK IN TIME AT NINETY SIX NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE

OLD 96 DISTRICT, SC Discover the Ninety Six National Historic Site and walk a trail steeped in Revolutionary War history. The Historic Battlefield Trail is a one-mile loop that winds through the site of the first Southern land battle of the Revolutionary War, offering a unique glimpse into America’s fight for independence. Along the way, explore Star Fort, an original fortification that stands as a testament to the ingenuity and determination of the era. Perfect for history enthusiasts and curious hikers alike, this trail combines outdoor exploration with a meaningful connection to America’s 250th anniversary, making it an unforgettable stop for anyone looking to experience the nation’s story firsthand.

THE NATURAL BRIDGE ILLUMINATED IN A NEW LIGHT

NATURAL BRIDGE STATE PARK, VA Experience one of Virginia’s most iconic landmarks in a whole new way at Natural Bridge State Park. On the last Saturday night of each month from April through October, the towering limestone arch is bathed in soft, colorful light, creating a breathtaking nighttime spectacle. Return in December for the park’s special Luminary Nights, when the bridge glows with festive holiday colors. Whether you visit under summer stars or winter lights, this unforgettable view of Natural Bridge is one to add to your bucket list.

VirginiaStateParks.gov/natural-bridge

RIDE, RUN, AND RECONNECT ON THE KITSUMA TRAIL

OLD FORT, NC Add Kitsuma Peak to your bucket list and take on one of McDowell County’s most exhilarating outdoor experiences. This challenging trail covers approximately 10 miles of steep terrain with breathtaking ridgetop views, perfect for hikers and mountain bikers alike. Accessible from the Old Fort Picnic Area (I-40 Exit 73), the route stretches across Young’s Ridge and links into the larger trail network for an extended adventure. Whether you’re pushing your limits or simply chasing epic mountain scenery, Kitsuma Peak delivers an authentic back-country feel just minutes from town.

DestinationMcDowell.com

RESET, RESTART, AND REFOCUS AT THE FARMHOUSE AT VERITAS

AFTON, VA Over four days and three nights, embrace a comprehensive wine and wellness retreat that blends hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains, daily yoga, and exclusive vineyard tours. Each day ends with a taste of chef-prepared meals and award-winning wines from Veritas Vineyards & Winery, creating a perfect balance of relaxation and indulgence. This all-inclusive retreat offers an ideal getaway to revive your spirit and invigorate your senses. Experience The Farmhouse at Veritas, where luxury meets the tranquility of nature.

VeritasFarmhouse.com/four-day-retreat

GET UP CLOSE TO THE UNIVERSE AT GREEN BANK OBSERVATORY

GREEN BANK, WV Put Green Bank Observatory on your must-visit list and get an up-close look at the world’s largest fully-steerable radio telescope, standing an impressive 485 feet tall! Visitors can take a guided tour or explore the grounds on foot or by bike, immersing themselves in the scale and history of this incredible scientific facility. Stop by the exhibit hall to learn how astronomers use radio waves to unlock the secrets of the Universe, then enjoy a bite at the café before heading out to explore the Observatory’s nature trails, perfect for hiking and biking. Check the events calendar to catch Star Parties, Festivals, and the annual Open House, which offers behind-the-scenes access. (Note: no e-bikes or personal electronics—they interfere with the telescopes.) Make a day of it, and experience one of the most unique places in the world.

GreenBankObservatory.org

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA

Riversong Saunas invites you to experience the region's first wood-fired public sauna on Charlottesville's riverfront! Connect with locals and visitors in a Community Session or arrange a Private Session for your group in one of the authentic Finnish-inspired saunas at this unique natural setting. Challenge yourself to a cold plunge in the Rivanna River or a cast-iron tub. Stay to enjoy tea and charcuterie or stroll over to locals-favorite Hogwaller Brewery just steps away. Riversong Saunas is a one-of-a-kind destination to discover how welcoming, relaxing, and rejuvenating this ancient practice still is today.

RivannaRiverCompany.com/sauna/

EXPLORE THE HISTORY OF WHERE COUNTRY MUSIC WAS BORN

BRISTOL, TN/VA Celebrate the sound that shaped a genre with a visit to the Birthplace of Country Music Museum. The legacy of the 1927 Bristol Sessions comes alive through immersive exhibits and the on-site Radio Bristol, a fully functioning broadcast studio that serves as a living, breathing extension of the museum’s mission. As the museum preserves the stories and sounds that shaped American music, this year’s 25th anniversary of the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion continues that legacy in real time. The festival transforms downtown Bristol into a celebration of the region’s musical heritage, carrying forward the same spirit of creativity and community that the museum honors and protects.

BirthplaceOfCountryMusic.org

EXPERIENCE THE CHARM OF LONG CREEK, SOUTH CAROLINA

OCONEE COUNTY, SC Escape to the small but adventure-filled community of Long Creek, SC, where outdoor thrills meet authentic mountain charm. Chase cascading beauty at Brasstown Falls, then explore the legendary Chattooga River—a Wild and Scenic River perfect for paddling, hiking, or whitewater rafting. After your adventure, sip and savor at Chattooga Belle Farm and Distillery, unwind at Chattooga River Campground and Willy’s Tavern, or get a true taste of local life with coffee, pizza, and gear from Life in Long Creek—featuring The Gauge Coffeehouse, Humble Pie Pizza, and the Chattooga Whitewater Shop. Adventure and Appalachian hospitality await with Visit Oconee SC and Discover SC.

VisitOconeeSC.com

PEAK PURSUITS c heck L is T

Play Disc Golf Where the Champions Compete - Bedford, VA

Stroll, Bike, and Explore the Riverwalk TrailDanville, VA (SoSi)

Learn to Fly Fish with Let’s Go AdventuresVirginia State Parks

Find Creative Inspiration at Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont -

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN

Cast a Line in the Legendary Waters of Buggs Island (Kerr) Lake - Mecklenburg County, VA

Ride the Legendary Hatfield-McCoy TrailsSouthern West Virginia

Watch History Come Alive at Wilderness Road State Park - Wilderness Road State Park, VA

Cruise the Clear Waters of Lake JocasseeOconee County, SC

Challenge Yourself in the Virginia State Parks Adventure Series - Across Virginia

Play and Stay at Wunderland ResortOld Fort, NC

Step Back in Time at Ninety Six National Historic Site - Old 96 District, SC

See the Natural Bridge Illuminated in a New Light - Natural Bridge State Park, VA

Ride, Run, and Reconnect on the Kitsuma TrailOld Fort, NC

Reset, Restart, and Refocus at the Farmhouse at Veritas - Afton, VA

Get Up Close to the Universe at Green Bank Observatory - Green Bank, WV

Discover the Magic of an Authentic, WoodFired Sauna - Charlottesville, VA

Explore the History of Where Country Music Was Born - Bristol TN/VA

Experience the Charm of Long Creek, South Carolina - Oconee County, SC

TOM

BY MIKE BEZEMEK

EVERY DAY I GET UP AND GO TO WORK Ski

Earlier this year a skier tried to see how many Southeast and Mid-Atlantic winter resorts he could hit on an epic 16-day road trip.

IT WAS DAY ONE OF 16, AND I was skiing off a 5,400-foot peak in the Smokies. That’s not something I ever imagined publicly admitting. Yet here I was, having a blast at Cataloochee Ski Area near Maggie Valley, N.C.

Two steeper trails come off the top at Cat, which claims 740 feet of vertical, before splitting into easier options and a terrain park. The scenic slopes were mostly empty during a Thursday morning in midJanuary. Plus, snow conditions were excellent across the region, given below-freezing temps were allowing plenty of snowmaking mixed with natural snowfalls.

Eventually, I began skiing with a friendly retiree named Joe. We talked favorite trips on the lift and made fast runs back down. Until midday, when Joe was clipped by a runaway college kid.

“It’s filling up with Jerrys,” he muttered, using a humorous nickname for reckless skiers.

After saying goodbye, I drove past Cataloochee Ranch, an upscale choice for ski getaways, offering cabins, restaurant, and lodge built in the mountain rustic style. Then I turned north toward a lot more skiing.

IS SKIING 17 RESORTS IN 16 DAYS A GOOD IDEA?

The short answer is probably no, but it was fun. Plus, I had a survival plan. Some backstory: I used to ski out West, working from the road while chasing powder with a Mountain Collective Pass. After moving to the Southeast, I had an unexpected break for several years. When I finally resumed skiing, I wondered if I could recreate my epic road trips in

an affordable way, closer to home. The solution was the well-priced Indy Pass, which includes two days each at over 200 independent ski resorts, mostly around the U.S., some overseas, and plenty in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic.

With the arrival of an epic 202425 season, I decided to add stops at some nearby non-Indy resorts. This meant zero rest days, but I’d see everything during optimum conditions. To preserve my legs, I’d limit myself to morning sessions. Each afternoon, I’d drive a few hours to my next destination. Then repeat for 16 days, or until I couldn’t walk. Despite aiming for smaller mountains, I needed to train. So, I did an annoying number of squats, mountain biked in freezing temps, and finally skied in Austria using my Indy Pass. This included a fun stay with my wife at the downtown Hotel das Innsbruck, where we joined locals shouldering planks to train stations, before skiing thousands of meters down sheer glaciers. Yup, I went to the Alps to prepare for skiing the Southern Appalachians.

DAY 2: OBER MOUNTAIN & GATLINBURG, TENNESSEE

After redeeming my Indy Pass, I caught the fifth chair to the wooded summit at 3,208 feet. To overcome its warmer climate, Ober operates numerous snowmaking machines. This made for good conditions during my morning laps. By midday, the surface was getting slushy, and the Friday crowds descended. Among the smaller areas I visited, Ober claims 660 feet of vert and 10 trails, which seem best for beginners or casual skiers looking

for family destinations.

The night before, I stayed at the pleasant Rocky Waters Inn, overlooking the Little River. I wandered through neon Gatlinburg, passing a zip line, drop tower, roller coaster, and ski tram. Dinner was at Smoky Mountain Brewery, where I nursed a single-hop IPA and unveiled my ski-marathon strategy to the bartender.

“Keep the waters coming, please.”

DAY 3: HATLEY POINTE & ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA

Upon arrival in Asheville, I stopped by Second Gear, an outdoor shop that relocated after flooding from Hurricane Helene. A cold snap was coming, and I needed layers. Then I checked into a high-rise room at Cambria Downtown and walked around the semi-vacant city. Over a bison burger and Dunkel at Wicked Weed Brewing, I listened to resilient locals share storm stories and their hopes for a rebound.

The next morning, I drove through rain that became wet snow near Hatley Pointe Mountain Resort. Today’s powder reminded me of Sierra mashed potatoes, and skiing off the 4,700-foot peak was great. Half of the 17 trails are located on the upper mountain, and the layout made this Indy Pass member feel bigger than its claimed 700 feet of vert. As the fog lifted, I found fresh tracks for several hours. Of course, on the lower greens, everyone slowed to a crawl, inching through wet cement back to the lone main lift. That setup causes a bottleneck, but one host claimed

the recently renovated Hatley caps daily users around 500-600 to limit overcrowding.

DAY 4: SUGAR MOUNTAIN & BANNER ELK, NORTH CAROLINA

With fatigue setting in, I dropped my duffel at the Best Western and limped inside the Banner Elk Café for an excellent prime rib dinner. Located near three non-Indy resorts, this mountain town was popping on a Saturday night. I’d previously enjoyed smaller App Ski Mountain and medium-sized Beech Mountain. So, I got an early start the next morning at Sugar Mountain Resort.

Sugar isn’t cheap at nearly $100 for a weekend day ticket, but I’d heard big things about terrain (and crowds): 1,200 feet of vert, 21 trails, and seven mostly highspeed lifts. Sure enough, the first two hours were awesome, with many longer runs to explore. The summit was icy, but the midmountain snow was plush. Then the Saturday crowds arrived. One wise guy in the lurching lift line, possibly me, joked we all looked like a winter herd from The Walking Dead. A few of us started stumbling like zombies with ski poles. Next time, I will aim for a post-apocalyptic midweek visit.

DAY 5: WINTERPLACE –WEST VIRGINIA

It was 5 degrees above zero, and I was wearing every layer I had, when I stepped onto the slopes at Winterplace Ski Resort. The previous day, I’d cautiously driven mountain roads through a snowstorm. I spent the night

THE AUTHOR'S VEHICLE AT THE CABINS AT PINE HAVEN IN WEST VIRGINIA.

surrounded by a frozen forest at the Cabins at Pine Haven. Despite it being Monday of a holiday weekend, I practically had this remote area to myself.

Winterplace is an Indy Pass member claiming 600 feet of vert, most of it found in an upper bowl, where I plowed through several windblown powder stashes. I took frequent warmup breaks in the midmountain lodge, stretching my aching legs by the fireplace. Then I dashed outside and skied circuits around this widespread resort’s 27 trails.

DAY 6: SNOWSHOE MOUNTAIN – WEST VIRGINIA

Departing my room at Expedition Station around sunrise, I hustled through the summit village at Snowshoe Mountain Resort. It was 5 degrees below zero, and occasionally guests were stepping outside, panicking, and darting inside the nearest doorway.

While searching for coffee, a friendly shuttlebus driver invited me aboard for an impromptu tour. Snowshoe is a western-like

resort known for good snow and a surprising 1,500 feet of vertical relief. There are restaurants, shops, and 257 acres of skiable terrain. Corporately owned by Alterra, Snowshoe has pricy day tickets and appears on the Ikon Pass, which starts around $1,100. In this case, you do get what you pay for.

Despite the bone-chilling temps, I spent a full day skiing here, starting with several dozen frontside runs through snow-covered trees. Then I sauntered across the road to the few long-rolling trails of the Western Territory. I never made it to the adjacent Silver Creek area. Next time.

DAY 7 TO 9: CANAAN VALLEY, WEST VIRGINIA

The closest thing to a rest during my whirlwind trip was a three-night stay in the cozy lodge at Canaan Valley State Park. That put me just minutes away from three standout options during a visit with regular snowfall. Timberline Mountain is a local favorite and non-Indy resort with a claimed 1000 feet of vert, three highspeed lifts, and 37 runs—several in the mile-plus

THE VAST WESTERN TERRITORY AT SNOWSHOE MOUNTAIN RESORT.

DAY 10: WISP – MCHENRY, MARYLAND

I was in line for an early chair, when I learned my Indy Pass didn’t qualify for the 8am start. An hour later, I finally circled the fun but busy Wisp Resort, finding the best snow was already skied. Typical for the Alleghanies, the summit is a flat knob, and the condo-lined slopes steepen toward the bottom.

range. I found the tree skiing and snowmaking to be tops, and I’ll definitely return to this valley. More highlights came at the two Indy Pass members. White Grass Ski Touring was the most unique offering. A cross-country and backcountry skiing area with 1,200 feet of vert and 30 miles of trails, half groomed and the rest natural. Using my Alpine Touring gear, I skinned up to Bald Knob at 4,308 feet and skied back down. My last day, I caught the state park’s Canaan Valley Resort on a rare powder day. The claimed vert is only 850 feet, the lifts are slow, and traversing is mandatory. But among the 47 widespread trails, I found endless lines through treelined corridors

A quiet Saturday morning was gradually replaced by a rowdy scene. One lift took me over a vacation neighborhood, where visitors in hot tubs waved up at those more ambitious. A pair of chummy college kids begged me to have a light beer with them during the ride.

Up top, four lifts from different directions meet. Today was the NFL Conference Championship, and some Philly Eagles fans arrived from one side, just as some Washington Commanders fans came up the opposite lift. During a

face-off, the raucous fans bellowed at each other before awkwardly skiing away together.

DAY 10 TO 12: LAUREL HIGHLANDS - SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA

Around midday, I drove an hour north and enjoyed a quiet vibe switch at Laurel Mountain Resort. This smaller but surprising gem claims 761 feet of vertical and 20 trails that wind through undeveloped woods, funneling to a single lift. Laurel also claims the

A DOUBLE BLACK RUN AT WEST VIRGINIA'S TIMBERLINE MOUNTAIN.

BALD KNOB, ACCESSED VIA WHITEGRASS SKI TOURING CENTER.

SKIERS EYE THE LINES AT WINTERGREEN RESORT IN VIRGINIA.

steepest run in Pennsylvania, Lower Wildcat, though I found its snow to be thin and icy. That said, this was an enjoyable place for purists, with fun ledges and spooky nightskiing involving a lift ride through complete darkness.

Like my next two stops, Laurel has been corporately owned by Vail Resorts since 2021. All three are on the Epic Pass, which has options hovering above and below $1k. Luckily, advance day tickets are not outrageous. For two nights, I stayed in the main lodge at Seven Springs Mountain Resort, where I wandered through wood-paneled corridors to restaurants and shops.

On Sunday, I walked from my room to the slopes, where a total of 33 trails and 10 lifts sprawled across 285 acres with an amphitheater feel. Seven Springs is definitely a scene, albeit family friendly, and by afternoon, the snow was skied down to dirt in patches.

That made my Monday morning at Hidden Valley PA even more enjoyable. This small locals’ resort claims 470 feet of vertical, with 31 trails across two bowls linked by a remarkably long towrope. The

impressive tree skiing was icy but clearly would be excellent after a storm.

DAY 13: BLUE KNOB –PENNSYLVANIA

Blue Knob All Seasons Resort was like stepping inside a ski movie from the 1980s. Colorful ski suits. Interesting hairdos. An old lodge that felt like an ice rink, where I made a dozen friends within hours. Plus, creaky lifts and a wind hold, which gave my weary legs a rest until noon.

Built atop a Cold War radar base, this is a unique place. The trails are narrow, zig-zaggy, and long, with a claimed 1068 feet of vert. Given limited snowmaking capabilities, and a week since a natural fall, the base was thin and icy. The trees did look compelling, so I’ll return to this Indy Pass member when conditions warrant.

DAY 14: BRYCE RESORT –NORTHERN VIRGINIA

Turning southeast into Virginia, I was on the home stretch. After driving icy roads for two weeks, sunny days warmed the landscape.

I spent a night in a slopeside condo before zipping around the small Bryce Resort, where groomed snow soon yielded to slush. This is a tidy members’ club, claiming 500 feet of vert and 8 trails. Known for lessons, this Indy Pass member would make for a great learn-to-ski getaway.

DAY 15: MASSANUTTEN – SHENANDOAH VALLEY, VIRGINIA

During my 16-day trip, I encountered numerous skiers who held strong opinions about certain regional resorts that they’d been to once or not at all. Others told me to expect surprising things. One guy suggested I skip Massanutten, but I’m glad I didn’t. This Indy Pass member offers some excellent terrain, claiming 1,100 feet of vertical and 23 trails.

The reason for such wideranging opinions? Many critics confessed to going during poor conditions and never returning. Meanwhile, most regional resorts will gradually improve their snowmaking, lifts, and terrain. That’s the case at Massanutten, where I spent hours using the

newer highspeed quad accessing advanced runs. I was particularly appreciative of the split between upper and lower slopes, which separates beginners and advanced skiers and reduces bottlenecks.

DAY 16: WINTERGREEN RESORT – VIRGINIA

On the last day in January, I reached my final stop at Wintergreen Resort. I stayed in a loft at the summit lodge and enjoyed a slopeside sunset over the Blue Ridge Mountains. The terrain features scenic rolling ridges, with a claimed 1,000 feet of vert and 27 trails spread across three faces. Despite warm weather causing regionwide slush, this was a fun place that I’d revisit during better conditions.

My celebratory meal was a burger and exceptional IPA at nearby Devils Backbone Brewery. After visiting 11 Indy Pass members, and 17 resorts in 16 days, I’d made two decisions. I was ready for a break. But having found so much within striking distance, I’d be renewing the affordable Indy Pass for another season.

EXPLORE WINTER ADVENTURE GUIDE

Step into winter with our essential guide to the season’s best resorts and cold-weather destinations. From ski mountains and cozy lodges to scenic regions that come alive under a blanket of snow, we highlight the places that make winter unforgettable. Whether you’re chasing fresh powder or peaceful mountain views, this guide is your invitation to embrace winter’s magic, one destination at a time.

MASSIVE FUN AT MASSANUTTEN RESORT, VA

Embark on a thrilling alpine adventure at Massanutten Resort in Virginia, where winter sports enthusiasts find a haven for exhilarating winter experiences. Nestled amid the majestic beauty of the Shenandoah Valley, Massanutten stands as a premier destination for those seeking the perfect blend of snow-covered slopes and top-tier amenities. With meticulously groomed trails catering to all skill levels, skiers and snowboarders alike carve through the pristine powder against a backdrop of panoramic mountain vistas.

TAKE A LESSON OR SHRED IT SOLO

Massanutten offers private and group lessons for all ages, plus a dedicated Children’s Program for skiing and snowboarding. Get fully equipped at the resort’s Rental Shop , and don’t forget to stop by the General Store for any extra accessories. Looking for the best runs? Massanutten added three new runs in 2022, and a new expert trail in 2023. Mueller’s Mile, a Blue Square trail, quickly became a favorite with its mile-long stretch and stunning views of Massanutten and the Blue Ridge. For experts, the Double Black Diamond trail, No Hessitation, presents a thrilling challenge—and a crowd of spectators ready to cheer you on.

APRÈS SKI ACTIVITIES

Massanutten Resort offers plenty of cozy spots to relax and warm up after a day on the slopes. Enjoy a fireside seat at Base Camp or unwind inside Elevations Lounge

in the ski lodge. For a different kind of fun, test your teamwork in the immersive escape rooms or indulge in a spa day for the ultimate relaxation. The resort also features snow tubing, a waterpark, and ice skating, with options for all ages and skill levels.

During the off-season, enjoy mountain biking, scenic chairlift rides, a family adventure park, two golf courses, escape rooms, Perfect Break, and seasonal events like HeArt & SOUL Winter Fest (February 2026) and Snow Moon Fest (March 2026). Plus, get ready for the ride of your life with the highly anticipated Mountain Mayhem, an exhilarating mountain coaster covering 2,156 feet of thrilling downhill terrain and featuring two 360-degree spirals along the track. Thanks to its innovative design, riders can control their own speed, choosing between a heart-pounding rush or a slower, scenic cruise to take in the breathtaking views.

For the best stay, book directly through Massanutten Resort to enjoy full access to all recreation centers and indoor pools!

massresort.com

RESORT RUNDOWN

• Opening Day: Typically around Dec 10.

• 7 Green, 10 Blue, 5 Black, 1 Double Black trail

• 80 Skiable Acres

• 7 Lifts

• Elevation (Base/Summit): 1,770 ft /2,922 ft

PENNSYLVANIA’S PREMIER SKI COUNTRY IN LAUREL HIGHLANDS

When winter settles over Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands, the region transforms into a snow-covered playground where rolling ridgelines, crisp mountain air, and welcoming resorts create the perfect setting for cold-weather adventure. With four unique alpine destinations, expansive Nordic trails, and cozy après-ski experiences, the Laurel Highlands offers a winter escape for every style of snow lover—from firsttimers to seasoned shredders.

At the heart of the region’s ski scene is Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Champion, the largest and most varied ski area in the state. Typically opening in early to mid-December, Seven Springs sets the tone for the season with 285 acres of skiable terrain. Its diverse terrain breakdown—34% beginner, 44% intermediate, and 22% advanced—makes it an ideal destination for families and mixedskill groups. After a full day on the mountain, guests can unwind slopeside with standout lodging options or head straight to Foggy Goggle, consistently ranked among North America’s top après-ski bars and a perennial favorite on USA Today’s annual list.

Just down the road, Hidden

Valley Resort offers a quieter, family-friendly alpine experience with 110 acres of skiable terrain. Hidden Valley is known for its welcoming vibe and highly regarded ski instruction program which is recognized as one of North America’s best. With terrain balanced between beginner, intermediate, and advanced runs, it’s the perfect place to build skills, make memories, and enjoy Laurel Highlands snowfall.

For skiers seeking a classic mountain experience, Laurel Mountain Ski Resort in Boswell is steeped in history and character. Once a retreat for WWII aviator training and later restored with modern lift and snowmaking upgrades, Laurel Mountain is beloved for its authentic feel and challenging terrain. The standout attraction is Lower Wildcat, a double black diamond boasting nearly a 60% slope—one of the steepest runs in Pennsylvania and a thrilling rite of passage for advanced skiers.

For those who prefer exclusivity paired with luxury, Nemacolin in Farmington redefines the winter resort experience. As an overnight guest or member, you can access six slopes across 25 acres, ranging

from mellow beginner runs to expert terrain. Nemacolin also invites guests to try Sno-Go ski bikes, Skiskates, cross-country skiing, and even dogsledding— perfect for adventurers looking to elevate their alpine stay.

Nordic enthusiasts will find their winter haven at the Laurel Ridge Cross Country Ski Center in Laurel Ridge State Park. With roughly 35 miles of groomed trails (permit required), it’s a serene setting for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The nearby 120-mile

Laurel Highlands Snowmobile Trail System winds through state parks and forests, adding even more winter mileage for motorized explorers.

Whether you’re carving steep alpine terrain, gliding through snow-draped forests, or sipping a warm drink beside a slopeside fire, the Laurel Highlands offers endless ways to embrace the magic of winter. Let the mountains welcome you—your perfect winter escape is waiting.

WINTER BY THE NUMBERS

Seven Springs

• 285 skiable acres

• 33 trails | 7 terrain parks

• 10 lifts | 135” average snowfall

• Elevation: 2,994’ summit / 2,240’ base

Hidden Valley

• 110 skiable acres

• 26 trails | 2 terrain parks

• 8 lifts | 135” average snowfall

Laurel Mountain

• 70 skiable acres

• 19 trails

• Home to Lower Wildcat: nearly 60% slope Nemacolin

• 25 skiable acres

• 6 slopes from beginner to expert

• Unique offerings: SnoGo bikes, Skiskates, dogsledding

Laurel Ridge State Park

• ~35 miles of cross-country ski trails

• Snowshoeing permitted

• Access to 120-mile LH Snowmobile Trail System

Photo Courtesy GO Laurel Highlands

Photo Courtesy Seven Springs Mountain Resort

Photo Courtesy GO Laurel Highlands

Photo Courtesy Seven Springs Mountain Resort

A HOST OF HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS AT THE OMNI HOMESTEAD RESORT, VA

Nestled in the picturesque Allegheny Mountains of Hot Springs, Virginia, The Omni Homestead Resort is a timeless destination that offers a unique blend of history, luxury, and natural beauty. As a place where presidents and dignitaries have sought refuge for over two centuries, The Omni Homestead invites you to indulge in an unparalleled getaway that seamlessly weaves together tradition, opulence, and adventure.

Hit the slopes for a true winter escape! The Omni Homestead’s Mountain Lodge offers ski and snowboard rental equipment.

Lessons for all experience levels are available through the Sepp Kober Ski School for those aged 4+, as well as private and group lessons. The Little Penguins Program is perfect to introduce kids to the sport while still having fun! Try your skills on the Upper Main run, which is just steep enough to provide a bit of confidence building for novice skiers and riders, but also provides a great view of the valley.

Consider visiting during one of the many events the Homestead hosts. MLK Jr. Weekend, from Jan. 16-19, Winterfest, from Jan. 23-25, and Presidents Weekend, from Feb. 13-16, has activities for the whole family to enjoy.

WHAT’S NEW

Guests can indulge in a tasting from The Homestead

, featuring exclusive private barrel selections from

Angel’s Envy, Knob Creek, Maker’s Mark, Russell’s Reserve, Weller Antique 107 and WhistlePig Piggyback.

Stick around the Resort for more activities off the slopes like carriage rides, trap, skeet, sporting clays, ice skating, tubing, archery, and The Homestead S’mores Express Unwind and relax with a massage, facial, or body treatment at The Spa at The Omni Homestead. The little ones can try out some mini snowmobiles at the ski area, while the whole family can enjoy ice skating, swimming, and arcade games in the family game area!

The Omni Homestead Resort and the surrounding area is where history meets hospitality in a setting of timeless elegance. Soaking in the Warm Springs Pools is the ultimate apres ski activity. The naturally warm, mineral rich waters are refreshing and soothing. Enjoy a specially curated flight of Virginia wines or purchase a bottle to take home at The Virginia Wine Experience, another popular destination after a day on the slopes.

RESORT RUNDOWN

HIKE HIGHLIGHTS

• 24 inches of average snowfall

GEAR UP FOR 2X THE ADVENTURE!

Join us as we dive into the Southeast’s most thrilling trails, rides, roadtrips and more in two curated content experiences for 2026: Adventure Guides and Epic Itineraries!

JAN/FEB: The Parks and Trails Adventure Guide + Epic Itineraries: Destination Downtown

MAR/APR: The Blueways Adventure Guide + Epic Itineraries: Spring Fever Weekend Getaways

MAY/JUNE: The Festival Adventure Guide + Epic Itineraries: Camping Retreats

JULY/AUG: The History Adventure Guide + Epic Itineraries: Road Trips

SEP/OCT: The Thrill Seeker Adventure Guide + Epic Itineraries: Hub and Spoke Travel

NOV/DEC: The Bucket List Adventure Guide + Epic Itineraries: Winter Escapes

Want your destination, brand, or event featured in the region’s go-to outdoor guides?

• 3 beginner, 5 intermediate, and 1 expert trail

• 45 Skiable Acres

• 3 Lifts

• Base/Summit Elevation: 2,500 ft/3,200 ft

RESERVE YOUR SPACE TODAY ADVERTISE@BLUERIDGEOUTDOORS.COM

PERFECT WINTER

APRES SKI

Bourbon Collection

OUTDOOR HAPPENINGS

DECEMBER

Old Fort Strong Endurance Festival

Old Fort, N.C.

December 5-6

The Old Fort Strong Endurance Festival is 3/6/12hr trail run and mountain bike ride on the trails that encompass Camp Grier, right in the backyard of Old Fort, NC on December 6th, 2025. The weekend will have a festival atmosphere with multiple vendors, live music, and more.

DESTINATIONMCDOWELL.COM/ EVENTS/

A Frontier Christmas Wilderness Road State Park, Va.

December 13

Experience the spirit of the season at A Frontier Christmas at Wilderness Road State Park. Candlelit cabins, traditional music and costumed interpreters bring 18th-century Appalachian holiday traditions to life, offering visitors an authentic glimpse into early frontier celebrations.

VASP.FUN/FRONTIER2025

Light Up the Night & Christmas Parade

Brevard, N.C.

December 6

Find yourself feeling merry and bright with a magical day starting at 2:30 PM with the Christmas Parade followed by the Light Up the Night tree lighting celebration. Browse through vendors at the Merry Maker’s Market, plus live music, food trucks, hayrides, and holiday downtown shopping.

EXPLOREBREVARD.COM/EVENT/ LIGHT-UP-THE-NIGHT

Bayport Surf N Santa 5

Miler

Virginia Beach, Va.

December 13

The 2025 BayPort Surf N Santa 5 Miler has some of your favorite traditions. This evening run allows you to experience the magic of the Holidays. Run through the holiday lights on the Virginia Beach Boardwalk before you celebrate your run at our after party.

SURFNSANTA5MILER.COM

Carmax Tacky Light Run

Midlothian, Va.

December 13

Step into a tacky wonderland at

the festive 6k holiday run/walk through Midlothian's brightest neighborhood. Dress in your best holiday gear, enjoy cheerful music, and marvel at over-the-top light displays. Bring your friends and family, spread holiday cheer, and make this holiday one to remember!

SPORTSBACKERS.ORG/EVENT/TACKYLIGHT-RUN/

NYE All Ages Party at Upper Crust Nellysford, Va.

December 31

All ages are invited to ring in 2025 at Upper Crust Pizza! DJ B.Thompin’ plays 9PM–12:30AM, with fireworks at 10PM. No reservations needed. Enjoy this fun family event featuring delicious pizza, cold libations, and delectable treats available for purchase.

WINTERGREENRESORT.COM/EVENTSHOME/ JANUARY 2026

Homecoming Weekend at Wintergreen Nellysford, Va.

January 9-11, 2026

Bust out the neon and get ready to shred, Wintergreen’s Homecoming Weekend is going full 80s! Hit the slopes with discounted lift tickets, rock out at our Homecoming Bash on the Blue Ridge Terrace and enjoy a rockin' winter weekend in the mountains.

WINTERGREENRESORT.COM/EVENTSHOME/

Carter Caves Winter Adventure Weekend 2026

Olive Hill, Ky.

January 22-25, 2026

This annual event is packed with exciting outdoor and underground experiences designed for adventure seekers of all levels. Choose from hikes, wild caving expeditions, paddling trips, rappelling, a 5K run/walk, yoga inside the caves, or dive into handson workshops. Explore the natural beauty of Carter Caves during the winter season.

WINTERADVENTUREWEEKEND.COM

Gold Medal Weekend at Wintergreen Nellysford, Va.

January 23-24

Go for the gold (or at least the good times) at Wintergreen Resort! Join us for an Olympic-themed weekend at Wintergreen as we gear up for the 2026 Winter Games. Expect Olympian autographs, après celebrations, live music and plenty of mountain magic. It all starts up here!

WINTERGREENRESORT.COM/EVENTSHOME/

Winterfest

Hot Springs, Va.

January 23-25, 2026

Experience the magic of Winterfest at The Omni Homestead Resort, where skiing, snowboarding, and tubing await. Enjoy ice skating, unwind at the Spa, or relax in the Warm Springs Pools. Cozy up with s’mores by the fire or savor a wine tasting at the Virginia Wine Experience.

THEOMNIHOMESTEAD.COM

MARCH 2026

Banff Mountain Film Festival at the Paramount Theatre of Charlottesville March 6-8, 2026 Charlottesville, Va.

The Shenandoah National Park Trust is thrilled to bring the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival back to The Paramount Theater! Get ready for an exhilarating cinematic journey featuring breathtaking stories of adventure, culture, and the power of the outdoors.

SNPTRUST.ORG/BANFF

John James Audubon State Park Youth WIlderness Survival Workshop Age 10-16 Henderson, Ky.

March 7, 2026

Would you know what to do if you were lost in the wilderness? Youth 1016 may attend this hands-on survival workshop from Noon to 3 P.M. Hikepreparedness and basic survival skills will be introduced and practiced as our naturalist shares how to make use

of surrounding natural resources. Preregistration required.

PARKS.KY.GOV/EVENTS/YOUTHWILDERNESS-SURVIVAL-WORKSHOP(AGES-10-16)-3976

Virginia Credit Union River City Half & 5k Richmond, Va.

March 7, 2026

With tough climbs, river crossings, and breathtaking views, this course delivers challenge and beauty in equal measure—a true bucket-list race. Prefer a shorter challenge? The scenic 5k delivers too. Both finish at the University of Richmond with Hardywood craft beer, gorgeous swag, and a lively festival.

SPORTSBACKERS.ORG/EVENT/ RIVERCITYHALF/

John James Audubon State Park Children's Outdoor Survival Workshop Henderson, Ky.

March 14, 2026

Kids ages 6-9 will learn basic skills to help them feel less frightened and more confident about being alone or lost in the woods. Park naturalist will share tips for preparing for an outdoor outing, selecting a temporary shelter site and for alerting Search & Rescue personnel. 2.5hrs. Preregistration required.

PARKS.KY.GOV/EVENTS/CHILDREN'SSURVIVAL-SKILLS-WORKSHOP(AGES-6-9)-3730

ONGOING EVENTS

Avalon on Ice Alpharetta, Ga.

Now - January 19, 2026

Ice sake on Avalon's monumental Rockefeller-inspired ice-skating rink Watch for theme nights and enjoy warm, tasty treats rink-side. Tickets required.

AWESOMEALPHARETTA.COM/AVALONON-ICE/

Massanutten Resort Winter 2025 McGaheysville, Va. December 1 – Winter Season

Discover winter adventure at Massanutten Resort with the allnew Mountain Coaster, 23 ski and snowboard trails, snow tubing, ice skating, festive holiday lights around the resort, live music, and the 84-degree Indoor WaterPark—perfect for families and outdoor enthusiasts seeking unforgettable thrills all season long. Own Your Winter!

MASSRESORT.COM

Christmas Lighting of the Tunnel

Natural Tunnel State Park, Va.

December 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20

The Christmas Lighting of the Tunnel transforms Natural Tunnel State Park into a winter wonderland. Thousands of twinkling lights illuminate the historic landmark, while visitors enjoy festive music, hot chocolate and a chairlift ride offering breathtaking views of the holiday-lit landscape.

VASP.FUN/TUNNEL2025

Luminary Nights

Natural Bridge State Park, Va.

December 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21 and 27

Luminary Nights at Natural Bridge State Park offer a magical holiday experience. Thousands of lights illuminate the historic bridge and Cedar Creek Trail, creating a serene, festive atmosphere. Visitors enjoy seasonal music, carriage rides and the natural beauty of this iconic Virginia landmark.

VASP.FUN/LUMINARY2025

Women's Ski Clinics at Wintergreen Resort

Nellysford, Va.

January 25, February 1, 8, 22

Black diamonds are priceless, and these women’s clinics build the skills and confidence to ski on steep slopes. They’ll learn new techniques on easier terrain before heading to the steeps, with practice, one-on-one feedback, and professional instruction in a group setting.

WINTERGREENRESORT.COM/ LESSONS/#SKI%20CLINIC

BY WILL HARLAN

Outdoor Rock

North Carolina band the Late Shifters headline iconic adventure festivals—and have the trail, rock, and river cred to back it up.

THE LATE SHIFTERS ARE A six-piece Americana band from Asheville, N.C., whose members are rooted in the outdoors: guitarist/ vocalist Nik Haase and drummer Nate Ballinger are whitewater kayakers, and both are top-10 Green Race finishers. Nate linked climbing the A2 nose of EL Capitan and paddling the Central Fork of the Merced river (25 miles of class V+) in 24 hours, one of the most challenging multi-sport linkups ever completed. Bass guitarist Gene Hume is a lifelong rock climber who moved to Asheville to climb at Looking Glass and Rumbling Bald and is also an ultramarathoner who has run classic trail races

including the Frost Foot 50K at Tsali. Guitarist/vocalist Adam Sacora is an avid downhill rider.

The band, including guitarist/ vocalist Steve Ansari and percussionist Maria MasonFreeman, grew out of late-night jams at Nate’s house in the Bent Creek neighborhood, where several of the band members live, that borders Asheville’s Bent Creek Experimental Forest, one of the premier mountain biking destinations in Appalachia. Their name is a reference to both their late-night jam sessions and their tardy gear shift technique as middle-aged mountain bikers.

The band practices every

Tuesday night in Adam’s “jam shed” in Fairview, a rural setting separated from families and neighbors. Their songs highlight familiar Southern Appalachian landscapes and deeply rooted experiences and emotions. They are regular performers at iconic paddling festivals and events, including the Green Race and Gauley Fest. They also perform benefit concerts each year to support local parks in addition to recovery concerts following Hurricane Helene.

Their first album includes fan favorites like “You Keep Driving Me Home,” “Appalachia,” “Texas,” and “Highway 191,” a spirited tribute to the road near Bent Creek that’s home to breweries, bike shops, and beloved Mexican restaurants. Their second album, Away We Go, was released last month, and they just performed at the Green Race in November for the fifth time. BRO talked with the band about songwriting, families, nursing home escapees, and their new album.

BRO: How did you all find each other?

The Late Shifters: The late-night jams at Nate’s house in Bent Creek led to some initial gigs at ice cream shops and birthday parties. Then the pandemic hit and we started playing together in an empty house Steve was renovating in Bent Creek late at night. We wrote some songs and landed a few outdoor gigs as venues started opening back up. I think we surprised ourselves. Suddenly, we were playing at the Green Race and Gauley Fest, which we’ve now returned to play for multiple years. Boaters are apeshit crazy. They go all-in—on the water and off. It is powerful to have a crowd of boaters dancing and singing in unison with us.

BRO: How do you come up with your music?

TLS: Our songs are about real life. Each of us brings a different style and voice to our lyrics. Now that we’re middle-aged, we have some life experiences that provide some depth and perspective to our songs. We’re comfortable in our skin and have gone through enough good

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE LATE SHIFTERS

times and bad times to have plenty of writing material.

BRO: How would you describe your unique sound?

TLS: Americana Rock might be the closest description. We will jam, but we're not a jam band.  We have three different vocalists and songwriters, which provides a mix of styles. We have three guitarists with different influences and often bring in a slide guitar.

“You Keep Driving Me Home” is a more serious song about getting older. “Highway 191” is more playful. Often because of our busy schedules, we write songs individually, but “Brick and Stone” from our new album is one we wrote together while recording this latest album. It was a special experience for all of us—writing music together in real time.

BRO: “Texas,” a fan-favorite from your first album, begins: “I should’ve let her die in Texas.” What’s the backstory?

TLS: The tile guy in the house Steve was renovating had moved his mother-in-law from Texas to a nursing home near Asheville, where she had escaped—twice. They have had to track her down all over the place and she continues to cause trouble. “I should’ve let her die in Texas” is how he described the situation and the verses are from the stories he’d tell. Our families joke that they have to watch what they say and do around us or they might end up in our lyrics. The song is tongue-in-cheek for sure, but like all of our songs, it’s about real experience. Aging parents is a very relevant topic for all of us, and the song "Trucks on the Highway" from our latest album takes a more serious look at those challenges.

BRO: What’s different about your new album?

TLS: We recorded this album live at a studio in Athens, Ga., where one of our favorite bands, the Drive-By Truckers, recorded most of their albums. There is an element of magic in that studio. We laid down all the tracks in a few days. We have stretched ourselves sonically on this one with more slide guitar and a wider mix of songs and styles.

BRO: How is playing in a band in middle age different than when you played music when you were younger?

TLS: We have day jobs and families. We have to squeeze in our songwriting and rehearsals at odd hours, around soccer practices and carpools, after the kids are tucked

in and everyone goes to bed. It’s tough to get six schedules to all line up. But we fit it in because we love playing music with each other. It wouldn’t be possible without the support of our partners and families.

One thing that’s the same is that music remains our social outlet and our therapy. Writing songs helps us process what’s happening in our lives and in our world. And when we get together to play each week, we listen to each other and connect with each other.

And there is still nothing better than connecting with a crowd—whether it’s at a big festival or at a benefit concert for our neighborhood. On stage, we’re having fun together and connected, and I think the audience feels that. When a crowd of total strangers is singing and connecting with you, it is the best feeling in the world.

ICY HOT!

THE WEATHER’S ROLLING IN, AND IT’S TIME TO BREAK OUT THE BEST NEW GEAR TO KEEP YOU WARM—AND HELP YOU HAVE FUN IN THE SNOW.

BY DOUG SCHNITZSPAHN

Nordica Enforcer 99

The dream ski for the serious East Coast shredder who also travels for their fix, this ski (132-99-120 in 179 cm) can handle everything from groomers at Snowshoe to trees at Jay Peak to powder in Colorado. Built with a wood-andelastomer core, the Enforcer is snappy and provides both float and power. $850; nordica.com

Bootcap

Cold toes, be gone! The new Bootcaps keep your piggies 20% toastier thanks to a clever new design. Made from closed-cell, high-density EVA foam, Bootcaps fit over any alpine boot—and keeping your toes warm is sure to increase your fun on the hill. $60; bootcap.com

Rab Microlight Windstopper Hoodie

Perfect for hard-chargers who don’t mind bad weather, this packable, lightweight (around 14 ounces, depending on size) puffer

features just enough recycled down to keep you insulated, plus Gore’s Windstopper fabric with a fluorocarbon-free DWR to fend off winter’s bite. $340; rab. equipment/us/

Vermont Glove

Uphill Skier

Even if you don’t earn your turns, this versatile glove will keep your hands warm without sacrificing dexterity. With tough goat leather and waxed canvas on the outside and a soft wool liner on the inside, they help you adapt to changing conditions. $150; vermontglove.com

Royal Robbins

Vogelsang L/S

Meet your new favorite flannel—for dog walks, brisk hikes, or nights out. This performance flannel keeps you warm, breathes, wicks moisture, and can even withstand a spilled beer. $100; royalrobbins.com

MSR

Evo Trail Snowshoes

Snowshoeing is the most democratic of winter pursuits—anyone can

enjoy it. With steel crampons and an easy-to-adjust binding system, the tough, versatile Evo Trail will get you exploring the woods while others are cowering inside. $170; cascadedesigns.com

Kahtoola MicroSpikes Ghost

We’re huge fans of microspikes— they’re the gear we use most to get outside in winter. The new Ghost model makes that experience even better, cutting the weight of the originals by 43 percent without sacrificing durability. That makes them our weapon of choice for moving fast on frozen terrain. $104; kahtoola.com

Paka

Thermal Baselayers

Oh, the soft, warm feel of alpaca wool against the skin. Honestly,

it’s the feel of these multipurpose baselayers that keeps us including Paka in our gear roundups. They also offer just enough stretch for high-output activities. $135 bottoms, $145 crew, $155 hoodie; pakaapparel. com

La Sportiva Skwama

Not all winter activities happen in the cold. Head to the climbing gym and work on your game when temperatures drop. This comfy (rare for a high-end rock shoe) performer boosts confidence for expert climbers indoors— and outside when the weather warms—thanks to a design built for heel and toe hooking and sticky Vibram XS Grip2 rubber. $219; lasportivausa.com

NORDICA

LA SPORTIVA

RAB

BOOTCAP

VERMONT GLOVE

KAHTOOLA

ROYAL ROBBINS

PAKA

DYLAN THOMAS WAS FULL OF SH$!

BY GRAHAM AVERILL

QUICK DISCLAIMER: I’M HURT and injuries make me morbid. I just want to establish a baseline for my headspace, before I tell you that I’ve been thinking a lot about Dylan Thomas recently, specifically his most famous poem, “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night.” If you ever took a literature class in high school or college, you know the gist of it:

Do not go gentle into that good night

Rage, rage against the dying of the light

It’s not hard to decipher the meaning here. Death is coming, but only a sucker would give into it. I was never a huge fan of Thomas’ poetry, but I always agreed with the sentiment in his most famous poem, and I’ve essentially approached adulthood with the naive verve of a teenager who doesn’t think he’s going to die. Ever.

That attitude has served me pretty well into my 49th year, but I’m starting to rethink my approach. I just don’t know anymore. Raging against the dying of the light is exhausting and I’m tired of being

But aging gracefully doesn’t sound very appealing either. I’m approaching 50, and I’m not sure I have the character depth to pursue activities that are more appropriate for my age. The problem is, I process the world through physical activity. I always have, even when I was a little kid. If I was upset, I would go for a long run in the Georgia heat until I felt better about life, occasionally stumbling home on the verge of heat exhaustion. When I was a teenager, I picked up my wife while playing volleyball at the beach. For the last 30 years, I’ve designed every vacation, weekend and day off work around some sort of physical adventure.

to put me down. Do it quick, I said, with the dignity you’d give a champion racehorse.

She said OK.

injured all the time. I’m reading that poem now and I’m thinking maybe Dylan Thomas was an idiot. Maybe Dylan Thomas never pulled a hamstring rounding third base during a coed softball game and spent the subsequent couple of weeks limping around life.

So I’m wondering, do I continue to rage against the dying of the light, or do I accept the constraints of my advancing age and take a more graceful approach to the next chapter?

That’s the crux we all have to wrestle with as we grow into the middle of our lives. How do we handle the last half of our time on this rock when shit starts to fall apart?

Dylan Thomas never actually had to ask that question himself. He died before he turned 40. I don’t think I got hurt at all in my 20s and 30s. Nothing I couldn’t bounce right back from, and I certainly didn’t experience any of the nagging injuries that have defined my 40s. I think I’ve been injured more days than healthy in the last few years, largely because I’ve been following Thomas’ advice and raging against the dying of the light.

Speaking of work, I’m in a career that hinges around my physical ability. Yes, I’m a writer, but I write articles about doing hard shit in the outdoors. In the last couple of years, I’ve written about epic backcountry ski missions, multi-day bike rides, surf trips, mountaineering…I’ve set a goal for myself of dunking a basketball again by the time I turn 50. I think it will make an excellent ESPN 30 for 30.

Feats of strength are my love language. So who am I when I can’t do these things anymore? I thought I might have to answer that question when I hit my 80s, but I’m starting to think the “coming to Jesus” moment is approaching on a much faster timeline. I was camping solo recently and I was using a heavy electric cooler with a built-in battery. The thing weighs 75 pounds when you have a bunch of beer in it. It’s a great cooler, but it took a significant amount of effort to lift the dead weight into the bed of my truck. I struggled and I heaved. I worried about my back. It occurred to me at that moment that at some point in my life, I won’t be able to put that cooler in the bed of my truck alone. I’ll need help. And that moment is coming uncomfortably soon.

It’s such a simple thing—lifting a heavy object—but it sparked a wave of fear that sent me spiraling into a panicked depression. I instantly texted my wife and told her that when the day comes when I can’t put the heavy cooler in my truck bed by myself, she needs

I was kidding, but only a little bit. I’m getting a taste of what life beyond "feats of strength” will be like right now thanks to this coed-softball-induced hamstring injury. And if I’m being honest with myself, I’ve been experiencing a general sense of fatigue even before this injury. I’ve been a little sluggish. I did a 175-mile multi-day road ride recently that was harder than it should’ve been. Sure, I came off the couch with zero training, but I didn’t have the zest for the adventure that I normally do. I was worried about traffic and climbed hills at an excruciatingly slow pace. It was like I was stuck inside a testosterone-supplement commercial.

Shit, do I have Low T?

So here I am thinking about the future. The five-year plan, if you will. Do I continue to go after it and keep pulling hamstrings? Or do I age gracefully and find fewer physical ways to explore the world? Bird watching, perhaps. Genealogy. Will I continue to rage against the dying of the light and keep putting myself in situations my body probably can’t handle, or will I go gently into the night and develop a wicked jigsaw puzzle habit and start wearing cardigan sweaters?

I do like jigsaw puzzles. Or maybe I’ll stick my head back in the ground and ignore the obvious for another decade. This hamstring will heal and I’ll be back in the game in no time. This is why God invented ibuprofen, after all, so dumbasses like me can keep pushing it long after they should’ve called it quits. I hear 50 is the new 40, which makes 60 the new 50, and my current numerical age of 49 the new 39. I can’t start aging gracefully while I’m still in my 30s! So my five-year plan is to pretend I’m younger than I actually am and put off making any life decisions until I’m at the appropriate age to make those decisions. With any luck, my wife will put me down before I even have to face any serious physical decline. I think Dylan Thomas would be proud.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE AUTHOR

OUR FAVORITE SONGS IN DECEMBER

Best New Music from the Blue Ridge and Beyond

BY JEDD FERRIS AND DAVE STALLARD

EVERY MONTH OUR EDITORS

curate a playlist of new music, mainly focusing on independent artists from the South. In December, we’re highlighting new tunes from Steep Canyon Rangers and Langhorne Slim, as well as a special collaboration between the Avett Brothers and Mike Patton of Faith No More.

STEEP CANYON RANGERS

“Circling the Drain”

Graham Sharp, banjo wiz of the North Carolina bluegrass heroes Steep Canyon Rangers, penned the lyrics and takes lead vocals on this new standalone single, an uplifting acoustic anthem about resilience in the face of adversity.

“I’m a survivor,” Sharp sings in the chorus, while his bandmates’ nimble picking helps elevate the message. – J.F.

LANGHORNE SLIM

“Rock N Roll”

“We’re gonna rock and roll tonight,” sings Langhorne Slim, on this standout from his new album “The Dreamin’ Kind.” And the folk revivalist isn’t kidding, as he makes a pivot to power pop on this propulsive tune that features plenty of fuzz and distortion. To find that rock edge, Slim enlisted Greta Van Fleet’s Sam F. Kiszka to produce his latest record, which comes out January 16. – J.F.

THE BARONS

“Spider Song”

In an ever-increasing technological world, life’s little pleasures too often slip by unnoticed as we focus so intently on the make-believe

life shared with us on our screens.

On “Spider Song,” Peyton Alley, of Richmond, Va., rockers The Barons, notes this disparity, lamenting the disharmony between the beauty of the natural world and the anxieties of cyber-insecurity over a playful groove punctuated by silky sax highlights and acoustic guitar runs. – D.S.

KATE & BRENDAN

“Goodbye Ruby”

A songwriter’s inspiration often comes from the most unusual of places. Kate Gregory, the fiddling half of the acoustic duo Kate & Brendan, began crafting the fiddle parts to what would become “Goodbye Ruby” after bidding farewell to her cherished Subaru. A brilliant instrumental performed with her musical partner Brendan Hearn on cello, “Goodbye Ruby” ruminates on the fleeting nature of material things and the joy to be found in abiding memories. – D.S

THE AVETT BROTHERS AND MIKE PATTON

“Eternal Love” Hard rock influences are ever present in the roots-leaning sound of

the Avett Brothers, so it’s not a huge stretch for Scott and Seth to team up a hero from their youth—Mike Patton of Faith No More. Together they just released a self-titled album under the name AVTT/PTTN, and the lead single is an enticingly woozy country-folk ballad that ponders the bumpy but rewarding facets of true long-term commitment. – J.F.

SNOCAPS

“Cherry Hard Candy”

Music fans got a treat on Halloween, when Snocaps, a new supergroup featuring Waxahatchee’s Katie Crutchfield, alongside her twin sister Allison, MJ Lenderman, and Brad Cook, dropped a surprise debut album. This standout from the self-titled effort has a sweet, jangly rock arrangement and a big-hearted singalong chorus, but the lyrics offer wise reflection on how love can ultimately turn sour. – J.F.

BOB DYLAN

“A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall”

Clocking in at a bit more than two and half hours, the deluxe edition

Trail Mix playlist on Spotify.

of “Through the Open Window: The Bootleg Series Vol. 18, 19561963” is a must have for any Bob Dylan fan. Spanning eight discs, the collection chronicles Dylan’s formative years and contains previously unreleased recordings from studio sessions, coffeehouse gigs, and house concerts. Included in the compilation is the entirety of Dylan’s legendary 1963 performance at Carnegie Hall, mixed from the original recordings and featuring this rendition of his iconic “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall.” – D.S.

CLAY STREET UNIT

“Choctaw County”

On “Choctaw County,” Clay Street Unit’s Sam Walker swaps vocals with Lindsay Lou, his raspy baritone and her sultry alto sharing a reminiscence of a love that has waned. Together they offer delightful harmonies over echoes of pedal steel and banjo, remaining vague over who left and who was left behind but leaving no doubt that both lovers look back with regret over a love that has run its course. – D.S.

To hear these songs and more, follow the Blue Ridge Outdoors’

STEEP CANYON RANGERS RELEASED THE NEW SINGLE “CIRCLING THE DRAIN” IN THE FALL. PHOTO BY MANDI FOUNTAIN