Winter Family Activity Guide
It’s a blessing and a challenge for families living in the NC Mountains. If snow play is your thing, you’re in luck, but it can be challenging to find indoor activities, as well as inexpensive outdoor fun. We have compiled a full list of activities, free and fee-based, for winter fun in the High Country. If you own or know of something we left out, please contact us and let us know!
Indoor Play Areas
KIDsSPACE, the Mountain Children’s Museum:
Activities for kids, young and old. Vintage Games, Science Exploration, Role-Play, Crafts, Art! Located across from Walmart next to Coyote Kitchen. * We do birthdays!* After School program now available! Open Wed-Sun, call for more info 828-719-9000. $5 admission, ages 2 and under free.
Locally owned and operated, Chick-Fil-A is a hot spot on a snow day. With any purchase, kids can play in the indoor play area for free. There’s always guaranteed to be another mom there!
There is so much to do at the Playhouse, you just have to see for yourself. $5 admission, free with membership ($100-$125)
Indoor Activities
Pint your own pottery!! This is great for kids and adults, and they have pieces as low as $6. Everything is included!
Local Skiing/Ice Skating/Sledding
Visit the resorts’ webpages for regular rates. On Snow Days, when school is canceled, most ski resorts have a discounted rate for teachers and students! The buses may not be able to run, but we can get to the slopes!
$15 lift ticket and $15 ski rentals on snow days are available to teachers and students whose school is closed due to snow. Offer good for day session only. Excludes Christmas holidays, MLK and President’s Day.
Appalachian Ski Mtn. offers special Snow Day rates to students, teachers and staff of all public and private preschools, elementary schools, and high schools when schools are canceled due to snow or inclement weather. Snow Day rates apply to schools in Watauga County and the following adjacent counties: Ashe Co., Avery Co., Caldwell Co., Johnson Co. TN and Wilkes Co. (limitations apply, check website for details)
Ski Ticket (Day or Half Day)$ 8.00
Ski Rental (Day or Half Day) 4.00
Shape Ski Rental 8.00
Standard Snowboard Rental 12.00
Burton Learn-To-Ride Snowboard 15.00
Ice Skating 8.00
Available on Monday-Friday, non-holiday snow days.Not available for the Monday sessions during the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, or President’s Day weekend. Applies to Avery, Ashe, Watauga, Mitchell, Carter, and Johnson County students and teachers only. Proof of residency must be presented. (school ID, report card, letter from school, parents drivers license)
Day Lift Only $14
Ski Rentals $ 7
Snowboard Rentals $18
Sugar Bear Ski School $56 (full day) – $43 (half day)
Polar Bear Snowboard School $94 (full day) – $56 (half day)
Ice Skating
10am, 12pm & 2pm sessions only $8 per session
Hawksnest does not have a snow day program. It is $22 on weekdays for snow tubing and $31 on weekends and holidays.
FREE Sledding in the Town of Beech Mountain
The Beech sledding hill is located next to the Chamber of Commerce. It is open daily at no charge for kids 12 and under, Sledding Hill 004although parents may ride with smaller children. Plastic sleds are required. Folks are encouraged to bring their own sleds, or they may be purchased at stores on the mountain. (read more here)
Swimming and recreation
Broyhill Wellness Center Pool:
Family Swim times are listed on the website, I’m still checking on the cost for non-members. Wellness Center Members can use the pool for free.
offers public swim in the Training Pool, as well as a small toddler pool. The cost is
Youth(2 – 15 yrs) $3.50
Adult( 16 yrs & older) $4.00
Senior( 60 yrs & older) $3.50
Family Swim $15.00
Williams YMCA in Avery County:
The YMCA has tons of activities for kids and families, including swimming. The membership rates are listed here, and I’m checking on non-member prices.
