4 Outdoor Adventures to Take in Charlotte This Winter

Dec 15, 2016

Winter Outdoor Adventures near Matthew, NC If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, don’t let the colder weather during the winter months slow you down. Here in Charlotte and the surrounding area, you can find plenty of adventures to keep your adrenaline pumping.

Go Ice Climbing

For an extremely adventurous experience, make a plan to go ice climbing. The state of North Carolina is home to some of the best areas for ice climbing throughout the South, but this sport is dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing.

First-time climbers should take a training course, such as Ice 101 from Fox Mountain Guides. This course teaches participants how to use ice tools and crampons and covers basic techniques for safe and enjoyable ice climbing. After you complete the educational part of the class, the guides will take you out for a climbing experience to remember.

Hit the Slopes

The nearest ski area to Charlotte is Appalachian Ski Mountain in Blowing Rock. It’s about a two-hour drive from Charlotte, but it’s worth the trip if you want to enjoy a day of cruising down the slopes. It’s home to 12 slopes varying in difficulty from easy to most difficult, and the longest is Orchard Run, which spans for a half-mile. About half of the trails are moderately difficult, but you can sign up for lessons from an experienced ski instructor to get more comfortable. Equipment and clothing are available for rent on-site.

Visit Hawksnest

Hawksnest Tubing Park, in Seven Devils, is the biggest park of its kind on the East Coast. It includes more than 30 lanes for snow tubing, with the longest lanes measuring 1000 feet in length. It has various terrain options for more adventurous visitors. Even when the weather changes, the park has snow-making facilities to make sure you get a safe and enjoyable experience for all tubers. You can even ride on one of two moving carpets that take you and your tube to the top of the hills.

Another thrilling winter activity at Hawksnest is a ride down one of the 20 zip lines. The park has some of the longest zip lines in the country, and several of them are open during the wintertime for a chilly, exhilarating experience.

Hike around Crowders Mountain

Because the winters here in Charlotte tend to stay fairly mild, there are many activities available during the winter months that residents and visitors of other areas can’t do during this season. Crowders Mountain State Park sits about 30 miles from Charlotte and has hiking trails that are usually open year-round, weather permitting. You can also catch a glimpse of snow-capped mountains in other parts of the state since the views from this park are simply breathtaking.

The winter in North Carolina is a favorite among locals and visitors since there are so many activities available within a short distance. Instead of hibernating this winter, pull out your ski boots, sharpen your ice climbing gear, or find your winter coats and hats so you can stay active in the great outdoors.

Image by Laurel F, Licensed via CC BY-SA 2.0