A One of a Kind Ski Mountain Getaway is Available at Cataloochee Guest Ranch

The second busiest weekend of each ski and snowboarding season is upon us and if you’ve been hesitating about making a quick ski getaway because of the weather – we want to inform you that this could be one of the best weather weekends of the season.

(Photo is of Cataloochee Ski Area at night…)

Nothing beats GREAT slope conditions, sunny skies and highs in the 40s and lows in the upper 20s as far as the on-snow experience.

THAT is your forecast for beautiful Maggie Valley, North Carolina and Cataloochee Ski Area for this weekend. In fact, by MLK Monday they could see temps in the low 50s – again with sunny skies.

…and as you can see below – Cat has everything on the mountain OPEN with the exception of the Cat Cage Terrain Park and a small, Wildcat Glade Trail. Snow tubing is open as well!

Trails
Upper Omigosh 1000′ *	Open
Lower Omigosh 1800′ *	Open
Upper Snowbird 1600’*	Open
Lower Snowbird 1900’*	Open
Rock Island Run 1200′ *	Open
Alley Cat 900′ *	Open
Rabbit Hill 600′ *	Open
Wolf Creek Hollow*	Open
Beginner’s Luck*	Open
Easy Way 600′ *	Open
Cat Cage Terrain Park *
Beginner’s Over Easy*	Open
Short ‘n Sweet 550’*	Open
Richard’s Run 550′	Open
Turkey Trot 1200’*	Open
Upper Turkey Trot 400′	Open
Upper Over Easy 400′	Open
Wild Cat Glade 400′

If you’re reading this and have been thinking about making a trip up the mountain for this long, Holiday weekend – and you’re concerned about making last minute reservations – DON’T BE.

(A scene from Cataloochee Guest Ranch…)

I was communicating with Dr. Mary Coker the other day and I was admittedly surprised to hear that she still have some availability for this weekend at the Cataloochee Guest Ranch, which sits atop Cataloochee Ski Area. Don’t let the “guest ranch” part of the name fool you as this is not your father’s guest ranch in that they provide the nicest accommodations and amenities in Maggie Valley and the views from up top are awesome.

Skiing (and staying) At Cataloochee Has Never Been Easier.
Book an Exclusive No-Hassle Snow Package. Call 800-868-1401.

There is simply not a more perfect place than the Ranch to relax and recharge for another day on the slopes?

A hearty dinner, a warming glass of wine by the fireplace, a cozy room or cabin to call your own – they’re all part of a winter experience at the Cataloochee Guest Ranch. Even better is the fact that they offer ski packages which include lift tickets, ski and snowboard rentals, and group lessons at Cataloochee Ski Area, located less than a mile from the Ranch.

Another awesome benefit of staying at “The Ranch” is that with their ski packages, you make all your arrangements directly with them and pay for everything – including additional ski days, in one place. The process couldn’t be much simpler than that.

WE DID SAY THAT THE LODGING WAS VERY NICE, DIDN’T WE?

Here’s what Mary says about the ranch’s accommodations:

“Your lodging choices range from cozy, comfortable rooms in the main Ranch House, to individual cabins that sleep from two to eight people, to the Silverbell Lodge, designed especially for larger gatherings. Whether you opt to spend all your time at the Ranch, or to venture out to explore the nearby towns of Maggie Valley and Waynesville, you’ll come home every night to the peace and tranquility of the age-old Smoky Mountains. And to the warm, welcoming spirit that will make you want to return to Cataloochee, again and again.

High-speed Internet connections, yes. In-room phones, no. The way we see it, you’re here to escape from the pressures of modern civilization, not to bring them along with you. As for air conditioning, who needs it? The mile-high elevation at the Ranch is more likely to send you to your closet for an extra sweater.

All cabins and the Silverbell Lodge also have satellite TV. But something tells us that what’s happening on nature’s wider screen outside your doors is likely to capture considerably more of your attention.”

It’s 5,000-foot elevations provide top-of-the-world views and an awesome getaway…and right now if you’ll call 800-868-1401 they have some lodging availabilities for this long weekend. Tell them that you heard about them on SkiNorthCarolina and SkiSoutheast. They’ll appreciate it.

Cataloochee Ranch was founded by “Mr. Tom” and “Miss Judy” Alexander in 1933 and was originally located in the serene and beautiful Cataloochee Valley. In 1938 Mr. Tom purchased a large part of the present Ranch property on Fie Top Mountain from Verlin Campbell, the “Potato King” of Haywood County. From Verlin he inherited a sturdy stone and log cattle barn, now the main Ranch house, and several derelict cabins and sheds. The eroded pasture land was littered with stumps and old potato crates, but it provided a number of excellent “bold” springs. Its 5,000-foot elevation bordering the Great Smoky Mountains National Park also created the ideal combination of extraordinary mountain views and wonderfully cool summer temperatures.