mountains – Southern Summit Collection

Your Guide for Ski and Snowboarding in the Southeast United States

January 28, 2017 by Southern Summit Collection, posted in adventure, mountains, outdoors, skiing, snowboarding, travel, Uncategorized

Snowboarding in the Southeast

For those of us who aren’t familiar with the sound of snow in the south and don’t know the ski and snowboard culture, this blog is going to give you all the “need to know” information about your first ski trip in the south.

It may be a surprise to many people about skiing in the southeast. However, there is a large ski and snowboard culture that has thousands of people flocking to the mountains in Tennessee and North Carolina.

The community is filled with people of all skill levels from expert skiers, who live in the south and use the mountains as a well to stay fresh on the board for their vacations to Colorado, Alaska, or even the Swiss Alps and first time snowboarders who haven’t been on snow in their entire life.

The ski/snowboarding community is very large and due to a limited number of ski resorts you can expect tons of people at the resorts during the weekend (first tip: try to plan your trip on a week day if possible!)

Planning your trip to the Ski Resort

A southerner would know that weather in the southeast is crazy. Some days in January, it could be 10 degrees and the next be 65 and sadly this isn’t an exaggeration. A parallel to snowboarding and skiing in the southeast is like big wave surfing. To catch a perfect weekend of snowboarding, you need to be very flexible and try to find cold weather patterns. This is almost impossible to predict; however, not being aware of the weather before arriving at the ski resort could leave you very disappointed. If possible, I would plan your ski trip a week or less out to truly have a good idea of what the current conditions are and whether it’s worth spending your money.

Snow Conditions

Snow conditions are an interesting topic. I went snowboarding twice and two back to back weeks and my experience was completely different each time. The first weekend, I went the temperate varied during the day from 29 degrees to 35 degrees so above and below freezing later. The conditions were horrendous. Only one blue trail was open and the snow was a glandular texture that looks like marble size balls of ice. This trail had snow blowing; however the snow underneath the new layer of “snow” was pure ice. This day was overall very sketchy and I saw 4 people get carted off the mountain that day and heard news from people on the lift that the day before was equally dangerous. A day like this was not too fun and mostly kept me frustrated not to mention the blowers on the lower part of the mountain were blowing almost pure water. The next weekend, I went back to a different ski resort in the same city and the conditions were firing off, the conditions were prime. The resort was dumped with 3 feet of powder in some spots. Plus, the snow quality being blown was as fine as saw dust and had a powder-like texture to it. I kept overhearing people on the lift saying how this reminded them of some of their best trips in Colorado. There were parts of the slope that I stood up in that were knee deep of powder. Overall, this was one of the best days of snowboarding I have ever had myself; however, it was absolutely freezing 3 degrees to 9 degrees was the variance on the hottest part of the day.

Needless to say snowboarding and skiing in the southeast is a gamble – sometimes it pays off other times it does not work out as planned.

Money and Rental Gear

After reading about the knee-deep conditions, you might be thinking you can’t wait to head to the slopes. You might also be wondering what are the costs to go and have an awesome day like this? Well, ski lift tickets generally run you around $75 dollars on holidays and weekends no matter how good or bad the conditions. You might be wondering if ski resorts will charge the same price for the terrible conditions, the answer is yes and it kind of sucks. However, these resorts need to pay the repair and maintenance on the lifts, electricity and in this case, the snow bill because of how much snow is needed to be blown in for the season.

I would budget some cash for your lunch and dinner if you plan on riding all day and night. The prices for the average cafeteria fast food style meals are very pricy and will make you feel robbed when you are finished. Sadly, this is just part of the experience.

So you have booked your trip and you have your budget saved for an awesome weekend on the mountain; however, you realize you don’t have skis, snowboards, helmets and boots. Well lucky for you, there are plenty of rentals on and off the mountain (non ski resort owned rental shops). These shops normally charge around $40 to $60 a day for all of your gear rentals.

The rentals are a decent price; however, be picky with your gear (on or off mountain rentals/ waxing)

What to wear?

To enjoy the snow and mountains, it is best to have the proper gear! There are plenty of expensive and inexpensive ski options. The essential gear required to go to the mountains are: ski jacket, ski pants, wool/synesthetic socks, beanie, helmet, goggles/sun glasses, gloves/mittens (an extra thin pair to go underneath is my tip to extra warm hands), and base layers.

A key tip is to dress in layers rather in bulky items. Try wearing base layers such as synthetic long underwear and shirt will make a difference.

**What not to do though is overdress which will lead to sweating. Sweating will cause you to become very cold. You will see an issue with this especially when you enter the lodge for the break. You will become drenched in sweat and freeze once you go back out to shred some powder.

What to bring?

Here are a few other items you might want to bring along on your trip:

Chap stick, sunscreen, extra cash, camelback, extra pair of clothes and socks, and foot/hand warmers

Elevation

As elevation increases expect to see a difference in degree from the base to the summit. Most ski resorts in the southeast have about a 5-8 degree difference from base not including wind chill. Be prepared to dress for the summit conditions.

New to snow

If you are completely new to snow and have questions or a slight worry about your first time snowboarding or skiing than hire a ski instructor! The ski instructors job is to help teach you the skills needed for your first day in a fun and safe manner. A few lessons with a ski instructor will give you a base to begin your first runs alone. Lessons are also a great way to learn in a non-threatening environment with riders similar to you. So if you have any doubts give it a lessons a go!

Safety

A key thing to anything – always take baby steps! Start slow and progress slowly and within your comfort range. Don’t get persuaded to do anything you don’t feel comfortable doing. It is okay to say “No”! Always stay in control of your skis or snowboard and remember the skier in front of you has the right of way on the mountain.

If you have any questions or concerns leave a comment!

Thanks,

The Southern Summit Crew

IG: Southernsummitco/FB: Southern Summit Collection

Baker’s Creek Preserve Mountain Bike Trails (Bell Helmets Mountain Bike Grant)

December 28, 2016December 28, 2016 by Southern Summit Collection, posted in adventure, mountains, outdoors, travel, Uncategorized, waterfall

Located in south Knoxville, Baker’s Creek Preserve mountain bike trails are a part of a forty-mile trail system known as the South Loop Knoxville Urban Wilderness. Baker’s creek preserve has approximately eight miles of trails which include three downhill flow trails, two pump tracks (concrete and dirt), children’s play area and (currently not built yet) a dirt jump area.

The three trails names are Cruze Valley (Green Trail), Barn Burner (Blue Trail), and Devil’s Race Track (Double black diamond). These three trails are all super smooth and flowy, which is unusual to most of Tennessee’s trails. These trails are full of wide berms, fast speed sections, and jumps for all skills levels. Below is a breakdown of each of the three trails and its key features:

Cruze Valley – perfect for beginners, big wide berms with a few steep sections to help rider’s progress to more technical trails. The jumps on this trail include small long and low jumps which are all very rollable and don’t buck the riders. The most impressive feature built on this trail is the huge S-berm located mid-way along the trail. Other features found on this trail is a bunch of roller which will allow beginner riders learn to pump and jump. These rollers can be connected for double gap jumps by more experienced riders. More experience riders can also enjoy these rollers for manuals.
Barn burner – arguably the best trail at Baker’s Creek Preserve is playground for immediate riders and expert riders. This trail has a mix of big tables, step ups, step downs, alternate line gap jumps, and is super-fast. Overall, this trail screams progression, and besides for the alternate line gap jumps can be rolled and by passed. This trail is home to big airs and huge trains.
Devil’s Racetrack – this is the trail that was won by the Bell Helmets award. This downhill flow trail has huge gap jumps, an 8-foot wood step down bridge drop, 15-foot wall ride, and an alternative rock garden (rock shielded trail) with jumps. Overall, this trail is high speed and has gaps of all sizes, this trail can be ridden without hitting the gaps. I highly recommend if you can’t hit the jumps in the beginning of the trail or can’t clear all of the barn burner jumps to not head to this trail until you have completed those tasks.

These trails are absolutely awesome and I highly recommend you heading to this trail system. Other trail systems worth the visit in the Knoxville area are Haw Ridge, Sharps Ridge, and Windrock Bike park.

Comment your requests of places we should visit or tips you would like to learn!

Thanks,

The Southern Summit Crew

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Ozone Falls

December 28, 2016 by Southern Summit Collection, posted in adventure, mountains, outdoors, travel, Uncategorized, waterfall

Ozone Falls

Ozone Falls is arguably one of my favorite waterfalls in Tennessee. It is 110 feet and is an awesome hidden jewel. This gorgeous waterfall is located in Cumberland County, Tennessee which is in-between Nashville and Knoxville. This waterfall isn’t super well known especially for new adventurers or average tourists which makes this place an awesome surprise especially since it is located directly on the side of a road. So what is awesome about this waterfall?

Well to start, this waterfall is directly next to a road and by just driving down the road you would never guess there would be such a huge waterfall in the area. This waterfall is massive and is surrounded by huge cliff walls around the base of the fall. When arriving to the GPS coordinates you will find a dirt parking lot. After parking, you just have to exit your car and head across the street. There you will find the trail head. There are only two well marked trails that lead you around the waterfall. One trail heads left which leads you to the top of the water fall overlooking the massive hundred-foot water fall. The other trail heads right and will lead you to the base of the waterfall. This waterfall area is very much primitive so be careful hiking around the top of the waterfall. Not paying attention could lead you to walk off the cliff or a single slip on a wet rock could end deathly.

This waterfall doesn’t require a long hike so it is good for those who are looking for a quick adventure on their road trip or for those who want to have a short day. However, an important tip is to make sure you are physically able to hike down the steep slippery terrain. The trail down to the base of the waterfall is extreme slick rock and requires good hiking shoes.

Make sure to plan your trip around the rainy season, if you plan to go during the summer it is possible you will have a poor stream. So I recommend going late winter or early spring time to catch the full power of the waterfall.

If you go to the waterfall during the summer, there is a high possibility the watering hole on the bottom won’t be filled; however, it will allow you to stand under the waterfall. Be careful walking under the waterfall, not just for slippery rocks but when I was under the fall many people say a ton of new born snakes in the rocks. Most likely they were just banded water snakes however, a few people claimed they were copperheads. Either way it is better to know and be prepared then not know and be surprised.

Additional activities to do while viewing this magnificent fall is to bring climbing gear to go rappelling. Sadly, on my trip I wasn’t prepared but I saw several people rappelling the walls and I saw a couple lines that I wish I could have rappelled! Nevertheless, I will definitely go back!

Overall, this is an awesome stop or even day trip. Comment your requests of places we should visit!

Thanks,

The Southern Summit Crew

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GPS Coordinates: 35.8814° N, 84.8103° W

Respecting nature – a guide to begin adventuring – Part III

December 28, 2016 by Southern Summit Collection, posted in adventure, mountains, outdoors, travel, Uncategorized

Respecting nature – a guide to begin adventuring – Part III

You and your friends have been shredding the slopes all day hitting pillows of pow or you have finished a tough scramble up the mountain. The adrenaline is rushing through your veins and you are completely engulfed in the moment, you look down and notice a piece of trash laying there from a fellow adventure athlete such as yourself. Instantly it takes away from this precious moment.

As an adventure athlete the number one rule to go by while performing these sports is to respect nature. There are several good rules to follow:

A classic rule that should not even have to be said, “DON’T LITTER”! Please bring a baggy with you to put your wrappings inside. I know a lot of your favorite power bars and energy gels can get sticky and start smelling; however, throwing them on the ground doesn’t only ruin experiences for other athletes but can endanger local wildlife. An even more disgusting version of this is cigarette buds. Not only does it make no sense why someone would rip a cig after a grueling athletic feat but smelling and seeing all the buds is absolutely gross. Cigarettes don’t magically disappear into the earth so please leave them at home or bring a baggy for them as well.
Don’t destroy nature. This one sadly needs to be said because lately there have been multiple incidents of people destroying iconic landmarks. It is not only selfish but ignorant to destroy a beautiful creation that has been on earth for so long. In a world that is getting smaller and more urbanized every special sight matters.
Don’t mess with wildlife, this is pretty self-explanatory but this isn’t just for your own safety. Certain species of animals will be harmed with any human contact. Just a single tough to baby animals can lead to their mother neglecting them which will ultimately result in the animal dying. Please take pictures and enjoy their world but unless you are hunting to eat or are an expert in wild life its best to watch from a distance.
Be careful with fire! This one is close to my heart because of the destruction of many forest near me in Tennessee and North Carolina. Properly learn how to make campfires or use gas cooking sets. Forest fires as seen in Gatlinburg, Tennessee can destroy not only wildlife and beautiful scenery but can spread to urbanized civilization outside of national parks and harm humans and destroy homes.

Comment your requests of places we should visit or tips you would like to learn!

Thanks,

The Southern Summit Crew

IG: SouthernSummitCo

FB: Southern Summit Collection