Blue Ridge Country - November/December 2014 - 37

Not Your MaMa's ChristMas CoNCert

"Deck the Halls" and "White Christmas" probably won't be on the set list, but it's still a crowd pleaser
when Warren Haynes invites his pals in the music world to perform at his Christmas Jam in Asheville.
Now in its 26th year, the mega concert runs two nights in December and lasts until the wee hours of the
morning.

celebrate frederick

helen hopper

beech mountain resort

pigeon forge department of tourism

At this writing the 2014 lineup hadn't been announced, but you can get an idea by looking at a few
of last year's performers: Gregg Allman, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Keb' Mo', Widespread Panic,
Michael Franti, and OAR (Of a Revolution).
Haynes is an Asheville native who went on to make a name for himself playing with the Allman Brothers
Band, his own band Gov't Mule, and with a diverse array of other musicians. He created the Christmas
Jam as a way to give back. So far, he's gifted the Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity with more than
$1.8 million from the Jam. In July, he announced a record-breaking donation from profits from the 2013
event when he presented Habitat with a check for $500,000.
Keep an eye on the website for this year's lineup and ticket information: xmasjam.com. ~MHM

tradition with other activities including
skiing, snowboarding and ice skating. In
past years, Beech waited until December
15 to open, but now, they're up and running by mid-November and have spent the
past couple of years upgrading their snow
making equipment.
"We have a similar climate to New
England," says Adams as he stands outside
the Ski Patrol office. " We can pump 3,500
gallons of water a minute turning it into
snow."
New this year at Beech: a complete
remodel of View House, Beech Mountain's
cafeteria; an upgrade of all the night lighting; removal of the J bars in the play yard
in front of the ski school and replaced with
a magic carpet; and continued expansion
of their craft beer brewery, which came on
the scene last winter along with the 5506
SkyBar at the top of the mountain. 5506
refers to the elevation.
"We brew a pale ale named 5506 and
that's my favorite," says Adams.
A Gold Card Season Pass for 2014-2015
grants unlimited skiing and snowboarding
at six North Carolina Ski Areas. They
include Beech Mountain, Appalachian Ski
Resort, Cataloochee Ski Area, Sapphire
Valley Ski Area, Sugar Mountain Resort and
Wolf Ridge Ski Resort. The cost is $820.
goskinc.com/goldcard

Places to Ski in Other Areas
of our Region
Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort in Tennessee,
obergatlinburg.com

What's new: Ober Gatlinburg is one of
four ski areas to receive the National Ski Areas
Association (NSAA) Sustainable Slopes
Grant. The money goes toward upgrading the
snowmaking system with low energy towers.
Wintergreen Resort in Virginia,
wintergreenresort.com

Fun combo: Wintergreen has a Ski & Tee
package to give guests the chance to participate in two sports. Ski in the mountain and
then present your same-day lift ticket at
Stoney Creek Golf Course for a free round of
afternoon golf.
Snowshoe Mountain Ski Resort in West
Virginia, snowshoemtn.com
More than just snow: Snowshoe has a spa,
full service salon and fitness center. They offer
massages, body scrubs, body wraps, facials,
nail care, waxing, hair styling and coloring.
Magical Lights
The twinkling of millions of holiday lights
puts the spotlight on East Tennessee during Smoky Mountain Winterfest. The
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 | 37

http://www.xmasjam.com http://www.obergatlinburg.com http://www.wintergreenresort.com http://www.snowshoemtn.com http://www.goskinc.com/goldcard

Blue Ridge Country - November/December 2014

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