Skiing on Mitchell or other possibilities?

[hill-billy]

Howdy- i am kind of new to the area and am curious about skiing around Mt. Michell or any other places in WNC; backcountry, downhill- not XC. I imagine there are some possibilities off the parkway, however, when snow arrives you need access to them. I guess i'd consider a 4-6 mile skin manageable if i could make a few laps on something steep and interesting.

Anyone have any suggestions, routes, approaches etc.?

I realize there is not a wealth of viable snow days but i'd like to get some ideas to keep in the back pocket when they arrive.

Thanks-

[EastCoaster]

There is a high probability that your backcountry expedition turns out like this:



http://www.skinc.com/messageboard/showt ... hp?t=11748



Also, how is that^^^ TR not in the hall of fame??

[skiatlanta]

I laughed when I ran across that on tgr the other day.



Roan, max patch, look around on google earth. Mix in high elevations, clearings and roads, and hope the wind doesn't kill any hope for skiing.

[hill-billy]

Yeah- thanks. That is a pretty good TR, nothing like a tight day in the Rhodies on paste. I have noted some potential off the Iron Mtn Trail (TN/VA) and South of there towards Roan, some powerline's and clearings etc.

[sts9shredder]

there are some good videos and trip reports in the trip reports board not too far back

[Joshua8200]

http://www.skinc.com/messageboard/showt ... ackcountry

[afrobigfoot]

driving along I77 and I81 in south western VA I have seen countless spots to ski, one mountain looked like it had an access road going to the towers at the top, 600 or 800 vert feet? Looked like fun. Quite a few very accessible hills in the area, might need to ask a property owner but whats the worse that could happen, they say no and you say thanks for your time and move on.



EDIT,



Heres the mtn I am referring to



http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=37.0 ... 1&t=h&z=15



looks like a good 1000 foot drop or so going down the z zagged power line or what ever it is.

[hill-billy]

Hey, thanks man. That's funny b/c i just drove that area yesterday. You are right, there are several long powerlines that look pretty sweet really. They are covered now but need another foot or so.

I don't recall the name, but the first mountain tunnel you get to has a really nice line coming over both sides of it as well, pretty much right of the road.



Good call.

[lobo]

i think this could be skied - looks to be about 400ft vert - long slog is what i have concluded - maybe could skin up some - but i suspect hiking would be faster

[lobo]

this came from this site - http://www.wncmagazine.com/feature/outd ... at_the_top