8 Great Holiday Tips

 What could be more fun than an evening snow skiing or snow tubing with the family (weather permitting) at the Ski Sapphire Valley? They will be open Dec 17-Jan 1, then on weekends, Fri-Sun, after the holidays. They will also be closed on Jan 16th and February 20th  for national holidays. 

Special holiday menu offerings from our local restaurants and seasonal selections from our extraordinary craft brewers and tap rooms give new meaning to the term “holiday cheer.” No matter what your taste buds fancy, we’ve got a table (or a bar stool) with your name on it.  

For many of us, Christmas is best evoked in the heady scent and furry limbs of a fresh evergreen tree decked with tinsel, lights, random ornaments both grand and sentimental. And then there are some of us who just can’t feel the holiday spirit until they bask in the glow of a neon pink, metallic tree. Fortunately, Transylvania County offers a little bit of everything when it comes to our most enduring holiday symbol.

Since 1997, the good people of ATOM (the Aluminum Tree and aesthetically-challenged seasonal Ornament Museum sponsored by the Transylvania Heritage Museum) have  been dedicated to preserving one of America’s most timeless holiday traditions: the shiny aluminum tree. Billed as the “world’s only museum dedicated to the preservation and public enjoyment of vintage Aluminum Trees,” ATOM’s collection has been featured in The New York Times, Southern Living and Money Magazine, as well as on NPR and the BBC.

If you’re looking for something a little more au naturel, Brevard and Transylvania County offer a variety of sources for locally grown Christmas trees, as well as wreaths and garlands. To find your favorite Tannenbaum to take home, point your sleigh this way.

It would be hard to imagine a more classic small-town holiday venue than downtown Brevard. With its sparkling lights, festive storefronts and sidewalks ringing with holiday cheer, Brevard gives out solid Currier & Ives vibes with an authentic, merry and bright spirit all its own. Downtown also plays host to a number of Transylvania’s most beloved holiday traditions.  Stop by the Visitor Center or check out our event calendar for the latest info on seasonal activities and events.  

When it comes to shopping, Brevard and Transylvania County’s local stores, boutiques, galleries, and outfitters offer an extraordinary breadth of one-of-a-kind gift ideas for everyone on your list. And while it’s an open secret that Santa can be seen filling his sleigh in Downtown Brevard, he’s also partial to checking out the fantastic shops in Cedar Mountain, Pisgah Forest, and Rosman as well.

Our hills are alive with the sound of music all year long. And when it comes it comes to the holidays, you’ll find plenty of live local soundtrack to your holly, jolly Christmas.  Whether you’re looking for classical stands, traditional carols, or a solid jingle-bell backbeat for rockin’ around the tree, Transylvania County talented musicians are here for your listening pleasure.

Check out great holiday performances at Brevard Music Center’s Parker Concert Hall, concerts from the Brevard Philharmonic, and regular live music at 185 King, among others.

In Brevard, adventure doesn’t take a holiday. Mild temperatures and great winter views make our rivers, roads, rockfaces, and trails terrific places to explore throughout the season. While most outdoor facilities are open year-round, it is always a good idea to check in at Pisgah National Forest, DuPont State Recreational Forest and Gorges State Park for up-to-date information about site-specific details.

As always, practice good trail etiquette and Leave it Better no matter what time of year you hit the trail. And keep in mind a few winter-specific tips:
● Keep an eye on the weather forecast. Higher elevations tend to be cooler, and parts of Transylvania County are a temperate rainforest, so conditions can change quickly.
● Bring a map. Snow makes trails difficult to follow.
● Dress in layers.  Place clothes with wicking properties close to the skin.
● Bring your phone and keep your batteries warm. Even if service is spotty, it’s still the most reliable way to get word out when you need it.
● Stay bright. Winter means shorter days. Start your hikes earlier in the day and bring a flashlight just in case.

Brevard and Transylvania offer a myriad of cozy accommodations for your holiday getaway, from intimate cottages to luxurious suites, all equipped to handle your visions of sugar plums or visits from St. Nick. No matter whether you’re looking to hang stockings by a chimney with care or roast marshmallows with Rudolph under the stars, you can find your sweet spot here.