Three Wonderful Winter Adventures

Be A Cool Rider

Cycling in winter months has long been a favorite activity of avid road bikers. There’s less traffic, fewer crowds and real camaraderie among cyclists in the local community. Winters around Brevard often mean lots of mild, sunny days — sometimes temperatures can soar up around 70 degrees — and great views. The Blue Ridge Parkway closes during the winter, which makes its scenic stretches ideal for cyclists. Remember your lights! front and rear lights are required to ride on the Parkway. Find easy access by taking 276 up through Pisgah National Forest. You can park for free at Wagon Road Gap, walk your bike through the gate, and ride like the wind!  And if that wind gets a little chilly, no worries, just remember to dress in layers. Pick up cold-weather gear at one of Transylvania County’s many bike shops and outfitters, where you can also get firsthand tips from locals and check on mountain biking opportunities as well. Or join up with the Winter Bike League for group rides and all sorts of expert advice.

Find Your Inspiration

For arts and culture lovers, Brevard’s thriving local scene provides a little bit of everything for the creative soul. Downtown’s many galleries feature works of all styles, varieties and media no matter your taste. And while wandering around, you can enjoy the Sculpture Tour, which features more than twenty works scattered throughout downtown. A bit further afield, you’ll find wonderful pottery studios on Highway 276. Mark your calendars now for Heart of Brevard’s “Arts in March,” a two-day downtown festival, March 25 and 26, celebrating wonderful art, food, music and more.

The performing arts continue to delight throughout the cooler months with weekly mountain music jams at Silvermont Mansion, Brevard’s Lumberyard, and various community centers throughout the county. Local clubs host loads of live events to keep you entertained no matter what style or genre moves you.

Catch Trout Fever

With cooler temperatures and better water due to winter rains and high elevation snows, January through March is the perfect time to gear up and go fly fishing in one of Brevard and Transylvania’s amazing rivers and streams. With more flow and fewer crowds, locals say that on a good day you can expect to land 10 to 12 trout. You’ll want to layer up, however, for the chillier weather. Think long underwear, breathable pants and a jacket, of course.

Winter is the perfect time to lay back, chill out and enjoy free fly-tying nights with Davidson River (888.861.0111) and Headwaters Outfitters (828.877.3106) at our local breweries, including Ecusta and Brevard Brewing, each week from January through February. And for the ladies, Pisgah Area Women’s Fly Fishing Group offers weekly free fly tying and a host of kindred spirits who love fishing and provide the support to hone your skills.