Beech Mountain Resort also has amenities like a skybar, brewery, and scenic lift rides. | Photo provided by VisitNC.com and the electronic archive prohibition
We’ve felt some chilly temperatures in Charlotte this winter, but we’re still waiting for snow. The good news is plenty of winter activities are just a short road trip away.
Instead of staying home with snow envy, we’ve rounded up six places to ski, snowboard, and tube near the Queen City.
🎿 Shred the slopes
Beech Mountain Resort | Beech Mountain | ~2 hour 32 minute drive from Charlotte | Season ends March 22 | $42+ (lift tickets) and $40+ (rentals) | With 17 trails, Beech Mountain makes for a great day trip or an overnight stay with night skiing.
Bonus: Sugar Mountain Resort and Beech Mountain Resort also offer snow tubing.
❄️ Totally tubular
Chutes at Crowder’s Mountain | Gastonia | ~30 minute drive from Charlotte | $25 per person | Children and families can experience the thrill of winter tubing without the mess of wet snow.
Black Bear Snow Tubing | Hendersonville | ~2 hour drive from Charlotte | $30 per person | Feel the wind while speeding down a 600-ft slope.
Bechtler 15-Year Birthday Bash | 5-9 p.m. | Bechtler Museum of Modern Art | Free | Celebrate The Bechtler’s legacy in the Queen City with art tours, drinks, live music, and giveaways.
Novels & Needles Meet-Up | 5:30-7 p.m. | That’s Novel Books | Free | Knit or crochet with fellow enthusiasts while discussing your latest read.
Thursday, Jan. 9
Community Engagement Visioning Workshop | North County Regional Library | 6-7 p.m. | Huntersville | Free | Discuss the future of housing, economic development, and growth of Mecklenburg County with city leaders.
South Fork Run Club | 6:30-8 p.m. | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, Belmont | Free | Walk, jog, or run through the routes surrounding the gardens with new friends.
Sober Bus: Sober at 6:00 | 6 p.m. | Funny Bus Comedy Tour Charlotte | $35 | Hear comedian Roxanne McDonald share hilarious tales and talk sobriety before enjoying mocktails and pinball at Super Abari.
Charlotte Checkers vs. Hershey Bears | 7 p.m. | Bojangles Coliseum | $25+ | The Checkers have their eyes on the Calder Cup as they face the Bears on the ice.
Charlotte Symphony: Bach + Mozart | 7:30 p.m. | Knight Theater | $10 | Get lost in the classical tunes as renowned pianist Orion Weiss performs live with the Symphony.
Bundle up, Charlotte. There’s potential for sleet, snow, ice, and rain as we head into the weekend. Be sure to track developments with WCNC’s Weather Impact team. (WCNC)
Coming Soon
From food truck to food hall. El Veneno is hosting a grand opening of its Monarch Market location on Sunday, Jan. 12. Food truck lovers will find staples like the black el pastor taco and gorditas with handmade tortillas.
Community
Charlotte Fire and MEDIC reached a six-month temporary agreement, allowing fire crews to respond to medical calls with oversight. The departments will meet monthly to monitor progress and continue long-term contract discussions. The agencies had until Thursday, Jan. 9 to reach a deal.
Civic
The City of Charlotte is looking for solutions for small businesses through its Corridors of Opportunity program. A new community hub is expected to open in West Sugar Creek this year. Since 2020, the city has invested almost $100 million into the program. (WCNC)
Biz
A manufacturer of food and beverage flavors is opening an East Coast space in Concord, creating 40+ new jobs. An affiliate with Custom Flavors purchased a 30-acre production hub at 7955 West Winds Blvd. The investment is expected to happen over the next three years. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Development
Hendrick Motorsports is proposing a $35 million investment to develop a 260,000-sqft manufacturing facility near the Hendrick Motorsports campus. The development promises to “create a place where high-quality careers expand for decades.” Concord City Council will consider an incentives grant during tomorrow’s meeting. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Pets
The Humane Society of Charlotte is participating in a nationwide adoption event to help pets find homes. Hill’s Pet Nutrition’s “Welcome Home” adoption campaign runs through Jan. 12. Hill’s is also covering adoption fees up to $100 per dog or cat adoption + providing a free starter bag of food.
Cause
Only a handful of seats remain for the Independent Picture House’s Take-A-Seat campaign. Seat donors get a plaque on their chair + can reserve a seat for any screenings at the theater. Check out CLTtoday’s interview with the theater following renovations.
Sports
Hornets legend Kemba Walker is back in Buzz City as a player enhancement coach. Go beyond the clipboard for the biggest stories on the Charlotte Hornetswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Read
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Finance
High interest rates are daunting, so paying off credit card debt is a top New Year’s resolution for many Americans. If we told you there was a trending card that now has 0% intro APR on balance transfers well into 2026, would you believe us? You should.*
Category
Environment
🍃 Be more sustainable
Ekological regularly appears at open-air markets across Charlotte. | Photo via Ekologicall
You may be pretty solid at recycling your plastic packaging, but how’s your reusing game?
There are shops around town where you can refill empty containers with products like laundry detergent and dry goods. Here’s where to find them and other local businesses offering sustainable items.
Ekologicall | Various locations | Shop eco-friendly, non-toxic products + bring your own containers for refills on cleaning products, toothpaste, and lotion.
The Greener Apple | 3040 Eastway Dr., Ste. B, Charlotte | After getting your next read from Book Buyers, peruse eco-minded and vegetarian/vegan goods like cleaning products, food, toys, beauty supplies, baby supplies, and pet products.
Pet Wants | Various locations | This local shop sells slow-cooked, small batch, all-natural pet food, treats, and accessories for all your furry friends.
Bonus: When it comes to cutting down waste, consider recycling. Mecklenburg County has full service drop-off centers and self-service recycling centers.
An under-sink organizer — declutter your cleaning supplies, bathroom products, or pantry items with an easy slide-out design that fits around most plumbing fixtures.
Honestly, I’ve never skied or snowboarded but I’d be open to attempting! Having lived in Ohio for several years, I definitely had the opportunity, and still do, if I visit one of our numerous ski resorts outside of Charlotte. Any tips for a newbie?