North Carolina Family Time Sharing Fun in the Snow.  Easy going and off-the-beaten-path, Waynesville and Maggie Valley offer an ideal spot for families wishing to enjoy winter sledding, skiing and making angels in the snow without long lines.

With the promise of snow and no lines I had no trouble selling the idea to my family. As with all vacations, the next step was where to stay? I imagined a cozy cabin with a fireplace and space to relax for a few days and the idea of staying on a Christmas tree farm sounded unique - kind of cool. I chose Boyd Mountain Cabins.
 
Here’s the scoop. They have six well-equipped cabins nestled among oodles of pine trees. Each housekeeping cabin has a fireplace and most cabins have a sleeping area upstairs. Cabins sleep from two to eight people in each. The rate changes on a per person basis. Even though we were in Cosby Cabin which has the space to sleep up to six, we were only charged for four people.
 
When we arrived I found a note in our cabin indicating that during the holidays, as a convenience, guests could have chopped wood placed on the porch. A good deal I thought! We planned to have a fire going most of our waking hours and I had sort of wondered where the wood would be coming from and how often? There was another option. Bundles of wood could also be purchased on the front porch of the main house. Need to know: During the winter months dressing with in layers is essential.
 
Anyone for sledding? Our purpose for going to this area was to see, touch and enjoy snow. Just outside of our cabin was a sledding hill. Sledding discs and sheets were available for guests to use at no additional cost. We picked them up in the barn. Of course other families who do this all of the time brought their own so they could slide where ever they found a slope. We enjoyed being able to sled right from our cabin. Kid’s note: I liked sledding on a hill where we stayed. Outside of our cabin I made a little snowman and I called it Chubby. Another kid’s note: Both my sister and I each got our own bed upstairs. If we go back to stay in the in the summer I want to fish in the pond with the fishing poles that I saw on our porch.

Location is everything. Boyd Mountain Log Cabins are located not more than ten minutes drive from Cataloochee Ranch Ski Area. We took time to scope out the complex. The slopes seemed to be well maintained and they were making snow 24/7 just in case the snow queen didn’t send enough. A quad chair lift helps move skiers to the top of the slopes more often. Bonus points: Good news for families, each year they have a kid’s ski free program. Here’s how it works - each child younger than 17 may ski for free Monday-Friday when skiing with a paying adult.  Need to know: Generally Monday through Thursday, they offer special prices for beginners. The benefit is available for first-time skiers or snowboarders age eight and older. The package includes a beginner lesson, beginner’s area ticket, and full set of rental equipment.

We liked the area even though we did not have an all terrain vehicle. We had hot cocoa in Waynesville, a small all-American town with old buildings and brick sidewalks. The charming streets are lined with antique stores, craft shops and art galleries. It is the home of The Museum of North Carolina Handicrafts and nearby is an old-time general store.

In the Summer. Only a short walking distance from the cabins is a state-stocked mountain trout stream. I also learned that guests may use any of the three fishing ponds stocked with rainbow trout, bass, brim and catfish, but not in the winter of course. Guests may fish without a license on the property. There are well-marked hiking trails on and around the property. The trails are usable all-year long. During warmer days bikes are welcome and useful because the road leading to the cabins is paved.

Location on the planet. The Boyd Mountain Cabins complex is located in western North Carolina within the Great Smoky Mountain Range. The cabins are only is minutes from Waynesville and Maggie Valley and nestled amid rolling hills hidden by groves of Fraser firs. Guests have easy access to three stocked fish ponds, Jonathan Creek, and miles of hiking trails from cabin doorsteps. 

Make it happen. Boyd Mountain Cabins, Dan and Betsy Boyd 445 Boyd Farm Road, Waynesville, NC 28785 . (828) 926-1575 or www.boydmountain.com

Waynesville & Maggie Valley Family Vacation Planning – Things to Do with Kids.
 
Look for sapphires. The Old Pressley Sapphire Mine is the world’s largest blue sapphire was discovered here. Now it is a place to pretend. They offer a gem mining experience in the mountains allowing visitors to flume for sapphires and other gems. This is an activity for kids of all ages. If your child is a rock hound then this will be a heavenly outing for them. (Old Pressley Sapphire Mine 9 Old Pressley Sapphire Mine. Located off I-40, exit 33 they are open year-round, seven days a week. (828) 648-6320 or www.oldpressleymine.com)
 
Ride the rails. The Dillsboro and The Great Smoky Mountain Railroad is about a 30-minute drive from Waynesville. It is a sure bet for families and great for grandparents traveling with grandkids. And it is the summer vacation spot for Thomas the Tank Engine. Bonus points: Each year they run a "Polar Express" winter excursion. The 75-minute train ride takes passengers through a beautiful section of western North Carolina with views of the magnificent Great Smoky Mountains, winding rivers, and lakes.  Additional seasonal excursions are offered on the weekends from October through May and daily in the warmer months. (The Great Smoky Mountain Railroad. Dillsboro. (704) 586-8811, toll-free 1-800-872-4681 or www.gsmr.com)
 
Cataloochee Ski Area. Kids’ Ski Program, Maggie Valley. (828) 926-0286 or toll-free 1-800-768-0285 or www.cataloochee.com or www.kidsskifree.com
 
Best Eating Places for Families

Stefano’s Mediterranean Grill. 111 N. Main St., Waynesville. (828) 452-0027. Pizza, what else?
Bradley’s General Store. They have an old-fashioned soda fountain that still works. Lunch is served from April through December. Dillsboro. (828) 586-3891 or www.bradleysgeneralstore.com.