Well, the Arctic Blast has arrived with its bone chilling, frigid
temperatures and while it didn’t bring a lot of the white stuff with it, the
well below freezing temperatures were enough to make one local attraction very
happy... and a lot of their customers too! Cloudmont Ski Resort, the only ski slope in
Alabama, has managed to cover a full 1000 foot slope that has an elevation of
1,800 feet and a vertical rise of 150 feet on one side and a teaching slope on
the other with plenty of the white stuff.
Whether you are a “newbie”, which is a beginner, or a
serious amateur, which is not a beginner, this is the place for you! By offering rental equipment, such as skis,
boots, poles and snow boards, expert guidance from their instructors, snacks,
drinks and a cozy wood burning fire, Cloudmont shows off their accommodating southern
hospitality.
Cloudmont is a great place to take the entire family. Thousands
will come during the season at Cloudmont which usually lasts from sometime in
December until the weather becomes too warm to make snow and keep it on the
slopes. There have been some years that skiing has continued on into March and
occasionally into April.
If you have never been skiing, now is the time to give it a
try. Or if you haven’t been this year, it is a good time for you to give it a
go!
Cloudmont is located on County Road 614 in Mentone. Their
hours of operation are as follows: weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
to 10 p.m.; weekends and holidays are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 10
p.m. Please call in advance to make reservations and check skiing conditions
before you go. Also note that ski equipment can be reserved.
For more information call 256-634-4344 or go to www.cloudmont.com
An assortment of ski chalets, cabins, bed and breakfast
inns, and hotels are available within a short drive to Cloudmont Ski Resort for
those looking to stay overnight. For more information about local lodging,
contact DeKalb Tourism at 888.805.4740 or visit www.DiscoverLookoutMountain.com.
