Driving conditions

[vanelli56]

Well, its been a long time since I have been up to the NC high country to go snowboarding. I was hoping to get some advice from some locals. I'm keeping an eye on the potential weather this coming weekend, and if it turns into a mainly snow event around Sugar / Beech Etc... was thinking about making a day trip up there on monday. It looks like the worst of the weather will be Sat and sunday... with some lingering precip monday. My question is this.... I no longer have a 4-wheel drive vehicle... how quick are they to get the roads cleared for travel from the south. (Coming from South Carolina)
If things lighten up sunday afternoon.... would travel up there early monday be advisable?

Any thoughts, tips, or advise would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

[davidski]

Hard to say yet, this forecast is projecting some ridiculous possible snow totals.... keep an eye out for Brad's Forecast video, should drop on the main page soon I hope

I will say that the Beech Mountain Parkway is one of the worst drives I make some winters, something about the steepness of the switch backs (to say nothing of church vans)

[vanelli56]

Hard to say yet, this forecast is projecting some ridiculous possible snow totals.... keep an eye out for Brad's Forecast video, should drop on the main page soon I hope

I will say that the Beech Mountain Parkway is one of the worst drives I make some winters, something about the steepness of the switch backs (to say nothing of church vans)

True.
I was thinking Sugar might be the safer option.

[canadianbacon828]

With a snow event like the one they are predicting you are asking for trouble without a 4 wheel drive. Not worth the risk, plus you could create issues for us locals trying to get to work.

[canadianbacon828]

Hard to say yet, this forecast is projecting some ridiculous possible snow totals.... keep an eye out for Brad's Forecast video, should drop on the main page soon I hope

I will say that the Beech Mountain Parkway is one of the worst drives I make some winters, something about the steepness of the switch backs (to say nothing of church vans)

The sketchiest place when it's really bad is by far Food Lion hill on 194... Nothing like cars sliding down the hill with all brakes locked in the opposite lane. Bonus points for 2wd Suburbans and other wastes of metal. Beech can get sketchy but the county and town are more on top of it then Banner Elk to Tynecastle imo.

[grinderstation]

Some good advice in this thread. The ONLY way I'd consider it w/o 4wd or chains is getting up on top of beech mountain, or VERY close to sugar, by 12:00 PM sat, and being very flexible about when I leave. with more than 3 inches on the ground I'd be very nervous in anything without chains or 4WD. Ice is a huge factor in these mountains.

And you need to go very, very slow.

just my $.02

[vanelli56]

Thanks all for the advise... The later in the week it gets... the worst the forecast gets.

The hope was to hopefully get up there after the storm and once they get roads in decent shape.... but the amount of precip they are calling for, looks like it might be TOO much trouble getting there and back with in a reasonable amount of time.

Thanks again.

[canadianbacon828]

We also unexpectedly got 4" of snow today and it's still snowing.

[skipink]

If you don't have chains or 4WD do not attempt Beech Mt Pkwy, especially if the lights are flashing at the sign stating chains and 4WD. If you get stuck you not only have to pay the towing fees but may get fined as well.