 Photo by Tommy Penick | The Appalachian You learn to invest in a good rain jacket, you experience landscapes that others drive miles to see, correct those who do not know how to pronounce "Appalachian," and you are told at least once every so often that there isn't anything to do here.
While it may be a small, university-driven town, Boone is not limited to the standard campus activities and obvious other entertainment options such as the “mall,” movie theater and the always-delicious, Cookout.
Upon first arriving here as a student, I heard about plenty of opportunities to get out and enjoy Boone to the fullest.
However, I soon found out that once classes and the routine of everyday take over your life, it's difficult to hunt out new and exciting "to do's."
 The ideal is simple: learn how to live in Boone creatively and cheaply.
While most mainstream activities in the High Country are popular for a reason, becoming a “local” is about having fun without spending the money of a tourist. From the great outdoors to fine food, give yourself the opportunity to really know your town and learn how to answer the big question, “How much can you really do up here?”
And so it begins, the first of many ways you may not have experienced Boone yet…
In the winter, Boone sees an emergence of two distinct cultures: skiers and boarders.
Although both have their respective allures, what about the rest of the population that doesn’t rush to the slopes for a lift ticket when classes are canceled?
The answer: charging one of those flimsy blue sleds on your App Card and trekking out to the nearest hill with friends.
Considering a record amount of snowfall this year, chances are you’ve already exhausted all the notorious campus locations for sledding.
With the copious amounts of powder we’ve had this season, “suicide hill” is more than likely overused and depleted.
Unfortunately for recreational sledding enthusiasts such as myself, there exists no master list of ideal hills in the area. Impossibly steep backcountry slopes are always an option. However, there is always the risk of broken bones and other injuries (as my roommate already experienced this year).
It wasn’t until this winter that I came across the best sledding ever while out by the Blue Ridge Parkway with friends.
The hill is located on Shulls Mill Road near Moses Cone park, and it’s prime for sledding at any age. It offers more diversity than most of the close-to-campus spots as well. Among the sights of the day were terrifying ramps for jumping, dogs on toboggans, and even a determined woman trudging through the snow in high-heeled leather boots and a fur coat.
There’s plenty of room for everyone, and people-watching during breaks is just as entertaining as the racing down the hill itself. So next time you’re watching the snow fall and debating on whether or not to go outside for the first time in two days, get a group together and head out to this locale. What else would you do during the snowiest winter on record in Boone?
Directions to Shulls Mill Road (via Google Maps):
Starting from Edgewood Drive
• Head southwest on Edgewood Drive toward Councill Street - go 43 feet
• Turn left at Council Street / Tracy Circle - go 121 feet
• Continue onto Hardin Street - go 0.3 miles
• Continue onto Blowing Rock Road /U.S. Hwy. 321 South - go 6.8 miles
• Continue to follow U.S. Hwy. 321 South
• Turn right at Main Street / U.S. Hwy. 321 Business - go 0.8 miles
• Turn right at U.S. Hwy. 221 South / Yonahlossee Road - go 1.6 miles
• Turn right at Cone Road - go 217 feet
• Turn left at Shulls Mill Road - go 390 feet
• Arriving at Shulls Mill Road
Total: 9.8 miles - about 18 minutes
Column: KATIE STRASSER, Columnist
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