Cataloochee Ski area draws you in as soon as you start the drive up the mountain. The snow falls around you as you pass the various cabins located on the ridges of the mountain. When you reach the top you can gaze out across the whole valley and watch the sun rise or set in the distance. On the drive to the main lodge you catch a glimpse of the trails which always gets me hyped for the day. Walking to the main lodge you pass by the racks holding everyone’s ski and snowboard equipment and can check out everyone’s set ups for the season. There’s usually quite a lot of people standing outside at the bottom of the run talking about what trick they just threw or having a drink at the tables on the top deck. The main lodge is consists of two levels. The bottom level is the stockroom containing various boards, skis, and boots that people can rent for the day and a kiosk where they can purchase their lift tickets. The top level contains a bar, a cafeteria, and a shop. You can sit at a table with your friends and look out of the gigantic windows straight at the trails and watch people ride while you eat or enjoy a cup of hot chocolate. There’s a sense of friendship throughout the lodge because you know everyone is there for the same thing, their passion for the snow.