If you haven’t been skiing yet this year, now is the time to go. While February hasn’t brought a tremendous amount of snow for any resorts in the area, there have been enough moderate snows and cold temperatures to let most ski resorts maintain their slopes.

I recently got away from work long enough to hit the slopes this year. Earlier this month, on a clear, cool day, I took off to Ski Beech Resort in Banner Elk, N.C. From Middlesboro, the trip is a solid 3 hours if you head East through Jonesville, Va., continue through Kingsport, Tenn., and then down to Banner Elk.

As a solidly intermediate snowboarder, I need enough fresh powder to carve through without falling down the mountain. When I went, Ski Beech had roughly 50-inch of base and 8-inch of fresh powder from earlier in the week. My uncle and I got there early in the morning right at opening and really had the mountain to ourselves. Thankfully, most schools in the area were still open that day, so the park was relatively kid-free.

When do you make the trip?

• Always check the snow base conditions before you go. A good base is at least 30” and ideal conditions should have at least a few inches of fresh powder. Every ski resort should have a website that tracks conditions and temperatures for the area. Many times I’ve not checked and then gone to ski resorts only to find a long sheet of ice covering the mountain with snow machines pounding your ski goggles with fake snow. Those are not the best conditions.

• Also check local school closings for the area. If schools in the area are in session that day, chances are the roads will be clear and the resort will be less crowded.

• Check for deals. Many ski resorts offer lady’s or guy’s nights or discounts for students who’ve missed for snow. Call the resort ahead of time to find out.

•Avoid weekends. If you like waiting in line, tripping over church and school groups down the mountain, and paying extraordinarily high lift tickets, then Saturday and Sunday are the days for you.

If you’re looking for a place to go to, there are many in the region. Unfortunately, many are over 3 hour trips. Ober Gatlinburg offers a fully-featured resort and they’ve recently opened a new inter-tubing section that will appeal to the whole family. Ski Beech is also a great place to go, but note that it is situated on top of a mountain and, in snowy weather, it can be hard to reach. Sugar Mountain is right next to Ski Beech in Banner Elk. It’s very accessible and has many good slopes. Winter Place in West VA is similarly easily accessible right off the interstate.

Stephen Woodward is a Staff Writer for the Daily News. He may be contacted at swoodward@middlesborodailynews.com.