Help us see some snow!

[tmarquez]

We're lifelong Floridians and DH and DD(8) have never seen snow! I was thinking about taking a long weekend and finding somewhere close enough to be driveable to take them to see snow...maybe do some tubing.

Of course this is the budget board and I am definately on a budget! I have been looking on ebay for some snow appropriate clothing for DD, and man that stuff isn't cheap. I was wondering...for those of you who live where it snows, can you just pop into your local Walmart and buy snow pants and a jacket? Or what do you do to clothe your kids? I've also looked on our Craig's List, but there's just not a big market for that stuff here.

Also, where do you think is the best place to go? Do you have any favorite places to stay? I was looking at Maggie Valley, it's about an 8 hour drive from here.

I'm off to do more research, but would love to hear what you all have to say. Thanks!

 

[v.t.]

When we travel to PA to get our fix of snow, we always purchase our snow gear there. They do carry it in Wal-Mart and KMart and it is always heavier and cheaper than down south. And with it being past the new year I bet it will be on clearance. Good luck!

 

[HALEYSMOMMOM]

Absolutely just wait until you get there and buy something cheap-you won't be using it long. And yes, its eveywhere, walmart, etc. Have fun! We're thinking of taking a long weekend to escape it-wanna trade houses, lol? Kidding.......

 

[mercydisney]

We are visiting Stone Mountain GA. They have snow on the mountain ant they also have snow activities. The info said you really don't need smow gear but you do need warm clothes. I purchased rainboots and w/the wheather we just had my daughter got to wear them already. They also said to dress in layers because you will get uncomfortable during the day. DD10 has never played w/the snow so she is really looking forward for the trip. It also helps that we are also driving 45min. out of the way to visit the AG store.

 

[tlbwriter]

We are visiting Stone Mountain GA.

I'd love to hear how this goes - we're thinking about going there next year.

 

[Priorityonecb]

I would also highly recommend Stone Mountain! You could also add in a day at the Georgia Aquarium. We got a City Pass, where we got admission to the aquarium, World of Coke and Stone Mountain for a steal! We had a fabulous weekend!

 

[mom2t]

Western NC Mts. - We live at the base and got 7 inches Christmas Day - 1-2 inches come in tonight - More on Monday and Tuesday and more still possibly next week-end - I am the opposite heading to Disney in 2 weeks and I do not want any more snow - Its messing with my plans We will probably end up going to school on 2 teacher designated work days and my son will miss 5 days instead of 3 days of school. I buy at Osh Kosh outlets.

 

[LoriNSC]

I would suggest Maggie Valley. We live in SC & went skiing up there a couple of yrs ago. I found a nice cheap hotel on hotels.com. We didn't go tubing but there is a nice snow tubing place there. I know you can rent snow suits at the ski lodge & I'm thinking there are some shops near town where you can just rent them. I only rented a suit for my teenager at the lodge. I can't remember the price but it wasn't expensive.
I bought my younger kids snowsuits on ebay for decent prices. But since you live in FL & wouldn't get a lot of use from them, I suggest renting.

FYI: I just looked it up. We stayed at Maggie Valley Creekside Lodge. Nothing elegant but it was nice & it has an indoor pool.

 

[mercydisney]

I'd love to hear how this goes - we're thinking about going there next year.

I'll definetly let you know how it goes. I'm pretty excited but not as excited as I would like to be because I really need to get my Christmas stuff down.

 

[mercydisney]

I would also highly recommend Stone Mountain! You could also add in a day at the Georgia Aquarium. We got a City Pass, where we got admission to the aquarium, World of Coke and Stone Mountain for a steal! We had a fabulous weekend!

Is t true that you don't need snow attire. I'm stressing my family will not enjoy it because they will be wet, cold and uncomfortable.

 

[scrapquitler]

I was wondering...for those of you who live where it snows, can you just pop into your local Walmart and buy snow pants and a jacket?

LOL I live in New England, and NO you can't just walk into Walmart and buy snow pants and a jacket 'anytime' In August/Sept/Oct yes you can. By this time of year, the answer is "maybe"...they still have some but they are on or about to go on clearance and sizes will be picked over, so you won't have a guarantee of being able to get them.

 

[vicki_c]

LOL I live in New England, and NO you can't just walk into Walmart and buy snow pants and a jacket 'anytime' In August/Sept/Oct yes you can. By this time of year, the answer is "maybe"...they still have some but they are on or about to go on clearance and sizes will be picked over, so you won't have a guarantee of being able to get them.

That's what I was thinking - most places are stocking their spring merchandise now. It definitely gets harder to find winter gear mid-season and beyond.

 

[livndisney]

I would also highly recommend Stone Mountain! You could also add in a day at the Georgia Aquarium. We got a City Pass, where we got admission to the aquarium, World of Coke and Stone Mountain for a steal! We had a fabulous weekend!

I don't think the City pass includes Stone Mountain anymore-

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[Aryn]

The city pass does not include Stone Mountain anymore. We had relatives in for Minnesota last week and they bought the passes. Lots of good stuff to see, but not Stone Mountain.

We are supposed to get snow Sun night Monday into Tuesday, so Ga might be a good place to get a dose of snow!

 

[Finding Gigi]

When we lived in the mountains I always bought our snow gear at the end of Sept-beginning of October. Rain boots are stocked now ( well out here at Target) and work well in the snow.

 

[crazelion]

If coming this weekend I would suggust Gatlinburg. They is getting hit right now with snow. As matter of fact if come this weekend might how drive TN get some real snow.

Thank God it miss us today. My kids got go school today.

 

[lakelandgal70]

My Aunt in Greeneville, TN said they have snow. It is about a 12hr drive for us here in Central Florida. Love that area! Looks beautiful with snow too.

 

[DaniB]

We're lifelong Floridians and DH and DD(8) have never seen snow! I was thinking about taking a long weekend and finding somewhere close enough to be driveable to take them to see snow...maybe do some tubing.

We're thinking of taking a long weekend to escape it-wanna trade houses, lol? Kidding.......

The same thought (trading houses) was going through my mind while reading the OP's post.

I live in Ontario, Canada and have never seen the ocean. Even when we went to Florida in Sept, we were never anywhere near the ocean!

 

[Disfamily0405]

Don't know how accurate it is but we are getting forcasts for 6+ inches of snow as far south as Macon, GA Sunday night lol depending on where you live in FL you can make a day trip of it lol.

 

[CTdiznymom]

We're getting about 6" of the white stuff now. I've had enough! Would love to trade places too. Don't forget multiple pairs of heavy socks, mittens/gloves and CHAPSTICK!