• Home
  • Early History of Sapphire
    • The Stone Basin
    • Stone Basin Day 2
    • Stone Basin Video Explore
    • Cherokee & Creek Indians
    • Gold and the Civil War
    • 1890 - 1916
    • 1897 Plat - Fairfield Inn
    • Historic Fairfield Inn
    • Mountain Porch Dining
    • The Sapphire Inn
    • 1918-1946
    • 1946-1954
  • The Resort is Born
  • CC of Sapphire Valley
  • More History
    • 1960's Army Training
    • Ski Sapphire Valley
    • 1970s-1990s
    • 1990-Today
    • Historic Skis!
    • Sapphire Valley Posters
  • Image Gallery
  • Contact Us
  • More
    • Home
    • Early History of Sapphire
      • The Stone Basin
      • Stone Basin Day 2
      • Stone Basin Video Explore
      • Cherokee & Creek Indians
      • Gold and the Civil War
      • 1890 - 1916
      • 1897 Plat - Fairfield Inn
      • Historic Fairfield Inn
      • Mountain Porch Dining
      • The Sapphire Inn
      • 1918-1946
      • 1946-1954
    • The Resort is Born
    • CC of Sapphire Valley
    • More History
      • 1960's Army Training
      • Ski Sapphire Valley
      • 1970s-1990s
      • 1990-Today
      • Historic Skis!
      • Sapphire Valley Posters
    • Image Gallery
    • Contact Us
  • Home
  • Early History of Sapphire
  • The Resort is Born
  • CC of Sapphire Valley
  • More History
  • Image Gallery
  • Contact Us

The History of
Sapphire Valley

The History of Sapphire ValleyThe History of Sapphire ValleyThe History of Sapphire Valley

Welcome to the Sapphire Valley Historical Society

Welcome to the Sapphire Valley Historical Society Welcome to the Sapphire Valley Historical Society

Southern Snow Skiing!

This image  is the first recorded run on the new Ski Sapphire Valley slopes in late 1964!


 Mr. Gene Howerdd, Jr. also built Hogback Lake that same year. Anyone who purchased a lot on the new lake received free passes to the new Ski Sapphire Valley ski area!  They also received a custom pair of skis! [Learn More - Historic Skis]

Ski Sapphire Vallehy

Southern snow skiing

Southern snow skiing

Southern snow skiing

After years of taking his family from Sapphire Valley to other ski areas like Cataloochee near Waynesville, Gene Howerdd, Jr. was convinced Sapphire Valley could support southern skiing. 

early snow making

Southern snow skiing

Southern snow skiing

The first year included only a rope tow and basic snow making equipment to test the market and snow making processes. After a successful first year, a double chair lift was installed and the base lodge served wine, fondue, and hot chocolate to keep visitors fueled!

Ski Area Construction

    Ski Sapphire in 1968

      • Home
      • The Stone Basin
      • Cherokee & Creek Indians
      • Gold and the Civil War
      • 1890 - 1916
      • Mountain Porch Dining
      • 1918-1946
      • 1946-1954
      • The Resort is Born
      • CC of Sapphire Valley
      • 1960's Army Training
      • 1970s-1990s
      • 1990-Today
      • Contact Us

      Sapphire Valley Historical Society

      110 Carnoustie Drive, Sapphire, North Carolina 28774, United States

      (828) 549-8544

      Copyright © 2018 Sapphire Valley Historical Society - All Rights Reserved.

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