Located in Seven Devils, North Carolina, Hawksnest isn’t exactly a lost resort — it still exists today and holds claim to the largest snow tubing park on the East Coast — but today’s Hawksnest Snow Tubing was once Hawksnest Ski Resort, offering 12 downhill trails and a vertical of 673 feet. Ski operations ceased at Hawksnest in 2008 after the owners reportedly tired of fighting with the town of Seven Devils to obtain support for ski area expansion. Beginning in 2008, the owners shifted their focus to snow tubing and ziplining. The snow tubing operations at Hawksnest are impressive, featuring 20+ lanes that are 400 to 1,000 feet long, serviced by three moving carpet lifts.
Skiing at Hawksnest dates back to December 1968, when the Seven Devils Golf and Ski Resort opened. The recreationally-focused town of Seven Devils was incorporated on June 30, 1979, with a focus as a vacation home community. In the early 1980s, Jon Reynolds purchased the ski operations and changed the name to Ski Hawksnest. In 1993, Leonard Cottom purchased the area and renamed it Hawksnest Golf and Ski Resort. With low lift ticket prices, Hawksnest attracted locals and college students. Hawksnest had three chairlifts serving its 12 trails, with 100% snowmaking coverage over its 20 acres.
I had just found this place around 2006-7 when I started checking out the NC ski resort options. It immediately became a favorite. I was really disappointed when they stopped spinning the lifts. Maybe someday again?? But, I doubt it.
