The Farmers’ Almanac recently released its weather predictions for this season, and our region is in for an anomalously chilly winter of snow and ice. In the Blue Ridge Mountains, that means our landscapes will be full of picture-perfect snow-capped peaks straight from a Hallmark movie. I’m an Asheville transplant—I was born and raised in a small town a short drive away from coastal Charleston, SC—so I’m fairly nervous to brave this winter’s extra-low temperatures. But even in the freezing weather, there is so much warmth found here in Western North Carolina. Between the beauty of our natural landscapes to our people, cultural diversity, outdoor sports, and more, the chill of winter doesn’t seem to lull the bright buzz of our locale.
In Buncombe County, for example, there are dozens of restaurants that showcase an assortment of cuisines from around the globe, and we’ve compiled 25 of our favorites to share with you (page 52). And the cold, clear skies of winter let our bright night sky shine. With images from local photographer Tom Moors, check out some of our best spots for stargazing (page 64). Looking to share your appreciation with your loved ones?
We’ve shared 95 locally-made products to eye during the holidays and beyond (page 76). This issue also features a special publication, WNC Weddings (page 111). I’m thrilled to share the inaugural issue with you, which contains a variety of wedding stories from around the region. Whether you’re looking for ideas and inspiration, upcoming trends, or some background on local vendors, we’ve got you covered.
Thank you for celebrating the season with WNC magazine.
Allison Sherman
Senior Editor