Athletics With minor league sports teams and an endless supply of outdoor recreation opportunities, Asheville offers a range of sports and recreation activities that are adventurous, family-oriented and affordable. Basketball fans can catch an Asheville Altitude (www.nba.com/nbdl/asheville) game at the Asheville Civic Center. Part of the National Basketball Development League, the Altitude features players that are called up to play in the NBA, including forward Desmond Penigar, who signed up with the Orlando Magic, and center Mamadou N’diaye, who signed up with the Atlanta Hawks. The Altitude also sponsors a summer basketball camp at local YMCAs that include appearances by head coach Joey Meyer and other Altitude players. Since the departure of the Asheville Smoke three years ago, hockey fans have been itching for a team to cheer for. In response, the Asheville Aces (www.ashevilleacescom) open their first season in 2004-2005 at the Asheville Civic Center. The Aces are the seventh team to join the new World Hockey Association 2, which is made up from teams across the Southeast. Part of the South Atlantic League, the Asheville Tourists (www.ashevilletourists.com) are a Class A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies. The Tourists, spurred on by mascot Ted E. Tourist, play at McCormick Field, a 4,000-seat stadium which first opened in 1924 and was rebuilt in 1992. The baseball film “Bull Durham” was filmed at McCormick Field. The Tourists also host group outings and birthday parties at home games. Formerly known as the Blue Ridge Rapids, the Asheville Splash (www.ashevillesplash) is a minor league women’s soccer team that began their fourth season in 2005. Part of the Atlantic Division of the W-League, the Splash plays at Memorial Stadium. The Asheville Grizzlies (http://eteamz.active.com/ashevillegrizzlies), a semi-professional football team, are part of the National American Football League (NAFL) and also play at Memorial Stadium. The University of North Carolina at Asheville also offers sporting opportunities. The UNC-Asheville Bulldogs (http://uncabulldogs.collegesports.com) are part of the Big South Conference in NCAA Division I. Women’s and men’s basketball teams play at Justice Center and Asheville Civic Center, and the soccer and baseball teams play at Greenwood Field. Also, high school football games gather people together on Friday nights to root for their home team. The Asheville City Parks and Recreation department (www.ashevilleparks.org) operates two swimming pools, 10 recreation centers and more than 35 parks in its system as well as greenways, tennis courts, ball fields and picnic shelters. It also hosts the Hi Neighbor Volleyball Tournament, which welcomes more than 240 volleyball teams from around the area, and the City of Asheville Tennis Open, which brings in 600 players and is one of the longest-running tennis events in the country. Asheville’s mountain terrain and fast-flowing rivers make it a favorite among outdoor sports enthusiasts. The Mountain Sports Festival (www.mountainsportsfestival.com) in late April/early May hosts professional and amateur competitions in paddling, adventure racing, cycling, running, climbing, triathlon and other events. At Festival Village at City-County Plaza, outdoor sports retailers, dealer representatives and manufacturers offer sports-related products, food and drink. The festival also features various demonstrations and beginner events that appeal to novice and professional athletes alike. The area is also home to some of the most challenging races in the state, including the Black Mountain Marathon and Mount Mitchell Challenge (www.blackmountainmarathon.com) in February and the Shut-In Ridge Trail Run in October. The 40-mile Mount Mitchell Challenge begins at dawn in Black Mountain where runners ascend 4,324 feet within the first half up to 6,684-foot Mount Mitchell – the highest peak east of the Mississippi – and return. Black Mountain Marathon runners follow the same path up to Black Mountain Gap at 5,340 feet and return. Celebrating its 26th year in 2005, the Shut-In Ridge Trail Run covers 18 miles of singletrack starting at the North Carolina Arboretum up to Mount Pisgah – a rise of a cumulative 5,000 feet with all the ups and downs. A number of private organizations offer guided outdoor sporting adventures. Appalachian River Adventures (www.appalachianriveradventure.com) brings guests whitewater rafting on the French Broad River for half-day, full-day and overnight excursions; kayaking on the area’s mountain lakes; and fly fishing for trout, muskie and small mouth bass on the Watauga, Tuckasegee and French Broad rivers. The Nantahala Outdoor Center (www.noc.com) also offers whitewater rafting opportunities on the Nantahala, French Broad and other rivers in Western North Carolina. Instruction in kayaking, canoeing and whitewater rafting is available for a variety of skill levels. The Asheville Drifters (www.ashevilledrifters.com) take groups to experience some of the best trout and small mouth bass fishing in the country. Offering float fishing and wade fishing trips, the Drifters also provide fly fishing schools and opportunities for winter trout fishing. Mountain Adventures in Hendersonville guides groups and individuals in rock climbing, biking and backpacking in the Pisgah National Forest. Emphasizing safety and organizing activities around your ability level, experienced guides take guests climbing on more than 130 published climbing routes including Looking Glass Rock near Brevard. Mountain Adventures also offers special programs in leadership development, team building, orienteering and outdoor education. Western North Carolina provides plenty of opportunities for downhill skiing and snowboarding. Cataloochee Ski Area (www.cataloochee.com) in Maggie Valley offers skiing, snowboarding and tubing as well as instruction and a beginner ski area. Nearby, the Cataloochee Ranch (www.cataloochee-ranch.com) offers dozens of recreational activities including horseback riding, hiking, square dancing and fishing. Wolf Laurel Ski Resort (www.wolflaurel.com), located about 30 miles north of Asheville, is easily accessible by the new I-26 extension. Covering 54 acres, Wolf Laurel has slopes for the beginner to the expert, a double and quad chairlift, a tube run, night skiing and a 26,000 square foot ski lodge. About 80 miles north of Asheville, Beech Mountain Ski Resort (www.beechmountain.com) features 15 slopes ranging from beginner to expert, 10 lifts and an ice skating rink. At 5,500 feet above sea level, Beech Mountain is the highest ski area in eastern North America. Beech Mountain also provides night skiing, activities and events, mid-week specials and an Alpine Village with shops and restaurants. PHOTO COURTESY OF BLAKE MADDEN