Ring in 2010 with Fireworks at High Country ski resorts

Winter sports enthusiasts are invited to ring in 2010 on the slopes in the High Country of North Carolina. Each of the three High Country ski resorts offers a fireworks extravaganza this New Year's Eve.

The festivities begin with a 10:30 p.m. fireworks show at Beech Mountain Resort, while Appalachian Ski Mountain and Sugar Mountain Resort light the skies at midnight.

Beech Mountain Resort provides night skiing until 10 p.m., followed by ice skating from 10 p.m. to midnight. Folks can watch the 10:30 p.m. fireworks display from the Viewhaus restaurant or anywhere in the Alpine village at the base of the slopes. There will also be live music in the Beech Tree Bar & Grill from Chasing Edison, a Charlotte-based rock band.

Sugar Mountain Resort has skiing, tubing and ice skating until 10 p.m. on New Year's Eve. At midnight, the public is invited to a combined torchlight parade and fireworks show, while the Terry Batson Band provides live beach music and oldies in the lodge.

Appalachian Ski Mountain's alcohol-free celebration begins with night skiing at 6 p.m., followed by moonlight ice skating at 10 p.m. A torchlight parade takes place at 11:45 p.m., with fireworks at the stroke of midnight. Breakfast is also available from 9 p.m. to midnight.

"We've provided fireworks on New Year's Eve since 1992. It's one of our best nights of the year," general manager Brad Moretz said. "They shoot them off on the slopes, and people watch from the deck, or on the base of the slopes or the front porch."

For information on these three celebrations, call High Country Host at (800) 438-7500, or visit the Web site for each resort: http://www.appskimtn.com, http://www.skisugar.com and http://www.skibeech.com.