Trip to Blue Ridge early Feb... good idea? (Atlanta, Blairsville: ski resorts, live in)

[Guitarmaan]

Hi, my wife and I want to visit our grandmother who lives in Blue Ridge, Georgia. We'd fly in to Atlanta and drive to Blue Ridge. I know the weather is bad right now, but will a Feb trip be ok weather-wise? Obviously there'll be some hill driving and narrow roads.

thanks

[flyonpa]

The Trip from Atlanta Airport to Blue Ridge is all 4+ lane Interstate, or 4 lane State highway.

Once you get into Blue Ridge, its Local driving, The State Secondary roads are well maintained. Hilly / Somewhat Windy. (2 lane).

The Local roads are somewhat narrow, but cars can pass each other without stopping and pulling over to side.


Weather .. Who knows? Blue Ridge does get more snow/ice but its generally at night, and most of the time its gone in a day or two.

[go falcons]

The weather in February in the mountains is a crap shoot. It can be pleasant and balmy for a couple of days then frigid and snowy the next .
Highway access is good to Blue Ridge.The state and counties up there do a great job getting the roadways clear as soon as they possibly can.

[aus10]

Two years ago I was working in my garden in February... in shorts and flip-flops... LOL (In Blairsville).. I still had flowers growing the week before Christmas this year... I'll take winters in Blue Ridge and North Georgia over just about anywhere...

[COUNTRYFRIED]

February is hit and miss. It was just -1 out a couple days ago though. Usually February just gets a lot of rain and preety cold temps. If your coming from Arizona its definetly gonna feel cool though. I can't imagine why your grandmother would rather live in Blue Ridge then Arizona though. Id imagine Arizona would be great for elderly folks.

[WanderingImport]

Originally Posted by COUNTRYFRIED

February is hit and miss. It was just -1 out a couple days ago though. Usually February just gets a lot of rain and preety cold temps. If your coming from Arizona its definetly gonna feel cool though. I can't imagine why your grandmother would rather live in Blue Ridge then Arizona though. Id imagine Arizona would be great for elderly folks.

You know, it DOES get cold in Arizona. Especially up by Flagstaff where they have ski resorts nearby.

Anyway, as far as travel to the North GA mountains from Atlanta in February, it's all been said. It could be hit or miss.

A few nights ago, the entire eastern and mid-western half of the U.S. was practically frozen over. Many record lows. Including the 1 below zero temp someone mentioned earlier. On the other hand, it can get quite balmy with temps as high as the 60's.

Best advice? Check the weather a few days before you leave and continue to check it just in case. I'm sure you'll be fine.

[MattCW]

You might also explore flying into Chattanooga. It's a bit shorter distance wise, and only slightly shorter time-wise according to Google and the last road doesn't seem to be 4-lane (but decent looking at StreetView), but you'd also avoid any of Atlanta's traffic. I don't know if it would be cheaper, or if you'd end up laying over in Atlanta anyways, but it might be worth at least exploring that option.

[Born 2 Roll]

Originally Posted by MattCW

You might also explore flying into Chattanooga. It's a bit shorter distance wise, and only slightly shorter time-wise according to Google and the last road doesn't seem to be 4-lane (but decent looking at StreetView), but you'd also avoid any of Atlanta's traffic. I don't know if it would be cheaper, or if you'd end up laying over in Atlanta anyways, but it might be worth at least exploring that option.

This is a good idea.

[flyonpa]

I would fly into ATL and drive up,

CHA, would require a connection to get there and add 3 hours of Air/Connection somewhere. (and would cost more then the Non/stop flight).

[aus10]

From Blairsville I can make it just as fast to Hartsfield in Atlanta as I can to Chattanooga. By the time you travel the Ocoee you really don't save any time. And like mentioned... have always found better fares into Atlanta than either Chattanooga or Ashville...