Weather could be anything, honestly. Lately it's been very warm and dry, but that's changing.
Pretty much your options to ride an emtb are Kanuga and Fire Mtn.
Keep in mind that Dupont trails may close if it's wet enough. Also, freeze/thaw conditions can be trouble if there's enough moisture in the soil. If that becomes a thing, ride very early before things begin to thaw (basically be done by 10am or so).
Don't be afraid of Pisgah. Yes, there are technical trails in Pisgah, but nothing is all THAT bad. If you're a well-traveled rider, you should be fine.
There was some bad flooding in August. Most trails are fine by now. The area that got hit worst was the upper Davidson River valley area (especially upstream from the fish hatchery), the upper Pigeon River valley (other side of the Blue Ridge Parkway, the neighborhood of Crusoe area, especially) which are all still affected. You can't park at the fish hatchery lot, as that area is still not open. However my understanding is that the trails are open. The trails around Daniel's and Farlow got hit hard and especially the lower parts of Daniel's have some big washouts. There are some small roadside lots in the area, but parking will be very limited because the hatchery lot is closed. So if you want to go to this area, keep that in mind.
The lower observation deck at Looking Glass falls is closed (HUGE logjam above the falls and when that goes, it's going to take out that deck). Also sliding rock (though that's not a winter site, anyway).
Pretty much your options to ride an emtb are Kanuga and Fire Mtn.
Keep in mind that Dupont trails may close if it's wet enough. Also, freeze/thaw conditions can be trouble if there's enough moisture in the soil. If that becomes a thing, ride very early before things begin to thaw (basically be done by 10am or so).
Don't be afraid of Pisgah. Yes, there are technical trails in Pisgah, but nothing is all THAT bad. If you're a well-traveled rider, you should be fine.
There was some bad flooding in August. Most trails are fine by now. The area that got hit worst was the upper Davidson River valley area (especially upstream from the fish hatchery), the upper Pigeon River valley (other side of the Blue Ridge Parkway, the neighborhood of Crusoe area, especially) which are all still affected. You can't park at the fish hatchery lot, as that area is still not open. However my understanding is that the trails are open. The trails around Daniel's and Farlow got hit hard and especially the lower parts of Daniel's have some big washouts. There are some small roadside lots in the area, but parking will be very limited because the hatchery lot is closed. So if you want to go to this area, keep that in mind.
The lower observation deck at Looking Glass falls is closed (HUGE logjam above the falls and when that goes, it's going to take out that deck). Also sliding rock (though that's not a winter site, anyway).
