ASHEVILLE, N.C. — The historic Biltmore estate in Asheville, North Carolina, looked extra festive Friday morning after snow fell and coated the grounds with white.
"The Lady on the Hill was adorned with a light dusting of snow this morning, adding a festive touch to our Christmas decorations," the Biltmore Estate posted on Instagram and on Facebook.
The North Carolina mountains need to continue to be Weather Aware as more winter weather continues through Saturday morning in the High Country. Areas like Sugar Mountain and Beech Mountain are already covered in snow. As of 10 a.m., much of the mountains saw 2 to 4 inches of snow with some of the mountain tops measuring up to 7 inches.
The serene scene at the Biltmore was a welcome sight after so much of western North Carolina, including Asheville, suffered damage from Hurricane Helene in late September. The estate just reopened on Nov. 2 to “celebrate the joy of the holiday season” after the storm hit.
On Oct. 30, the property started to decorate for the holidays when a horse-drawn carriage delivered a massive Christmas tree to the famous tourist destination in the North Carolina mountains. About 40 people then helped carry the 35-foot Frasier fir inside to the Grand Banquet Hall, where it will become a centerpiece to the estate's holiday celebration. This year's tree raising felt more special in light of the devastation Helene brought to the region about a month ago.
The property itself spans 8,000 acres. Management noted forested areas saw extensive wind damage to the grounds and some structures after Helene. Low-lying areas, including the farm, saw significant flooding and damage to buildings. A few animals were lost, but the vast majority were safe and accounted for.
The Biltmore Village area was among Asheville's areas that was wrecked by Helene. The historic area, which is home to shops, boutiques and restaurants, faced devastation that saw several buildings damaged and nearby waterways flooded. Data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) showed the Swannanoa River - which is near the Biltmore Village district - flooded to about 26 feet on Friday, Sept. 27. NOAA standards say 18 feet is deemed major flooding.
The estate itself is a major tourist attraction. Built over the course of six years beginning in 1889, the sprawling 250-room mansion features more than four areas of floor space that guests can explore and immerse themselves in the history of the legacy left by George Washington Vanderbilt II. Vanderbilt, a native of Staten Island in New York, chose the rolling hills near Asheville to become his country home.