The origin of the phrase 'High South' dates back to the mid-1960s when various resorts, including Sapphire Valley, Hound's Ear, and Wolf Laurel in North Carolina started expanding their offerings to include southern snow skiing. In the 1970s, Sky Valley Georgia, having witnessed the success of nearby Sapphire Valley, built Georgia's first and only ski resort!

This expansion caught the attention of cities like Atlanta, Columbia, Augusta, and other areas in the foothills and Piedmont regions. As a result, families from these southern cities began to visit these mountainous regions year-round, including the winter season. It was during this time that the term 'High South' was coined to specifically refer to the scenic southern Appalachian and Smoky Mountains region. Notably, Sapphire Valley, located in North Carolina, became our beloved home community, conveniently situated only three hours away from many major southern cities.