Why you'd want to live in Sapphire

With roots in the mining industry and a rebirth as a resort destination, Sapphire, North Carolina truly is a jewel on the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau. This is the land of rushing water, drawing waterfall chasers throughout the Southeast region. The Thompson, Whitewater and Horsepasture rivers feed the falls and draw fly fishing anglers. The 7,909-acre Gorges State Park is easily accessed for hiking, camping, and picnicking. Also for the outdoor enthusiast, a portion of the U.S. National Forestry’s Panthertown Valley lies in Sapphire, offering miles of hiking and unspoiled beauty. The area is also home to Ski Sapphire Valley. Offering skiing, snowboarding, and tubing in the winter, it features two downhill runs—one with a 200-foot vertical drop and a length of 1,600 feet, and a considerably milder “bunny” slope. Restaurants offering casual to fine fare dot Sapphire’s mountains and valley, which straddles Jackson and Transylvania counties. Overlooking the public, 18-hole Sapphire National Golf Course is a lively tavern, Sapphire Mountain Brewing Company. The area’s history includes the development of Fairfield Inn, later renamed Sapphire Valley Inn, and the 200-acre Lake Fairfield. Many years after its golf course was completed, it became part of prestigious Country Club of Sapphire Valley. One of today’s most popular destinations, Wyndham Resort at Fairfield Sapphire Valley offers an abundance of amenities and activities. The resort partnered with several area communities to share facilities with local residents. via ncliving.com