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As you get into a winter state of mind, you'll be happy to discover – or be reminded – that North Carolina is a great destination for fun adventures on the snow. Our state is home to six full-service ski areas with nearly 100 slopes for all abilities, from beginner to Double Black Diamond, as well as freestyle terrain parks, ice skating, tubing and more.
The winter sports season opens around mid-November and lasts until late March. With the coldest climates and highest elevations in the South, ski areas can often support snowmaking even when it’s sweater weather at lower elevations.
Here’s a rundown on what awaits this season at North Carolina’s ski areas and winter sports resorts.
1 Appalachian Ski Mountain
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1 Appalachian Ski Mountain
Blowing RockSee on map
At a glance: 27 acres of skiable terrain with 13 slopes and trails (three beginner, six intermediate, four advanced). Peak elevation: 4,000 feet. Vertical drop: 365 feet.
Longest run: 2,640 feet. Lifts include a double and two quads. Resort also features a Zamboni-maintained ice rink.
2 Beech Mountain Resort
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2 Beech Mountain Resort
Beech MountainSee on mapAt a glance: 95 acres of skiable terrain with 17 slopes and trails (three beginner, seven intermediate, four advanced, three freestyle terrain) and a 700-foot long tubing park. Peak elevation: 5,506 feet – higher than any slope in the East. Vertical drop: 830 feet.
Longest run: 1 mile. Nine total lifts include two doubles, four quads and two carpet conveyers. Also has a village ice rink and lessons for kids and adults.
3 Cataloochee Ski Area
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3 Cataloochee Ski Area
Maggie ValleySee on mapAt a glance: 50 acres of skiable terrain with 18 slopes and trails (eight beginner, seven intermediate and three advanced to expert). Peak elevation: 5,400 feet. Vertical drop: 740 feet.
Longest run: 3,500 feet (Upper and Lower Snowbird). Lifts include a double, a triple and a quad. Area offers interscholastic and NASTAR recreational race programs. Nearby Tube World features a six-run tubing park and a Wee Bowl Snowplay Area. The ski area also includes an adaptive ski program for adults and children with disabilities.
4 Hatley Pointe
4 Hatley Pointe
Mars HillSee on mapAt a glance: 54 acres of skiable terrain with 15 slopes and trails (four beginner, nine intermediate, two advanced), plus onsite dining. Peak elevation: 4,700 feet. Vertical drop: 700 feet.
Longest run: 3,700 feet. Lifts include one quad, one double and two surface lifts.
5 Ski Sapphire Valley
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5 Ski Sapphire Valley
SapphireSee on mapAt a glance: 8 acres of skiable terrain with two trails (one beginner, one intermediate) and a 500-foot tube park. Peak elevation: 3,400 feet. Vertical drop: 200 feet.
Longest run: 1,600 feet. There’s a quad lift for the main run. Ski Sapphire Valley is also home of the Great Outhouse Races every February.
6 Sugar Mountain Resort
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6 Sugar Mountain Resort
Sugar MountainSee on mapAt a glance: 125 acres of skiable area with 20 slopes and trails (eight beginner, eight intermediate, four advanced), a tubing park and ice skating rink. Sugar Mountain also revamped its experience recently with new groomers and snow-making machines, new rental equipment and a larger sports shop. Peak elevation: 5,300 feet. Vertical drop: 1,200 feet.
Longest run: 1.5 miles. Lifts include two doubles and three high-speed detachable chairlifts. Sugar Mountain also offers guided snowshoe tours and a public racing program.
Mark your calendar:
- SugarFest: Dec. 13-15, 2024
- New Year's Celebration: Dec. 31, 2024
- National Winter Trails Day: Jan. 7, 2025
MORE WINTER PLAY
7 Hawksnest Snow Tubing
7 Hawksnest Snow Tubing
Seven DevilsSee on mapHawksnest is a family-friendly winter area that’s home to one of the largest snow tubing parks on the East Coast, as well as zip lines in the warmer months. The tubing park is comprised of four areas with 30 lighted lanes ranging from 400 to 1,000 feet in length.
8 Jonas Ridge Snow Tubing Park
8 Jonas Ridge Snow Tubing Park
Jonas RidgeSee on mapTake your tube to the top of the hill and hold on for an exhilarating 400-foot ride down one of the five lanes at Jonas Ridge Snow Tubing Park. After tubing, warm up inside by the fireplace or watch from an observation deck.
9 Moonshine Mountain Snow Tubing Park
9 Moonshine Mountain Snow Tubing Park
HendersonvilleSee on mapMoonshine Mountain features 500 feet of fun and allows trains of up to six people, which others forbid.
10 Highlands Outpost
10 Highlands Outpost
Scaly MountainSee on mapHighlands Outpost offers year-round tubing with snow in the winter and artificial turf in the summer. The resort offers a separate slope for young tubers and also has a skating rink.
11 Beech Mountain Sledding Hill
11 Beech Mountain Sledding Hill
Beech MountainSee on mapThe town of Beech Mountain maintains a free sledding hill for children 12 and younger (parents can ride with smaller children), next to Town Hall. A combination of natural and man-made snow keeps the conditions right. Plastic sleds are required.
