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- Some Of The Best Ski Resorts And Lodges In The South Are In North Carolina
North Carolina State has several ski resorts and lodges because the mountains there get considerable snow. Novice skiers to veterans, will enjoy sliding down the incredible slopes with thick snow of North Carolina. Generally, the ski season begins in late November to early April, but the best time to visit is from mid-November to March. It is advisable to call these resorts and lodges first to make reservations, and also get information on other costs, regulations, what to carry, wear and any changes.
Below are several resorts and lodges that accommodate visitors coming to North Carolina to enjoy their winter vacations in the snow.
UPDATE: 2023/01/13 01:10 EST BY JAMES KARUGA
Some Of The Best Ski Resorts And Lodges In The South Are In North Carolina
North Carolina is a popular winter destination and there are several ski resorts that host visitors keen to have fun in the snow. So this article has been updated with more information to include ski lodges and other places where visitors can stay during their winter vacations in North Carolina that are also in proximity to skiing spots here.
11 Sugar Mountain Ski Resort
Situated in the town of Banner Elk, North-Western North Carolina is the famous Sugar Mountain Ski Resort. The resort has been operating for over 50 years and offers 21 runs with 125 skiable acres. There's also a newly added high-speed four-person chairlift. The resort has 8 lifts, a vertical drop of 1,200 ft., and has the longest run of 1.5 miles. Other activities to enjoy at Sugar Mountain Ski Resort are tubing, ice skating, and snowshoeing.
10 Beech Mountain Resort
Another popular ski resort is the Beech Mountain Resort, known as the highest ski mountain in North Carolina with a summit elevation of 5,506 ft. The resort has been operating since 1967 and has 17 trails with 95 acres of skiable area. Ski runs are categorized from easy, moderate, and challenging. This resort also has a restaurant and brewery, and rents out skiing equipment and gives lessons. For adults 70 years and older the resort offers free ski rides.
9 Appalachian Ski Mountain
Appalachian Ski Mountain is located in the town of Blowing Rock. It has 12 slopes, six lifts, three terrain parks, and a summit elevation of 4,000 ft. This location also has nursery areas, an ice skating arena, ski rental, a restaurant, and gift shops. Ski runs are divided from easy to complex; three easy runs, six that are challenging, and three intense. Skiing and snowboarding lessons are available at Appalachian Ski Mountain for visitors interested in learning.
8 Wolf Ridge Ski Resort
Wolf Ridge Ski Resort operates near Asheville, North Carolina and is elevated at 4700 feet. It has four trails for novice skiers, nine for intermediate skiers, and two available courses for veterans. Visitors may enjoy 14 ski runs, 54 acres of ski terrain, four chairlifts, and snow tubing. Beginners may also go here and learn with the resort’s skilled Snow Sports School instructors. For chairlifts it is advisable to purchase the lift tickets in advance to book a spot. Tickets to Wolf Ridge Ski Resort can be booked and purchased online here.
7 Cataloochee Ski Area Resort
Situated in Maggie Valley in the scenic, Great Smoky Mountains are the oldest operating ski resorts in North Carolina, in the Cataloochee Ski Area. The resort has over 18 trails; 44% are for beginners, 39% for intermediate, and 17% for veterans. Skiers enjoy the 50 acres skiable areas with 100% snowmaking coverage and a Tube World with 10 lanes. Another interesting feature of the resort is the 'Cat Cage Terrain Park' with its ten slopes lighted for night skiing. Skiing and snowboarding lessons are also available here.
6 Ski Sapphire Valley Resort
Ski Sapphire Valley is not just a ski resort there are lots of fun activities. Starting from snow sports to zipline activities, every visitor will surely get an unforgettable experience here. Beginners may enroll in their After School Ski/Board program; there is also a snow tubing session that starts at 10:00 am. The tubing has a 700-foot-long run, a 1,600-foot-long main slope, and a learning center slope. Additional amenities are an indoor and outdoor pool, wet and dry sauna, and tanning beds.
5 Chetola Resort At Blowing Rock
Chetola Resort at Blowing Rock is on 78 acres of and within a walking distance of the scenic mountain village of Blowing Rock, and within the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina. For skiers and Snowboarders, the best months to visit is from December to March. Some items skiers and Snowboarders can bring in for skiing or snowboarding are comfy dry boots, ski poles, warm and waterproof ski jacket, gloves and clothes, performance socks, and warm headgear. At Chetola Resort visitors get great views of the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountain.
4 Smoky Falls Lodge
Though not a resort the Smoky Falls Lodge nestled in Jonathan Creek in the scenic Maggie Valley is designed after old-fashioned log lodges, and can accommodate skiers and snow boarders. The lodge is equipped with modern amenities like cable TV, wireless furnishings, and rustic furnishings in the spacious rooms. During the winter months of November to March visitors can go to the Cataloochee Ski Area about 6.2 miles away to ski, or snow tube at Tube Valley a fun activity the whole family can do. In spring and fall seasons the weather is ideal for hiking the Great Mountains National Park or touring the Blue Ridge Parkway on a motorbike.
3 White Wolf Lodge
From White Wolf Lodge visitors get great views of the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains and Beech Mountain. This lodge has a cabin and chalets where snowboarders, skiers and other visitors, stay for winter and summer vacations. About three miles from White Wolf Lodge is Beech Mountain where visitors can skii, snowboard, snowshoe, go sledding and snow tubing on average of 80 inches of snow fall. White Wolf Lodge rents out the relevant snow equipment to use at Beech Mountain.
2 Best Western Mountain Lodge At Banner Elk
The Best Western Mountain Lodge at Banner Elk is between Sugar Mountain Resort and Beech Mountain Resort, in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. This lodge is near several ski resorts, where visitors indulge in snow related fun activities like skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing. The Grandfather Mountain, Sugar Mountain Ski, and Ski Beech Resort are all less than 10 miles from Best Western Mountain Lodge. Other fun activities visitors indulge in while at this lodge include whitewater rafting, mountain biking, horse riding, hiking and skiing in this pristine environment.
1 Hawksnest Snow Tubing Park
Hawksnest Snow Tubing Park is one of the largest snow tubing parks in the US. It has up to 30 snow tubing lanes spanning 400 to 1000 feet long, and is an ideal winter destination for families, or visitors who love having easy fun on the snow. The Hawksnest Snow Tubing Park has various terrains suited for kids aged three years and over. This park also has three ziplines that visitors can slide on and experience the thrill of hitting speeds of up to 50 miles/hour. Near Hawksnest Snow Tubing Park are several accommodation facilities for visitors here for several days.