After such a warm summer and late fall, the prospect of cold weather and freshly laid snow is welcome. Just imagine how beautiful it’ll feel to shoot down the mountain on your board or skis as the powder kicks up and the wind rushes by. The mountains of the Carolinas provide the winter funderland options you want so that you can satisfy the urge to shred without busting out plane tickets to Colorado. Here are just five of the ski resorts you can hit in the Carolinas this season.
Sugar Mountain (1009 Sugar Mountain Drive, Sugar Mountain, NC)
The 1200 vertical feet makes Sugar Mountain the highest vertical drop in North Carolina. With 20 trails and 115 skiable acres, Sugar Mountain offers days full of endless fun. The difficulty is most suited for intermediate skiers, though it does have a terrain park, two Black Diamond trails, and one Double-Black Diamond.
Cataloochee Ski Area (1080 Ski Lodge Road, Maggie Valley, NC)
This ski resort is perfect for the whole family. The winding trails and friendly staff ensure that first-time skiers will be taken care of while the rest of the group enjoys a day of easy skiing. There are even slopes meant specifically for tubing so the kids can have hours of casual fun.
Beech Mountain (1007 Beech Mountain Parkway, Beech Mountain, NC)
Beech mountain is home to 17 slopes with a total of 98 skiable acres. Over the last few years, Beech Mountain has invested millions of dollars in its snowmaking capabilities, so the resort will always have high-quality powder. Its high-speed lift system also helps to keep lines short, allowing skiers more runs per day.
Wolf Ridge Resort (578 Valley View Circle, Mars Hill, NC)
Wolf Ridge Resort is an excellent mountain for intermediate skiers. The 23 ski slopes are mostly “Blues,” meaning that children and relatively new skiers will have their pick of moderately challenging slopes that all offer excitement and speed.
Appalachian Ski Mountain (940 Ski Mountain Road, Blowing Rock, NC)
The Appalachian Ski Mountain is a one-stop shop for skiers in the Carolinas. It boasts a race team, two terrain parks, lifts capable of servicing 10,000 people a day, and 12 slopes with a wide range of difficulty. It’s a popular destination for night skiing as well, and if you get tired and just want to spend some time relaxing, there’s a skating rink and around a hundred restaurants all within 10 miles.
