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For most of the state, its been one warm winter but for the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia, the snow is plentiful and will be until the end of March. Take advantage of one of these seven winter wonderlands and have a great ski vacation.
Appalachian Ski Mountain
Blowing Rock, NC
As the closest ski destination to Charlotte with less than a two hour drive, Appalachian Ski is an ideal playground for winter enthusiasts to soak in the wonderland that is Appalachia.
App boasts 10 slopes, a panoramic outdoor ice arena, Midnight Blast skiing every Friday and Saturday night for January and February, and 3 terrain parks to entertain and enchant any member of the family. For you non-skiers, and lounge lizards, there is a 46,000 square foot base lodge complete with restaurant and bar and a 200-foot long observation deck where you can relax with a cup of hot chocolate or winter cocktail and do some people watching!
Approx. Drive time from Charlotte: 1 Hour 51 Mins.
Where to stay: The Village Inn at Blowing Rock
Where to relax: Westglow Spa
Where to eat: The Speckled Trout
While you’re there also do: Moses’ Cone Manor
Projected Days Open: 100
Average Snowfall: 80”
Cataloochee Ski Resort
Maggie Valley, NC
This snow laden paradise nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains offers breathtaking views and a ski resort that has something for any level rider. Beginners can gain confidence on Rabbit Hill and Easy Way, intermediate riders can test their skills on Lower Omigosh, and advanced thrill-seekers can test their chops on Upper Omigosh or really push the limits in the Cat Cage Terrain Park on the rails, ramps, and boxes. Cataloochie offers family friendly pricing and packages where children 17 and under ski free Monday through Friday anytime an adult lift ticket is also purchased. For all you non-skiers, relax by the fire at the Lodge or slide your way over to the Maggie Valley Snow Tube World.
Approx. Drive time from Charlotte: 3 Hours
Where to stay: Cataloochie Guest Ranch Mountaintop Luxury Lodging
Where to relax: The Lodge
Where to eat: The Rendezvous Restaurant and Lounge
While you’re there also do: The Shop at Cataloochee
Projected Days Open: 130
Average Snowfall: 40”
Sugar Mountain Ski Resort
Sugar Mountain, NC
Sugar Mountain is the largest ski area in North Carolina with over 115 acres of skiable trails and also offers the largest vertical drop. Take in the panoramic views and scenery while indulging in one of the most complete winter playgrounds that the Carolina Mountains has to offer. Take your pick from a plethora of family fun activities like a lap around the ice rink, a shred in the snowboard park, a winter hike on the snowshoe trails, or show off your skills and compete in a Nastar competition.
Approx. Drive time from Charlotte: 2 Hours 20 Mins.
Where to stay: Yonahlossee Resort
Where to relax: Bulldog Beer and Wine
Where to eat: Sugarfoot Grille
While you’re there also do: Grandfather Mountain
Projected Days Open: 130+
Average Snowfall: 78”
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Wolf Ridge Resort
Mars Hill, NC
Formerly known as the Wolf Laurel Ski Area, this family oriented resort offers something for everyone from beginners to expert level skiers and snowboarders. Wolf Ridge has been busy this last off season with the widening of the slopes, and the addition of all new terrain in their attempt to make this the most spacious and easily navigable ski area in North Carolina. A new quad lift makes long lines a thing of the past and expedites your ride up the mountain so you can pack in as many runs as possible. With two lodges on site, grabbing a bite or a hot chocolate is convenient as well.
Approx. Drive time from Charlotte: 2 Hours 40 Mins.
Where to stay: Scenic Wolf Resort
Where to relax: On site hiking trails
Where to eat: The Lodge Steak and Rib Restaurant
While you’re there also do: Mars Hill Snow Tubing
Projected Days Open: 100
Average Snowfall: 65”
Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Located in Eastern Tennessee at the pinnacle of Mt. Harrison in The Great Smokies, this place is all about convenience and is close enough to Charlotte with only a 3 ½ hour drive time to make it worth checking out as an alternative to the more well known NC ski resorts. In addition to being a great ski and snowboard destination, it offers a laundry list of other on site activities like the Alpine Slide, Wildlife Encounter, Water raft rides, Spider Wed, Bungee Run, Amaze’n Maze, Chair Swing, Kiddie Land, Arcade and much much more. For all you shoppers, there is also a 62,000 sf Tramway Mall complete with an ice rink, quaint shops, and all kinds of dining options.
Approx. Drive time from Charlotte: 3 Hours 35 Mins.
Where to stay: Skimountaincabins.com
Where to relax: The Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway
Where to eat: Ober Gatlinburg Restaurant and Lounge
While you’re there also do: Hollywood Wax Museum
Projected Days Open: 90
Average Snowfall: 35”
Canaan Valley Resort
Davis, West Virginia
Located in the beautiful Allegheny Mountains; Canaan offers 39 trails for all skill levels and a massive amount of natural snow with an annual snowfall of 150 inches! They were voted by USA Today as “One of the coolest mountain towns in North America”, and with a vertical drop of 850 feet and the longest run at 6,000 feet, it is as challenging as you want it to be. Snowboarders are also welcomed to have free reign on Canaan’s new Terrain Park which features rails, mailboxes and other shred-worthy fixtures. Plenty of other winter activities like cross country skiing, Airboarding, snowshoeing, snow tubing, and ice skating are also there for the taking.
Approx. Drive time from Charlotte: 6 Hours 30 Mins
Where to stay: Canaan Valley Resort
Where to relax: Highland Inn and Spa
Where to eat: Golden Anchor Restaurant
While you’re there: Horseback Ridiing. mountaintrailrides.com
Projected Days Open: 108
Average Snowfall: 150”
Snowshoe Mountain
Snowshoe, West Virginia
Snowshoe is the reigning heavyweight champion and holds the distinction of being the largest ski resort in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast Regions. It also receives the most natural snowfall of any of the resorts that made our list with a mind blowing 180 inches per season. As a testament to its massive size, Snowshoe is made up of two distinct mountains that you can ski with just one lift ticket. Their terrain offers challenges for any skill levels, and they are one of the best venues in the sense of recognizing the ever growing population of snowboarders in that they offer 3 different terrain parks that are usable by both skiers and snowboarders. In addition to offering skiing and snowboarding, Snowshoe offers snowshoeing, snowmobiling, snow tubing, cross country skiing, horse-drawn sleigh rides, hot tubs, and spa facilities and much more.
Drive time from Charlotte: 5 Hours 30 Mins
Where to stay: Loggers Run Townhomes
Where to relax: Tuscan Sun Spa and Salon
Where to eat: South Mountain Grill
Projected Days Open: 135
Average Snowfall: 180”
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