Ski Resorts Near North Carolina

North Carolina may be best known for its Outer Banks on the Atlantic coast, but the state also offers several skiing destinations. With six resorts to choose from across the state, skiers and snowboarders can take their pick of terrain and features. Most resorts in North Carolina depend on snow making technology, but some areas do receive over 100 inches of annual snowfall. From the Appalachians to the Blue Ridge Mountains, consider a North Carolina skiing vacation next winter.

  1. Sugar Mountain

    • Sugar Mountain features 115 ski-able acres served by five chairlifts and three surface lifts. Snowboarders can play in the terrain park, featuring jumps, a quarter-pipe and rails. The mountain receives an average annual snowfall of 70 inches and supplements natural snow with snowmaking technology. Sugar Mountain also offers 700-foot tubing runs and a 10,000-square-foot ice-skating rink. The resort’s main lodge offers a cafeteria, ski and snowboard rentals, a lounge and a candy store. Sugar Mountain’s ski and snowboard school is a member of the Professional Ski Instructors of America and the American Association of Snowboard Instructors.

      Sugar Mountain

      1009 Sugar Mountain Drive

      Sugar Mountain, NC 28604

      828-898-4521

      skisugar.com

    Cataloochee Ski Area

    • Cataloochee Ski Area, located near Maggie Valley, offers 16 runs. Ride on one quad, one triple and one double chairlifts and three surface lifts. Cataloochee reaches an elevation of 5,400 feet, with a vertical drop of 740 feet. Half of the resort’s runs are rated intermediate. Two areas are reserved for beginners only. Cataloochee’s Professional Ski Instructors of America-credited Ski and Snowboard School offers private and group lessons. Cataloochee Ski Area reserves hills for tubing and airboarding.

      Cataloochee Ski Area

      1080 Ski Lodge Road

      Maggie Valley, NC 28751

      828-926-0285

      cataloochee.com

    Beech Mountain Resort

    • Beech Mountain Resort, located on Beech Mountain, is the highest ski area in the eastern half of the U.S., according to the resort’s website. Beech Mountain’s summit reaches 5,506 feet with a vertical drop of 830 feet. The resort offers 15 trails and two terrain parks served by two quad chairlifts, five double chairlifts and three surface lifts. Beech Mountain features four restaurants, rental shops and a Professional Ski Instructors of America-certified snow sports learning center. Group and private lessons for adults and children ages 4 to 12 are available. The resort also offers a child-care center for kids ages six months to 3 years.

      Beech Mountain Resort

      1007 Beech Mountain Parkway

      Beech Mountain, NC 28604

      800-438-2093

      skibeech.com

    Wolf Ridge Ski Resort

    • Wolf Ridge Ski Resort, located in Mars Hill, offers 82 ski-able acres. The mountain’s summit reaches 4,700 feet with a 700-foot vertical drop. Two quad chairlifts, two double lifts and one surface lift provide access to 20 trails and a terrain park. In the 2009/2010 season, the resort received more than 100 inches of snow. Wolf Ridge also uses snowmaking machines. Take private or group ski or snowboard lessons from the Snow Sports School. Wolf Ridge features two lodges, a grill, a rental shop and a gift shop.

      Wolf Ridge Ski Resort

      578 Valley View Circle

      Mars Hill, NC 28754

      800-817-4111

      skiwolfridgenc.com