Ultimate Guide to Ski Resorts of North Carolina

Winter sports might never be the primary thought that pops into your mind whenever you consider The Appalachian Mountains, much less powder-like slopes at North Carolina ski resorts. The region is renowned for its outdoor activities that are more pleasant with the most challenging climbing, mountain biking, and kayaking to the west of Rockies.

Because of the region's typically mild winters, its snowmaking capabilities are top-of-the-line and often results in perfect conditions all day long regardless of the weather forecast. (It can also result in excellent t-shirt weather, especially in the later and earlier seasons.) Furthermore, places such as Charlotte, North Carolina's Research Triangle (Raleigh, Durham as well as Chapel Hill), and Greenville, South Carolina, continue to draw increasing numbers of transplants from the Northeast Many of whom are familiar with weekend ski trips towards The Green or.

You'll need to be aware of your expectations. The Rockies aren't for you. with an average altitude of less than 800 feet, it's possible that you can spend the same amount of time on the lifts as you do in the snow. A blast, North Carolina ski resorts have more than enough winter adventures to be worth a stop.

Sugar Mountain Resort

Because of its abundance of slopes and the fact that it boasts the highest vertical among all of North Carolina's mountain ski areas in the area of 1200 feet. Sugar Mountain is North Carolina's biggest and perhaps the most popular ski area. While the other ski areas on this list do not have in the way of expert pistes, Sugar more than makes up for it with a variety of difficult, steep slopes designed for experienced snowboarders and skiers.

Of course, if seeking the blues and greens There's plenty to keep you busy. In addition, Sugar has 8 lifts that include six passenger ones as well as a brand-new high-speed line that takes you to the top within just two minutes and can quickly help you forget the absence of vertical.

The current pass price The adult single-day pass is $58 from Monday to Friday, and the weekend and on holidays, $84. Juniors' passes cost between $40 and $59, respectively.

Beech Mountain Ski Resort

While Sugar is probably the most popular mountain in North Carolina, Beech, as locals refer to it, may be the most popular. Although the vertical drop is only a few hundred feet shorter than Sugar (830 feet) however, the mountain is higher. It is more than 5,500 feet. Beech boasts not just being the highest ski resort within North Carolina, but the entire Eastern United States.

With 17 trails and 8 lifts, there's plenty of space at Beech for all. Also, Beech Mountain offers excellent night skiing, with lifts operating until 9 p.m. All day long throughout the season.

One of the great things that is great about Beech or Sugar Mountains are their proximity to each other. They are only forty minutes apart. mountains, and if looking for a mixed-up type of getaway, you could easily go on both.

The current situation for passes Beech's full-day passes Beech begin at $48 on weekdays for adults, and $79 on weekends, with prices of $38 and $59 for juniors and seniors.

Cataloochee Ski Area

About 50 minutes to the west of Asheville located at the end of the Great Smoky Mountains, Cataloochee Ski Area is one of North Carolina's oldest. It's designed more for intermediate and beginner snowboarders and skiers, as it is smaller in size, and boasting only 740 vertical feet; however, it does have 18 runs, spread over five lifts, and a terrain park.

The resort also houses one of the best snowboarders, X Games gold medalist and world-class snowboarder Zeb Powell who was a child riding Cataloochee's slopes and perfecting his wacky style of riding in the park's terrain park. In actual fact, Powell credits Cataloochee's lack of verticality as being one of the primary reasons that led him to develop his unique style of super-creative snowboarding.

The conditions for the pass on weekdays: Adults can ski for $49 while juniors at $39. The weekend rates are $79 and $59.

Appalachian Ski Mtn

Simply referred to informally as "App" by the locals (like Boone's Appalachian State University is simply known as "App State" around North Carolina) The tiny ski area is among the most highly-rated ranges of terrain parks along the East Coast.

Three parks in all--one of which is rebuilt and reconfigured on a regular basis, App is the ideal spot for the skier who is more skilled and snowboarder. The parks are one of the 11 Burton Progression Parks in North America. However, be prepared to endure an introductory video and take an exam of ten questions if you're intending to ride in one of the areas with higher levels since you'll need a certification to use them.

If rails and boxes and jumps aren't your style, App features twelve trails that, for the most part, are intermediate. In addition to 360 vertical feet, App is ideal for beginner as well as intermediate. With the slopes being open and illuminated until 10p.m. during weeknights and until midnight on weekends, you can take in an all day of riding and then more.

The situation with the pass The price for weekday tickets is $46, but they go upwards to $71 for Sundays and Saturdays. The price is $35 and $55 for students and senior citizens. Because of App's proximity to App State, students can get weekly passes for only $37.

Wolf Ridge Ski Resort

A short distance down to the Blue Ridge range, past the Pisgah National Forest, is the uber-cool mountain city of Asheville. It is famous for its massive Biltmore mansion as well as a thriving craft beer scene, Asheville is situated Between two Blue Ridge's top ski resorts and is a great base from which to ski the two mountains in the course of a weekend.

Thirty minutes to the north from the centre of town is Wolf Ridge Ski Resort. With less than two out of 15 slopes being classified as advanced, Wolf Ridge is a great mountain for intermediate and beginner skiers, and is a dream for families. Like all small ski areas however, what it lacks in vertical incline but it more than makes up for by offering high-end lodge with night skis.

The situation with the pass is that adult day passes are $47 during weekdays and $76 on weekends. Juniors and students can get tickets for $37 or $56, respectively. Seniors ride free.