When you think about the Western North Carolina mountains in winter, so many images come to mind. For many of us, it’s the quiet stillness of the snow and the beauty of the mountains that take our breath away. One of the top requests we get is for places to go skiing near Asheville, NC. In the winter, not only do you have extensive hiking and biking opportunities in the lower elevations, but you also have access to some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the Southeast!
Where Can I Go Skiing Near Asheville, NC?
1. Cataloochee Ski Area
Distance from The Orchard Inn: 65 miles| Drive Time: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Cataloochee Ski Area is located in Maggie Valley and is just over an hour away from The Orchard Inn. At Cataloochee, you can go skiing, snowboarding, or tubing. They have 18 trails to choose from, each of which is labeled so you can easily identify them. There are three expert trails, seven intermediate trails, and eight beginner trails. They also have a variety of lifts to get you where you need to go.
Local Tip: Check out their lift packages, which include multiple-day lift tickets at low prices.
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2. Wolf Ridge
Distance from The Orchard Inn: 65 miles | Drive Time: 1 hour and 15 minutes
If you want to find the closest place to ski near Asheville, NC, your best bet is Wolf Ridge. Choose from 15 different ski runs, including four Green, eight Blue, and three Black Diamond. They have three ski lifts, so getting through the line should be a breeze, and you’ll be on the mountain before you know it. Like the others in the area, this ski resort has a great ski school and a fun tube run that everyone will enjoy.
Local Tip: Check out their webcams so you can see the mountain whenever you want!
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3. Sugar Mountain
Distance from The Orchard Inn: 95 miles| Drive Time: 2 hours
Travel north towards Boone, NC, and you will encounter Sugar Mountain! You can also try ice skating, snowshoeing, or tubing during your visit to this popular ski resort. It has 115 acres of ski and snowboard terrain and a vertical drop of 1,200 feet!
Local Tip: If you need rental equipment, avoid the main ticket windows and go directly to the Rental Department, where you can purchase both your slope tickets and rental equipment at the same time.
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4. Appalachian Ski Mountain
Distance from The Orchard Inn: 100 miles| Drive Time: 2 hours and 10 minutes
Appalachian Ski Mountain, located in Blowing Rock, North Carolina, is a family-owned and operated business. It was the first ski area in Northwestern North Carolina and the second oldest in the entire state, with Cataloochee opening the previous winter.
Local Tip: Take advantage of amenities such as wireless internet, heated sidewalks, automatic doors, music on the slopes, and seat pads on all lift chairs.
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5. Beech Mountain
Distance from The Orchard Inn: 100 miles | Drive Time: 2.5 hours
Located close to the North Carolina/Tennessee border, Beech Mountain is the highest ski area in the Eastern United States. The area receives a lot of snow, ideal for skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, and tubing. They have fantastic on-site rentals for any activity you want to do, as well as lift ticket packages. If you need assistance with your skis, be sure to check out their lessons. You’ll be ready to go after just a few hours with an instructor.
Local Tip: Before finalizing your vacation plans, be sure to check out their events page, as they often have fantastic events planned for this season!
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Stay in Warm & Cozy Accommodations
Skiing near Asheville is just one of many reasons to plan a getaway to Western North Carolina in the winter. We also recommend taking in some of the best views in the area. Our beautiful inn, perched on top of a mountain, offers breathtaking views, cozy accommodations, delicious food, and luxurious features. Breathe in the fresh mountain air while admiring the breathtaking natural scenery that surrounds you. Our thoughtful innkeepers and staff go above and beyond to provide you with a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
