Skiing and Snowboarding in North Carolina 2026

The charming snow-capped mountains of North Carolina offer the coldest climates in the South, with an annual snowfall of 60 in (178 cm). Here, you can experience everything from conventional skiing to tubing and ice skating. And even though skiing in North Carolina can't compare to Vermont or Colorado, which both boast diverse terrain and great snow, it provides some unexpected treats for skiers and snowboarders in the surrounding area.

Ski Season in North Carolina

Generally, the ski season in North Carolina runs from Thanksgiving through early April. However, the best time to enjoy the slopes in the state is mid-winter, between February and mid-March, ideally on sunny afternoons or mildly snowy mornings. Because of the state's high altitude and cold weather, North Carolina resorts open their doors even in late fall, with the mountains covered in the first layers of snow in late October.

Appalachian Ski Mountain

Appalachian Ski Mountain is a family-oriented, old-school ski resort in Blowing Rock, North Carolina, just 98 mi (145 km) away from northern Charlotte. The three terrain parks set this place apart from any other ski resort in North Carolina, making it exceptionally attractive to expert riders. However, to ride the upper level of the Apps, a Park Pass is necessary, which you can get after passing a test, either on-site or online.

Appalachian is an excellent resort for beginners as well, with groomed runs and non-threatening slopes appropriate for intermediate-level skiers. Here, you will find a large lodge at the base, with a huge deck overlooking the slopes and a stone fireplace inside. A unique lift ticket system and a slew of special events are present here throughout the ski season.

Ski Tickets & Rentals

Visitors have several ticket options tailored to their skiing preferences and visit time. The 8-Hour Flex ticket, which gives you access to ski area from 9 am until 5 pm, ranges from $40 to $79. Super Session ticket, lasting from 9 am until 10 pm or midnight, costs $46-86. Night Session passes for skiing between 5 to 10 pm costs $29-47.

Midnight Blast Session, with access from 5 pm to 12 am, costs $36-47. Half-night session tickets, which are only offered on Midnight Blast Nights and grant you entry from 8:30 pm until midnight, cost $30-37. Rental cost requires an additional fee, which depends on the type of your ticket. Renting straight skis ranges from $19 to $45, depending on customer's age and ticket.

Hours

The slopes are open from 9 am until 10 pm on weekdays and non-holiday nights. On Fridays, Saturdays, and holidays, the slopes operate until midnight. However, on certain holidays, the hours are significantly shorter, including Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Eve, when the slopes are open from 9 am to 5 pm. On Christmas Day, the slopes are open from 1 pm to 10 pm.

Cataloochee Ski Area

The Cataloochee Ski Area is situated in North Carolina’s Smoky Mountains, just a short drive from Asheville, and is considered to be the oldest in North Carolina. This resort is located at a base elevation of 4,600 ft (1,400 m) and receives around 50 in (125 cm) of snow annually. Cataloochee Ski Area offers fantastic slopes and trails, but you can try their tube course as well. Classes for first-timers, beautiful lodging, and season passes are available as well.

Season Passes & Rental

There are three season pass options at the Cataloochee Ski Area. The most budget-friendly pass is the Weekday/Night Pass, which costs $417 (with the price increasing to $464 on November 1st). The pass is valid daily after 5 pm and only on weekdays before 5 pm, excluding holidays. Limited Ski Pass costs $608 (with the price increasing to $675 on November 1st) and can be used every day before 5 pm, except for Sunday.

Unlimited Pass costs $747 (with the price increasing to $830 on November 1st) and can be used daily from opening to closing. Equipment can be rented from $10 upwards of $48, depending on the type of equipment and your age.

Hours

The Cataloochee Ski Area is open from 9 am until 4:30 pm during the early season, from late November through December 9th. Mid-season, from December through March 8th, it operates from 9 am until 10 pm, except for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, when the area is open from 8:30 am until 4:30 pm and 1 pm until 10 pm. During the late season, the area is open from 9 am until 4:30 pm.

Hatley Pointe Mountain Resort

Hatley Pointe Mountain Resort, formerly Wolf Ridge Ski Resort, is known as North Carolina’s most popular place for snow-lovers. This charming full-service resort is conveniently located in Mars Hill, just a 40-minute drive from Asheville, and has a base elevation of 4,000 ft (1,219 m).

The newly owned and rebranded boutique mountain resort of Hatley Pointe is an amazing place for beginners and experts alike, with newbies having access to easier runs and experts handling several trails that run over challenging terrain. You might also love hitting the slopes in a tube. Here, you will find several houses, rooms, and cabins to rent if you plan to enjoy a weekend among the mountains at its finest.

Ski Passes

Unlimited Season Pass varies around $550-750 and can be used daily, any time of the day. Limited Season Pass costs from $420 to $550 and are valid on weekdays, Monday through Thursday, and cannot be used on holidays. Day passes range from $39 to $83, while After Hours Pass, which is valid from 5:30 pm to 10 pm, costs $27-43.

Hours

The resort is open daily from 9 am to 10 pm, while the slopes operate from 9 am to 4 pm and from 5:30 pm to 10 pm, with an hour between operation sessions for trail grooming.

Sugar Mountain Ski Resort

Sugar Mountain Ski Resort is situated just 11 mi (18 km) from Boone and offers the largest ski area in North Carolina and the most diverse range of runs. Among the countless slopes and trails for both skiers and snowboarders, Sugar Mountain Ski Resort also offers an ice rink, snowshoe tours, a tubing park, and something to do for the whole family! You can stop right next to the slopes, as a wide range of lodging options is available at the resort.

Season Passes & Tickets

Season passes start at $740 and go as high as $1,224 during the regular season. If you purchase season passes for several family members at once, discounts are available for additional individuals. Lift/slope tickets range from $41 to $94 for visitors over 12 years old and from $35 to $68 for children between 5 and 11 years old.

Hours

The Day Session runs from 9 am to 4:30 pm, while the Half-Day Session starts at 12:30 pm and ends at 4:30 pm. For extended skiing, the Twilight Session is available from 12:30 pm to 10:00 pm, with a break between 4:30 pm and 6 pm. The Night Session takes place from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm. On Christmas Eve, the hours are 9 am to 4:30 pm, and on Christmas Day, the resort opens later, from 12 pm to 10 pm, with a brief closing from 4:30 pm to 6 pm.

Beech Mountain Resort

Another great option for skiers is the Beech Mountain Resort, which is known for its own unique and amusing vibe. This place has been around since 1967 and boasts the highest altitude runs in the eastern USA. The area's low temperatures mean an enormous amount of snow for hitting the great slopes of the resort.

Beech Mountain Resort also offers its Alpine Village with numerous restaurant options, a Skybar, the Beech Mountain Brewing Co., and live music on weekends. You also have a chance to experience night skiing, ice skating, and tubing here. The resort owns an incredible summit deck to admire the panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. Even though all of the lodgings are handled off-site, there are always nice places to stay on Beech Mountain.

Ski Passes

Season Passes cost $615 for the first family member, $520 for second, and $470 for each additional member. Individual passes cost $500, while Weekday Season Pass varies around $250-415. Child complimentary pass for children aged 4 and under costs $5.

Hours

During the early season, from Friday, November 29, 2024, to Thursday, December 5, 2024, the resort runs from 9 am to 5 pm. During the holidays from Thursday, December 19, 2024, to Friday, January 3, 2025, the resort is open from 9 am to 10 pm daily, except for Christmas Eve, when hours are 9 am to 5 pm, and Christmas Day, when it operates from 1 pm to 10 pm. During the late season, from March 10 until March 22, 2025, you can visit Beech Mountain Resort from 9 am to 5 pm.