It’s time to click into those ski bindings and strap into those boards, because the season for winter sports is upon us. We’re here to help you find the best spots to hit the slopes this winter, all within two hours of Asheville.
🎿 Shred the slopes
Hatley Pointe, 578 Valley View Cir., Mars Hill | ~40 mins from Asheville
The former Wolf Ridge Ski Resort assumed new ownership and rebranded as Hatley Pointe, a boutique mountain resort — and with the transformation comes plenty of renovations. Along with updated snowmaking capabilities, the lodge will feature a full-service restaurant, Smoke & Timber, along with grab + go options and Peaks & Pies pizza truck parked outside. The resort is expected to open in early winter 2024.
Before too long, the ski lodge will be looking nice and cozy.
Photo via @hatleypointe
Cataloochee Ski Area, 1080 Ski Lodge Rd., Maggie Valley | ~1 hour from Asheville
The mountain is open for the season, with 18 slopes geared towards beginners and experts alike. Fun fact: Cataloochee was the first ski area to open in the state of NC back in 1961.
Ski Sapphire Valley, 127 Cherokee Trail, Sapphire | ~1.5 hours from Asheville
This mountain is on the smaller side, offering two runs and three lifts set to open this Saturday, Dec. 16. Pro tip: Schedule your trip around the Great Outhouse Races on Presidents Day weekend to see folks strapped inside outhouse costumes compete to see who can ski the furthest.
Appalachian Ski Mtn., 940 Ski Mountain Rd., Blowing Rock | ~2 hours from Asheville
The mountain is open through mid-March, with 9 runs ready for you to shred. If you want to show off some tricks, there are four freestyle terrain areas complete with jumps and rails.
Sugar Mountain Resort, 1009 Sugar Mountain Dr., Sugar Mountain | ~1.5 hours from Asheville
The resort is open, with plenty of fun events on the calendar throughout the season. If slopes aren’t your thing, you can lace up your skates and hit the ice rink or rent gear for a guided snowshoeing excursion.
Beech Mountain Resort, 1007 Beech Mountain Pkwy., Beech Mountain | ~2 hours from Asheville
This resort has it all, with 17 trails, eight lifts, and a terrain park (just be sure to check current conditions to see what’s open before you go) — it even has its own brewery on site and a bar at the top of the mountain.
❄️ Have a tubular time
If you can’t seem to get your pizza and french fry moves down, or you’re looking for an activity with no experience necessary, you can still get in on the winter sports wave by checking out a snow tubing park.
Zip n Slip Snow Tubing Park, 10725 US-23, Mars Hill | ~30 mins from Asheville
If you’re looking for weekend plans, this park opens Friday, Dec. 15. After a one or two-hour session of tubing, journey to the solarium and relax by the fireplace.
Tube World, 4721 Soco Rd., Maggie Valley | ~45 mins from Asheville
This park is operated by Cataloochee but is separate from the ski area, located about four miles away. Anyone above the 42″ height requirement can fly down the slope in an inner tube, and the shorter kiddos can play in the snow in the Wee Bowl, opening soon.
Black Bear Snow Tubing, 373 Kerr Rd., Hendersonville | ~50 mins from Asheville
Winter tubing opens this Saturday, Dec. 16. Tubers and spectators alike can hang out in the lodge, sip on a hot drink, and have fun on the playground.
Moonshine Mountain Snow Tubing Park, 5865 Willow Rd., Hendersonville | ~1 hour from Asheville
Tubing season starts Wednesday, Dec. 20. After your two-hour session, recharge by the fire with a hot cocoa or refuel with food from the Southern Hawg BBQ truck — this park is cash only.
Bonus: Sugar Mountain Resort and Beech Mountain Resort also both offer snow tubing, if you make the trip to the High Country.
