To celebrate the start of the winter olympics, it’s time to hit the slopes.
Follow this guide for the best skiing experience in N.C. (a.k.a. the Colorado of the South) for you + your crew to get your Shaun White on. Maybe you’ll land a cab double cork 1440. 🏂
⛷️For a Griswold-approved family vacation…
Appalachian Ski Mountain |📍 Blowing Rock | 💰 $30-62 (lift), $12-28 (rentals) | 🚘 ~ 2 hours from AVL
With three beginner slopes, three intermediate, three expert + three freestyle slopes, no one will be left out. #Pro-tip: They offer night skiing seven days a week.
⛷️For the skiers and non-skiers...
Cataloochee Ski Area |📍Maggie Valley | 💰 $30-78 (lift), $25-30 (rentals) | 🚘 ~ 45 mins from AVL
The oldest ski area in the State, with 18 slopes and five lifts. Best part? For those non-skiers, head over to Tube World located just a few miles from the slopes for some (you guessed it), tubing.
⛷️For those on a budget...
Sapphire Valley |📍Sapphire |💰 $21-60 (lift), $11-20 (rentals) | 🚘 ~ 1.5 hours from AVL
Bonus: Sapphire Valley also offers a three hour zipline tour on the Vordach for only $37.50.
⛷️For #SundayFunday...
Beech Mountain |📍Beech Mountain | 💰 $20-79 (lift) + $12-45 (rentals) – 25% off in March | 🚘 ~2 hours from AVL
13 slopes and five lifts, ready to make your day in the snow worthwhile. Ice skating, tubing, freestyle terrain + Beech Mountain Brewing Company–one of the only US breweries owned and operated by a ski area. (Talk about Funday). #Protip: After a long day on the slopes or the rink, wind down with the Long Winter Mocha Stout (9: ABV).
⛷️For those who want to stay more than one day...
Sugar Mountain Resort |📍Sugar Mountain |💰 $18-74 (lift), $10-33 (rentals) – 25% off in March | 🚘 ~ 1.5 hours from AVL
With 21 slopes and eight lifts, ice skating, tubing, snowshoeing, 15 nearby lodging options, five nearby spa locations, nine dining options and plenty of shops close by, you and your group will want to stay as long as possible. Plus, ski lessons for the kids. (A.k.a on-mountain babysitting.)
⛷️For the last-minute day trip...
Wolf Ridge Ski Resort |📍Mars Hill | 💰 $20-71 (lift), $10-34 (rentals) | 🚘 ~ 40 mins from AVL
Perfect for those who want to spend more time on the slopes than on the road. In addition to skiing/snowboarding their 15 slopes, you can spend your day on the Tube Run featuring a “magic carpet” lift.
⛷️For the non-skiiers/boarders who still want to play in the snow...
Hawks Nest Tubing + Zipline |📍Seven Devils, N.C. |💰 Starting at $29 | 🚘 ~ 1 hour, 45 min from AVL
Featuring four areas + 30 different lanes, this is definitely the largest tubing park on the East Coast. Plus, over 20 ziplines with 4 miles of zipline riding over 200 feet and speeds up to 50 mph.
