The days may be shorter (and colder) this time of year, but that doesn’t mean there has to be any shortage of winter-tivities to help us enjoy the season. Whether you’re hitting the slopes, lacing up your skates, or just grabbing a cup of hot cocoa and watching the fun, these winter resorts have got you covered.
Note: We’ve done our best to capture the current conditions, but they change frequently. Don’t forget to check weather conditions and the status of each resort before tackling the trails.
Appalachian Ski Mountain
Distance from Charlotte: 1 hr. 53 mins.
2025 SNOW REPORT: 32″ – 60“ Base Depth | 10 of 13 Trails and 6 of 6 Lifts Open
Slopes: 13 slopes, 6 lifts, and 3 terrain parks.
Late night skiing: Late-night skiing and riding is offered every Friday & Saturday night for the entire season. It will also be offered Martin Luther King Sunday and President’s Weekend Sunday.
Ice skating: The Appalachian Ice Arena is open on a regular schedule with sessions daily from 12-2 p.m., 3-5 p.m., and 7-9 p.m. Online reservations are required and can be made here.
Season: Projected through March 16 (weather permitting).
Rates: 8-hour flex tickets are $77 on weekends, $79 on holidays, and $51 Monday – Friday. See all rates here.
Current operating hours:
- Weekdays & Non-Holidays: 9am – 10pm
- Fridays, Saturdays & Listed Holidays: 9am – Midnight
- Listed Holidays are Jan. 13 & 14, Feb. 17-19
Stay: Stay steps from the slopes at one of the resort’s four slopeside lodging options: Chetola Resort, Hellbender B&B, Gideon Ridge Inn & Restaurant, and Westglow Resort & Spa.
Dine: In downtown Blowing Rock you can find Best Cellar, serving nightly seafood and steak specials. If you are looking for a Southern inspired restaurant, check out Twigs Restaurant and Bar. Or, try Timberlake’s Restaurant at Chetola Resort at a historical home with a menu inspired by artist Bob Timberlake.
Do: Try your luck at bowling at 10 High Country Lanes, which includes a full food menu, bar, and game area. Weather permitting, hike Linville Caverns and explore a scenic part of the area.
Jonas Ridge Snow Tubing
Distance from Charlotte: 1 hr. 58 mins.
2025 SNOW REPORT: *Hours of operation change frequently, keep up with the latest on their Facebook page or website calendar.
Slopes: Six snow tube lanes ranging from steep to slow.
Season: Through March 2
Note: You can book online or call to reserve your spot. You will have to visit the ticket booth upon arrival to get your lift tickets. Make sure you have filled out your waiver ahead of time online or bring a printed copy provided here.
Rates: $45/person, $40/ages six and under for 2 hour sessions. For one hour, it’s $30/person, $25 ages six and under. ALL children under 6 must be accompanied by an adult, no exceptions.
Current operating hours: Open weekends and holiday weekends. View all days and hours here.
Stay: Jonas Ridge Snow Tubing is located only 7 minutes from Linville Falls. There you can grab a spot at the Linville Falls Lodge & Cottages. Or, opt to cozy up with the help of a mountainside rental from Alluring View B&B and cabins.
Dine: Chips, candy, hot chocolate, Pepsi products, water, and coffee are sold onsite. Get to know the area with a trip to Famous Louise’s Rock House, a restaurant on the National Register of Historical Places.
Do: The whole family will love a trip to Lineville Caverns, where the temperature stays a comfortable 52 degrees year-round. Open Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Sugar Mountain Resort
Distance from Charlotte: 2 hr. 16 mins.
2025 SNOW REPORT: 35 – 78″ Base | 14 of 20 Trails and 5 of 7 Lifts Open
Slopes: 20 potential slopes, plus snowshoeing, tubing, ice skating, and night skiing.
Season: Through the end of March.
Rates: $94 weekends/holidays; $58 M-F; March Madness rates begin March 10 ($44 M-F; $71 Weekends). Full rate info here.
Stay: Lodging options abound near the action at Sugar Mountain. Sleep on the slopes with properties available from Sugar Ski & Country Club and Sugar Mountain Accommodations Center & Realty, Inc. Other options include Sugar Mountain Lodging, Inc. and Sugar Mountain Resort Accommodations.
Dine: At Sorrento’s Bistro in downtown Banner Elk, or Stonewalls Restaurant for seafood, gourmet steaks and a healthy wine list. For a taste of fine dining, indulge in creole and cajun cuisine at Louisiana Purchase Food & Spirits.
Do: Unwind with a tasting at Banner Elk Winery and Villa, open year-round for daily tastings. Or opt to stay close to the slopes and enjoy the next event in the mountain’s live music series.
Hawksnest Snow Tubing
Distance from Charlotte: 2 hr. 18 mins.
2025 SNOW REPORT: Conditions change, but Hawksnest makes their own snow for the days it doesn’t fall naturally. Check their website for hours and opening status.
Slopes: Four snow tubing areas with over 30 lanes for ages 3 and up. Online reservations made in advance are strongly recommended.
Rates: From $38 Monday through Thursday, closed Wednesdays. Friday rates are $45; Saturday, Sunday and holidays are $52. More details on rates and times here.
Stay: Find nearby cabin properties with the help of Foscoe Rentals, Blue Ridge Mountain Rentals, and Mountain Retreat Rentals.
Dine: Hawksnest offers hot drinks, light food, snacks and local beer on site. In Banner Elk, only a 20-minute drive from Hawksnest, The Pedalin’ Pig BBQ serves up local, hickory-smoked BBQ with wine and beer. Also in Banner Elk, LP on Main boasts sandwiches, sharables, entrees and a small kids menu for the PB&J lover of the group.
Do: Explore The Shoppes at Tynecastle, take a scenic hike to Otter Falls, or enjoy a wine tasting at Grandfather Vineyard and Winery.
Beech Mountain Resort
Distance from Charlotte: 2 hr. 31 mins.
2025 SNOW REPORT: 38” – 46″ Base Depth | 11 of 17 Trails and 6 of 8 Lifts Open
Slopes: The highest ski area in the East boasts up to 17 slopes and two freestyle terrain areas with night skiing, ice skating, and tubing.
Rates: $100 weekends/holidays for 12 hour pass; $69 M-F. View all rates here.
Stay: Find the perfect chalet or cabin online. Stay on top of the mountain at one of the Resort inns / hotels.
Dine: For the perfect casual bite to eat after a day on the slopes, try Beech Mountain Brewing Company for sandwiches and other handhelds. Or, venture out to The Famous Brick Oven Restaurant, serving specialty pizzas, pasta, sandwiches, and wings.
Do: Raise a glass at Beech Mountain Brewing Company, one of the only US breweries owned and operated by a ski area. You can also visit the Red Baron Room, Beech Mountain’s speakeasy-style bar tucked beneath Beech Mountain Brewing Co. Taproom and Grill. Stay up-to-date on upcoming mountain events with the resort’s online calendar.
Hatley Pointe, formally Wolf Ridge Ski Resort
Distance from Charlotte: 2 hr. 41 mins.
2025 SNOW REPORT: 18” – 31″ Base Depth | 15 of 15 Trails and 4 of 4 Lifts Open
Slopes: Hatley Pointe peaks at an elevation of 4,700 feet and offers 54 acres of skiable terrain, perfect for skiing and snowboarding.
Season: Click here to see season updates.
Rates: Daily Weekend Pass is $88, Daily Weekday Pass is $56. Click here for more rates, season passes, and various packages.
Stay: Both local stays and hotels are available near Hatley Pointe. For local stays: The Views at Wolf Ridge, Home Team Vacation Rentals, Tree Top Lodge. For hotels: Biltmore Inn, The AC Hotel, The Omni Grove Park Inn.
Dine: Hatley Pointe offers a delicious array of new restaurants that provide guests with an elevated dining experience. A few of their new restaurants include: Smoke & Timber, Steeps, Peaks and Pies, and Terrace Bistro and Lounge.
Do: Hike the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains, enjoy a craft beer tour at Sierra Nevada Brewing, shop Hatley Made apparel, and enjoy countless dining experiences in the Appalachian area.
Cataloochee Ski Area
Distance from Charlotte: 2 hr. 45 mins.
2025 SNOW REPORT: 40 – 50” Base | 13 of 18 Trails and 5 Lifts Open
Slopes: Skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing (offered at nearby Tube World). 18 skiing and snowboarding slopes and trails.
Season: Early November – Late March
Rates: Weekend/holiday lift rates are $86 for adults, $64 for those 12 and under. Weekday rates are $54 for adults and $44 for ages 12 and under.
Stay: Unwind after a day on the slopes at Boyd Mountain Log Cabins, where your crew can enjoy modern amenities while staying in the middle of a 150-acre Christmas tree farm. Or, opt for a private AirBnB only a mile and a half from the ski area. View more lodging options here.
Dine: In nearby Waynesville, you have your choice of well-reviewed restaurants including Bourbon Barrel Beef & Ale, The Swag, and Chef’s Table. Closer to the slopes in Maggie Valley is J. Arthur’s Restaurant.
Do: The Elk Capital of NC has plenty to do with craft breweries at The Strand at 38 Main, gem mining at Blue Earth Traders Rock Shop and Gem Mine, and the Wheels Through Time Museum for the motorcycle fans of the group. Click here for more ideas.
Ski Sapphire Valley
Distance from Charlotte: 2 hr. 56 mins.
2025 SNOW REPORT: 16 – 39” base | ONLY OPEN WEEKENDS
Offerings: Skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing and zip lining.
Rates: Vary, details here.
Operating hours: Ski Sapphire is open Friday Noon – Sunday 6 PM, weather permitting, plus Jan. 20 and Feb. 16.
Stay: Book your next visit to Sapphire Valley at Sapphire Valley Resort or VRBO.
Dine: Click here to see the various restaurants in or nearby Ski Sapphire.
Do: Check out the monthly area calendar for live music, ice skating, and village light shows.
Winterplace Ski Resort
Distance from Charlotte: 2 hr. 59 mins.
2025 SNOW REPORT: Snow Base: 16″ – 32″ | 15 of 29 Trails and 4 of 10 Lifts Open
Slopes: 29 potential slopes, one terrain park and the largest snow tubing park in West Virginia. Night skiing also available.
Rates: Vary, book here. Purchase your lift tickets online to save.
Stay: Click here for various lodging options like cabins, resorts, hotels, and more.
Dine: Dining options include Mountain Mama’s Food Court, The MountainHouse, and the Snowdrift Lounge.
Do: There’s plenty to do without ever leaving the mountain. Enjoy live music and karaoke at Mountain Mama’s, drinks and games at The Snowdrift Lounge and more. Check out the current happenings on the resort’s calendar.
Wintergreen Resort
Distance from Charlotte: 4 hr. 16 mins.
2025 SNOW REPORT: 15 – 30” base | 16 of 27 Slopes and 5 of 5 Lifts Open
Slopes: 27 different slopes, a terrain park, kids activities, and tubing (check website for availability).
Rates: Due to anticipated high demand and peak holiday periods, lift tickets and rentals must be purchased online in advance to ensure a quality mountain experience. Click here to see current rates.
Stay: The resort offers multiple accommodations, from a mountain inn to condos, cabins and exclusive properties. Browse and book online.
Dine: Wintergreen Resort offers plenty restaurant options to choose from like: Devils Grill, The Copper Mine, The Edge, Upper Crust Pizza, The Market, Terrace Cafe, or Iron & Ale.
Do: With a plethora of local wineries, breweries, cider mills, plus coffee and kombucha, there is something for everyone to sip on during your visit.
