Updated February 7, 2021 = there’s been PLENTY of snow and most resorts have a deep base, fresh snow and all slopes and lifts open.
We’ve rounded up 10 nearby options with activities for the whole family, and updated with COVID restrictions and safety procedures. Please check operating hours and status for all lodging and entertainment options, and always take the best possible precautions.
10 Options Near Charlotte, listed by driving distance.
Head to: Appalachian Ski Mountain
Distance from Charlotte: 1 hr. 53 mins.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED
FEB 2021 SNOW REPORT: Avg 64”-92” Base Depth | All Slopes Open
Safety for 2021: Reduced capacity, ticket time slots, limited ticket sales, reduced ski school lesson size & more. Masks required in all indoor spaces and some outdoor spaces. Read more.
Offers: 12 slopes (3 easy, 6 more difficult, 3 most difficult) and 3 terrain parks. Most slopes are currently open. Ice skating is open, but at limited capacity and reservations are required.
Season: Scheduled from Dec. 3- March 28.
Rates: 8-hour flex tickets are $66 on weekends/holidays and $41 Monday – Friday. See all rates here.
Current operating hours: 9am to 10pm 7 days a week through January 8.
Stay: Stay steps from the slopes at one of the resort’s four slopeside lodging options. If you’d like to ski and stay in town, relax in one of seven luxury rooms in Downtown Blowing Rock’s The New Public House. Two miles from downtown, Gideon Ridge Inn & Restaurant offers ten luxury guest rooms and sweeping mountain views. Westglow Resort & Spa allows guests to choose from four unique accommodation options, including rooms in a historic Greek Revival Mansion.
Dine: Best Cellar in downtown Blowing Rock has been serving nightly seafood and steak specials since 1975 and is open Thursday through Monday beginning at 5 p.m. Twigs Restaurant and Bar serves a Southern twist on classic favorites and offers an award-winning wine list a half mile from downtown. Whether staying as a guest or stopping in for dinner, Rowland’s Restaurant at Westglow Resort & Spa offers an indulgent dinner menu.
Do: Take a break from the winter action and fully unwind at Westglow Resort & Spa.
Head to: Jonas Ridge Snow Tubing NOW OPEN
Distance from Charlotte: 1 hr. 58 mins.
Tickets must be pre-purchased from their website or Facebook page
FEB 2021 SNOW REPORT: Hours of operation change frequently, keep up with the latest on their Facebook page
Safety for 2021: The lodge is currently closed to the public, but outdoor heating and restroom facilities are offered.
Offers: Six snow tube lanes ranging from steep to slow.
Season: December-March
Rates: $35/person, $30/ages six and under for 1 hour and 45 minute sessions. For one hour, it’s $25/person, $20 ages six and under.
Current operating hours: Weekends in January and February 9 am – 6 pm, with exceptions for holiday weekends. Review the full schedule here.
Stay: Cozy up with the help of a mountainside rental from Alluring View B&B and cabins. Explore more lodging options here.
Dine: Get to know the area with a trip to Famous Louise’s Rock House, a restaurant on the National Register of Historical Places. Find more restaurants to satisfy your palate here.
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.
Head to: Sugar Mountain Resort LIMITED TICKETING
Distance from Charlotte: 2 hr. 16 mins.
FEB 2021 SNOW REPORT: 46 – 95″ inch Base | 21 Slopes and 6 lifts Open
Safety for 2021: Ticket Sales and parking are limited and available on a first come first served basis. Ice skating and tubing has multiple timed sessions available per day. View the full guidelines they’re following here.
Offerings: 21 slopes, plus snowshoeing, tubing, ice skating and night skiing.
Season: Through March.
Activity details: $77 weekends/holidays; $46 M-F; March Madness rates begin March 8 ($35 M-F; $58 Weekends).
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: Grab a meal without taking a break from the action at The Last Run Lounge. At Sorrento’s Bistro in downtown Banner Elk, bring your lift tickets for 10% off any entree(must be same day tickets). Also in Banner Elk, Stonewalls Restaurant serves seafood, gourmet steaks and a healthy wine list. For a taste of fine dining, indulge in creole and cajun cuisine at the 3-diamond AAA-rated Louisiana Purchase Food & Spirits. Chef/owner Patrick Bagbey’s menu includes classics like jumbo and jambalaya, as well as filet oscar and bison meatloaf
Do: Unwind with a tasting at Banner Elk Winery and Villa, open year-round for daily $10 tastings, noon – 6 p.m. Or opt to stay close to the slopes and enjoy the next event in the mountain’s live music series.
Head to: Hawksnest Snow Tubing
Distance from Charlotte: 2 hr. 18 mins.
FEB 2021 SNOW REPORT: WIND Conditions change rapidly, check their website for their hours, opening status
2021 Safety: Guests must wear face coverings at all times, limited numbers of tickets sold per session, and the lodge is closed with only the restrooms and gift shop open to the public. Read more here.
Offerings: Four snow tubing areas with over 30 lanes and a special winter zipline snowbird tour. Tickets available online until midnight the day before each tubing session. Day-of tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Activity details: $42 Weekends; $31 Monday – Friday. $3 off per person for current or retired military and immediate family members.
Stay: Start with these nearby options. Find nearby cabin properties with the help of Foscoe Rentals or Blue Ridge Mountain Rentals.
Dine: In Banner Elk, The Pedalin’ Pig BBQ serves up local, hickory-smoked BBQ with wine and beer.
Do: Did you know that Seven Devils was the first mountain resort development in North Carolina to become a town? Explore The Shoppes at Tynecastle or for outdoor adventurers, take a scenic hike to Otter Falls.
Head to: Beech Mountain Resort
Distance from Charlotte: 2 hr. 31 mins.
FEB 2021 SNOW REPORT: 44-78″” Base Depth | 17 trails and 8 lifts open
2021 Safety: Mask usage, increased outdoor seating areas, online booking, reduced ski and ride school capacity, touchless payment options and more.
Offerings: The highest ski area in the East boasts 17 slopes and two freestyle terrain areas, night skiing, ice skating and tubing.
Activity details: $72 weekends/holidays; $43 M-F. View all rates here.
Stay: Find the perfect chalet or cabin online. Stay on top of the mountain at Beech Alpen Inn, home of the Alpen Restaurant and Bar.
Dine: After a day on the slopes, settle in at The Famous Brick Oven Restaurant, serving specialty pizzas, pastas, sandwiches and wings. Enjoy a dinner menu featuring seafood dishes, Italian favorites, prime rib and more with mountain views of three states at the Alpen Restaurant and Bar.
Do: Raise a glass at Beech Mountain Brewing Company, one of the only US breweries owned and operated by a ski area. To sip with a view, try 5506′ Skybar. Take a breather at nearby Serenity Day Spa, located in Banner Elk. Stay up-to-date on upcoming mountain events with the resort’s online calendar.
Head to: Wolf Ridge Ski Resort
Distance from Charlotte: 2 hr. 41 mins.
FEB 2021 SNOW REPORT: 30-74″ Base Depth | 8 slopes, 4 lifts open
2021 Safety: Masks are required indoors, distancing protocols in place, enhanced cleaning protocols. Learn more.
Offerings: 15 slopes (4 green, 9 blue and 2 black diamonds), a terrain park, night skiing and tubing.
Activity details: $65 Weekends; $42 M-F.
Stay: Enjoy breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains in The Views Townhomes or cabin through Wolf Mountain Realty.
Dine: Explore downtown Mars Hill restaurants including Steakhouse Main Street Burrito and The Wagon Wheel.
Do: In Asheville, 30 minutes south of the resort, endless entertainment options wait. Check out this winter vacation itinerary to start planning.
Head to: Cataloochee Ski Area
Distance from Charlotte: 2 hr. 45 mins.
NOW OPERATING AT RESERVATIONS ONLY STATUS
FEB 2021 SNOW REPORT: 62-92 inches” Base | 18 trails and 5 lifts open
2021 Safety: Face coverings are required indoors and outdoors when distancing cannot be maintained. View the facility’s updates for this season and links to Covid-19 protocols here.
Offerings: Skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing (offered at nearby Tube World). 18 skiing and snowboarding slopes and trails: 44% beginner, 39% intermediate and 17% advanced to expert.
Season: Early November – Late March
Activity details: Weekend/holiday lift rates are $73 for adults, $55 for those 5-12. Weekday life rates are $45 for adults and $35 for ages 5-12.
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. 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, J. Arthur’s Restaurant offers a popular gorgonzola cheese salad, prime rib and all-natural steaks.
Do: There’s plenty to do in the “Elk Capital of North Carolina”. In addition to events at Cataloochee, enjoy visits to craft breweries and performances at The Strand at 38 Main. View more ideas here.
Head to: Ski Sapphire Valley
Distance from Charlotte: 2 hr. 56 mins.
FEB 2021 SNOW REPORT: Average Ski Area Coverage: 96″, Average Tube Park Coverage 55″
2021 Safety: Face coverings are mandatory on all lifts, inside and while skiing. Also, 6 foot social distancing. View more.
Offerings: Skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing and zip lining.
Activity details: Day lift/rental rates start at $70 for adults and $44 for children 12 and under. Tubing starts at $30. This year, every activity is on a first come, first served basis – there are no online or advanced reservations.
Operating hours: The Ski Area is closed Monday – Thursday and reopens each Friday at Noon and closing at 8PM. Saturday 9AM – 8PM, and Sunday 9AM – 6PM through the first weekend in March. Ski Sapphire is open on Monday for MLK Day and Monday for President’s Day.
Stay: Find a rental with ease on HomeAway or with the help of High South Rentals.
Dine: Sapphire Mountain Brewing Company offers wood-fired pizza, fine wine and over 100 microbrews in a rustic mountain setting. It’s a perfect spot for catching the game or enjoying live music.
Do: The slopes aren’t the only attraction in Sapphire Valley. Check out the monthly area calendar for live music and activities. Or, stay close to the slopes and enjoy everything going on at the Sapphire Valley Resort.
Head to: Winterplace Ski Resort
Distance from Charlotte: 2 hr. 59 mins.
JAN 2021 SNOW REPORT: Snow Base: 48″ | Trails Open: 23 of 27 | Lifts Open: 7 of 10. Call 1-800-607-SNOW(7669)
2021 Safety: Face covering protocols, distancing and advanced online ticket purchases are encouraged. Indoor dining is open with spacing protocols implemented.
Offerings: 27 slopes, one terrain park and the largest snow tubing park in West Virginia. Night skiing on 26 slopes.
Activity details: All-day adult tickets are $74 weekends/holidays; $57 Monday – Friday.
Stay: Sleep on the slopes at The Cabins at Winterplace.
Dine: Stop mid-mountain at The MountainHouse for lunch and panoramic views, or take in the mountain air at Almost Heaven – The Deck at Winterplace. View more dining options here.
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.
Head to: Wintergreen Resort
Distance from Charlotte: 4 hr. 16 mins.
FEB 2021 SNOW REPORT: Base: 50+” | 26 Slopes Open | 4 Lifts Open | Tubing tickets now for sale, sell out quickly
2021 Safety: Masks are required at all times capacity reduction and more. Read their full update and guidelines here. Lift tickets and rentals must be purchased online in advance.
Offerings: 23 different slopes, a terrain park, kids activities and tubing (check website for availability).
Activity details: $64 Monday – Thursday, $94 Friday-Sunday and holidays.
Stay: The resort offers multiple accommodations, from a mountain inn to condos, cabins and exclusive properties. Browse and book online.
Dine: Choose from four restaurants with options to please every palate.
Do: Off the mountain, indulge in wineries, breweries and a cidery. Start planning here.
