7 Best Ski Resorts Near Raleigh
February 22nd, 2024
Ski Resorts Near Raleigh
Are you searching for the best ski resorts near Raleigh, NC? Here are the seven best ski resorts within a five-hour drive to Raleigh and the Triangle area.
North Carolina is known for many things, and its ski resorts are one of them. Offering spectacular mountain views and slopes for all experience levels, one of the best things about living in Raleigh or the surrounding Triangle area is easy access to top-rated ski resorts on the East Coast.
Home to six ski resorts in the Western part of the state, plenty of outdoor activities are available, from skiing and snowboarding to tubing and ice skating. Plus, one special ski resort in Virginia is only within a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Raleigh.
Perfect for a winter weekend getaway or day trip from the triangle with friends or family, there is no better way to embrace the cold weather than by grabbing your skis or snowboard and hitting the slopes.
Whether you are a beginner or an expert, each resort offers slopes for all levels and equipment levels. All ski resorts also offer ski and snowboard lessons for all ages.
Here are the best ski resorts near Raleigh!
Chapters
1. Sugar Mountain Resort
Peak Elevation: 5,300 feet
Number of Lifts: Nine
Skill Level: Beginner to advanced
Price: Full single-day adult passes are $54 Monday through Friday and $88 on weekends and holidays. Passes for juniors are $44 and $63.
Sugar Mountain Resort is the largest ski area in North Carolina since it offers 125 acres of skiable terrain and 20 trails. A haven for skiers and snowboarders, people travel from all over the country to visit Sugar Mountain Resort for its snowy slopes and fun adventures.
Sugar Mountain is the perfect destination for daredevils, home to the only double black diamond slope in North Carolina and the largest vertical drop of 1,200 feet in the state.
All slopes feature updated snowmaking equipment, so there is always fluffy, white powder for optimal skiing conditions. Offering daytime and nighttime skiing, 14 of the 20 slopes are lighted for visitors who want to be on the slopes until close.
Featuring eight beginner runs, eight intermediate runs, and four advanced runs, this is a great resort for all skill levels, whether you are just learning how to ski or have been skiing your whole life.
Ski and snowboard lessons are available for those who want to learn at the resort. Sugar Bear Ski School offers lessons for kids ages five through 10, Polar Bear Snowbear School offers lessons for ages seven through 14, and private and group ski and snowboarding lessons are also available for all ages and skill levels.
Home to a large cafeteria and a full-service bar and restaurant, there are plenty of ways to relax while at the resort when you are not skiing or snowboarding. Tubing, ice skating, and snowshoeing are also available during the season.
When the winter season is over, Sugar Mountain is still open for beautiful hikes and mountain biking.
2. Beech Mountain Ski Resort
Peak Elevation: 5,506 feet
Number of Lifts: Eight
Skill Level: Beginner to advanced
Price: Eight-hour single-day adult passes are $50 Monday through Friday and $83 on weekends. Passes for juniors are $40 and $61.
Beech Mountain Ski Resort is one of the best ski resorts in North Carolina and is recognized as the highest ski resort in Eastern North America. This resort has been open year-round since 1967 and is a great place to ski, snowboard, and tube.
Offering 95 acres of skiable terrain, a base elevation of 4,675 feet, and 17 total trails, spending the day at Beech Mountain is always a fun and exciting experience. With a vertical drop of 830 feet and a total of two terrain parks, this is a great spot to perfect your technique and learn new tricks.
Featuring three beginner runs, seven intermediate runs, four advanced runs, and three freestyle terrain runs, a slope is available for all experience levels. The longest run at Beech Mountain Ski Resort is one mile.
Best known for its bar at the top of the mountain and ski village at the bottom with a brewery, taproom, coffee shop, cafeteria, and restaurants, Beech Mountain Ski Resort is lively and fun for the whole family. Night skiing is available, and lessons are offered for both skiing and snowboarding.
3. Cataloochee Ski Area
Peak Elevation: 5,400 feet
Number of Lifts: five
Skill Level: Beginner to expert
Price: Six-hour single-day passes for adults are $52 Monday through Friday and $83 on weekends and holidays. Passes for juniors are $42 and $62.
Cataloochee Ski Area in Haywood County is the first established ski area in North Carolina. As one of the first areas in the region to open each season, this resort offers some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the Southeast.
Season starts in early November and lasts through late March, with slopes opening at 9 AM and closing at 10 PM. Offering 50 acres of skiable terrain, there are a total of 18 slopes, 44% of which are beginner, 39% are intermediate, and 17% are expert.
One beginner-level terrain park is available on the Turkey Trot and an intermediate and advanced terrain park on the Richard's Run slope. There is a vertical drop of 740 feet; the longest run is 3,500 feet.
4. Appalachian Ski Mountain
Peak Elevation: 4,000 feet
Number of Lifts: Six
Skill Level: Beginner to advanced
Price: Single-day all-day passes for adults are $57 Monday through Friday, $74 on weekends, and $76 on holidays. Passes for juniors are $38, $54, and $56, respectively.
Appalachian Ski Mountain is located in Blowing Rock, North Carolina, and is one of three ski resorts in the Watauga County area of Western North Carolina.
Recognized as the high country's first ski area, this resort is family-friendly and offers a variety of fun activities alongside skiing and snowboarding, including ice skating and shopping.
Offering 27 acres of skiable terrain and a vertical drop of 365 feet, there are three beginner runs, three intermediate runs, three advanced runs, and four freestyle terrain runs to check out. The longest run is Orchard Run, which is half a mile long.
First opened in the winter of 1962-63, Appalachian Ski Mountain is the second oldest ski resort in the state. Ski and snowboarding lessons are available for beginners.
5. Hatley Pointe Ski Resort
Peak Elevation: 4,700 feet
Number of Lifts: Four
Skill Level: Beginner to expert
Price: Single-day adult passes are $55 from Monday through Friday and $85 on the weekends.
Formerly the Wolf Ridge Ski Resort, Hatley Pointe Ski Resort is a newly-owned and rebranded resort in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Located in Mars Hill and about a four-hour and 20-minute drive from Raleigh, Hatley Pointe Ski Resort is the premier destination for skiing, snowboarding, and winter fun.
Considered the closest ski resort to Asheville and Northeast Tennessee, Hatley Pointe is a great place to visit with friends and family who are up for a new adventure.
Officially opening in the Spring/Summer of 2024, there are plenty of opportunities for outdoor pursuits and mountain fun. Sitting in the shadow of Big Bald Mountain, there are 54 acres of skiable terrain, four beginner runs, nine intermediate runs, and two expert runs.
6. Ski Sapphire Valley
Peak Elevation: 3,400 feet
Number of Lifts: One
Skill Level: Beginner
Price: Adult single-day passes are $65 daily and $68 on holidays. Passes for juniors are $53 and $56.
Ski Sapphire Valley is a smaller ski resort in Sapphire, North Carolina, that is located about a five-hour drive from Raleigh in the Blue Ridge Mountains close to the Georgia border.
Offering eight acres of skiable terrain, a 1,600-foot main run, and a 200-foot vertical drop, this ski resort provides fun for everyone. A great resort for beginner skiers and snowboarders, top-rated instruction and guidance on the mountain are available.
Home to the Great Outhouse Races every February, which is an annual event where participants compete in decorative outhouses on skis, this is a fun and unique tradition that brings the community together and celebrates creativity.
7. Wintergreen Resort
Peak Elevation: 3, 515 feet
Number of Lifts: Five
Skill Level: Beginner to expert
Price: Eight-hour single-day passes for adults that are bought ahead of time online are $89 Monday through Thursday, $109 Friday through Sunday, and $129 on holidays. Passes for juniors are $79, $89, and $104.
Wintergreen Resort is a beautiful and sprawling 11,000-acre resort near Mount Pleasant in Virginia. Located three and a half hours from Raleigh, this ski resort is a great option for skiers looking for spectacular mountain views, peaceful surroundings, and tons of thrilling recreation opportunities.
Offering a total of 26 slopes, there are six beginner runs, five intermediate runs, 12 black diamond runs, one double black diamond run, and two terrain parks.
Receiving about 35 inches of snow per year, Wintergreen Resort always has peak powder conditions and the resort prepares for impending snow well. The longest run here is the Tyro, which is 1.4 miles, and there is a 1,003-foot vertical drop.
Methodology
We used information and data from many sources, including each individual ski resort's website. We also used our own experience living in Raleigh and visiting some of these ski resorts in person to determine the best ski resorts near Raleigh, NC.
FAQs
Does North Carolina have good ski resorts?
North Carolina is a great destination for skiing since it is home to six full-service ski areas to choose from, with up to 100 slopes that range from beginner to double black diamond.
Is Beech Mountain or Sugar Mountain better?
When comparing Beech Mountain and Sugar Mountain, Beech Mountain is smaller and budget-friendly, while Sugar Mountain is bigger and more beginner-friendly.
What is the largest ski resort in North Carolina?
Sugar Mountain is the largest ski resort in North Carolina that offers 20 trails, nine lifts, and 125 acres of skiable terrain.
Which NC ski resort is best for beginners?
If you are a beginner just learning how to ski in North Carolina, Cataloochee Ski Area in Maggie Valley is a great place to learn.
Best Ski Resorts Near Raleigh - Final Thoughts
Skiing is not only a fun activity but it is a great form of exercise. No matter how many days you want to go skiing, the ski resorts located near Raleigh offer many different runs and price points for lift tickets.
When deciding which resort to visit first, figure out what level of slope you want to ski, what you are willing to pay, and whether or not you want to explore the other activites offered at the resort.
If you want to buy a home in Raleigh or are considering selling your home in the winter, contact the experts at Raleigh Realty. We are here to help and answer any questions.
Ryan Fitzgerald
Hi there! Nice to 'meet' you and thanks for visiting our Raleigh Real Estate Blog! My name is Ryan Fitzgerald, and I'm a REALTOR® in Raleigh-Durham, NC, the owner of Raleigh Realty. I work alongside some of the best Realtors in Raleigh. You can find more of my real estate content on Forbes, Wall Street Journal, U.S. News and more. Realtor Magazine named me a top 30 under 30 Realtor in the country (it was a long time ago haha). Any way, that's enough about me. I'd love to learn more about you if you'd like to connect with me on Facebook and Instagram or connect with our team at Raleigh Realty. Looking forward to connecting!
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