As a longtime Western North Carolina resident (formerly of Brevard, currently of Elkin NC), I’ve spent a lot of time in Asheville over the years.
From critically acclaimed restaurants and hip breweries to trendy boutiques and swanky museums, there’s an ever-increasing array of fun things to do in Asheville NC.
This burgeoning mountain metropolis is also surrounded by natural splendor that lures millions of annual visitors, including Pisgah National Forest, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway, etc.
With all these awesome Asheville attractions to choose from, snow skiing may not be high on everyone’s radar.
But there are 7 sensational ski resorts near Asheville, North Carolina (all less than 100 miles away!) to satisfy anyone craving Winter sports activities.
Some of the best mountain resorts for snow skiing and snow tubing near Asheville have been around for decades, and have steadily improved with modern snow-making machines and other technological advances.
Read on for our in-depth guide to the best places for snow skiing near Asheville, North Carolina, including an overview of each ski resort’s attractions and amenities.
READ MORE: 20 Awesome Things to Do for Winter in North Carolina
Winter Weather in Asheville NC
As with most of the Blue Ridge Mountains region, the Winter in Asheville NC tends to be relatively mild. But it’s also chilly enough to provide regular snowfall.
Average daytime high temperatures in Asheville NC are typically above freezing, but nighttime lows are often below freezing from December through February.
Many northerners ask, “Does it snow in Asheville NC?” The obvious answer is yes.
Asheville NC snow accumulation is about a foot every year, with around a dozen days of snow. However, the question “How much snow does Asheville NC get?” is a tad more complex.
Although the city of Asheville doesn’t tend to get a ton of snow accumulation, many of the 5000- to 6000-foot-tall North Carolina mountains nearby do.
In fact, Mt Mitchell gets over 7 feet of snow each year, while Mount Le Conte in Great Smoky Mountains National Park gets nearly 7 feet annually.
READ MORE: The 15 Best Hotels in Asheville NC to Visit
Snow Skiing Near Asheville North Carolina
(listed in order of proximity to Downtown Asheville)
- Hatley Pointe (30 miles)
- Cataloochee Ski Area (39 miles)
- Ski Sapphire Valley (59 miles)
- Sugar Mountain Resort (72 miles)
- Beech Mountain Resort (80 miles)
- Appalachian Ski Mountain (85 miles)
- Ober Mountain (90 miles)
READ MORE: 20 Best Things to Do in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina
1. Hatley Pointe Ski Resort
578 Valley View Circle, Mars Hill NC • (414) 850-0417
The closest ski resort to Asheville NC is due north of the city, in the small town of Mars Hill.
Hatley Pointe (which was formerly known as the Wolf Ridge Ski Resort) has recently come under new ownership and been re-envisioned as a “boutique mountain resort.
Located at an elevation of 4,700 feet, Hatley Pointe has 54 acres of snow skiing near Asheville NC, with 15 lighted runs and 2 chair lifts.
Passes come in several varieties: Daily Weekday ($55), Daily Weekend ($85), After Hours Weekday ($38), and After Hours Weekend ($45). Season passes are also available.
The new owners have updated the lodge, added new equipment for keeping ski runs in plenty of powder, and also introduced a full-service restaurant.
Join their newsletter to keep up with important developments from the newest NC ski resort.
READ MORE: The 6 Best North Carolina Ski Resorts to Visit
2. Cataloochee Ski Area
1080 Ski Lodge Rd, Maggie Valley NC • (800) 768-0285
The oldest of the great places to ski near Asheville NC, the Cataloochee Ski Area in Maggie Valley put in its first ski slope (the first south of Virginia) in 1961.
Over the last 60 years, the ski area has expanded to 50 acres, with 740 feet of vertical drop and 18 ski runs. And the Alexander family– who originally ran the space as a ranch in the 1930s– still operates the guest facility today.
Lift tickets come in the form of 4-hour passes, 6-hour passes, and night passes. They run from around $40-$80 a person, depending on the day and time of your visit.
The entire Cataloochee Ski Area, which reaches 5,400 feet above sea level, has 100% coverage from an eclectic collection of snow guns.
Their 18 ski runs are serviced by 3 chairlifts and 2 moving carpets. About half of these runs are suitable for beginners, while three of them are rated as expert level.
READ MORE: The Best Places for Snow Skiing in North Carolina
3. Ski Sapphire Valley
127 Cherokee Trail, Sapphire NC • (828) 743-7663
Ski Sapphire Valley is the southernmost of the NC ski resorts. It’s located near Cashiers NC, about 15 miles from the borders of both South Carolina and Georgia.
This resort is the smallest of the places that offer snow skiing near Asheville, North Carolina. It basically just has a main slope, a learning slope, and a snow tubing slope.
Its diminutive size makes this a great spot for families, because it’s easier to keep an eye on everyone. The “Winter Sports Resort” has a base lodge area, a fire pit, a rental shop, and concessions.
Ski Sapphire Valley opens in mid-December, and remains open daily from then until New Year’s Day. After January 1, the resort only opens on weekends and a couple of holiday Mondays.
Daily lift passes (which cost $65 for adults) can be bundled with equipment rentals for $95, but kids ages 12 and under get discounted rates.
READ MORE: The 11 Best Places for Snow Tubing in North Carolina
4. Sugar Mountain Resort
1009 Sugar Mountain Dr, Sugar Mountain NC • (828) 898-4521
One of a trio of ski resorts located near the NC High Country towns of Boone and Banner Elk, Sugar Mountain Resort was established in 1969 with 4 lifts and 11 slopes.
It has since grown to 125 skiable acres, with a 1,200-foot vertical drop. They have 6 chairlifts, 2 magic carpets, and a handle tow. There are 20 ski slopes, over two-thirds of which are lighted for nighttime skiing.
In addition to ski slopes, Sugar Mountain Resort has a Terrain Park for freestyle snowboarding, as well as a dedicated spot for snow tubing. There are also trails for snowshoeing, and a rink for ice skating.
Adult passes for the slopes are $54 for a full day, $44 for a half day, $54 for twilight, and $38 for night passes.
Rates are discounted for juniors, but they go up during the holidays in NC. Season passes are also available.
READ MORE: The 6 Best Places for Snowboarding in North Carolina
5. Beech Mountain Resort
1007 Beech Mountain Pkwy, Beech Mountain NC • (800) 438-2093
Beech Mountain is a well-established ski resort/village near Boone and Blowing Rock, offering snow skiing about 80 miles north of Asheville.
This resort has nearly 100 skiable acres. Its 17 ski trails (including 4 black diamonds and 2 freestyle terrains) are serviced by 9 lifts, and there’s also an area for snow tubing.
Beech Mountain Ski Resort also has live entertainment, restaurants, rental cabins, and other Beech Mountain lodging. There’s even a brewery and a sky bar!
Weekday tickets are available for 4-hour ($40), 8-hour ($50), and 12-hour ($65) sessions. Weekend sessions are the same length, but respectively cost $64, $83, and $96. Multi-day tickets are also available at a better rate.
We love the fact that Beech Mountain uses sustainable development initiatives throughout the property, from the lighting of the slopes to wildlife conservation.
READ MORE: The 10 Best North Carolina Mountain Resorts to Visit
6. Appalachian Ski Mountain
940 Ski Mountain Rd, Blowing Rock NC • (828) 295-7828
Established in 1968, Appalachian Ski Mountain is the second-oldest ski resort in North Carolina. Located in between Boone and Blowing Rock, it was originally known as the Blowing Rock Ski Lodge.
ASM underwent huge expansions in the 1980s and 90s, and now provides runs for multiple experience levels of snow skiing near Asheville NC.
This Appalachian Mountain has 12 slopes, including 3 each of beginner, intermediate, and difficult runs, as well as 3 freestyle terrains. They’re accessed via 3 chair lifts, 2 conveyor belts, and a handle pull.
Tickets are either 8-Hour Flex Sessions (9AM-5PM), Super Sessions (9AM-10PM), Night Sessions (5PM-10PM, and sometimes midnight), and Half-Night Sessions (8:30PM-Midnight).
The cheapest tickets (Half-Night) are $34, and the most expensive (Super Sessions on NC holidays) are $83.
READ MORE: The 7 Best Train Rides for Christmas in the Blue Ridge Mountains
7. Ober Mountain
1001 Parkway Suite 2, Gatlinburg TN • (800) 251-8202
Even though Gatlingburg‘s Ober Mountain is in Tennessee, it’s still only 90 miles (less than 2 hours drive) from Asheville. So it’s totally doable as a day-trip!
Ober Mountain is literally the only Tennessee ski resort, with slopes for skiing and snowboarding as well as routes for snow tubing. They also have a ski school for beginners.
The resort also has lots of shopping options, several restaurants, and Winter activities like ice skating, ice bumper cars, and an aerial tramway.
Skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing must be paid for separately, but Ober Mountain wristbands give visitors access to the Scenic Chairlift, the Snow Zone, Ice Bumper Cars, Ice Skating, and more.
Full Session skiing and snowboarding is $54 on weekdays, $84 on Saturdays and holidays in TN, and $69 on Sundays. This includes lift tickets, but not rental equipment or lessons. -by Jonathon Engels, featured photo via Canva
