Help a Mom: Searching for snow tubing, skiing spots in North Carolina

Posted: December 25, 2012

I received this email from a Go Ask Mom reader the other day:

I know there are several places to try out snow tubing - if you have any experience or info other than my own Google searches, I'd like to read about it.

I grew up in upstate New York, not too far from ski slopes, but I've never excelled at any kind of snow sport beyond sledding and angel making despite repeated attempts by a high school boyfriend, who was an avid snowboarder.

I'm going to expand her question to include favorite skiing spots in North Carolina, Virginia and any other place that's within driving distance for a long weekend.

Do you have a favorite spot for snow tubing or skiing in the region? Are there places that cater to families?

Please share your tips in the comments box below. (If you don't see the comments box below, you'll need to log in or sign up for a WRAL account. You can do that by going to the top of the page and clicking on either "log in" or "register").

Help a Mom features questions from readers every Wednesday. If you have a question that you'd like to ask Go Ask Mom readers, click here to email it to me.

10 Comments

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We went tubing a few days ago at Hawks Nest. This was my first time - so I have nothing to compare it to. A session is 1 hr, 45 min. You can buy one or more sessions. Rates depend on the time of yr (holiday or non-holiday - we tubed during holiday rates). Quite packed. During one session, we made one run on the beginner lane and 3 runs on the longer/steeper area. i'd suggest you take bicycle helmets or buy ski helmets as there are ice "bolders" along the lanes and one of our kids hit one. We spoke to someone who had tubed during a "non-holiday" session, and they said they were rarely in line for more than a few minutes. As someone else posted, the tubing and zip line events are weather dependent - its too windy today (12/30) for us to zip line - we plan on trying that on a return trip in May. Dress warm!!!!

TwoWheels
December 30, 2012 9:56 a.m.

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My favorite place in NC is Sugar Mountain. It has a beginner area that is separate from the more advanced trails. I don't like Appalachian for its beginner slope because the bottom of that hill is where all the more advanced skiers come flying in!

pisgah2005
December 28, 2012 3:05 p.m.

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Winterplace aint worth the long and dangerous drive

wu
December 27, 2012 10:14 a.m.

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We went to Hawksnest last year. Formerly a ski area, now limited to snow tubing and ziplining. 2 snow lanes, conveyer belt to the top and snack bar with hot chocolate, etc. Activity is weather dependent, so you might want to call first. Located between Boone and the Beech/Sugar Mtn resorts.

danahdavis
December 27, 2012 5:53 a.m.

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I have heard Winterplace is good. I also took my son to "Moonshine Mountain" near Asheville a couple of years ago and it was a great place if you want to stay in NC. http://www.moonshinemountain.com/

iamsecond
December 26, 2012 3:50 p.m.

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we went to Eagle's Nest in Boone a few years ago...decent, but definitely not a resort if that's what she's looking for. I'd vote for Winterplace as well.

whyalltheproblems
December 26, 2012 2:44 p.m.

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Winterplace, West Virginia has the best snow tubingin the southeast and some of the best in the country. It is about a 3 1/2 hour drive from Raleigh.

caneshockey
December 26, 2012 12:12 p.m.

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There is a small tubing area at Wolf Laurel Ski "Resort". WL is a really small ski hill approx. 30 minutes north of Asheville. The tubing area is separate from the ski hill.

tnjed
December 26, 2012 8:34 a.m.

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I had this exact same issue two years ago and went to Jonas Ridge. I highly recommend it, especially for young children. It has a conveyor belt to bring you to the top of the hill, and then 6 tracks from which to choose. I have a disability and I did just fine with that little bonus! =)

Killian
December 25, 2012 9:26 p.m.

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There was a place in Maggie Valley that was awesome. Not sure if it's still there...

ape123000
December 25, 2012 9:21 p.m.

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