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Hit the slopes with our NC Ski resort guide

Are you looking for the best places to ski in North Carolina? We have a list of resorts and skiing options in the state.

Posted Updated

By
Kathy Hanrahan
, WRAL lifestyle editor
RALEIGH, N.C. — Are you looking for the best places to ski in North Carolina? We have a list of resorts and skiing options in the state.

First, does North Carolina get enough snow for skiing? The state gets an average of 60 to 70 inches of snow a year, but resorts supplements that by making their own snow.

"The art of snowmaking involves creating a mixture of air and water under pressure and spraying it out of a snow gun. The mixture then turns to snow and falls to the ground," according to the North Carolina Ski Areas Association website.

There are six ski resorts in the state of North Carolina.

1009 Sugar Mountain Drive, Sugar Mountain, NC 28604

Open for Winter: November through March
Average annual snowfall: 78 inches

This is the largest resort with 115 skiable acres. It has tubing and ice skating as well. There are 22 slopes with 15 with lights for night skiing or riding. You can also rent all of the equipment you need to go skiing or snowboarding at the shop at the base of the mountain. Plus, you can always sign up for a class to learn how to ski or snowboard.

1007 Beech Mountain Parkway, Beech Mountain, NC 28604

Open for Winter: November through March

This is the second largest resort with 95 skiable acres. The resort opened in 1967 and is the highest ski area in the eastern part of the country. The peak elevation is 5,506 feet. They offer equipment rentals and classes.

578 Valley View Circle, Mars Hill, NC 28754

Open for Winter: Tentative opening date is Dec. 10, 2021. Slopes close typically in mid-March.

This resort is located 30 minutes north of Asheville and features 72 skiable acres. It opened in 1969. You can rent equipment there but not jackets, gloves, hats or goggles.

1080 Ski Lodge Road, Maggie Valley, NC 28751

Open for Winter: Early November – Late March

With 50 acres of skiable space, this is a great option for skiing. They have a full service rental department with ski and snowboard equipment plus a boot drying system.

940 Ski Mountain Road, Blowing Rock, NC 28605

Open for Winter: Nov. 24, 2021-March 27, 2022

This ski area opened in 1962 originally as “Blowing Rock Ski Lodge." It was officially renamed Appalachian Ski Mountain in 1968. Appalachian Ski Mountain was the first ski area in northwestern North Carolina and is the second oldest ski area in the state. Cataloochee opened a year prior. What originally started as three slopes has grown to 12 slopes and 27 acres of skiable area.

127 Cherokee Trail, Sapphire, NC 28774

Open for Winter: Tentative opening date is Dec. 18, 2021.

Sapphire Valley has the smallest amount of skiable acres with 8, but there is still a lot of space to ski and snowboard. Because of the size of the ski area, things aren't as overwhelming for first-time skiers or snowboarders who are looking to learn. There is also a tube park that has a 500 foot run with a vertical drop of 60 feet.

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