Just because it's winter does not mean family fun is confined to the indoors. There are lots of fun activities and sports to be enjoyed outside during the winter months, such as skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, and snow tubing. These sports not only provide great exercise, but they're also a great opportunity to get fresh air, soak up some vitamin D, and enjoy quality time as a family.
We're fortunate to have a number of wonderful places in Western North Carolina where you can enjoy winter sports just a short drive away. Most are open seasonally from late November through mid/late March and offer a number of activities in one place. Here are our favorite places to visit for the perfect day or weekend getaway full of winter fun.
Before heading out, be sure to call ahead or visit websites for current conditions, closures, weather reports, and updated COVID measures.
Appalachian Ski Mountain
skiing, snowboarding, ice skating
940 Ski Mountain Rd, Blowing Rock, NC
Hours:
9am-10pm daily
# of Ski Slopes: 12 (3 Easiest, 3 More Difficult, 3 Most Difficult plus 3 Freestyle Terrains at App Terrain Park)
Children's Programs: The nursery for children ages 1-4 is open seven days a week 8:30am-5pm with full day or hourly options available; advanced reservations are required. Ski Wee and Cruiser Camp instruction programs are taught on beginner terrain for skiers age 4-10 and snowboarders ages 7-12; Ski Wee program offered daily, Cruiser Camp program offered weekends and holidays only. Private, semi-private and group lessons available for all levels ages 6 and up.
Ice Skating: 6000 square foot outdoor ice arena fully lighted for skating under the stars seven nights a week.
Jonas Ridge Snow Tubing Park
snow tubing
9472 NC Highway 181 South, Jonas Ridge, NC
open seasonally
Hours: weather permitting, regular hours are Friday 12PM - 9PM, Saturday 10AM - 9PM, Sunday & Monday 12PM - 6 PM- extended hours on select dates, see website for more.
Lanes: 6 snow tube lanes to choose from, from slow to very steep and fast
Session Length: 1 hour and 45 minutes
Sugar Mountain Resort
skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, ice skating, snowshoeing
1009 Sugar Mountain Drive, Sugar Mountain, NC
Hours: 9am - 10pm
# of Ski Slopes: 21 (7 Easier, 9 Difficult, 1 More Difficult, 2 Most Difficult, 1 Most Difficult Double Diamond, 1 Terrain Park)
Children's Programs: Childcare available 8:30am-10pm for ages 6 months and up; available on first come first served basis but infants under 12 months old and evening care require a reservation. Sugar Bear Ski School for ages 5-10 and Polar Bear Snowboard School available for ages 7-14 with daily full-day and half-day programs. Private ski/snowboard lessons are available for ages 4 and up; group lessons for ages 8 and up.
Snow Tubing: 700 ft long tubing lanes with several chutes 10-12 feet wide
Ice Skating: 10,000 square foot outdoor ice skating rink
Snowshoeing: guided tours one hour-long offered Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Hawksnest Tubing Park
snow tubing and ziplining
2058 Skyland Drive, Seven Devils, NC
Hours:
Mon-Thur 10am-6pm, Fri-Sat & Holidays 10am-8pm, Sun 10am-4pm
Lanes: 4 different areas, over 30 lanes of snow tubing that span from 400-1000 feet long
Session Length: 1 hour and 45 minutes
Ziplining: The Snowbird Tour is a high-flying 1.5 to 2 hour winter zipline experience that includes 4 cables.
Beech Mountain Resort
skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, snow tubing
1007 Beech Mountain Parkway, Beech Mountain, NC
Hours: Sun - Thur 9am-9pm, Fri-Sat & Holidays 9am-10pm
# of Ski Slopes: 17 (3 Easiest, 7 More Difficult, 4 Most Difficult plus 2 Freestyle Terrains)
Children's Programs: Nursery provides care for infants and toddlers ages 6 months to 3 years daily 8:30am-4:30pm. Snow Kamp provides childcare combined with an introduction to a winter wonderland of activities for kids ages 3-5. Traxx, an all-day ski program for ages 6-14, provides expert instruction for all ability levels. Burton Learn to Ride Center offers snowboarding lessons for ages 6 and up daily. Private ski/snowboard lessons are available for ages 4 and up; group lessons for ages 8 and up offered 8 times daily.
Ice Skating: 7000 square foot outdoor ice skating rink
Snow Tubing: state-of-the-art tubing park with chutes up to 700 feet in length
Wolf Ridge Ski Resort
skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing
578 Valley View Circle, Mars Hill, NC
No snowmaking; check website for availability
Hours: Mon-Sat 9am-10pm, Sunday 9am-4:30
# of Ski Slopes:
15 (4 Easiest, 8 Difficult, 3 Most Difficult) plus terrain park
Children's Programs: Private lessons offered for ages 5 and up; group lessons available for ages 9 and up.
Snow Tubing: Wolf Ridge Tube Run features a long slope
Moonshine Mountain Snow Tubing Park
snow tubing
open seasonally; check website for availability
5865 Willow Road, Hendersonville, NC
Hours: weather permitting, Fri 6-10pm, Sat 10am-10pm, Sun 12-6pm with extended holiday hours
Lanes: 4 lanes with over 500 feet of fun & excitement
Session Length: 2 hours
Cataloochee Ski Area
skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing
1080 Ski Lodge Road, Maggie Valley, NC
Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-10pm, Sat-Sun & Holidays 8:30am-10pm
# of Ski Slopes: 18 (8 easy, 7 more difficult and 2 most difficult plus freestyle terrain park)
Children's Programs: HEAD Kids Adventure Center for Skiers or Snowboarders ages 4-12 offers all day and half-day programs. Class lessons offered for ages 6 and up, private lessons available for ages 3 and up.
Snow Tubing:
Tube World offers snow tubing with multiple runs and a Wee Bowl Snowplay Area
Check out these drive-worthy destinations:
Scaly Mountain Outdoor Center (Scaly Mountain, NC) - tubing, ice skating
Sapphire Valley Ski Area (Sapphire Valley, NC) - skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing and ziplining
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