Three mountains in the high country offer snowy slopes fit for beginners and experts.
North Carolina ski slopes offer one- and two-day diversions to beginners and enthusiasts. Groomed slopes, gorgeous vistas, and convenient lodging make the North Carolina mountains an ideal January destination. With the slopes’ proximity to mountain towns like Boone and Blowing Rock, many skiers turn their trips into weekend-long excursions — filled with skiing during the day, and shopping and dining in the evening. Try out these three mountains for some quality skiing on the East Coast.
3 Mountains to Master
Sugar Mountain in Avery County, about 17 miles southwest of Boone, offers a diversity of slopes with varying difficulty. Sugar maintains 20 slopes on 115 acres of skiable land and serves guests from November to March. Seven lifts accommodate up to 8,800 people every hour. The Highlands at Sugar offer one- and two-bedroom rentals and a short distance to the slopes.
Beech Mountain is the highest ski mountain on the Eastern Seaboard at 5,506 feet above sea level. Located just 11 miles north of Sugar, Beech has 16 trails and seven ski lifts including the only high-speed quad lift in the state. The season runs from November to March. Beech Mountain offers a variety of slopes for every skill level, and instruction is available. Beech also has two terrain parks and an ice-skating rink. Consider nearby Archer’s Mountain Inn for a hotel room, cabin rental, bar, or restaurant.
Appalachian Ski Mountain is the right destination for skiers looking to maximize a one-day pass. All 12 slopes have lighting for night skiing, so some skiers begin at 9 a.m., when the lifts open, and keep at it until 10 p.m. when they close. Every Friday and Saturday night in January and February, Appalachian Ski Mountain holds a Midnight Blast, the only late-night skiing in the High Country. If you plan your trip through Appalachian Ski Mountain reservationists, you receive ski-and-stay deals at local hotels and resorts.
