ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Now that temperatures have dropped and snow has made an appearance in Western North Carolina, it’s time to hit the slopes.
Asheville is close to several great spots for skiing, tubing and snowboarding. Here are some popular options:
Hatley Pointe Mountain Resort (about 30 minutes north of Asheville in Mars Hill)
Formerly Wolf Ridge Ski Resort, Hatley Pointe has been rebranded as a boutique mountain resort offering a variety of activities. Hatley Pointe, which peaks at an elevation of 4,700 feet and sits in the shadow of Big Bald Mountain, features 15 ski runs and a terrain park.
Offers beginner-friendly slopes and lessons, as well as military and senior discounts.
Click here to see a webcam at the resort.
Cataloochee Ski Area (about 50 minutes west of Asheville in Maggie Valley)
Cataloochee Ski Area was the first ski area in the state, founded by Tom Alexander in 1961. The 50-acre site with a peak elevation of 5,400 feet, features 18 slopes and offers skiing, snowboarding and lessons for all levels.
Click here to see a webcam at the resort.
Beech Mountain Resort (about 2 hours northeast of Asheville in Beech Mountain)
Beech Mountain boasts a summit elevation of 5,506 feet above sea level, making it the highest ski resort in the eastern United States. The resort offers skiing and snowboarding on 17 slopes on 98 skiable acres with plenty of runs for every skill level.
Click here to see a webcam at the resort.
Sugar Mountain Resort (about 2 hours northeast of Asheville in Sugar Mountain)
Sugar Mountain, with 125 acres of skiable terrain and 20 slopes, is billed as the largest ski resort in North Carolina. There are a variety of runs for all skill levels. Activities include snowboarding, tubing and ice skating.
Tube World (about 40 miles from Asheville in Maggie Valley)
Run by Cataloochee, Tube World offers multiple lanes of snow tubing with a lift that will get you (and your tube) back up the hill.
Hawksnest Snow Tubing (about 80 miles from Asheville in Seven Devils)
Hawksnest Tubing features up to 30 lanes of snow tubing fun with lanes that range from 400 to 1,000 in length.
Moonshine Mountain Snow Tubing Park (about 30 minutes south of Asheville in Hendersonville)
Moonshine Mountain Snow Tubing Park offers more than 500 feet of snowy, steep fun and excitement, people of all ages will have a blast.
Sledding
The town of Beech Mountain has a sledding hill designed for kids ages 12 and younger. Parents or other responsible adults are allowed on sleds with preschoolers. Natural snow is enhanced by a snow gun (weather permitting) when needed, so there’s plenty of good sledding to go around. There’s no charge to use the hill.
