’Tis the Ski-son

Enjoy some winter fun at these ski resorts perfect for a long weekend escape.

Ready to hit the slopes?! There’s snow better way to sail through the frigid winter season than strapping on a pair of skis/a snowboard to shred down the slopes (or spring for a tube for a more easygoing experience!) for some solid blustery fun. And after sliding around the snow, après ski with a warm cider, cocoa or cocktail by the fire at one of the following resorts—all of which are within a six-hour drive from Raleigh. Ski ya there!

Sugar Mountain Resort

Don’t flurry, be happy! This top NC skiing destination situated about three hours from the City of Oaks has trails for all levels of skiers—from beginners on the Easy Street trail to experts on the double black diamond Northridge trail. And you can enroll your little skiers in Sugar Bear Ski School or Polar Bear Snowboard School to help them learn the basics of schussing down the slopes.

Beech Mountain Resort

Another quintessential NC ski spot, Beech Mountain is home to myriad ski trails for all skill levels—plus ice skating and tubing. You can even go night skiing! After a long day on the slopes, après ski over to Beech Mountain Brewing Co., complete with fireplaces (natch) and a bevy of brews guaranteed to warm you up—then stick around for fun events like S’mores and Pours, and live music from local bands and DJs to keep the fun going all night long.

Wintergreen Resort

It’s snow time at Wintergreen! Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the resort offers skiing, golfing, a spa (!), fantastic dining options and Virginia’s largest tubing hill—plus a terrain park (think a skateboard park covered in snow). With 40+ features and a constantly changing layout, there’s something for every skill level each time you visit.

Snowshoe Mountain Resort

It’s all uphill at West Virginia’s Snowshoe Mountain Resort, what with over 60 skiing trails, 40 bike trails, snowmobiling, swimming, tubing, a ski village, a world-class spa, 30 different accommodation options and so much more—so even if you’re not a big skier, you’re guaranteed to have a great time. Schuss down the trails on Snowshoe Mountain before heading to The Village for some shopping, a hot toddy and a delectable dinner; then relax and unwind at The Spa at Snowshoe. Aka the perf winter getaway.

Ober Mountain Adventure Park & Ski Area 

Tennessee’s only ski resort gives powder to the people with ice skating, a mountain coaster, ice bumper cars and an alpine slide, in addition to the standard skiing, tubing and snowboarding. Post-ski, make the short 15-minute trek to Downtown Gatlinburg to check out popular local spots like Smoky Mountain Winery, Pancake Pantry, and the Salt & Pepper Shaker Museum (yes, it’s a thing).

Appalachian Ski Mountain

Nestled in Blowing Rock, NC’s first high-country ski area is known for teaching skiers of all ages how to shred the slopes. To boot, the resort is home to the South’s largest independent ski school, the French Swiss Ski College, and offers ice skating and three different terrain parks (!). Then après over a warm cuppa back at the lodge and give the gift shop a gander.

Cataloochee Ski Area

That’s totally tube-ular! Boasting 18 ski slopes and trails, this Maggie Valley gem offers opps to ski, tube and snowboard. And if you’re ready to put your snow skills to the test, register to compare your chops to the fastest member of the U.S. Ski team via recreational racing program NASTAR. Also be sure to check out the special events—from family days and an afterschool program to Women on Wednesdays, a six-week program by and for females (wow!).

Sapphire Valley Ski Area

Shred the gnar at this Norman Rockwell-esque all-seasons ski resort, boasting skiing, snowboarding and a 500-foot tubing track (!)—NTM a zip line. At the bottom of the slope you’ll find the aptly named Slopeside Tavern serving up upscale American bar food, making it easy to fuel up while you’re carving through the snow. Meanwhile, primo townhouses, villas and homes on the resort provide a cozy place to rest your head after an adventure-filled day. 

Wolf Ridge Ski Resort

Only a 30-minute commute from Asheville, this for-the-fam ski resort offers activities for adventurers of all interests—from skiing and snowboarding to caving, hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking. Need to practice your pizza technique? Nosh on a slice or two of ’za from The Lodge Pizzeria (see what we did there?!).