by Anna Brescia | Dec 1, 2023 | December 2023/January 2024, Do, Web Exclusive
Enjoy some winter fun at these ski resorts perfect for a long weekend escape.
There’s no better way to spend a chilly winter than heading to surrounding ski resorts for some cold weather fun. Whether you’re all about hitting the slopes for skiing and snowboarding, loafing down the hill on the tube, or just sitting by the fire with a hot cocktail (après ski, please!), there’s something for everyone at the following resorts—all of which are within a six-hour drive from Raleigh. Ski ya there!
Want a pizza this?! A little over three hours from Raleigh, the “High Country’s First Ski Area” boasts 13 slopes fit for all skills levels—read: three beginner-friendly runs, three intermediate runs, three difficult runs and four freestyle terrain areas). Tis the ski-son!
Don’t flurry, be happy, as this top NC skiing destination is only about three hours from the City of Oaks. The resort has trails for all levels of skiers—from beginners on the Easy Street trail to experts on the double black diamond Whoopdedoo trail. And you can enroll your little skiers in Sugar Bear Ski School or Polar Bear Snowboard School to help learn the basics of schussing down the slopes.
Another quintessential NC ski spot, Beech Mountain is home to a bunch of different 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—plus stick around for fun events and live music from local bands and DJs to keep the fun going all nightlong.
There’s snow place like 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). And with a constantly changing layout and over 40 features, this resort ensures there’s something for every skill level.
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 a hot toddy, shopping and delectable dinner. Sounds like the perf winter getaway, if we do say snow ourselves.
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. The whole fam can get in on the fun—and you’ll be booked with fun things to do throughout the weekend.
by Anna Beth Adcock | Nov 29, 2022 | Do, November 2022
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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!).
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.
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?!).
by Anna Brescia | Jan 31, 2022 | 2022, Do, February 2022
Enjoy some winter fun at these ski resorts perfect for a long weekend escape.
There’s no better way to spend a chilly winter weekend than heading to surrounding ski resorts for some cold weather fun. Whether you’re all about hitting the slopes for skiing and snowboarding, loafing down the hill on the tube, or just sitting by the fire with a hot cocktail (après ski, please!), there’s something for everyone at 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, as this top NC skiing destination is only about three hours from the City of Oaks. The resort has trails for all levels of skiers—from beginners on the Easy Street trail to experts on the double black diamond Whoopdedoo trail. And you can enroll your little skiers in Sugar Bear Ski School or Polar Bear Snowboard School to help learn the basics of schussing down the slopes. skisugar.com
Beech Mountain Resort
Another quintessential NC ski spot, Beech Mountain is home to a bunch of different 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—plus 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. beechmountainresort.com
Wintergreen Resort
There’s snow place like 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 the layout constantly changing and over 40 features, there’s something for every skill level each time you visit. wintergreenresort.com
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 a hot toddy, shopping and delectable dinner; then relax and unwind at The Spa at Snowshoe. Sounds like the perf winter getaway, if we do say snow ourselves. snowshoemtn.com
Ober Gatlinburg
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. The whole fam can get in on the fun—and you’ll be booked with fun things to do throughout the weekend. obergatlinburg.com
