Skiing? In the Southeast? Though it might sound like a pipe dream, quality downhill and cross-country skiing awaits in Maggie Valley, North Carolina. Even if you’ve never touched a pair of skis or a snowboard in your life, you can find everything you need to get started right here.
To help you plan your perfect ski trip, we’ve put together a first-time guide to skiing in Maggie Valley so you’ll know where to go and when to visit. Book your stay with Carolina Vacations and read on—you’ll be out on the slopes in no time.
Skiing in Maggie Valley 101
Forget about those expensive Colorado resorts—you can take a family-friendly ski trip right here in Western North Carolina. The region’s winter weather stays comfortable, leading to much longer hours out in the snow.
Snowmaking machines at many East Coast resorts supplement natural snowfall, allowing you to ski and board no matter what conditions might be like elsewhere. Frequently updated snow reports keep guests up to date on what to expect.
While the peaks may not have the lofty peaks like the ones you see out West, you’ll still have plenty to keep you busy on the slopes, and you’ll get to experience a more welcoming atmosphere at a much better price.
Where to Ski in Maggie Valley
The Maggie Valley area is home to one of the biggest and best ski areas in the Southeast. But if you want to get in even more skiing or boarding, you can reach several other ski areas within a two-hour drive.
Cataloochee Ski Area
- 1080 Ski Lodge Road, Maggie Valley
- cataloochee.com
One of the biggest resorts in the Southeast, Cataloochee Ski Area comprises 18 runs with 740 feet of vertical drop, serviced by three chairlifts and two Magic Carpet lifts. Beginners, experts, and intermediate skiers can all hit the trails here, with runs that include the relaxed Rabbit Hill and the steep Upper Omigosh. Meanwhile, more confident riders can tackle the boxes, rails, and jumps at the Cat Cage Terrain Park.
Rental gear and lessons are both available on the mountain, as is a restaurant with a sizable menu. After your day in the snow, warm up with burgers or pizza, then get back outside in time for night skiing. You might be a little chilly once the sun goes down, but you won’t want to miss seeing the trails lit up after dark.
Ober Mountain
- 1339 Ski Mountain Rd, Gatlinburg, TN
- obermountain.com
Once known as Ober Gatlinburg, Ober Mountain is located roughly an hour-and-a-half drive away in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Ober Mountain is slightly smaller than Cataloochee, with just ten trails, but features beginner bunny hills and expert runs alike.
Once you’re done riding, you can get a taste of everything else the resort has to offer. Try other activities like skating or snow tubing, or, better yet, hop on the aerial tramway for a ride right to downtown Gatlinburg.
Hatley Pointe
- 578 Valley View Cir, Mars Hill, NC
- hatleypointe.com
The former Wolf Ridge ski area, Hatley Pointe, is a boutique resort located just outside Asheville in the small town of Mars Hill. Hatley Pointe boasts 54 acres of skiable, lighted terrain, which you can access via four chairlifts.
Should you get tired of the cold, head into the lodge to warm up with a craft cocktail or a latte from Smoke & Timber. Bonus: sustainability is front and center at Hatley Pointe, so guests can partake in a more environmentally friendly ski day.
Blue Ridge Parkway
If you’d rather trade the downhill skis for Nordics, go cross-country skiing on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Parkway runs right past Maggie Valley and certain sections close to car traffic during winter. When snow falls in the Great Smoky Mountains, you can strap on your skis and glide along pristine trails that you may have all to yourself.
When to Ski in Maggie Valley
Though it likely goes without saying, winter is the best time of year to ski in Maggie Valley. Ski season typically begins in November and ends in March, though resorts’ exact opening and closing dates vary from year to year based on the weather. Nighttime temperatures must consistently dip below 35 degrees Fahrenheit to make and keep snow on the ski slopes, so for the best chances of good coverage, try to arrive between December and February.
That said, you’ll want to avoid busy holiday weekends as much as you can. Longer lift lines, limited lesson availability, and jam-packed parking lots are common sights in the days surrounding Christmas, New Year’s, President’s Day, and Martin Luther King Jr. Day. So, do yourself a favor and visit at a less crowded time for a more peaceful ski trip.
Ski Shops in Maggie Valley
Ski resorts typically rent out all the gear you might need for a day on the slopes. But if you want to show up in style or you’re a skilled skier looking to upgrade your kit, swing by one of these shops in Maggie Valley. Experienced staff will be more than happy to help you gear up and get to shredding.
Maggie Valley Skis & Tees
- 3463 Soco Rd, Maggie Valley, NC
- skis-and-tees.com
- A popular choice for souvenirs and ski rentals
If you’re worried you might not be able to pick up the right rentals at the resort, look no further than Maggie Valley Skis & Tees. This relaxed shop in downtown Maggie Valley rents out all the gear you’ll need in convenient packages or a la carte, and sells items for those who may have forgotten their winter coats and boots at home. You can also commemorate your ski trip by purchasing a souvenir or two.
Flipside Boardshop
- 4920 Soco Rd, Maggie Valley, NC
- flipsideboardshop.com
- The latest and greatest in ski- and snowboard-wear
You’ll find Flipside Boardshop across the street from Tube World, so you can easily stop by on your way up the mountain to Cataloochee. Those who want to take their skiing outfits up a notch can score all kinds of great deals on winter clothes and accessories here. Make sure to check out Flipside’s merch, too—you could nab some great hidden gems.
Strap On Your Skis in Maggie Valley
Skiing in the Southeast is a unique adventure all its own, and you won’t want to miss the hours of fun that can be had in and around Maggie Valley. In addition to all the excitement on the slopes, visitors will get to enjoy the region’s warm, welcoming atmosphere, a far cry from snobby resorts out west.
Book your trip dates with Carolina Vacations and reserve your lessons, lift tickets, and gear rentals well in advance!
