The Great Smoky Mountains may be in the South, but these majestic peaks get plenty of cold weather and snow. A ski adventure here makes for an invigorating and awe-inspiring experience with breathtaking views to admire as you carve a path through the powder. Ski resorts in the Smoky Mountains offer thrilling winter activities for outdoor enthusiasts. Get access to everything from snowboarding and tubing to hiking and ice skating, then slip inside to enjoy a hot toddy beside a roaring fire.
Whether you’re looking for an adrenaline-fueled day on the mountain or you just want to marvel at the glittering views from inside the lodge, you’ll find a winter wonderland that stretches from Tennessee to North Carolina. It’s the cabin fever cure you’ve been looking for. So, what are you waiting for? Kick the winter blues and head to one of these incredible ski resorts in the Smoky Mountains.
Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort in the Smoky Mountains
Ober Gatlinburg is the premier ski resort on the Tennessee side of the Smokies and offers incredible skiing for all skill levels. Skip the drive up the mountain and hop onto the Aerial Tramway in downtown Gatlinburg instead. Soar high above the city as you enjoy stunning views of the mountains you’re about to shred. With both day and night skiing, you get access to eight trails that originate at the 3,300-foot summit of Mount Harrison. There’s a path for everyone from beginners to intermediate skiers to experts. The longest run is an epic 5,000 feet, and you’ll find a vertical drop of 600 feet on nearly every trail you tackle.
Families love Ober Gatlinburg for its indoor ice skating rink and bobsled ride. Plus, there are skiing and snowboard lessons for beginners as well as plenty of dining options to warm up and refuel. You’ll find a wide variety of nearby accommodations that will fit any budget. Try Dancing Bear Lodge for a classic Smoky Mountains vibe with award-winning cuisine or The Ramsey if you prefer an upscale hotel experience.
1001 Parkway Gatlinburg, TN 37738 | 800-251-9202
Cataloochee Ski Area
For the best North Carolina ski resort in the Smoky Mountains, head to the Cataloochee Ski Area in Maggie Valley. As the state’s first ski area, Cataloochee has welcomed visitors and thrill seekers for over 50 years. With elevations up to 5,400 feet, its 18 slopes offer winter excitement for everyone. The trails are 44% beginner, 39% intermediate, and 17% advanced to expert. And with extensive snow making capabilities, it keeps more base snow on the mountainside than many other ski resorts in the Smoky Mountains.
The on-site school offers ski and snowboard lessons, and the Cat Cage Terrain Park features ramps, rails, and boxes for runs that will get your heart pumping. When your fingers get frosty, head into the lodge where you can grab a bite to eat in the restaurant or a warm drink in the bar, where live bluegrass music is offered on Fridays. Just minutes from Cataloochee Ski Area and set on serene Jonathan Creek, the cozy cabins at Meadowlark Motel are an ideal home away from home. Or Creekwood Village Resort offers a tranquil retreat in a picturesque setting.
1080 Ski Lodge Road Maggie Valley, NC 28751 | 800-768-0285
Appalachian Ski Mountain
Located in Blowing Rock, NC, Appalachian Ski Mountain offers 10 slopes, 3 exciting terrain parks, an outdoor ice skating rink, and an observation deck with panoramic mountain views. With peak elevations of 4,000 feet and a vertical rise of 365 feet, your day on the slopes will be epic. To warm up, head into the Bavarian style lodge and grab a bite to eat beside the fireplace that overlooks the slopes.
This exciting ski resort in the Smoky Mountains has several ski chalets and a number of gorgeous slopeside cabins located on and around the resort. You can also find “stay and ski” packages at a huge selection of inns, motels, vacation rentals, and B&Bs in Blowing Rock.
940 Ski Mountain Rd Blowing Rock, NC 28605 | 828-295-7828
Sugar Mountain Resort
The Sugar Mountain Ski Resort in the Smoky Mountains is the High Country’s winter vacation spot filled with adventure and incredible mountain scenery. The summit stretches into the sky, reaching nearly 5,300 feet, and with snowfall averages of more than 70 inches of natural powder, you’ll find some spectacular ski conditions. The resort features 125 acres of fun with 21 slopes and the largest vertical drop in North Carolina’s mountains at a whopping 1,200 feet.
As a ski town, Sugar Mountain is a one-stop shop. In addition to skiing, there’s snowboarding, tubing, ice skating, snowshoeing and winter hiking. Get your gear at local winter sport shops and ski equipment rentals. And book your stay at one of the many vacation rentals and mountain homes near the slopes. For a true ski in/ski out lodging option try the Sugar Ski & Country Club. Or located about a mile above the ski resort, The Highlands at Sugar sits at 4,500 feet elevation with breathtaking mountain views.
1009 Sugar Mountain Drive Sugar Mountain, NC 28604 | 828-898-4521
Beech Mountain Resort
The Beech Mountain Ski Resort in the Smoky Mountains has a cool claim to fame. Its summit elevation is 5,506 feet above sea level, which makes it the highest ski resort in all of eastern North America. And with 17 slopes across 95 skiable acres and 830 feet of vertical rise, there’s a trail for every skill level. Tackle the longest run at 1 mile or raise your high-flying game at the terrain park. There’s also ice skating and snow tubing available plus a little something extra. Head to the resort’s Sky Bar to sample the craft beer that’s brewed right on site at Beech Mountain Brewing Company.
Save yourself the hassle of shuttling back and forth to the slopes when you stay right on the top of the mountain. Try the Beech Mountain Inn, or escape to a cozy ski chalet with a Beech Mountain Chalet rental.
1007 Beech Mountain Pkwy Beech Mountain, NC 28604 | 828-387-2011
