Snow season is the most wonderful time of the year in the Blue Ridge Mountains! You can find all kinds of frosty fun in the High Country, and Graystone Lodge is the perfect home base for all your winter adventures – skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, ice skating and more! No matter your age or skill level, the High Country is filled with snowy memories on the slopes. Here’s where to go:
Appalachian Ski Mountain
Scheduled opening day: November 17
Ice skating opening day: November 22
- Skiing
- Snowboarding
- Ice Skating
Appalachian Ski Mountain features 9 slopes and 4 freestyle terrain areas. Dine, unwind and enjoy views from the observation deck throughout the day at The Lodge. You can also rent equipment and/or clothing depending on your needs.
French Swiss Ski College is a fantastic option for ski and snowboard newbies. Expect fresh snow conditions frequently, either from Mother Nature or the high-capacity snowmakers.
A zamboni-maintained outdoor ice rink is open to the public for skating (online reservations required). Lessons available!
Be sure to check out the App Ski Mountain First Timer’s Guide for more essential details.
Beech Mountain Resort
Snow tubing opening day: November 17
Skiing and Snowboarding Scheduled opening day: November 24
- Skiing
- Snowboarding
- Snow tubing
Beech Mountain Resort boasts the highest elevation ski area, with 15 slopes and 2 terrain parks. Ski school and snowboarding school are offered for kids ages 6 – 12. You can also book hourly group lessons (for ages 8 and up) or private lessons (for ages 4 and up). Rent equipment and/or clothing depending on your needs.
Check out the Beech Mountain First Timer’s Guide for additional tips if you need ‘em.
Snow tubing is offered at the base of the slopes in 1 hour and 45-minute sessions. There’s a strict height requirement of 42” (no lap riders allowed), so keep that in mind if booking sessions with children.
Sugar Mountain Resort
Scheduled to open by November 22
- Skiing
- Snowboarding
- Snow Tubing
- Ice Skating
- Snowshoeing
Sugar Mountain Resort covers the largest ski area in North Carolina and features 20 slopes, a terrain park and special after hours skiing and snowboarding each night. The resort has robust snowmaking capabilities and a bundle of amenities including dining, shopping and childcare.
Snowsports School offers group lessons for skiers and snowboarders ages 8 and up and private lessons for ages 4 and up. Rent equipment and/or clothing depending on your needs.
Snow tubing sessions are 1 hour and 45 minutes long and open to children as young as 3 (when ridesharing with an adult). You’ll find the tubing park just across the street from the base lodge. Tickets are available for purchase one hour before each session on a first come, first served basis.
Next to the tubing park is a 10,000-square-foot ice skating rink. Bring your own skates or rent a pair at the adjacent Dan Nixon Pro Shop. As with snow tubing, ice skating tickets are available one hour prior to each session on a first come, first served basis.
Snowshoeing is a great way to truly ‘take in’ the winter wonderland around you. Hour long guided tours are offered for ages 8 and up (includes snowshoe rental). Sign up at least 15 minutes before your scheduled tour time and enjoy!
Hawksnest Snow Tubing
Scheduled Opening Day: November 24
- Snow tubing
Hawksnest Snow Tubing is the “go to” place for tubing! It’s a dedicated tubing park only 8 minutes from Graystone Lodge! It provides easy access to 4 tubing areas and up to 30 lanes of snow tubing fun. Each session is 1 hour and 45 minutes long, and available for adults and children ages 3 and up.
If you’ve never been snow tubing before, check out the FAQs for lots of helpful info.
Please keep in mind that opening dates for all the activities listed above are weather dependent. Visit the resort links for current conditions and up-to-date reports. And don’t forget to book your stay at Graystone Lodge today!