North Carolina offers a number of great ski resorts where you can hit the slopes. Whether you are a seasoned skiing expert or a snowboarder who is learning the ropes, there is a ski resort in North Carolina that will offer a great experience for you. If you live in Raleigh or are perhaps considering moving to Raleigh, you may be curious what the skiing scene looks like in the area.
While there are a ton of avid skiers in Raleigh, you are going to have to travel to a solid ski resort. Raleigh is located about two and a half hours away from the mountains but a day drip to a ski resort from Raleigh is definitely possible. In this article we will break down everything you need to know about skiing out of Raleigh.
Are There Ski Resorts in Raleigh, NC?
If you have ever been to Raleigh, NC you will quickly be able to determine that there are not any ski resorts in Raleigh. While there are hills in Raleigh, the terrain is far to flat to support a solid ski resort. Furthermore, the climate would not allow for sufficient snow production. There is not much natural snow in the Raleigh area.
While there are not any ski resorts in Raleigh, there are a number of great ski areas in Boone, NC. Boone is located just a few hours away and offers three different ski resorts.
Here are the closest ski resorts to Raleigh, NC.
What is The Closest Ski Resort to Raleigh, NC?
When residents of Raleigh decide to skiing, many immediately look for the closest ski resort. You want to maximize your time on the slopes so naturally you want to find a ski resort that is as close as possible. The closest ski resorts to Raleigh are going to be located in Boone, NC which is approximately three hours away depending on which part of Raleigh you are coming from.
Here are the ski resorts close to Raleigh, NC.
What is The Best Ski Resort Near Raleigh, NC?
If you are looking for the closest ski resorts to Raleigh, NC you will likely be setting your GPS to take you to Boone. Boone, NC offers a couple of great ski resorts and is pretty close to Raleigh. The ski resorts in Boone are close enough for a day trip from Raleigh if you are desperate for a little bit of time on the slopes.
Here are the ski resorts closest to Raleigh.
Appalachian Ski Mountain
Drive Time: 3.25 hours
Appalachain Ski Mountain is approximately three and a half hours away from Raleigh and features a few great slopes. Appalachain Ski Mountain is the closest ski area to downtown Boone and is a favorite of snowboarders who are looking for a solid terrain park. This resort is also very close to Appalachian State University.
Appalachian Ski Mountain Website / 940 Ski Mountain Rd, Blowing Rock, NC 28605
Sugar Mountain Resort
Drive Time: 3.5 hours
Sugar Mountain Resort is a Ski Resort in Boone that is slightly further away from Raleigh than Appalachian Ski Mountain. Sugar Mountain Resort is the largest ski resort in North Carolina. While Sugar Mountain Ski Resort offers the most skiable acres and the most slopes, it is also the most crowded resort. If you can find a way to get to Sugar Mountain during the week it isn’t so bad, but if you want to avoid long lift lines, another option may be a better idea.
Sugar Mountain Resort Website / 1009 Sugar Mountain Dr, Sugar Mountain, NC 28604
Beech Mountain Ski Resort
Drive Time: 3.75 hours
Beech Mountain Ski Resort is approximately 15 minute further away from Raleigh than Sugar Mountain. This area offers incredible slopes and is the highest altitude ski resort in North Carolina at 5,506ft. If you want a great all around ski experience less than four hours away from Raleigh Beech Mountain is a great choice. A fun fact about Beech Mountain is that it is the ski resort with the most natural snow in North Carolina.
Beech Mountain Ski Resort Website / 1007 Beech Mountain Pkwy, Beech Mountain, NC 28604
Can You Make a Day Trip To a Ski Resort from Raleigh?
A common question people ask when planning a ski trip from Raleigh is “can you make a day trip to a ski resort from Raleigh?” The answer is yes. As long as you are comfortable spending about 7 hours in the car, you can easily make a day trip to Boone to go skiing. You can easily spend half of a day on the slopes and make it back to Raleigh at a reasonable hour.
While Beech Mountain Ski Resort is the furthest of the three ski resorts in Boone, you can easily do a day trip to Beech Mountain from Raleigh, NC.
Do you love to ski? What are your favorite ski resorts to visit from Raleigh?
