7 places to ski and snowboard within 3 hours of Charlotte

Editor's note: The pricing shown is for the 2025/26 season, updated January 2026. Some resorts offer special discounted pricing in the off-peak season, on weekdays and multi-day rentals.

Appalachian Ski Mountain, Blowing Rock

Distance from Charlotte: About 95 miles; 1 hour, 53 minutes

Season: Now until March 15

Rental rates: $25-$48 for ski rentals; $31-$52 for snowboard rentals

Lift rates: $31-$90

Number of slopes: 13 (three easy, six more difficult, four most difficult)

Slope status: Find the slope report here and get a live view from the slope cam here.

Food & drink: The onsite restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner with offerings like eggs and bacon, grilled burgers and hot dogs.

Prefer not to hit the slopes? Check out the ice skating rink instead. There are three ice skating sessions per day (noon-2pm, 3-5pm and 7-9pm). Ice skating rates range from $23-$32, depending on the day of the week. Details.

Sugar Mountain Resort, Sugar Mountain

Distance from Charlotte: About 113 miles; 2 hours, 15 minutes

Season: Open now through March.

Rental rates: $21-$50 for ski rentals, $42-$65 for snowboard rentals, $19-$24 for helmet rentals.

Lift rates: $37-$99

Number of slopes: 20 (eight green runs, eight blue runs, two black runs and two double black runs).

Slope status: Find the slope report here and get a live view from the slope cam here.

Food & drink: There are several places nearby to grab something to eat. Click here for a full list of options.

Alternatives to the slopes? There’s tubing, ice skating and snowshoeing as well. Find more events and activities here.

Beech Mountain Resort, Beech Mountain

Distance from Charlotte: About 121 miles; 2 hours, 35 minutes

Season: Open now through March 14.

Rental rates: Ski rentals range from $35-$45, including boots, bindings and poles. Snowboard rentals range from $45-$50. Helmets rent for $20.

Lift rates: $32-$110

Number of slopes: 17 (three green runs, nine blue runs, four black diamond runs and one freestyle terrain parks)

Slope status: Find the slope report here and get a live view from the slope cam here.

Food & drink: Grab a bite to eat from 5506′ Skybar or enjoy beer and bar bites from Beech Mountain Brewing Co.

Go deeper: A guide to a 24-hour luxury stay in Beech Mountain

Sapphire Valley, Sapphire

Distance from Charlotte: About 151 miles; 2 hours, 45 minutes

Scheduled season: Now until March 1.

• After New Year's Day, Ski Sapphire Valley is open Fridays–Sundays, with Monday openings on Jan. 19 (MLK Day) and Feb. 16 (Presidents Day).

Rental rates (rental + lift): $48-98.

Number of slopes: Two. The resort has one 1,600-foot main run with a 200-foot vertical drop. It accommodates all levels of skiers and aims to attract families. There's also a beginner/training slope.

Slope status: Find the snow report here.

Food & drink: Take a break to refuel at one of the resort’s many restaurants. Find the list here.

Want more mountain fun? There’s tubing and several amenities, like a sauna and gym for those who stay onsite.

Cataloochee Ski Area, Maggie Valley

Distance from Charlotte: About 155 miles, 2 hours, 50 minutes

Season: Now through mid-March.

Rental rates: $38-$45 for skis, $45-$50 for snowboards, $15 for helmets, $17 for ski poles.

Lift rates: $31-$89

Number of slopes: 18 (eight green runs, seven blue runs, two black runs and a terrain park)

Slope status: See the snow report here and get a live view from the base cam here.

Food & drink: Start the day with a filling breakfast from Joey’s Pancake House, warm up with some award-winning chili from Maggie Valley Sandwich Shop and end the day at BrickHouse Burgers and Pizza.

Want more mountain fun? Go tubing.

Hatley Pointe Mountain Resort, Mars Hill

Distance from Charlotte: About 160 miles; 2 hours, 40 minutes

Season: Now through mid-April

Rental rates: $55-85 for skis and helmets and $55 for snowboards.

Lift rates: $32-$120

Number of slopes: 21 (three green, 11 blue, three black diamond, three double black diamonds and one terrain park).

Slope status: See the snow report and get a live view from the base cam here.

Winterplace Ski Resort, Ghent, West Virginia

Distance from Charlotte: About 195 miles; 3 hours

Scheduled season: Now until mid-March

Rental rates: $32-$42 including boots and poles, $10 for helmets.

Lift rates: $59-$85 for an all-day pass

Number of slopes: 28, plus two terrain parks

Slope status: Find the snow report here.

Food & drink: Stop and grab a bite to eat at one of several onsite dining spots like Mountain Mama’s Food Court, The MountainHouse or Snowdrift Lounge. More info can be found here.

Alternatives to the slopes? The resort is home to West Virginia’s largest snow tubing park.