North Carolina Ski Resorts Announce Opening Dates (Surprisingly?)

I get it, business is business. And when your business is winter sports and entertainment, the show must go on. That being said, Hurricane Helene carved such a swath of destruction through western North Carolina and the mountains, that I honestly thought there was no way the North Carolina ski resorts would open on time if at all this year.

I have, apparently underrated the can-do spirit of those who own and operate places like Beech Mountain Ski Resort. Opening day there is now set for Friday, November 29th. Passes are on sale now and according to Beech Mountain's website, an unlimited season pass is now available thru the end of October for $475 (that's a discount of $140). Weekday season pass prices are as follows:

-$415 for adults
-$315 for juniors, seniors and military
-$250 for local students, teachers and faculty from Appalachian State University, Lees-McRae College, Avery County Schools and Watauga County Schools

Note: The weekday season passes are valid Monday to Friday, excluding holidays.

Other North Carolina ski resorts are following suit. Appalachian Ski Mountain is set to open (weather permitting) a week before Beech Mountain on November 22. It's pre-season ticket sales begin October 25 and run through November 3. Thankfully, the resort suffered minimal damage from Hurricane Helene.

Cataloochie Ski Area has yet to officially proclaim its opening date for the season, but plans to offer its season passes beginning November 1.

However, other resorts have not been so lucky. Sugar Mountain sustained significant damage from the storm. That being said, the resort will have season passes available next week (10/15) and is planning on hosting a job fair on November 2 at 10am.

It seems like the winter weather is here to stay. YAY! I'm glad it's cooling down and if you're into skiing and/or tubing, you're probably glad too! Tubing is something I've never done on snow, and I would really like to try. I have gone skiing and it's definitely not my thing. Of course, I've had three knee surgeries so I'm skiing isn't the sport for me. LOL! If you love to frolic in the snow, Charlotte Five has a list of five awesome North Carolina ski resorts that aren't too far of a drive.

Most ski resorts in the North Carolina mountains open in mid-to-late November. Though significant amounts of snow may not fall when the season begins, temperatures fall enough to make weather conditions ideal for skiing, snowboarding, tubing and more on artificial snow. If you enjoy any or all of those activities, here are five places to check out this winter.

Pack a bag and get ready because Appalachian Ski Mountain opens on November 18, which is this weekend! This snow sport resort has been opened since the 60's and it's the second oldest in the state of North Carolina. Slope hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m.-midnight, Fridays and Saturdays

Read more at: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-travel/article268579807.html#storylink=cpy

As a kid, my family went to Sugar Mountain. The first and only time I tried to ski was at Sugar Mountain. I ended up on my butt real quick! LOL! But the trips were fun! The resort has over 20 slopes and has night skiing. Opening date is dependent on the weather.

If you like a thrill, then you need to check out Beech Mountain Resort. They have the highest ski slopes in the eastern U.S. If you don't know how to ski or snowboard, this resort offers lessons in both. And they also offer more than 50 features for freestyle skiers. Their opening day is set for November 19.

I'll be honest, I've never heard of Wolf Ridge. It's about 30 minutes north of Asheville is. It's a family-oriented resort that offers beginner and expert slopes. The resort also provides a top-rated snow sports school that provides lessons to all winter sports enthusiasts, regardless of skill level. Very cool! It's good to learn first so you don't end up on your butt like me! LOL!

Located in Maggie Valley, Cataloochee Ski Area offers lots of slopes and trails that are beginner level. And this resort has you covered if you need gear! Their rental department offers more than 4,000 sets of ski and snowboard equipment. And if you check out their website, it looks like they have some amazing tubing slopes! They open November 16, which is tomorrow, so you can plan a trip asap!