Hit the Ski Slopes Near Atlanta

Take a family trip to ski, snowboard and enjoy winter weather at these ski areas close to Atlanta. You’ll find slopes for every experience level, plus extras like skating, snow tubing and instruction. The season typically runs until late March.

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Beech Mountain Resort

1007 Beech Mountain Pkwy., Beech Mountain N.C.; 800-438-2093

Lift tickets: $26-$91; ages 4 and younger free with ticketed adult.
Number of slopes: 3 beginner, 7 intermediate, 4 advanced, 2 freestyle. 8 lifts.
Off the slopes: Ice skating, tubing, restaurants, two port shops.
Children’s programs: Group and private lessons available for ages 4 and older. The Snow Kamp indoor/outdoor program (ages 3-5) includes childcare and basic ski instruction. Snowflakes Childcare serves ages 1-5, with snacks and a large playroom. Traxx (ages 6-12) offers instruction for beginner and experienced skiers.
Approximate distance from Atlanta: 5 hours.

Cataloochee Ski Area

1080 Ski Lodge Rd., Maggie Valley, N.C.; 828-926-0285

Lift tickets: $27-$49; ages 4 and younger free with ticketed adult.
Number of slopes: 8 beginner, 7 intermediate, 2 advanced, 1 freestyle. 5 lifts.
Off the slopes: Snow tubing, ski shop.
Children’s programs: Private lessons for ages 3 and older; group and family lessons for ages 8 and older, Cat Trackers (ages 4-12) includes ski instruction, games and activities.
Approximate distance from Atlanta: 3 hours.

Ober Gatlinburg Ski Area

1001 Parkway, Gatlinburg, Tenn.; 865-436-5423

Lift tickets: $35-$79; ages 5 and younger free with ticketed adult.
Number of slopes: 2 beginner, 6 intermediate, 3 advanced. 3 lifts.
Off the slopes: Snow tubing, aerial tramway, ice skating, ski mountain coaster, kids’ snow zone, wildlife encounter, shops, restaurants.
Children’s programs: Group and private lessons for ages 5 and older.
Approximate distance from Atlanta: 4 hours.

Ski Sapphire Valley

127 Cherokee Trail, Sapphire, N.C.; 828-743-7663

Lift tickets: $32.25-$83.
Number of slopes: 1 beginner, 1 main. 2 lifts.
Off the slopes: Snow tubing.
Children’s programs: Private lessons for ages 4 and older; group lessons for ages 5 and older.
Approximate distance from Atlanta: 3 hours.

Sugar Mountain Resort

1009 Sugar Mountain Dr., Sugar Mountain, N.C.; 828-898-4521

Lift tickets: $28-$84; ages 4 and younger free with ticketed adult.
Number of slopes: 9 beginner, 10 intermediate, 3 advanced. 8 lifts.
Off the slopes: Snow tubing, ice skating, snowshoeing.
Children’s programs: Group lessons for ages 8 and older; private lessons for all ages. Sugar Bear Ski School (ages 5-10); Polar Bear Snowboard School (ages 7-14).
Approximate distance from Atlanta: 5 hours.

Wolf Ridge Ski Resort

578 Valley View Circle, Mars Hill, N.C.; 828-689-4111

Lift tickets: $34-$92; ages 4 and younger free with ticketed adult.
Number of slopes: 4 easy, 9 intermediate, 2 advanced. 4 lifts.
Off the slopes: Snow tubing, lodge with restaurant and gift shop.
Children’s programs: Snow Sports School offers private (ages 5 and older) and group (ages 8 and older).
Approximate distance from Atlanta: 3.75 hours.

Appalachian Ski Mountain

940 Ski Mountain Rd., Blowing Rock, N.C.; 828-295-7828

Lift tickets: $25-$80.
Number of slopes: 3 beginner, 3 intermediate, 3 advanced, 3 freestyle. 6 lifts.
Off the slopes: Ice skating.
Children’s programs: SKIWee Camp (ages 4-10) and Cruiser Camp (ages 7-12) teaches beginner and first-time skiing and snowboarding. Mountain Challengers (ages 7-12) teaches intermediate skiing skills. Childcare (ages 1-4) is available in the Nursery.
Approximate distance from Atlanta: 5 hours.