You could experience a few flurries when visiting Asheville in the winter, but that just adds to the beauty of the city. Pack your bulky coat, gloves, and cap, then come enjoy a winter paradise with us. You'll be so happy you did!
Asheville's high-elevation mountain peaks and robust adventure culture will appeal to winter sports fans. There are numerous outdoor activities available from which to pick, regardless of the type of vacation you are planning.
We'll discuss snow sports to enjoy while in Asheville. Naturally, you'll want to check websites and other online resources to confirm opening times and any other important information that might apply during your stay.
Snow Sports in Asheville
1. Snow Tubing
Asheville has a few favorite spots to go snow tubing. Below are a few of our favorites:
- Moonshine Mountain Snow Tubing Park- With more than 500 feet of fun and excitement for all ages, Moonshine Mountain offers some of the greatest and steepest snow tubing in Western North Carolina. For wait times, be sure to check our website or Facebook page.
- Cataloochee Ski Area- Cataloochee Ski Area is 35 miles west of Asheville and has a vertical drop of 740 feet. The resort's Tube World, just four miles down the hill in Maggie Valley, provides a number of fun runs for snow tubing.
- Wolf Ridge Ski Resort- Wolf Ridge Ski Resort, to the north of Asheville, has a 700-foot vertical drop. Between runs, you can stay toasty in the base lodge beside one of our three fireplaces. The snow tubing park has a large slope that is 350 feet long, 100 feet wide at the bottom, and 60 feet wide at the top.
2. Ice Climbing
Although the ice conditions for climbing are very unpredictable in North Carolina, when it does arrive, it can be magnificent and offer opportunities for both single-pitch and multi-pitch climbs. From expert ice climbers eager to get on steep ice to beginners, the region has climbs for everyone. Contact Fox Mountain Guides and Climbing School to book an ice climbing trip.
3. Winter Hiking
Hiking in the winter has several benefits. You'll typically have the trail to yourself because there aren't as many other hikers. Additionally, you'll be able to enjoy the fresh, chilly air. Enjoy the best views of the year as well, thanks to the bare trees, blue skies, and snowy white ground.
A few of the favorite hiking trails in the area are:
- Rattlesnake Lodge Trail
- Bearwallow Mountain Trail
- Grandfather’s Mountain
- Lover’s Leap Loop Trail
- John Rock Trail
- Chimney Rock
- Moore Cove Falls Trail
When the Blue Ridge Parkway is closed to vehicles due to ice and snow, the high-elevation portions become the ideal hiking trail. You can explore on foot by parking close to an entrance gate (but don't obstruct the gates).
4. Hike or Drive to See Frozen Waterfalls
When in Asheville, you must view the frozen waterfalls. You don't have to hike to see all the ice waterfalls, so don't worry. Driving up to Looking Glass Falls will allow you and your family to enjoy the frozen beauty of this easily accessible waterway.
Make sure to visit Triple and Bridal Veil Falls if you enjoy The Hunger Games. These two places were used for the filming. At Bridal Veil Falls, scenes from The Last of the Mohicans were also filmed.
During your Asheville winter vacation, you should also check out Linville Falls and Gorge, Rainbow Falls, and Mingo Falls.
5. Skiing and Snowboarding
There are great places around Asheville to ski. Below are a couple of our favorites:
- Wolf Ridge Ski Resort- The Wolf is located in the shadow of Big Bald Mountain and has a peak elevation of 4700 feet. There are 22 lighted courses with two double lifts, two quad lifts, and a surface lift spread across 72 acres of skiable terrain with snow making capacity. Enjoy three black diamond courses and nine easy routes for exploration and practice.
- Cataloochee Ski Area- Cataloochee is one of the largest ski resorts in the mountains, featuring 18 trails, a full-service rental department with over 4,000 sets of ski and snowboard equipment, and cutting-edge boot drying technology. Depending on the temperature, The Mountain is open from early November through late March.
Barkwells
As you are planning your Asheville winter vacation, don’t forget to include winter at Barkwells! We create happy vacation memories for dogs with people who love them by providing exceptional vacation accommodations, fun, and freedom for dogs and their families.
Please contact us today with any questions you may have and to reserve your winter vacation with us.
