Winter Fun in Western North Carolina!
Winter in Western North Carolina means bundle up an get outside for snow skiing, snow tubing, ice skating and great winter hikes!
Scroll Down for Fun!
(Info, Videos, Ski Lodging, Links, More!)
Winter in Western North Carolina means bundle up an get outside for snow skiing, snow tubing, ice skating and great winter hikes!
Scroll Down for Fun!
(Info, Videos, Ski Lodging, Links, More!)
On this page you will find places to snow ski, snow board, snow tube, ice skating and even some winter hikes to frozen waterfalls!
Need a winter vacation rental, go to
Please reference our Winter Sports Matrix here to find that perfect winter experience and get away!
Learn more about this winter sports facilities below! These are all in a 1 hour drive from each other in The High South of Western North Carolina!
| Facility |
Skiing |
Tubing |
Boarding |
Skating |
| Cataloochee |
x |
x |
x |
|
| Highlands Outpost |
x |
x |
||
| Ski Sapphire |
x |
x |
x |
|
| Highlands |
x |
Reservations are no longer needed and will not be taken.
Winter 2022-2023 Schedule
Thursday 3:30-8:00pm
Friday's 3:30-10:00pm
Saturday 1:00-10:00pm
Sunday 1:00-5:00pm
Thanksgiving Schedule
Open Wednesday, November 23rd from 1:00-8:00pm, Closed Thursday, November 24th Thanksgiving Day. Open
on Friday, November 25th 1:00-10:00pm, Saturday 1:00-10:00pm and Sunday 1:00-5:00pm.
**Christmas break schedule
Monday, December 19th -Thursday, December 23rd 1:00-8:00pm and Friday 1:00-10:00pm
Closed Saturday and Sunday December 24th and 25th
Monday, December 26th-Thursday, December 29th 1:00-8:00pm, Friday, December 30th 1:00-10:00pm
Saturday, December 31st 1:00pm-1:00am
Saturday, January 1st schedule back to normal
Private parties can be scheduled on Mondays and Tuesday that are not open to the public from 6:00-8:00pm but must be booked two weeks in advance. Limited to 30 skaters. This must be scheduled through Lester Norris at 828-526-3556.
Price:
$5.00 (with or without skates)
Rental skates available, youth size 8 to adult size 14.
Coffee and Hot Chocolate will also be available.
Visit: https://highlandsnc.org/recreation-ice-rink
For more information, call the Highlands Parks & Recreation Dept. at 828-526-3556
Formerly known as the Scaly Mountain Outdoor Center, this was also once a favorite local ski area! Snow tubing, ice skating and the Scaly Screamer mountain coaster will provide a full day of family fun!
Highlands Outpost Ice skating:
The ice skating rink at the Highlands Outpost is a very popular venue. In this image several guest are using the skating assist apparatus to get used to being on skates!
The Scaly Screamer!
The new Scaly Screamer mountain coaster is open for Christmas and the 2022 Season!
Scaly Mountain Screamer
Open 7 Days a Week
December 18th – January 9th
Just imagine over 3800 feet of gravity-powered thrills through the magnificent Appalachian Mountains! Our mountain coaster is the longest in North Carolina, boasting 360 degree turns and gorgeous views that you enjoy at your own speed.
Location:
7420 Dillard Road
Scaly Mountain, NC 28775
Phone Number:
(828) 526-3737
Target Opening Date:
Opened late October !!
Equipment Rentals:
Yes
Tubing:
Yes
Ice Skating:
Yes
Highlights:
The Highlands Outpost, formerly known as Scaly Mountain Outdoor Center, has recently invested big money in their snowmaking equipment and the new Scaly Screamer - a mountain coaster!
They offer a very long tube run and ice skating which is very popular. This is a smaller facility but very convenient to the North Georgia and Western North Carolina market.
Highlands Outpost Holiday Hours
Snow Tubing - 9 - 8
Kiddie Snow Play - 9 - 8
Scaly Screamer Coaster - Daily
Ice Skating - 9 - 8
Cafe - Open 11 to 6, lunch menu, no ticket sales upstairs
Learn More and check on reservations here:
Content and Images Courtesy: Highlands Outpost
Cataloochee Ski Area opened Nov 14th for the 2022 - 2023 season!
Location:
1080 Ski Lodge Road
Maggie Valley, NC 28751
Phone Number:
(828) 926-0285
Target Opening Date:
Nov 14, 2022
Equipment Rentals:
Yes
Tubing:
Yes at nearby Tube World
Ice Skating:
No
Highlights:
Cataloochee Ski Area when fully opened - all lifts and all trails - really offers a good day of skiing and boarding close to the Georgia and South Carolina markets.
Fully open they have 5 lifts total: 1 quad, 1 triple, 1 double chair, 2 moving carpet surface lifts serving eighteen slopes and trails.
Top Elevation 5,400′
Base Elevation 4,660′
Vertical Drop 740′
LAbout this rental
Cabin
940 sq. ft
2 bedrooms
2 bedsSleeps 4
2 bathrooms
2 full baths
Spaces
Kitchen Living Room Deck/Patio
About this rental
Cabin
1000 sq. ft
2 bedrooms
1 bed Sleeps 4
2 bathrooms
2 full baths
Spaces
Kitchen Living Room Deck/Patio
About this rental
Cabin
1100 sq. ft
2 bedrooms
2 beds Sleeps 4
2 bathrooms
2 full baths
Spaces
Kitchen Living Room Deck/Patio
Contacts: info@cataloochee.com Website: https://cataloochee.com/
This is a very good ski area for beginners and families as everything is very close - parking, ski lodge, the lift - all within sight! .
Location:
127 Cherokee Trail
Sapphire,NC
Phone Number:
(828) 743-7663
Target Opening Date:
Dec 17, 2022
Equipment Rentals:
Yes
Tubing:
Yes
Ice Skating:
No
Highlights:
Ski Sapphire Valley is part of the Sapphire Valley Resort amenity offerings. It has been in operation since 1964!
The Frozen Falls Tube park is the most popular snow sport here and overs 1.75 hours of thrills. Most visitors are simple too tired to complete the full time. The tube park is in the shadows most of the day and can get quite fast on cold days.
Top Elevation 3450
Base Elevation 3200'
Vertical Drop 250′
Please Visit SkiSapphireValley.com
for more info!
HIgh South Adventures is part of The High South Media Network! Our other sites:
SapphireValleyResort.com
SkiSapphireValley.com
HighSouthRentals.com
The High South Media Network covers news, events, vacation rentals and recreational opportunities all around the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains.