SNOW SKIING
At Cataloochee Ski Area in Maggie Valley, North Carolina, skiing offers a welcoming and scenic experience tailored especially to families and learners while still providing fun for more experienced skiers. With 18 trails and a vertical drop of 740 feet, the resort isn’t about massive vertical or extreme terrain—but rather about consistency, comfort, and atmosphere. What makes it unique is its strong emphasis on quality snowmaking and evening ski options, which means good conditions even when natural snowfall is scarce. The vibe is down‑to‑earth: you’ll find short lift lines, rental equipment wizards, and a friendly, easygoing crowd taking pleasure in the slopes rather than chasing vert. Set high in the Great Smoky Mountains, Cataloochee adds a dose of natural beauty and quiet mountain charm that larger, more pretentious resorts often lack.
HILL STATS
5400 FT
PEAK ELEVATION
4660 FT
BASE ELEVATION
740 FT
VERTICAL DROP
18
SLOPES
5
LIFTS
50 ACRES
TOTAL SKIIABLE AREA
BEGINNER
8 SLOPES
INTERMEDIATE
7 SLOPES
EXPERT
2 SLOPES
TERRAIN PARK
2 SLOPES
SEASON
NOVEMBER 12 – SEASON BEGINS
LATE MARCH – SEASON ENDS
SLOPE HOURS
EARLY SEASON: NOV 12 2025 – DEC 11 2025
PEAK SEASON: DEC 12 2025 – MAR 7 2026
LATE SEASON: MARCH 8TH, 2026 – CLOSING DAY IN LATE MARCH
SLOPE TICKETS
Tickets may be purchased online or at the location. Availability isn’t guaranteed if purchasing day of at location.
4 HOUR PASS TICKET
Passes can be used any time from open to close and offer the freedom to choose when you begin your session. The 4 or 6-hour period must be used on the date it was purchased for and during consecutive hours, but your time will not begin until you have arrived onto the snow with your equipment.
- For the night upgrade price, simply exchange your expired day pass after you have finished skiing or snowboarding at Guest Services after 5:00 PM to be able to keep going through 10:00 PM.
- Holiday dates are November 26th – 29th, December 15th – January 2nd, January 16th – 19th, February 13th – 16th
6 HOUR PASS TICKET
Passes can be used any time from open to close and offer the freedom to choose when you begin your session. The 4 or 6-hour period must be used on the date it was purchased for and during consecutive hours, but your time will not begin until you have arrived onto the snow with your equipment.
- For the night upgrade price, simply exchange your expired day pass after you have finished skiing or snowboarding at Guest Services after 5:00 PM to be able to keep going through 10:00 PM.
- Holiday dates are November 26th – 29th, December 15th – January 2nd, January 16th – 19th, February 13th – 16th
NIGHT PASS TICKET
Night passes are valid 5pm – 10pm. Night skiing is projected to start December 12th and run thru March 7th. December 24th (Christmas Eve) is excluded.
- Holiday dates are November 26th – 29th, December 15th – January 2nd, January 16th – 19th, February 13th – 16th
RENTAL EQUIPMENT & CLOTHING
Rental equipment and clothing are available. Items are first come first serve and location may run out. You should rent your equipment and clothing when you pre-purchase your tickets to ensure availability.
You can pick up your rental equipment and clothing after 7pm the night before your reservation to save you time on the day of your reservation. You can also pick up your equipment up to one hour before the slopes open each day as well to ensure you are geared up and ready to go when the slopes open.
When extending your 4 or 6 hour pass to include a night pass your equipment rental is automatically extended as well at no extra charge.
THINGS TO KNOW
- Lockers are available and come in four sizes. They take credit cards as payment.
- Season passes are available.
- You can purchase tickets up to two weeks before your desired date.
- Lessons are available.
DISCOUNTED RATES
Passes at any rate other than full price cannot be purchased online and are only available on-site at Guest Services.
- HOMESCHOOL: Every Tuesday, starting January 6th through the end of the season, homeschoolers receive special rates on slope passes, rentals, and lessons. Valid enrollment credentials must be presented at time of purchase. This promotion is for day skiing from 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM only.
- FAMILY DAYS: Available every Wednesday, starting January 7th through the end of the season. Parents can receive one (1) complimentary slope pass for each full-priced adult slope pass purchased. Promotion is reserved for children 17 and under. Pricing is not valid on holidays, or with any other program or discount.
- SENIOR: Seniors ages 65-69 receive $10 off one slope pass purchase per day. Seniors ages 70+ receive one complimentary slope pass per day. Valid, government issued identification with proof of age intact is required to receive discount.
- MILITARY: Military personnel (active duty, reservist, retired, veteran) receive $10 off one slope pass purchase per day. Discount is reserved for service member only. Valid, government issued identification with proof of service intact is required to receive discount.
- TODDLER: Children ages 0-4 receive complimentary slope passes with the purchase of a full-priced accompanying parent or guardian adult pass. *Rental equipment is not included with a complimentary toddler slope pass and must be purchased separately at the YOUTH rate.
- GROUP: Cataloochee Ski Area offers the opportunity for ski groups of 15 or more people to book in advance. This includes arrangements for slope passes, rental equipment, and lessons. Promotional rates are reserved for organized groups booked in advance for non-holiday Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday only. These rates have limited availability each day and are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. Securing your group’s accommodations early is highly recommended.
BOOK YOUR EXPERIENCE
Click the link to visit the official website.
OTHER AMENITIES AVAILABLE AT THIS LOCATION
ON-SITE DINING
The area has a restaurant that serves your basic food options (chicken tenders, burgers, soups, salads, etc,) that is open the same hours as the slopes. There is also a bar that opens at 11am.
INSTRUCTION
The area has numerous ski and snowboard lesson options for all ages and skill levels.
LOCKERS AVAILABLE
Lockers are available for storing personal items in four different sizes. Lockers are first come first serve and they take credit cards as payment.
RETAIL STORE
There is a retail store on-site that offers wintersports clothing and equipment as well as gifts and apparel.
SHUTTLE
Cataloochee offers shuttle service from the overflow parking areas to the ski area during busier times.
VISIT LOCATION PAGE
Click the link to visit the location page for this activity and learn all about the location.
OTHER ACTIVITIES AT THIS LOCATION
Snowboarding Cataloochee NC
At Cataloochee, snowboarding thrives on reliable snow and a relaxed vibe rather than steep challenge and big airs. Whether you’re just learning to link heelside turns or cruising through the terrain park, the setting is friendly, accessible, and full of mountain character.
Snowboarding Cataloochee NC
At Cataloochee, snowboarding thrives on reliable snow and a relaxed vibe rather than steep challenge and big airs. Whether you’re just learning to link heelside turns or cruising through the terrain park, the setting is friendly, accessible, and full of mountain character.
ACTIVITY AT OTHER LOCATIONS
Snow Skiing Beech Mtn NC
Perched at 5,506 feet—the highest town and ski area east of the Rockies—the resort benefits from cooler temperatures and consistently solid snowfall.
Appalachian Ski Mtn
Appalachian Ski Mtn. is a resort in Blowing Rock, NC that offers a good mix of easy, moderate, and difficult slopes.
Ski Sapphire Valley NC
A calm and family friendly ski and snowboard resort that is perfect for beginners and intermediate skiers.
Snow Skiing Sugar Mountain NC
As the largest ski area in the state, Sugar offers over 125 acres of terrain with 21 slopes and trails that cater to every skill level—from gentle beginner runs to challenging black diamonds for advanced skiers.
Snow Skiing Hatley Pointe NC
Hatley Pointe provides a refined skiing experience with strong grooming, efficient operations, and terrain for all abilities. Its upgraded facilities and intimate atmosphere make it a standout for skiers seeking quality over crowd size.
Snow Skiing Hatley Pointe NC
Hatley Pointe provides a refined skiing experience with strong grooming, efficient operations, and terrain for all abilities. Its upgraded facilities and intimate atmosphere make it a standout for skiers seeking quality over crowd size.
Snow Skiing Sugar Mountain NC
As the largest ski area in the state, Sugar offers over 125 acres of terrain with 21 slopes and trails that cater to every skill level—from gentle beginner runs to challenging black diamonds for advanced skiers.
Snow Skiing Beech Mtn NC
Perched at 5,506 feet—the highest town and ski area east of the Rockies—the resort benefits from cooler temperatures and consistently solid snowfall.
Ski Sapphire Valley NC
A calm and family friendly ski and snowboard resort that is perfect for beginners and intermediate skiers.
Appalachian Ski Mtn
Appalachian Ski Mtn. is a resort in Blowing Rock, NC that offers a good mix of easy, moderate, and difficult slopes.












