8 regional mountain ski resorts

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What’s a good way to lose those extra pounds gained during the holidays? Hit the slopes.

We’ve gathered some of the best skiing experiences in the region for you + your crew to get your Shaun White on. Maybe you’ll land a cab double cork 1440 … whatever those are.

⛷️ For the closest experience …

Cloudmont Ski & Golf Resort | 📍 Mentone, Ala. | 💰 $ 20-$33 (lift), $15-$25 (rentals) | 🚘 ~ 50 minutes from CHA

⛷️ For those who want to ski in Tennessee …

Ober Gatlinburg | 📍 Gatlinburg, TN | 💰 $30-$65 (lift), $20-$30 (rentals) | 🚘 ~ 3.0 hours from CHA

⛷️For a Griswold-approved family vacation…

Appalachian Ski Mountain |📍 Blowing Rock | 💰 $30-62 (lift), $12-28 (rentals) | 🚘 ~ 4-hours from CHA
With three beginner slopes, three intermediate, three expert + three freestyle slopes, no one will be left out. #Pro-tip: They offer night skiing seven days a week.

⛷️For the skiers and non-skiers…

Cataloochee Ski Area |📍Maggie Valley | 💰 $30-78 (lift), $25-30 (rentals) | 🚘 3.5 hours from CHA
The oldest ski area in North Carolina, with 18 slopes and five lifts. Best part? For those non-skiers, head over to Tube World located just a few miles from the slopes for some (you guessed it), tubing.

⛷️For those on a budget…

Sapphire Valley |📍Sapphire |💰 $21-60 (lift), $11-20 (rentals) | 🚘 ~ 3.5 hours from CHA
Bonus: Sapphire Valley also offers a three-hour zip line tour on the Vordach for only $37.50.

⛷️For #SundayFunday…

Beech Mountain |📍Beech Mountain | 💰 $20-79 (lift) + $12-45 (rentals) | 🚘 ~ 4 hours from CHA
13 slopes and five lifts, ready to make your day in the snow worthwhile. Ice skating, tubing, freestyle terrain + Beech Mountain Brewing Company—one of the only US breweries owned and operated by a ski area. (Talk about Funday). #Protip: After a long day on the slopes or the rink, wind down with the Long Winter Mocha Stout (9: ABV).

⛷️For those who want to stay more than one day…

Sugar Mountain Resort |📍Sugar Mountain |💰 $18-74 (lift), $10-33 (rentals) – 25% off in March | 🚘 ~ 4.5 hours from CHA
With 21 slopes and eight lifts, ice skating, tubing, snowshoeing, 15 nearby lodging options, five nearby spa locations, nine dining options and plenty of shops close by, you and your group will want to stay as long as possible. Plus, ski lessons for the kids. (A.k.a on-mountain babysitting.)

⛷️For those who want to visit AVL + ski ...

Wolf Ridge Ski Resort |📍Mars Hill | 💰 $20-71 (lift), $10-34 (rentals) | 🚘 ~ 4 hours from CHA
Perfect for those who want to spend more time on the slopes than on the road. In addition to skiing/snowboarding their 15 slopes, you can spend your day on the Tube Run featuring a “magic carpet” lift. Asheville, N.C. is just 40-minutes away.

Do you want to make memories with your family? It’s hard to beat a day on the slopes. And even though we live in the less-than-snowy part of the state, there are several amazing ski resorts just hours away. At the very least, you’ll have a great story to tell about how you broke that bone.

Remember: relax your toes and flex your ankles.

See you on the slopes.

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