By Ali Lemmons
While snow days tend to be few and far between in Chattanooga, the Scenic City is still a prime location for winter sports enthusiasts. If you’re looking to hit the slopes, there are plenty of skiing opportunities near Chattanooga. From Ober Mountain to Hatley Pointe and more, grab your skis and get ready to shred some pow!
Ober Mountain
The only ski resort in Tennessee, Ober Mountain is also the closest ski resort to Chattanooga. Located in the Great Smoky Mountains in Gatlinburg, Ober Mountain is only three hours from downtown Chattanooga. From November to April, guests can enjoy all kinds of winter fun, including skiing (with lift tickets starting at $43), snowboarding, snow tubing, and the Family Snow Zone for younger visitors. Even when natural snowfall is limited, Ober Mountain has you covered – using advanced technology to produce machine-made snow and keep the winter fun going.
Besides just skiing, guests at Ober Mountain can enjoy ice bumper cars, ice skating, a mountain coaster, The Gatlinburg Tram, and so much more. And the fun doesn’t have to end in the warmer months. Ober Mountain is open year-round and offers downhill mountain biking, a rock climbing wall, and wildlife habitats with over 44 native animals.
Cataloochee Ski Area
Located just over the Tennessee-North Carolina border, Cataloochee Ski Area is approximately three and a half hours from downtown Chattanooga. Located in Maggie Valley, this ski resort offers everything you need for a thrilling ski trip, including day and night slope passes, lessons, equipment rentals, and promotional rates for organized groups. Slope passes begin at $46 for adults.
For those looking for family-friendly fun, Cataloochee Ski Area also operates Tube World at a nearby location. Children 42 inches and taller can enjoy tubing down the hill for two-hour sessions, while younger kids can explore the “Wee Bowl,” a confined area with snow and inner tubes.
Ski Sapphire Valley
Also three and a half hours from the Scenic City, Ski Sapphire Valley is located in Sapphire, North Carolina. Since its opening in 1966, this ski resort offers skiing, snowboarding, tubing, and zip lines in the Blue Ridge mountains. Daily lift rates start at $65 for adults. They also have a ski school, lodging, and dining options on site.
If you’re new to the skiing scene, Ski Sapphire Valley offers top-notch instruction and on-the-mountain guidance from professional instructors to build confidence and ensure a safe trip. Also at Ski Sapphire Valley, families can enjoy Frozen Falls Tube Park, a 500-foot run with a vertical drop of 60 feet. With no age or height restrictions, everyone in the family can enjoy this winter activity.
Hatley Pointe
Just 30 miles north of Asheville in Mars Hill, North Carolina, Hatley Pointe clocks in at four hours from downtown Chattanooga. Nestled in the stunning Blue Ridge mountains, this ski resort offers guests access to 21 different slopes and boasts unparalleled quality and service. Operating as a reservation-only resort, with lift tickets and rentals purchased in advance, Hatley Pointe seeks to ensure you spend more time on the mountain and less time waiting in line. Full-day passes start at $68 per ticket, and season passes are also available for purchase.
When you’re not hitting the slopes, Hatley Pointe offers elevated dining, including eateries that offer reimagined American classics, signature lattes, hand-crafted pizza, and more. And, if you’re looking to do some shopping on your trip, Hatley Pointe’s South Knit is a collection of mountain-ready apparel.
Beech Mountain
With a peak elevation of 5,506 feet, Beech Mountain Resort is the highest ski area in Eastern America and has been operating since 1967. Located in Beech Mountain, North Carolina, this ski resort is just over a four-and-a-half hour drive from downtown Chattanooga. With skiing, tubing, lessons, and lodging, Beech Mountain has everything you need for the ultimate ski vacation. Slope passes start at $47.
In the warmer months, Beech Mountain becomes a hub for summer activities such as mountain biking and disc golf. The resort also boasts an impressive nightlife and dining atmosphere, with 5,506’ being a popular stop for scenic dining and a full bar. Located at the mountain’s peak, this eatery is only accessible by chairlift, with the option to ski or snowboard on your way back down.
Sugar Mountain Ski Resort
Nearing five hours from the Scenic City, Sugar Mountain Ski Resort is located in Sugar Mountain, North Carolina. In the winter, guests can enjoy 20 slopes across 125 acres of skiable terrain, tubing, ice skating, and snowshoeing. Full-day slope passes start at $61 per adult. Clothing and equipment rentals, ski and snowboard lessons, and child care are also available to make your vacation as convenient as possible.
In the summer months, guests can enjoy a variety of events at Sugar Mountain, including a food truck festival, summer music series, Fourth of July fireworks, and more to keep the fun going year-round.
From skiing and snowboarding to tubing and more, each of these ski resorts near Chattanooga offers fun for the whole family. Happy skiing!
