10+ Ski Resorts Within A Day’s Drive From Knoxville

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10+ Ski Resorts Within A Day’s Drive From Knoxville
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My family loves to snow ski. We all ski, even my youngest who is five. She started when she was three! Our favorite place to go is Snow Shoe, West Virginia, but there are plenty of other resorts within a day’s drive or shorter that are great. If you have never been, I suggest enrolling in Ski School — they teach you not only how to ski, but also emphasize mountain etiquette and it is VERY IMPORTANT! I also suggest putting your kids through ski school. We all know our kids listen better to other adults when learning new skills, and this will give you a few hours to hit the slopes on your own!

10+ Ski Resorts within a day's drive from Knoxville pinterestOnce you go a few times and decide it is for your family (literally our ski vacations are our favorite as a family, even over the beach!), you might want to look into getting your own gear. You will save a ton of money and not have to wait in the long rental lines. We buy all of our gear used. Check out Alpine Ski Center at the end and beginning of each season as they usually have good used equipment. We have also found tons of our stuff at second hand and thrift type stores. In the spring, the mountain sells off old rental equipment that is usually in great condition. If you are there right before the close of the season, definitely check them out. We rent for our youngest because she is still growing, but once we were fairly certain our teen was done growing, we bought her boots and skis.

Another thing that makes skiing fun is how you can be in sub-zero, blizzard-like conditions and still be comfortable. Invest in good layering ski clothes. The outer layer must be waterproof, especially if you are new to the sport because you will spend a fair amount of time in the snow. The great thing is once you buy them, you will always have them, and no one cares about fashion on the slopes. The important thing is comfort. You will only need one jacket and pants/bibs your entire ski life! But invest in something that will last and that will keep you comfortable.

I also believe every single skier/boarder should wear a helmet.

It is easy to lose control and fall and you do not want to get a head injury. Plus, the amazing helmets are so comfortable, and they keep you warm! They also have vents to open up so if you get hot you can get a little air.

The first time I skied and used the lift I actually fell off. We were trying to disembark, my daughter and I, and let’s just say we are neither one the most graceful or athletic. So we tangled our skis or something and the next thing I knew, we were both on the ground in front of the chair which was head straight for our heads. I grabbed her head and pushed it down but forgot to get my own out of the way.  I got hit in the back of the head by the lift chair. I did have a helmet on, but it still knocked me hard and I ended up with a huge headache about 15 minutes later. I was also so embarrassed that I started crying half-way down the trail. Silly, I know now, but at the time it seemed like something to cry over.

Liftopia is a great resource for purchasing your lift tickets online ahead of time. You can get lift tickets to almost any ski area at a discounted price.

10+ Ski Resorts Within a Day’s Drive from Knoxville

1. Snowshoe, West Virginia

With 58 trails, 14 lifts, 251 ski-able acres, and a 1,500-foot vertical drop, Snowshoe Mountain has something for every level of skier. They even have tubing, snow mobile rentals, shops, restaurants, indoor and outdoor pools, and night skiing. So even if you would rather not ski, it’s a perfect winter vacation spot for everyone.

This was taken on the first day of our trip last March
And this was from the same spot on our last day of the week!

They do get a lot of snow at Snowshoe; they boast they have the largest base in the East, but there are plenty of blue bird days at almost heaven, too!

We love to stay in Powder Ridge or Shamrock. They both offer front-door parking, with mudrooms for all your wet gear. They have full kitchens, one-three bedrooms, balconies, and are ski-in-ski-out. Night Skiing at Silver Creek is so fun, too. Snowshoe runs regular buses all day and night at no extra cost, so you don’t have to drive anywhere once you get there.

A lot of people prefer to stay at the Village where all the restaurants and shops are. We would rather have front-door parking, mudrooms, and a kitchen-to each his own, right?

The downside: It is about a 7-hour drive from Knoxville. It is well worth the drive, though.

Pricing: We usually get the Ridiculous Season Pass they offer in February for a limited number. You pay about $499, but you get the rest of that season, then all of next season. No blackouts, no limits. An unlimited season pass is $699. A Silver Creek Pass (which does not include the majority of the mountain) is $329. A day pass is $88-$153, depending on weekday or weekend or holiday. You can see what a great deal the Ridiculous pass is. We usually try to make at least one week-long trip and one long weekend trip to get our money’s worth out of the season pass. They also offer college and military discounts, so be sure to ask. They offer discounts for buying lift tickets online ahead of time, so it’s a good idea to get them before you head to the mountain, at least 72 hours in advance.

2. Cataloochee Ski Area, Maggie Valley, North Carolina

Only a two-hour drive from Knoxville, Catalochee offers over 50 ski-able acres, a 740-foot vertical drop, three lifts, 16 trails, and night skiing. You can drive, ski all day/night, and even drive home in one day. They also offer plenty of places to stay so you can make it a long weekend or longer trip.

The downside: It isn’t huge, and if you are a very skilled skier, you might get bored quickly.

Pricing: Season Pass $790 (see why Snowshoe calls it the “Ridiculous” pass??) Weekday, 4-hour pass is $42, and 6-hour pass is $52. Kids are $30 for 4-hour or $42 for 6-hour

3. Winter Place West Virginia

Winter Place is about a 4-hour drive from Knoxville, and on the way to Snowshoe. Winterplace is the best place for learning to ski. With 90 ski-able acres, 10 lifts, a 603-foot vertical drop, 27 slopes plus two terrain parks, night skiing, and a tube park, Winterplace gives you the most bang for a short drive. I learned to ski here and so did my oldest and some of our extended family. It is very beginner friendly. The beginner slopes are long and meandering through the woods, quiet and picturesque. There are lots of fast lifts, too.

The downside: Winterplace isn’t a luxury resort like some of the others. They have some cabins that are right there, but you can’t really stay in any condos or ski-in-ski-out places. Most of the lodging is actually off-site and a short drive to the slopes. They are nice enough hotels, just not luxurious. But if your main goal is to ski, that really doesn’t matter. It’s a nice, clean place to lay your head.

Pricing: Season passes for adults are $699 and $499 for Jr/Sr. Lift tickets start at $74 depending on holiday and weekend pricing for one day lift tickets. But they offer a great deal that includes a lift ticket, equipment rental, and a 90-minute lesson for $115-$130 (depending on weekday or weekend). This is how we got started with our skiing love affair. It is such a great deal, and the reason I feel Winterplace is the best resort for beginners. You can also get multiple-day tickets with a bigger discount. Check them out online.

4. Beech Mountain, North Carolina

Offers 95 ski-able acres, 17 trails, eight lifts, an 830-foot vertical drop, night skiing, tube park, and ice-skating. Beech is only a 3-hour drive from Knoxville, too. I find that they have more man-made snow than the West Virginia slopes (but so do Ober and Cataloochee). The trouble with man-made snow is that it tends to be icier. All of the slopes do their own snow making; it’s inevitable and the only way to stay open, but nothing is better than fresh powder.

The downside: Only 15 trails (two of the 17 are terrain parks) – perfectly fine for beginners and intermediate skiers, but the more seasoned skier might get bored quickly.

Pricing: Season passes start at $590, but in October they offer a limited number of passes at $400. Lift tickets start at $40 for half day, $50-$65 for all day. Kids four and under ski free with an adult!

5. Sugar Mountain, North Carolina

With 125 ski-able acres, 21 slopes, seven lifts, plus ice skating and tubing, Sugar is a great ski resort. Just a three-hour drive from Knoxville, they also have night skiing. Because it is warmer there, they currently only have 12 slopes open and five lifts, but, hey, it’s WARMER! So, ski in your snow pants and a sweatshirt and enjoy East Coast skiing! Season passes are $1200 for the first and you add one family member for an additional $790, and a second for $600, lift tickets range from $44-$88, and you can get a deal with multi-day tickets.

The downside: The weather is warmer so most of the snow is man-made and you are not going to find as big a base at Sugar that you will at some of the other ski areas.

6. Ober Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Just a 1.5 hour drive from Knoxville, Ober has the best prices around. They have 12 slopes, four lifts, one tram, two magic carpets, a 556-foot vertical drop, and 38 skiable acres. They also have a tube park, ice skating, tons of shopping, a ski mountain coaster, and an aerial tramway that anyone can ride. Weekday night skiing is VERY affordable, and totally doable mid-week.

The Downside: It is usually very icy because, you know, we just don’t get really cold temperatures or a lot of natural snow around here. It is small, and very crowded. BUT any money you spend goes to help support the people of Gatlinburg, so that totally negates any downside in my book.

Pricing: Season passes are $399, with students, military, and seniors at $299. Twelve-hours of skiing on a Saturday is $84.00 for adults and $70.00 for kids. Sundays a full session is 9:00am to 6:00pm. The cost for adults is $69.00 and $59.00 for kids. Night session tickets are also available. Easily drive up, ski night, and drive home. What a deal!

Hatley Pointe

15 trails and four lifts and just a 2.5-hour drive from Knoxville. I confess I haven’t been to this one, but it is on our list to ski this season or next! They are under going a name change and renovation (formerly known as Wolf Ridge Ski).

Pricing: Season passes start at $750 for individual or a family of four is $399 per person. Lift tickets range from $40-$85 depending on day of the week or holiday rates. GREAT PRICES!

8. Wintergreen Resort, Virginia

11,000 acres, 21 slopes, and five lifts. It is only a 5.5-hour drive from Knoxville, and they also offer a tube park, luxury accommodations, and plenty of other things to do besides ski.

The Downside: Again, I haven’t been here, but I will say the drive is a little longer than some of the other options.

Pricing: Season Passes start at $399-$699 depending how early you buy them, the best prices start in March. 1 Day/Night tickets range from $89-$139. They also offer multi-day discounts and other package deals.

9. Timberline Ski Resort, West Virginia

100 acres of ski-able terrain, 41 trails, and four lifts. It is a seven-hour drive from Knoxville.

The Downside: Timberline is comparable to Snowshoe as far as the drive, snow base, elevation, and vertical drop. Where Timberline isn’t quite as good as Snowshoe is the number of acres, trails, and lifts. If I am going to drive that far, I really want more options.

Pricing: $399-$699 for a season pass (again depending on how early you buy), $69-$95 for 1-day tickets. They also offer package deals.

10. Canaan Ski Resort, West Virginia

47 slopes, three lifts, and a 7.5 hour drive from Knoxville. They also offer plenty of restaurant choices, shopping options, lodging areas and pool/spa activities.

The Downside: I am going with the same thing I have said a lot here, too long a drive for what you get out of it. But I am sure it is a great place and provides a fabulous vacation! This post is about drive-able ski vacations from Knoxville, right?

Pricing: Season passes range from $399- $599, depending on age. They offer a lower price for people that purchase their passes in the spring. A 1-day lift ticket is $55, or $108 with ski rental. They also offer discounts if you purchase more days.

Other Drivable Ski Resorts from Knoxville:

Appalachian Ski Mountain
940 Ski Mountain Road
Blowing Rock, NC 28605
(828) 295-7828

Bryce Resort
1982 Fairway Drive
Basye, VA 22810
800-821-1444

Cloudmont Ski & Golf Resort
721 County Road 614
Mentone, AL 35984
(256) 634-4344

Massanutten Ski Resort
1822 Resort Drive
Massanutten, VA 22840
(540) 289-4952

Sapphire Valley Ski Area
127 Cherokee Trail
Sapphire Valley, NC 28774
(828) 743-7663

How old were your kids when you taught them to ski? Which is your favorite place to ski?

Also check out ice skating in the Knoxville area!

 

4 COMMENTS

  1. If they ski blue and blacks in Colorado, then probably not. But if greens and blues are good enough, try Winterpkace. It’s great! There were still a few rooms left at Snowshoe at the Inn- it’s just a hotel but it’s fine to get great skiing. I also saw a couple VRBO’s as of 2 days ago! Good luck!! Let me know what you end up doing and how it goes!! Thanks for reading!

  2. Hey Robin! Usually they will start selling the Ridiculous Pass in March, and yes, you can ski the end of the season 2021 and then all of 2022. Usually. But now we are still in the throws of a pandemic and they are only operating at a 35% capacity. You have to get a reservation for a lift access, and just having a lift ticket or season pass does not guarantee you lift access. Season pass holders get first dibs at reservations. I haven’t seen any info yet for the next season’s Ridiculous Pass. I will update here when I do!

  3. Good for you, LeAnne. The most important thing is to first be comfortable, so get good layers that fit well and allow for you to dress for the weather- spring skiing can be freezing or a Bluebird day which is usually best spend in ski pants and a sweatshirt! I suggest EVERYONE wear helmets, especially if you are a beginner. You will be able to rent your skis, helmet and boots, get your lessons, and your lift ticket all together in a package. After your first lesson, you can add lessons the next day/s for only $20. This is perfect because they split you up according to your skill level, so you can learn the basics the first day, then they take you further up the mountain and help you navigate the chair lifts and the different terrains. Take the time to make sure everyone learns mountain etiquette; this is designed to keep everyone safe on the mountain. Hope this helps!

  4. We are at Snowshoe now and we like it best overall, but just wanted to offer more info for
    Canaan Valley since you haven’t been. We had some great snow there in Feb 2022. Stayed at the Canaan Valley Conference Center which was super close and easy drive to the slopes. We skied on “Food Bank Monday”—$30 lift ticket! It’s small, but we had enough options for our young kids for two days of skiing. My favorite part of the whole area was Blackwater Falls State Park. The waterfall is gorgeous. Then we did the most epic sled run. They have a magic carpet that takes you to the top of the hill with your sled. It’s over 1/4 mile ride down. So, so fun.

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