After a Hurricane Helene-impaired fall, optimism rises from the prospects of $240 million in spending generated by the state’s six ski areas with an additional infusion from tubing hills, ice rinks, and alpine coasters.

With the South’s highest peaks and coldest winters, the North Carolina mountains have welcomed skiers since 1961, when Cataloochee Ski Area opened in Maggie Valley. Appalachian Ski Mtn. followed the next year in Blowing Rock.

In its most recent tracking of economic impact, the NC Ski Areas Association reported a record $244.3 million in direct, indirect and induced spending during the 2022-23 winter season. Given the loss of fall visitation to the mountains after Hurricane Helene, a robust winter is critical, according to Visit NC’s Executive Director Wit Tuttell.

“Even destinations that escaped the worst of Helene lost traffic as a result of travel concerns and a lack of awareness that our southern mountains were welcoming visitors for fall foliage viewing,” Tuttell said. “A robust winter for our ski areas, tubing hills and other slopeside attractions will add a bright spot to the economic picture.”

Kimberly Jochl, president of the North Carolina Ski Areas Association and vice president of Sugar Mountain Resort, said the ski areas are ready for action, several offering new updates, improvements, and additions to visitors.

About 30 miles north of Asheville, Hatley Pointe in Mars Hill restages the runs of the former Wolf Ridge Ski Area and adds a boutique approach to its amenities. After time on the 54 acres of skiable terrain, guests can fuel up at the lodge, whose dining options include the full-service Smoke & Timber restaurant and bar, a café, grab-and-go food, and a walk-up bar with Peaks & Pies food truck serving pizza outside.

At Beech Mountain Resort, the 5,506' Skybar returns with new design elements. Visitors arriving by chairlift to this favorite summit for bites and beer will find updated seating and additional televisions along with the sweeping views. The resort will also install new lights to create a cosmic tubing experience during night sessions.

Nearby Sugar Mountain, home of the double-black-diamond WhoopDeDoo trail, has partnered with SKIDATA on an RFID chip-based ticket system with various onsite and online lift/slope ticket purchasing options. Sugar has also doubled the width of its Northridge slope from the 5,300-foot summit to the popular Gunther’s Way and Switchback.

“Winter weather is upon us, and the North Carolina ski resorts are prepared and ready to provide an electrifying winter experience,” Jochl said. 

“The arrival of snow has never been more welcome,” said Tuttell. “Hurricane Helene limited fall getaways to many of our mountain destinations, but our ski areas were able to recover quickly and prepare for prime time on the slopes. That’s a double shot of good news. Travelers can enjoy the thrills and beauty of our peaks while destinations will appreciate the much needed economic vitality.”

Source: Visit NC