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Cooling nights mean mounting anticipation for Western North Carolina 's ski resorts. Workers hold vigil over thermometers, hoping and praying for it to hit the magic number. As soon as it reads 32 degrees, the snowmakers roar to life - thus beginning another busy winter sports season in the mountains. Altogether, Western North Carolina boasts seven ski resorts - four in the High Country and three concentrated within an hour 's drive of Asheville. They range from tiny Sapphire, with just two runs, to Sugar Mountain, which features the only double black diamond trail in the South. Top it off with stunning mountain views and plenty of real snowfall, and it 's no wonder Western North Carolina is a popular winter destination.
Asheville area
Wolf Laurel Ski Resort Located off I-26 N three miles from the Tennessee border " This mountain is part of the Scenic Wolf Resort, a year-round vacation home community that also features summer activities like whitewater rafting. Wolf Laurel has big plans for expansion - a new terrain park was recently completed, and plans are in the works for another ski run and double lift, as well as an airport. Two ski lodges with massive stone fireplaces accommodate families and groups. Acres: 82 Trails: 20, including three black diamonds, eight more difficult , and nine easy Lifts: 5, including a magic carpet for beginners High elevation: 4,700 feet Cost of adult ticket: $52 Other activities: Tubing ($15/hour)
Sapphire Ski Resort Located off Highway 64 in Sapphire, NC " The tiniest ski resort in WNC has just two runs - one intermediate and one beginner, as well as a two-lane tube park. The mountain is part of a 5,700-acre four season resort. Trails: 2, including one intermediate and one beginner Lifts: 1 High elevation: 4,300 Cost of adult ticket: $52 Other activities: no
High Country
Appalachian Ski Mountain Blowing Rock " This area is a favorite of those seeking a bit more of a thrill. Its two popular terrain parks, Appal Jack and Appal Jam, feature more than 30 unique tables, rails and boxes to perform tricks on. A third beginner 's terrain park is currently under construction. And though Appalachian attracts highly skilled skiers and snowboarders, it 's also been host to a fair share of beginners as the home of the French Swiss Ski College, the oldest of its kind in the South. Trails: 10, including three most difficult, five more difficult, and two easiest Lifts: 3 High elevation: 4,000 feet Cost of adult ticket: $52 Other activities: ice skating
Sugar Mountain Resort Banner Elk " Among mountain resorts, Sugar stands a head above the rest when it comes to numbers. It 's the largest, with 115 skiable acres, and boasts both the longest (1,200 foot) vertical drop in the state, as well as the longest run (1.5 miles). It also features Whoopdeedoo, a rare double black diamond with a 1,250-foot drop. Winter activities abound here, including tubing, ice skating and snowshoeing. Acres: 115 Trails: 20 - 40 percent novice, 40 percent intermediate, 20 percent expert Lifts: 7 High elevation: 5,300 feet Cost of adult ticket: $64 Other activities: tubing, ice skating, snowshoeing
Beech Mountain Resort Town of Beech Mountain " This mountain is second in size to Sugar, with a slightly more laid back atmosphere. Crowds are attracted by the specials offered every weekday: Mondays, kids under 13 ski free; Tuesdays feature half price adult tickets; ladies ski for $20 on Thursdays. One of the more popular runs here is Oz, which winds through the site of an old Wizard of Oz theme park (Oz can sometimes close sporadically, so make sure to call ahead). Acres: 95 Trails: 15, including four most difficult, seven more difficult, and two easy Lifts: 10 High elevation: 5,506 feet Cost of adult ticket: $60 Other activities: tubing, ice skating
Hawksnest " Once a popular ski area, Hawksnest shut down its trails and reopened as a tubing only destination for the 2008-2009 season. It 's now the largest tubing operation on the East coast, with 20 lanes of tubing that range between 400 and 1,000 feet in length. Cost: $30 for 1 hour and 45 minute tubing session
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