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If you are living or visiting Atlanta in the winter, you may have not realized there are 7 options for ski resorts near Atlanta.
Winter has arrived and locals are getting excited that we received the first few flurries in the metro Atlanta area. Yes, it does snow in Atlanta, by the way. There is nothing better than packing up the car with your heaviest coats, gloves and hats and heading up to the mountains for a weekend getaway at a ski resort.
Like many other cold weather transplants to sunny Atlanta, we want our kids exposed to skiing at a relatively young age, without blowing our budget by flying out west.
Snow might have been a factor while comparing the pro’s and con’s of living in Atlanta. You might have conflicting thoughts like, I don’t want to shovel it, yet I want to ski all the time.
Luckily there are great ski resorts near Atlanta, with ski lessons for teaching the kids. Here are 7 ski resorts with ski lessons within a few hours drive to Atlanta.
Map of 7 Ski Slopes with Ski Lessons Near Atlanta
7 Best Ski Resorts With Ski Lessons Near Atlanta
Beech Mountain
- Website: Beech Mountain
- Address: 10767 NC-105, Banner Elk, NC 28604
- Elevation: 5,506′
- Miles from Atlanta: About 275 miles
With 9 chair lifts and 17 trails and ranging from beginner to expert, Beech mountain has something for everyone.
In the winter, enjoy the skiing, terrain park, ice skating and snow tubing. Bring the kids and have them learn to ski at the many options available, in ski school. There is even child care for little ones over the age of 1 year old. Bring them and go hit the slopes!
In the summer, you can buy a lift pass and enjoy some down hill mountain biking and disc golf.
Appalachian Ski Mountain
Website: Appalachian Ski Mountain
Address: 940 Ski Mountain Rd, Blowing Rock, NC 28605
Elevation: 4,000′
Miles from Atlanta: About 275 miles
The mountain offers 11 trails including 2 beginner trails, most trails are rated intermediate. If you have experience, there are 3 advanced trails and a terrain park as well. The ski resort offers 6 ski lifts.
Wolf Ridge Ski Resort
Website: Wolf Ridge Ski Resort
Address: 578 Valley View Cir, Mars Hill, NC 28754
Elevation: 4700′
Miles from Atlanta: 225 Miles
With mostly beginner and intermediate trails, Wolf Ridge is a great place to learn how to ski. There are 15 trails, two of which are rated expert. The mountain offers 4 ski lifts.
Snow tubing is available close by.
Group and private lessons are available for kids aged 5 and up.
Cataloochee Ski Area
Website: Cataloochee Ski Area
Address: 1080 Ski Lodge Rd, Maggie Valley, NC 28751
Elevation: 5,400′
Miles from Atlanta: About 180 miles
Located in Maggie Valley, Cataloochee Ski Area offers 18 trails, a terrain park and 5 ski lifts. The trails are mostly beginner and intermediate making this a great place to learn how to ski. There are two advanced trails for experts.
A variety of group and private lessons are available for the kids. Group lessons are available for kids 8 and above.
Sugar Mountain Resort, Inc.
Website: Sugar Mountain Resort
Address: 1009 Sugar Mountain Dr, Sugar Mountain, NC 28604
Elevation: 5300′
Miles from Atlanta: About 270 miles
Sugar mountain has a lot to offer, including 21 slopes, 15 of which are available for night time skiing. There are 3 expert trails, the rest are for beginner and intermediate skiers. The mountain includes one terrain park serviced by a tow lift.
For the youngest children, daycare is available. Ski school is offered either full day and half day. Ski school for skiing starts at age 5 and up. Snowboard school starts at age 7 and up.
Other winter activities at the resort include, tubing, snowshoeing and ice skating
Ober Gatlinburg
Website: Ober Gatlinburg
Address: 1339 Ski Mountain Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Elevation: 3,000′
Miles from Atlanta: About 200 Miles
Ober Gatlinburg, nestled in the Smokey Mountains, offers much more that just skiing. It doubles as an amusement park in the summer complete with a mountain side rollercoaster.
During winter, you can go skiing, tubing, ice skating and even on ice bumper cars. Group and private ski lessons are available to the kids
In the summer, there is amusement activities, an alpine slide, a maze, rock wall and many other activities for the kids.
Ski Sapphire Valley
Website: Ski Sapphire Valley
Address: 127 Sapphire Valley Rd, Sapphire, NC 28774
Elevation: 3,400′
Miles from Atlanta: About 150 miles
With two slopes, snow tubing, and a winter zip line experience, Sapphire valley is a close option from Atlanta for a day trip to get the kids out in the snow.
Kids attending a group or private lesson can enjoy a gentle slope and easy to use ‘moving carpet’ lift.
If you didn’t see your favorite ski resort near Atlanta that has ski lessons available, please leave a comment with your favorite one.