Skiing and Snowboarding

Our winters are generally mild, but snow is not unusual, particularly in the higher elevations around Cashiers, Sapphire Valley and Balsam. At the Sapphire Valley Ski Area, snowmaking machines help maintain prime skiing conditions from mid-December through February. The ski area offers four slopes, a vertical drop of 425 feet, a chair lift, and a surface lift. Locations in northern Jackson County are within reasonable driving distance of Cataloochee Ski Area in Maggie Valley. The Blue Ridge Parkway is closed during any kind of winter weather, and is popular with cross country skiiers during those times.