Every winter, families head to Blowing Rock and Boone area for some of the best skiing in the Southeast making Hemlock Hill Cabin the ideal home base. With four ski resorts and tubing parks within 21 miles, Hemlock Hill Cabin puts you in the perfect location. Not to mention we provide two sleds to use on our sledding hill during your stay. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a beginner hitting the slopes for the first time, there’s something for everyone. Ice skating and sledding are also available.
Appalachian Ski Mountain is the High Country’s most family-friendly ski resort – a beginner welcoming mountain ideal for first-timers and families with young kids. The resort dates back to 1962. The mountain offers a variety of slopes for skiers and snowboarders of all levels, along with night skiing for extended hours of fun.
The resort features convenient amenities like equipment rentals, ski lessons, and a terrain park. With its charming setting and welcoming vibe, Appalachian Ski Mountain is a popular choice for both beginners and seasoned winter sports enthusiasts.
Rachel grew up skiing at Appalachian ski mountain as a teenager and has great memories on the slopes. Appalachian Ski Mountain is just 8 miles from Hemlock Hill Cabin, making it a very convenient choice.
Sugar Mountain is a popular ski resort located just 13 miles from Hemlock Hill Cabin. North Carolina’s largest ski area boasts over 125 acres of terrain suitable for skiing and snowboarding with a 1200 ft vertical drop. With 21 slopes and 7 lifts, there are a variety of runs for all skill levels.
Sugar Mountain also features ice skating, snowshoeing, tubing, equipment rentals and a ski school. Throughout the winter season, Sugar Mountain hosts a variety of events and festivals, including family-friendly activities, live music, races, and themed weekends. With its impressive size, reliable snow conditions, and welcoming atmosphere, it’s a great winter retreat for visitors of all levels.
The highest ski area in the eastern United States is located right here in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. With 17 slopes, there is a diverse range of terrain and trails for skiing and snowboarding.
Beech Mountain also features snowboarding parks, tubing, and ice skating, making it a great spot for winter sports enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels. The resort provides modern amenities, including rentals and ski lessons, along with stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Be sure to visit 5, 506’ Skybar – the summit bar and restaurant whose name references its altitude.
Beech Mountain Resort is just a little further away at 21 miles from Hemlock Hill Cabin, but worth the trip! Beech Mountain has a dedicated sledding hill just a short distance away from the slopes.
Hawksnest Tubing is a popular winter destination located in Seven Devils, North Carolina, just 7 miles from Hemlock Hill Cabin. Known for having the largest snow tubing park on the east coast of the United States, it offers multiple lanes across four different tubing areas for thrilling rides down the mountain. The resort provides a fun experience for all ages, with easy conveyor lifts to bring riders back up the hill.
Hawksnest Tubing is a family-friendly attraction, offering both day and night tubing sessions, making it a perfect spot for winter fun and excitement.
There are three ski resorts within easy driving distance of Blowing Rock — Appalachian Ski Mountain (8 miles), Sugar Mountain (13 miles), and Beech Mountain Resort (21 miles). Hawksnest Snow Tubing in Seven Devils is just 7 miles away and is the largest snow tubing park on the East Coast.
Appalachian Ski Mountain is the best choice for beginners and families. It is the closest resort to Hemlock Hill Cabin at just 8 miles, has a relaxed laid-back atmosphere, and is specifically known as a great place to learn. Sugar Mountain offers more terrain variety if your group includes mixed skill levels.
Beech Mountain Resort is the best option for advanced skiers – it is the highest ski resort in eastern North America at 5,506 feet and offers the most challenging terrain in the area. Sugar Mountain also has variety including the only double black diamond run in the region, called Whoopdeedoo.
Yes! Hawksnest Snow Tubing in Seven Devils is just 7 miles from Hemlock Hill Cabin and is the largest snow tubing park on the East Coast, with multiple lanes across four tubing areas. Sugar Mountain and Beech Mountain also offer tubing. And when fresh snow falls, Hemlock Hill Cabin has its own sledding hill with two sleds provided for guests.
Yes! The Moses Cone carriage trails at Price Lake are perfect for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing when the High Country gets significant snowfall. The trail around Bass Lake is a great starting point and is actually walkable directly from Hemlock Hill Cabin. No lift tickets or reservations needed.
The High Country ski season typically runs from mid-November through mid-March, depending on snowfall and temperatures. All three resorts supplement natural snowfall with snowmaking to maintain reliable conditions throughout the season.
After a thrilling day on the slopes, return to the warmth and comfort of Hemlock Hill Cabin – just 8-21 miles from every resort on this list. You’ll be back in the hot tub within 30 minutes of leaving the mountain. The cabin sleeps up to 8, has a gas fireplace, and comes with a natural sledding hill and two sleds for guests to use when it snows.
The High Country offers endless winter fun, from ski resorts to snow tubing. When you are carving down the slopes or enjoying a laid-back tubing session, this perfect winter adventure awaits you. Which resort will you hit first?
When the High Country gets significant snowfall, the Moses Cone carriage trails are just minutes from Hemlock Hill Cabin and offer 25 miles of wide, well-maintained trails that transform into a quiet winter wonderland after a fresh snow. Perfect for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, the trails are accessible for all skill levels and offer stunning winter views of the surrounding mountains.
And since Price Lake is walkable directly from the cabin, a post-ski walk around the lake in fresh snow is one of those simple, memorable experiences that guests talk about long after they leave.
No lift tickets, no crowds, no reservations. Just fresh snow and mountain views right outside your door.
Cross-country ski and snowshoe rentals are available in the area if you do not have your own equipment.
