This winter, travelers looking for an affordable alternative to popular ski destinations like Aspen and Salt Lake City should be setting their sights on the East Coast. Boone, North Carolina, is the country’s hidden gem for winter sports, boasting three impressive resorts within a 20-mile radius. Home to some of the longest and largest slopes in the region, it’s the undisputed “Ski Capital of the South.”
All three resorts are managed by local companies rather than nationally owned pass programs, like Ikon or Epic. The result is a more authentic, welcoming experience focused on regional skiers and short-term visitors rather than affluent national passholders. Local management also results in lower prices (single-day adult lift tickets are as low as $54 versus upwards of $200 in Aspen), smaller crowds and no pesky blackout dates.
A few additional highlights:
- Join the 1 million other students who have learned to ski or snowboard at the French Swiss Ski College.
- Extend the fun with night skiing available on all three of Boone’s ski mountains—Appalachian Ski Mountain is open as late as midnight on weekends.
- Experience après ski at a variety of local restaurants, breweries and music venues, including the newly opened Mill Camp Wines & Ciders.
