Appalachian Ski Mountain
Appalachian Ski Mountain is a small ski area in western North Carolina, located in Watauga County along US 321 between Blowing Rock and Boone. The base is at about 3,635 feet and the top at around 4,000 feet, giving a vertical drop of 365 feet. The mountain covers about 27 acres and offers 11 trails for all levels: 2 beginner, 6 intermediate, and 3 advanced. The longest run is Orchard Run, about a half mile.
There are three terrain parks, including North Carolina’s only Burton Progression Park. The parks are AppalTop, Appaljack, and Appal Jam. Park staff rebuilds a park weekly, and starting with the 2010-11 season a park pass is required for upper-level terrain parks. Pass options are $5 for an annual pass or $3 per day; riders under 18 must have a parent present to complete paperwork.
To access the slopes, the mountain uses two quad chairs, one double chair, a handle tow, and two conveyor lifts. Night skiing is available on all runs, and the entire area has snowmaking.
Snowmaking keeps the slopes covered, and base depths can be well over 100 inches in peak season. In the lodge area you can rent skis, snowboards, helmets, and other gear, and there are shops, plus a slopeside restaurant. There’s also a 6,000-square-foot outdoor ice skating rink with night skating and skate rentals.
Appalachian is home to the French Swiss Ski College, which offers group and private lessons, and it’s known for offering terrain park instruction in the Southeast. The resort opened in the 1960s and was renamed Appalachian Ski Mountain in 1968.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 16:13 (CET).