It’s easy to cozy up and stay inside on the couch during the darker and colder winter months — but avoid hibernating at home this year and use this time to experience North Carolina, because there’s still a lot to see and do. From ski resorts full of outdoor activities and winter sports to upscale inns and luxury spas, here are nine awesome places for some of the best winter activities in North Carolina:

1. Beech Mountain Ski Resort
Beech Mountain Ski Resort, 1007 Beech Mountain Pkwy, Beech Mountain, NC 28604, USA
Facebook/Beech Mountain Ski Resort
At Beech Mountain, you can hit the slopes at the highest ski area in Eastern America. This truly is one of the superlative spots for winter outdoor recreation in North Carolina.
2. Blowing Rock
Blowing Rock, NC, USA
Flickr Christina Roman
The charming town of Blowing Rock is always an incredible place to visit throughout the entire year, but it's especially exciting during the month of January when it's taken over by WinterFest, a three-day festival that's dedicated to all things winter. Plus, local legend says you can see snow fall upside down at the Blowing Rock. It's worth a shot right?
3. Omni Grove Park Inn
Omni Grove Park Inn - Country Club, 290 Macon Ave, Asheville, NC 28804, USA
Flickr Selena N.B.H.
Okay, so this one involves a little cozying up, but it's by the roaring fireplaces in the stunning lobby of the Omni Grove Park Inn. It's also a great place for a dip in an indoor pool. This is truly a bucket-list-worthy destination resort in North Carolina!
4. Sugar Mountain Ski Resort
1009 Sugar Mountain Dr, Sugar Mountain, NC 28604, USA
Flickr Mark Clifton
If outdoor activities and winter sports are your thing, you can take your pick from plenty of them at Sugar Mountain Ski Resort with skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, or ice skating. There's even snowshoeing, too!

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5. The Biltmore
Biltmore Estate, 1 Approach Rd, Asheville, NC 28803, USA
Flickr/Possum1500
The Biltmore Estate is always over-the-top beautiful, but add a blanket of snow and a million twinkling lights and you've got picture-perfect. After touring the incredible Biltmore House, warm up in Antler Village with a tasting at the estate winery. Plus, lower ticket prices are typically available during winter months.
6. Hawksnest Snowtubing Park
Hawksnest Snow Tubing and Zipline, 2058 Skyland Dr, Seven Devils, NC 28604, USA
Facebook/Hawksnest Snow Tubing
For a day full of family-friendly fun take a trip Hawksnest Tubing Park, where you'll find 30 different tubing lanes and two moving carpet lifts that'll easily take you back to the top. Lanes range in terrain and length with some as long as 1,000 feet.
7. Old Edwards Inn and Spa
Old Edwards Inn and Spa, 445 Main St, Highlands, NC 28741, USA
Facebook Old Edwards Inn and Spa
Escape the snow and ice at an upscale retreat in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains at Old Edwards Inn and Spa. This award-winning spa offers treatments sure to beat the winter blues like a Vitamin A facial, or fight off a winter cold with an immunity boosting aromatherapy massage.
8. Hot Springs Resort and Spa
Hot Springs Resort And Spa, 315 Bridge St, Hot Springs, NC 28743, USA
Hot Springs Resort & Spa/Facebook
Relax and unwind in a soothing mineral bath at Hot Springs Resort and Spa. Each bath features natural mineral water straight from the famous North Carolina hot springs. Cherokee legends say the water from the hot springs has healing powers — and who wouldn't want to test that out?
9. Appalachian Ski Mountain
940 Ski Mountain Rd, Blowing Rock, NC 28605, USA
Facebook/Appalachian Ski Mountain
Yes -- there *are* ski resorts in North Carolina! Skiers and snowboarders can stay out all day on the slopes and then hit the hay at a cozy chalet at Appalachian Ski Resort. Don't know how to ski? The resort offers professional instruction at the French Swiss Ski College. First-time snowboarders can take advantage of lessons at the Burton Learn How to Ride Center.

Where’s your favorite place to visit in North Carolina during the winter months? Do you have a favorite spot for amazing winter activities in North Carolina? Don’t keep it to yourself; share it with us in the comments below!

After all that activity, we bet you’ve worked up quite an appetite! If you’re looking for a unique dining experience in the Tar Heel State, check out this historic cabin that’s been turned into a restaurant.

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Winter recreation in North Carolina

Sarah | December 23, 2021

What's the best snow tubing spot in North Carolina?

When the temps drop and the snow starts to fly in the Tar Heel State, it’s only natural to start thinking about all of the exciting outdoor winter activities in the coming months. Snow tubing in North Carolina is an activity the entire family can enjoy. A few of the best spots are:

  • Hawksnest Snow Tubing in Seven Devils
  • Moonshine Mountain in Hendersonville
  • Scaly Mountain Outdoor Center in Scaly Mountain
  • Tube World in Maggie Valley

For more information on these places and others, check out this list of the best snow tubing spots in North Carolina. If Hawksnest struck your fancy, keep reading to plan a day trip for your North Carolina winter bucket list!

What's a fun winter day trip in North Carolina?

When it comes to mountain destinations, North Carolina is brimming with possibilities. There are lots of great options for a fun winter day trip in North Carolina. Here are a few to get you started:

  • You can’t go wrong if you head to Banner Elk, as the largest snow tubing resort on the east coast is found only 10 minutes from this charming town!
  • Hawksnest Snow Tubing (and zipline) in nearby Seven Devils is a snow-covered destination everyone can enjoy.
  • Banner Elk is perfect for your adventures! Be sure to check out the Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster in Banner Elk.

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