RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina’s skiing areas are teaming up to roll out new guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on the slopes.
The N.C. Ski Areas Association’s “Ski Well, Be Well” program draws on guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization.
Skiiers and visitors will be required to wear a face-covering indoors and outdoors whenever social distancing isn’t possible with the exception of eating and drinking. This requirement applies to lift lines, ticket queues, lessons, employee spaces and food and beverage outlets.
Members of the same travel party will be grouped together on the chair lifts.
All areas of operations will be cleaned and disinfected in advance.
Employees will undergo wellness checks.
Areas will comply with state and local regulations.
“The association leadership is committed to significant measures to curtail exposure to COVID-19in fresh-air settings that are ideal for meeting our need for physical activity,” said Wit Tuttell, director of Visit North Carolina. “For travelers who are eager to hit the slopes, our six ski areas offer a solid base for planning a trip.”
Some individual ski areas are taking additional measures.
Appalachian Ski Mtn., Beech Mountain Resort, Sugar Mountain Resort and Wolf Ridge Ski Resort are participating in the statewide Count On Me NC initiative, which offers free, evidence-based training for minimizing the spread of COVID-19 while asking the public to wear masks, wash their hands frequently and wait at a distance of 6 feet in public spaces.
Appalachian Ski Mtn., which requires online reservations as part of its effort, has installed forearm door pulls, sensor faucets and touchless pay systems.
Trip planners can check ski area websites for details or ask for more information by phone or email.
Here’s a quick look at North Carolina’s ski areas.
Blowing Rock
The North Carolina High Country’s first ski area, Appalachian Ski Mtn is known for teaching beginners, families and groups. It’s home of the French Swiss Ski College, the South’s largest independent ski school; Burton Learn to Ride; and SKIwee.
COVID-19 information: www.appskimtn.com/news/2020-21-season-update
Projected opening: Friday.
Peak elevation: 4,000 feet.
Vertical drop: 365 feet.
Lifts: 2 quads, 1 double, 1 surface, 2 conveyors.
Other activities: Ice skating.
Off the slopes: Lodge with restaurant, ski shop, gift shop and locker room.
Other: Jackets, bib pants gloves and goggles are available for rent.
Beech Mountain
At 5,506 feet in elevation, Beech Mountain is the highest ski area in the East. A central alpine village, the 5506′ Skybar and a resident brewery further distinguish the resort. It offers the Ski and Ride School; Burton Learn to Ride; and Traxx and Snow Kamp for children.
COVID-19 information: www.beechmountainresort.com/health-and-safety-practices
Projected opening: Saturday.
Slopes: 17.
Peak elevation: 5,506 feet.
Vertical drop: 830 feet.
Lifts: 3 quads, 3 doubles, 1 magic carpet, 1 rope tow.
Other activities: Ice skating and tubing.
Off the slopes: Four restaurants and two sport shops plus other businesses in the village.
Other: Bibs and coats are available for rent.
Maggie Valley
At the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cataloochee opened in 1961 to become North Carolina’s first ski area. It features one of the region’s longest seasons with help from its advanced snowmaking system. Cataloochee offers lessons at the Ski & Ride Center and CAT Trackers for kids.
COVID-19 information: cataloochee.com/2020-21-season-update
Projected opening: This week.
Slopes: 18.
Peak elevation: 5,400 feet.
Vertical drop: 740 feet.
Longest run: 3,500 feet.
Lifts: 1 double, 1 triple, 1 quad, 3 conveyors.
Other activities: Tube World in Maggie Valley.
Off the slopes: Lodge with fireplace, restaurant, lounge and on-mountain shop. Cataloochee Ski & Sports Shop in Maggie Valley offers rentals and lift tickets plus everything you need for the slopes.
Other: Bibs and jackets are available for rent.
Sapphire
Sapphire Valley Ski Area is part of a 5,700-acre, four-season resort. It’s especially attractive to families and beginning skiers who can take lessons and master the runs.
COVID-19 information: Pending (check the homepage).
Projected opening: Dec. 12.
Slopes: 2.
Peak elevation: 3,400 feet.
Vertical drop: 200 feet.
Longest run: 1,600 feet.
Lifts: 1 quad, 2 carpet conveyors.
Other activities: Frozen Falls Tube Park, The Vordach zip line.
Off the slopes: Base lodge park and fire pit and the Slopeside Tavern.
Sugar Mountain
With 125 skiable acres, Sugar Mountain is North Carolina’s largest winter resort, distinguished by the state’s only double black diamond slope and a high-speed, detachable, six-passenger chairlift. Lessons are available at the adult and children’s Snowsports Schools.
COVID-19 information: www.skisugar.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/COVID-Letter-v9.pdf
Opening: The slopes opened today.
Slopes: 21.
Peak elevation: 5,300 feet.
Vertical drop: 1,200 feet.
Lifts: 1 triple, 3 doubles, 1 high-speed six-pack, 1 high-speed quad, 1 surface and 1 carpet conveyor.
Other activities: Skating, tubing and snowshoeing.
Off the slopes: Base lodge with two cafeterias, the Last Run Lounge with full-service bar, locker room and shop.
Mars Hill
Thirty miles north of Asheville off scenic Interstate 26, Wolf Ridge sits just inside Pisgah National Forest. The Snow Sports School offers group and private lessons for beginning to intermediate skiers and snowboarders.
COVID-19 information: skiwolfridgenc.com/covid
Projected opening: Early December.
Slopes: 15.
Peak elevation: 4,700 feet.
Vertical drop: 700 feet.
Lifts: 1 quad, 1 double and 2 surface lifts.
Off the slopes: Base lodge with three large fireplaces, gift shop and food service.
Other activities: Tubing.
For more information to inspire a trip, stop by VisitNC.com.
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