North Carolina Ski Area Sets Sights On Opening Before Thanksgiving

A small, but mighty ski area in North Carolina’s High Country has announced its opening day.

Appalachian Ski Mountain, located in Boone, near Appalachian State University, will open on November 21, 2025, so long as the weather cooperates.

“Winter is here,” the ski area said in an Instagram post. “Given the current forecast, we are projecting to open our slopes Friday, November 21 for skiing and snowboarding!”

It’s a day earlier than nearby resort Beech Mountain will open.

There are two important dates to mark on your schedule for this upcoming season: December 7, 2025 and March 1, 2026. Those are the two days that Recess, the Boone, North Carolina-based snowboard shop, will host events. More information will come be coming out about these two events in the near future.

An unlimited pass is available at Appalachian Ski Mountain for $500 through October 31. That means you can ride all day and all night without blackout dates, and get early lift access on select days. Every Saturday and Sunday, passholders get to ride the lifts starting at 8 a.m., as well as during the holidays, from December 15 through January. 2, 2025.

You also get riding privileges at other resorts. Beech Mountain passholders get three free days at Ski Cooper in Leadville, Colorado, Diamond Peak Ski Resort in Incline Village, Nevada, Plattekill Mountain in Roxbury, New York, and Bogus Basin in Boise, Idaho.

Meanwhile, in the other part of the state, Cataloochee has started snowmaking, thanks to its Latitude 90 snowmaking equipment.

“We can’t wait to welcome you back to the mountain for ski fun, and maybe even as part of our team for the upcoming season. Either way, we guarantee we’ll see you soon,” a post on social media said. “Cold weather and the 2025-2026 season are officially upon us.”

Cataloochee is now hiring. The ski area is holding two job fairs:

• October 28 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at Cataloochee Ski & Sport, located at 3434 Soco Rd, Maggie Valley, NC.
•  November 8, 2026 from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. at Cataloochee Ski Area at 1080 Ski Lodge Rd, Maggie Valley, NC.

Sugar Mountain, which normally opens around the same time as Cataloochee, is also having a job fair. That will be on November 1, 2025, from 10 a.m. to noon. The resort is hiring full time and part time workers, and employees get a free season pass.