Updated June 28, 2021
Nashville is an incredible city that is bursting at the seams with art and culture. Did you know it’s also within a day’s drive of some incredible places to go snowboarding or skiing? Most of the hills are a few hours away, so you’ll want to make sure you book accommodations beforehand. However, you certainly don’t need to board a plane and head west to score yourself a great day on the slopes. With a little bit of planning and a healthy sense of adventure, you’ll soon see that there are plenty of options for snowboarding and skiing near Nashville.
Our Top 11 Favourite Places to Go Snowboarding and Skiing Near Nashville
Ober Gatlinburg
- Distance from Nashville: 224 miles (~4 hours, 15 minutes)
- Accommodations onsite? No, but many options in nearby Gatlinburg
- Experience levels? All levels
One of Tennessee’s only ski resorts, Ober Gatlinburg is a great local choice for skiing near Nashville. The hill features 10 trails, encompassing all abilities, as well as a terrain park for working on your skills. There is 100% snowmaking, so you don’t need to worry if the days have been a little dry lately. There is also a snow school and rentals, so whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned expert, you’ll have access to everything you need for a great day on the slopes!
Sugar Mountain Resort
- Distance from Nashville: 325 miles (~5 hours, 30 minutes)
- Accommodations onsite? Some onsite, some in town
- Experience levels? Beginner and intermediate
With 21 trails, 15 of which have lighting for night skiing, Sugar Mountain Resort is a great spot for a weekend away to go skiing or snowboarding. The 21 trails are mostly beginner and intermediate, with a few black diamonds sprinkled in to keep you on your toes. The resort also has a terrain park, snowshoeing, tubing, and ice skating – perfect for the whole fam! The resort features a mix of lodging both on and offsite.
Snowshoe Mountain Resort
- Distance from Nashville: 544 miles (~9 hours)
- Accommodations onsite? No, but several options nearby
- Experience levels? All levels
To many, there is perhaps no more beloved ski resort on the East Coast than Snowshoe Mountain. Though it’s quite the journey from Nashville, it’s worth it. Home to beautiful mountain condos, this family-friendly ski hideaway is a place many families come back to year after year.
The largest ski area in the resort is Snowshoe Basin, which houses almost all of the beginner-friendly slopes in the area. For more experienced and adventure-seeking snowboarders and skiers, the Western Territory is where you’ll find several of the black diamond and double black diamond slopes. After you’ve flown down each slope, there are 10 lifts around the park to take you back up to the top for another round, or to call it a day at one of the many beautiful condos and lodges nearby.
Hidden Valley Ski Resort
- Distance from Nashville: 338 miles (~5 hours, 15 minutes)
- Accommodations Onsite? No, but can stay at the nearby Residence Inn & Courtyard by Marriott
- Ability Levels: Beginner and intermediate
Missouri’s largest winter resort, Hidden Valley has 16 trails spread out across two peaks. There is 100% snowmaking coverage as well, for those pesky dry days. Beginners can check out the Snowsports Academy for lessons, and there is slopeside equipment rental availability. After a long day out on the slopes, rest and relax next to the fire in the onsite lodge. Hidden Valley is an excellent option for snowboarding and skiing near Nashville.
Beech Mountain Resort
- Distance from Nashville: 330 miles (~5 hours, 45 minutes)
- Accommodations onsite? No, but many options close by
- Experience levels? Intermediate and advanced
With 7 blue and 4 black diamond runs out of 17 total trails, Beech Mountain Resort is a great spot for intermediate and advanced skiers and snowboarders. With ice skating and tubing the resort has lots of options for beginners or those who aren’t as interested in hitting the slopes. Enjoy your après in the village at the resort’s very own Beech Mountain Brewing Co. After a few brewskis you’ll want a cozy spot to sleep it off and get rested up for another day of shredding!
Sapphire Valley
- Distance from Nashville: 324 miles (~5 hours, 35 minutes)
- Accommodations onsite? Yes, including at Foxhunt Townhouses
- Experience levels? Beginner
Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains is the delightful and family-oriented resort of Sapphire Valley. This is a great option for snowboarding and skiing near Nashville because of the learning centre slope, staffed by certified instructors and a moving carpet lift to get you back to the top as quickly as possible. There is also a winter zipline and a 300-foot tubing run for even more family-friendly fun, as well as a fire pit at the base for roasting marshmallows. Choose from a variety of lodging options both onsite and off, such as Foxhunt Townhouses or the Hampton Inn & Suites.
Paoli Peaks Mountain Resort
- Distance from Nashville: 216 miles (~3 hours, 30 minutes)
- Accommodations Onsite? No, but stay in the nearby Best Western Plus French Lick
- Ability Levels: All levels, but mostly intermediate
Another excellent spot to go snowboarding and skiing near Nashville is Paoli Peaks Mountain Resort. The mountain has 300 feet of vertical and 15 trails, 55% of which are rated as intermediate. There are also 2 terrain parks, including Pioneer Park, Indiana’s largest terrain park! When you want to mix it up, check out the Arctic Blast Tubing Park, with 700-foot long runs across 10 lanes.
Appalachian Ski Mountain
- Distance from Nashville: 342 miles (~6 hours)
- Accommodations onsite? Yes, multiple options
- Experience levels? All levels
As the first ski area in Northwestern North Carolina, Appalachian Ski Mountain has a long history of family-friendly terrain, as well as an excellent ski school, the French Swiss Ski College. At around six hours away, this is a great option for a full weekend of snowboarding and skiing near Nashville. Test your new skills on the 12 slopes that are a mix of greens, blues, and black diamonds, and ski under the stars with 100% night skiing coverage.
Villa Olivia
- Distance from Nashville: 507 miles (~7 hours, 45 minutes)
- Accommodations Onsite? No, but stay at the nearby Hilton Garden Inn
- Ability Levels: Beginner and intermediate
Part of the Bartlett Park District, in the wintertime this country club and golf course transforms into a ski hill. With 100% snowmaking capacity, Villa Olivia is ready for adventures all winter long. There are 7 runs, as well as rentals and lessons, and even a tubing hill as well.
Wolf Ridge Ski Resort
- Distance from Nashville: 291 miles (~5 hours, 20 minutes)
- Accommodations onsite? Yes, and multiple options nearby
- Experience levels? Beginner and intermediate
Located just 5 miles off of I-26, Wolf Ridge Ski Resort is one of North Carolina’s most accessible places to go snowboarding or skiing near Nashville. With 700 feet of vertical and 14 runs, the hill has lots of room to play, especially for beginner and intermediate riders. Warm up by one of 3 stone fireplaces in the rustic lodge, and stay in nearby Mars Hill.
Cataloochee Ski Area
- Distance from Nashville: 275 miles (~4 hours, 50 minutes)
- Accommodations onsite? No, but many options nearby
- Experience levels? All levels
With 740 feet of vertical, Cataloochee is a great place to go snowboarding or skiing near Nashville, especially for adrenaline junkies. The ski area features 18 trails that are pretty evenly split across all levels. There is also a terrain park, tubing, and equipment rentals. With a season from early November to late March, as well as 100% snowmaking, Cataloochee will fulfill your ski and snowboarding dreams for the whole season. There are a number of options for lodging in nearby Maggie Valley.
Additional Resources for Snowboarding and Skiing Near Nashville
What to Pack When Skiing Near Nashville:
- Waterproof outerwear – Possibly the most critical pieces of clothing for your ski trip packing list is durable, waterproof outerwear. Burton and Helly Hansen are famous ski brands for having best-in-class clothing that will keep you warm in the coldest, snowiest conditions. Click here to shop ski jackets and compare prices.
- Thermal layers – Thermal baselayers are absolutely critical for a smooth skiing experience, as these will keep you warm and dry underneath your outerwear. The best kinds of thermal baselayers are made of Merino wool, which is moisture-wicking and comfortable. Our favorite brand of thermal layers is SmartWool – their tops and leggings are soft, lightweight, but warm and durable for all kinds of outdoor activities, including skiing. Click here to shop thermal tops and leggings and compare prices.
- Ski goggles – No ski trip packing list would be complete without a pair of fog-resistant ski goggles, especially if you’re going somewhere that makes artificial snow. Ski slopes often have snow blowing into the air several times a day and it can be hard to keep freezing snowflakes out of your eyes, even during clear days. We use and recommend these ski goggles. However, you can shop ski goggles and compare reviews/prices here.
- Waterproof outerwear – Possibly the most critical pieces of clothing for your ski trip packing list is durable, waterproof outerwear. Burton and Helly Hansen are famous ski brands for having best-in-class clothing that will keep you warm in the coldest, snowiest conditions. Click here to shop ski jackets and compare prices.
- Thermal layers – Thermal baselayers are absolutely critical for a smooth skiing experience, as these will keep you warm and dry underneath your outerwear. The best kinds of thermal baselayers are made of Merino wool, which is moisture-wicking and comfortable. Our favorite brand of thermal layers is SmartWool – their tops and leggings are soft, lightweight, but warm and durable for all kinds of outdoor activities, including skiing. Click here to shop thermal tops and leggings and compare prices.
- Ski goggles – No ski trip packing list would be complete without a pair of fog-resistant ski goggles, especially if you’re going somewhere that makes artificial snow. Ski slopes often have snow blowing into the air several times a day and it can be hard to keep freezing snowflakes out of your eyes, even during clear days. We use and recommend these ski goggles. However, you can shop ski goggles and compare reviews/prices here.
Related Links:
- 14 Absolutely Stunning Hikes near Nashville to Do Before You Die
- 9 Amazing Spots to Go Snowboarding or Skiing Near Raleigh
- The Top 10 Best Places to Go Snowboarding and Skiing Near St. Louis
- 20 Clever Snowboard & Ski Gadgets for People Who Love the Snow (2021)
- How to Buy Skis: An Essential Guide for First-Timers
