Cataloochee Ski Area is a ski area in the eastern
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
in southwestern
North Carolina
North Carolina () is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States. The state is the 28th largest and 9th-most populous of the United States. It is bordered by Virginia to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Georgia and ...
, near
Maggie Valley
Maggie Valley is a town in Haywood County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,150 at the 2010 census. A popular tourist destination, it is home to Cataloochee Ski Area and the former Ghost Town in the Sky amusement park. Maggie V ...
. With eighteen ski slopes and trails, approximately 44% are rated beginner, 39% intermediate, and 17% advanced. Its top elevation is above
sea level
Mean sea level (MSL, often shortened to sea level) is an average surface level of one or more among Earth's coastal bodies of water from which heights such as elevation may be measured. The global MSL is a type of vertical datuma standardise ...
, yielding a vertical drop of . The slopes are accessed by three
chairlifts
An elevated passenger ropeway, or chairlift, is a type of aerial lift, which consists of a continuously circulating steel wire rope loop strung between two end terminals and usually over intermediate towers, carrying a series of chairs. They ...
and two
carpet lifts.
Typical of North Carolina ski areas, Cataloochee relies primarily on
snowmaking
Snowmaking is the production of snow by forcing water and pressurized air through a "snow gun", also known as a "snow cannon". Snowmaking is mainly used at ski resorts to supplement natural snow. This allows ski resorts to improve the reliabilit ...
for its slopes. Cataloochee is known for having one of the longest seasons in the southeast, and in 2008 it opened October 28. The average ski season lasts 125 days.
Maps
Trail Map.
External links
*
Online 30 minute GoSmoky.com radio show episode on Cataloochee Ski Area
Tourist attractions in Haywood County, North Carolina
Ski areas and resorts in North Carolina
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