Escape to the Blue Ridge Mountains to ski and snowboard at Wolf Ridge Ski Resort. It is the perfect way to get out of the city and spend some time in the mountains. Easy to get to, we’ll look at how to get there, what to expect and some of the trails that you should ride when you visit.
Wolf Ridge Ski Resort: Directions
Wolf Ridge prides itself as one of the most accessible ski area’s in North Carolina. We couldn’t agree more. They are located in Mars Hill, NC and it doesn’t take long to get to the major metropolitan areas nearby. Here are some of the locations people travel from and how long it takes to get to Wolf Ridge.
- Knoxville, TN – 2 hours and 20 minutes, 115 miles
- Winston-Salem, NC – 2 hours and 50 minutes, 175 miles
- Greensboro, NC – 3 hours and 15 minutes, 200 miles
- Asheville, NC – 40 minutes, 30 miles
- Charlotte, NC – 2 hours and 45 minutes, 150 miles
If you need directions then feel free to use Google maps.
Mountain Stats of Wolf Ridge Resort
If we were to step back and take a bird’s eye view of Wolf Ridge Ski Resort, here’s what you would see:
- 15 runs
- Night skiing
- Peak elevation 4,700 ft
- 700 ft of vertical
- Tubing
Wolf Ridge Lodging: Places to Stay
A true getaway to Wolf Ridge isn’t complete without a cabin in the woods. There’s plenty of those to get some solitude on your ski vacation. The other route is getting a hotel. There are some good hotel options not too far away as well.
- Country Inn and Suites of Asheville
- Fairfield Inn & Suites Weaverville
- Vacation rentals by owners (“VRBOs”) – great for cabin options
- Scenic Wolf Cabins by Carolina Mornings
Just remember hotels are going to bit a bit further of a drive versus booking a local cabin. The other thing to think about is if you plan to take a pet then you might want a cabin or VRBO.
Does Wolf Ridge Have Night Skiing?
When you head to The Wolf, one thing you should try is their night skiing. Most nights they are open till 10 p.m. Sundays The Wolf closes in the early afternoon.
The crowds are a bit less for night skiing and the lift lines are thinner as well.
Wolf Ridge Resort Weather: How Are the Snow Conditions
Wolf Ridge is like any other ski area in North Carolina and the east coast, it can get icey. The temperatures rise during the day and turn all of that man-made snow into frozen granular pack at night.
Don’t be dissuaded though, it’s just part of east coast riding. For the most part, the mad-made conditions are great during the day at The Wolf
Rentals at Wolf Ridge: Things to Think About
Renting gear isn’t an issue at Wolf Ridge but you need to plan in advance. It takes time to pick up rental gear and get fitted. Keep in mind that most people renting are new to skiing or snowboarding. What’s this mean? Show up early.
Showing up early will help you not miss out on valuable time that you could be riding on the slopes. They have plenty of gear to go around but you don’t want the process eating into your lift ticket time.
Learning to Ski at Wolf Ridge: How to Get Started
The Wolf Ridge ski school is the place you are going to want to go if you are new to skiing or snowboarding. There are both private and group lessons. If you are brand new to the sport then a group lesson should be just fine. Private lessons are great if you are improving your skills to higher levels.
Whichever level you are, the friendly staff at the Wolf Ridge snow sports school will help you get going down the trails.
Read More:
4 Heart Rate Monitors for Cross-Country Skiing [1 to Avoid]
Cold Hands When Skiing? These Gloves Will Warm You Up
Runs at Wolf Ridge: The Must Rides
The Wolf can all be ridden in one day if you are a high enough level rider but if it is your first visit then there are some trails that you are going to want to not miss. Here are the must-ride runs:
Beginners
- Eagle
Intermediate
- Timber Wolf
Expert
- The Bowl
While The Wolf can get crowded on weekends and holidays, the weekdays and nights are generally the best time to visit. For the latest on the crowds, you can check out the Wolf Ridge Resort webcams.
Tubing at The Wolf
Just outside the main ski resort is The Wolf’s tubing area at 3461 Puncheon Fork Rd. It is a great way to break out a winter ski trip with friends or just have a bit of fun with the family in the winter. The slope is 60 feet wide by 350 feet long for some of the most excitement you can have off of skis or a snowboard.
Be sure to book in advance because busy periods tend to see heightened traffic at the tubing park.
Wolf Ridge Resort: Final Thoughts
The Blue Ridge Mountains alone are worth a trip in the winter to see their beauty but you can even do better by skiing or snowboarding on them. Wolf Ridge is family-friendly, a great ski vacation and best of all convenient to get to. When are you headed to The Wolf this winter?
Alec Wilson writes for Proper Peaks and lives near Claremont, VT. He hardly misses a weekend on the ski slopes in the winter. If there is snow, Alec’s skis are on for a go. Look out for his stickered-up helmet and you might just meet him on the trails.
