Ski season

Depending on the latitude and altitude of the resort, the season will typically run from early to mid-winter until mid- to late spring.

By the start of the 1970s, snowmaking technology had progressed far enough to see ski resorts remain open in places that can regularly see less than three feet of natural snowfall a year.

Ski resorts tend to rely on artificial snow making even more as climate change shortens the window for natural snowfall.

With an average annual snowfall total of only around 35 inches (most of which occurs in January and February) Cataloochee is still able to open up around November 20 and maintain snow until March 25.

With a base elevation of 4,660 and a peak of 5,400, it is the second highest ski resort on the entire east coast, second only to its neighbor 2 hours to the north, Beech Mountain.