Cataloochee Escape

By Marla Milling Published October 30, 2013

We’ve found the ideal winter getaway combo—days spent challenging snow covered hills on skis and snowboards and nights snuggled up by the fire in a cozy cabin at an adjacent dude ranch.

At one time Cataloochee Ski Area and Cataloochee Ranch were under the same ownership, but the family who continues to own the ranch concentrates now on welcoming lodging guests while the ski slopes are under different management. The two work closely together, however, to make sure everyone has a great mountaintop experience in Maggie Valley, N.C.

Getting Ready for the Season

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Beginning November 1 Cataloochee Ski Area staff are primed to begin snowmaking as soon as the temperature dips low enough. Check out the schedule for when the slopes will be open for the 2013-2014 season here. If you’re just starting out, they can set you up with lessons. And get this: those beginner lessons are free every non-holiday Monday through Thursday if you rent your equipment there.

A Little Piece of Heaven

After a day on the slopes, head next door to Cataloochee Ranch to warm up by the fire and recharge your batteries. A hearty dinner and breakfast are included in your stay. We predict you’ll want to kiss the cook when you chow down on homemade favorites. Lunch is offered as well, but you’ll need to pay as you go for this meal.

The original owners of the ranch, Tom and Judy Alexander, converted a stone and log cattle barn into the main ranch house where they raised their family. Today, the ranch is in the hands of second and third generations of the family and the six bedrooms in the rustic ranch house provide cozy comfort to visitors. There are also 12 rental cabins on this 900+ acre property as well as the Silverbell Lodge, perfect for groups who want to travel together. It can hold up to 24 people.

Mix and Mingle

While you can retreat into the comfort of your cabin without any disturbance from the outside world, you can also enjoy feeling like you’re part of the Cataloochee Ranch family. You might be seated at dinner next to one of the family members or enjoy getting to know guests from other parts of the country. They have a social hour before dinner, and even offer live entertainment on select evenings. If the crowd is lively enough, watch for them to slide back sofas to create a dance floor.

Rev up the next morning with a big breakfast—platters of bacon, eggs, homemade biscuits and jellies, grits, oatmeal and more—and hit the slopes again. Perfect getaway, right? Yes, we think so too.

Cataloochee Ranch, 119 Ranch Drive, Maggie Valley, N.C. 28751 | 800-868-1401 info@cataloocheeranch.com

Cataloochee Ski Area, 1080 Ski Lodge Road, Maggie Valley, N.C. 28751 | 800-768-0285 ski2@cataloochee.com

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Marla Hardee Milling is a full-time freelance writer living in a place often called the Paris of the South, Sante Fe of the…

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