Read skier and snowboarder-submitted reviews on Cataloochee Ski Area that rank the ski resort and mountain town on a scale of one to five stars for attributes such as terrain, nightlife and family friendliness. See how Cataloochee Ski Area stacks up in the reviews, on and off the slopes, from skiing and family activities to the après scene. Read up on pros, cons and other comments in reviews left by fellow skiers and riders. Don't forget to submit your own Cataloochee Ski Area review! Scroll to the bottom of this page to let other travelers know about your skiing and resort experience.
Reviews for Cataloochee Ski Area
Total (2.7)
A ski resort's overall star rating displayed here is not calculated based on a simple average but takes several factors, including the age of a review, into account.
It’s great to have a ski area so close to north Georgia as this allows for a day trip. When I went the temps were in the 40s so the man made snow was a bit heavy. The left side of the Upper Omigosh trail was scalped of snow by snowboarders who were in over their heads and the right side was full of heavy snow where they pushed it. The exit off the ski lift at the top of the mountain was not kept groomed and caused many skiers issues trying to exit the lift. Overall this was typical east coast skiing and conditions with a heavy amount of rookie boarders tearing up what could be an otherwise good ski area. Can’t wait to get to Vail where the talent level, conditions and preparation of the slopes are better.
Jack Long
Extra star for not being mask Nazi’s. Good hill for East Coast. Great place to learn.
Gary Remillet
There is absolutely no enforcement of mask wearing while waiting in the ski lift line even though there are sign stating that face coverings must be worn. I actually went in to the office and complained and was told that they didn't have enough staff to enforce it. I also wrote to the Operations Supervisor to let them know about the experience I had, and to date no comment from them. Very poorly run.
Derek Dellinger
Have visited Cataloochee twice now, and I felt comfortable with the changes the resort has made this year to accommodate the pandemic. Mask wearing was enforced in buildings, lines, and areas where social distancing was unable to be exercised properly. Multiple staff members were walking around all day, handing out extra masks to guests who did not have one of their own.
Ticket purchase and rental lines have always seemed fairly quick, in my experience, but this could be because we've shown up early in the morning and around midday to avoid the mid-morning crowds.
While it isn't the biggest resort in NC, and it doesn't have the toughest terrain, both trips I have felt like the resort goes above and beyond making sure that the quality of the skiing is good as it can possibly be for a resort as south as this one is. Both trips I have been surprised by the quality and quantity of the powder and the lack of ice.
This is a great resort for beginners and intermediate skiers/boarders. There are so many different ways to mix-and-match the different slopes to have a varied experience coming down the mountain each time. Hopping from one trail to the other. Jumps and ridges line the sides of many of the trails to give people the chance to really spice their descents up as well. While there isn't really much to see in terms of Advance slopes, Upper Omigosh is serviceable enough to let advanced skiers enjoy themselves too.
Kimberly Davis
We planned a trip and it states on the website that you have to purchase tickets online and rent equipment. I even called to see if we could do it when we get there. They told me no. I know the website states no refunds but I hesitantly paid online, It was raining the day of our trip. They would not work with me. Non transferable and non refundable. I lost $250 This was my daughter's birthday gift!
Derek Dellinger
Have visited Cataloochee twice now, and I felt comfortable with the changes the resort has made this year to accommodate the pandemic. Mask wearing was enforced in buildings, lines, and areas where social distancing was unable to be exercised properly. Multiple staff members were walking around all day, handing out extra masks to guests who did not have one of their own.
Ticket purchase and rental lines have always seemed fairly quick, in my experience, but this could be because we've shown up early in the morning and around midday to avoid the mid-morning crowds.
While it might not be the biggest resort in NC, and it doesn't have the toughest terrain, both trips I have felt like the resort goes above and beyond making sure that the quality of the skiing is good as it can possibly be for a resort as south as this one is. Both trips I have been surprised by the quality and quantity of the powder and the lack of ice.
This is a great resort for beginners and intermediate skiers/boarders. There are so many different ways to mix-and-match the different slopes to have a varied experience coming down the mountain each time. Hopping from one trail to the other. Jumps and ridges line the sides of many of the trails to give people the chance to really spice their descents up as well. While there isn't really much to see in terms of Advance slopes, Upper Omigosh is serviceable enough to let advance skiers enjoy themselves too.
Susan Clark
No enforcement of mask wearing, huge crowds over the holidays; a line of 300+ to pick up a ticket purchased online - I turned around and went home. No way to purchase any food or drink (including water) without Google, Facebook/ gmail (not accepting cash or credit cards), rude staff, unprofessionally managed, oversold. A waste of $73 and a slow trip up the mountain...
Manuela
Great get away from Atlanta. very good for beginners (my kids). for me it's too easy. Too bad they don't have 1 more challenging slope. love to see that when I book a hotel, ski school, rent equipment that I can be assured I can get private lessons booked but I dont. first come first serve-sadly. shouldnt be like this.if I pay all the hotel, rental, etcc and can't get a private lessons cause I am too late (common I am on vacation and don't want to get up at 7am to be on the slope at 8am to hopefully get a private lessons booked. I want to book it online and then I will book my hotel room, equipment etc...
Joe Hanks
I loved it so much it was all fresh snow
Amy undefined
We went this past Monday for my daughter’s birthday and her first time skiing. She loved the skiing and did great but since this was her first time we had to rent her a helmet, jacket and pants. She is 19 and very clean but the very next evening she started complaining about her head itching and 2 days later after looking at her head daily, she has LICE! She said I can’t take my head itching, there has to be something wrong. The worker told us to take a helmet off the ground and I was hesitant for my daughter but she assured us it had been cleaned but when we returned to take the helmet back guess where she told us to put the used one? Yep, on the ground in the same location. Then the jackets and pants smelt horrible like they hadn’t been washed in a very long time. She loved the skiing but STAY AWAY FROM RENTALS!!!! I am so upset that she has never ever had lice but we paid about $150 and she ends up with lice from their poor care of their equipment!!!!! BEWARE!!!!
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