Appalachian Ski Mountain Resort, in the northwest corner of the state, is the oldest and perhaps the most successful of the North Carolina resorts, featuring a well maintained ski mountain and a large ice rink. If you want a wintertime North Carolina vacation rental Appalachian Ski Resort is great place to look. North Carolina is not the first state that comes to mind when people think about winter sports, but the high peaks of the Appalachian Mountains are home to almost a dozen ski areas.

Appalachian Ski Mountain Resort was founded in 1962 at the top of a 4,000-foot tall mountain. The resort is relatively small - the nine trails cover just 25 skiable acres with a vertical drop of 365 feet - and the average annual snowfall is just 60 inches. To maintain business, Appalachian Ski Mountain Resort relies on extensive snowmaking and a premier ski school.

Snowmaking capabilities at Appalachian Mountain Ski Area are the most modern and state-of-the-art in North Carolina. Except during the very warmest winter, the resort can consistently maintain a good depth of snow to stay open during warm spells.

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The ski school at Appalachian Mountain Ski Area is recognized as the best in North Carolina, offering lessons to skiers and snowboarders of all abilities. Packages catering to first-time skiers include rental of equipment and even clothing.

Terrain at Appalachian Mountain Ski Area is perfectly suited to novice and intermediate skiers. Lifts D and E service gentle bunny slopes perfect for beginners. There are several black-rated trails below Lifts B and C, but even these should not challenge the average skier. The best trail on the mountain is Big Appal, which is black at the top and mellows into a blue run toward the bottom. This wide-open slope is perfect for practicing turns and boosting confidence on steep slopes.

Orchard Run, a gentle blue slope, is the longest run on the hill and should appeal to skiers and snowboarders of all levels. Snowboarders will find one the two terrain parks at Appalachian Mountain Ski Area about halfway down this trail. The other is to skier's left off Lift A.

Appalachian Ski Mountain Resort is located off Highway 321 between Boone and Blowing Rock about 90 miles from Charlotte, North Carolina, so many visitors can make the journey for a single day on the slopes. For those who choose to get a vacation rental Appalachian ski resort has many options. The base lodge has a pleasing, Swiss alpine atmosphere that is matched by the slopeside chalets beginning at about $150 a night. The nearby Roaring River chalets in Blowing Rock are a good alternative for vacation rentals near the Appalachian Ski Resort.

Tickets to Appalachian Mountain Ski Area are affordable for families, ranging from about $30 to $45 depending whether you ski on a weekday or weekend. Special passes are also available for daily nighttime skiing and snowboarding. Lessons start at about $15 a person. Appalachian Ski Resort is never going to rival one of the large Rocky Mountain ski areas, but for a mountain below the Mason-Dixon line, this is a great place to learn how to ski or snowboard and improve your technique.