Cataloochee Ski Area is a mountain ski resort in southwestern North Carolina near Maggie Valley, with a summit elevation of 5,400 feet and a vertical drop of 740 feet. Its 18 slopes and trails are aimed mainly at beginners and intermediate skiers, with smaller advanced terrain. Three chairlifts and two carpet lifts serve the mountain. Because it relies primarily on snowmaking rather than natural snowfall, it maintains one of the longest ski seasons in the Southeast, averaging about 125 days. The resort stands out as a high-elevation ski destination in the eastern United States with terrain and infrastructure designed for a broad range of recreational skiers.