Winter is a great time to visit Asheville, especially during the holidays! Though the leaves have already changed and parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway may be closed, there are plenty of great things to do and see.
This article shares ideas for how to enjoy winter in Asheville, from outdoor activities like skiing and snow tubing to fun holiday festivities, warm places to cozy up, tours and more.
If you haven’t booked a hotel yet, check out our guide to the top hotels in Asheville! It shares our picks for where to stay and why.
Hit The Ski Slopes
Did you know there are several ski slopes within a 2-hour drive of Asheville? We can’t think of a more adrenaline-filled way to spend a winter day in Western North Carolina than on the slopes.
For the best skiing, you’ll need to drive a couple of hours to Sugar Mountain. But you can also have a really fun day at Cataloochee Ski Area in Maggie Valley. It’s about an hour drive that takes you West on I-40.
Ski slopes typically open in December and stay open through February.
Spend The Day Snow Tubing
If you aren’t quite a skier but want to spend the day in the snow, check out the nearby snow tube parks!
Snow tubing is a great way to get outdoors in the winter and is the perfect family-friendly activity. In fact, a few of the snow tube parks don’t have an age limit! Our guide to snow tubing near Asheville shares details on dates, age + height limits and more.
Winter Lights at The NC Arboretum
Looking for a festive holiday event in Asheville? Bundle up and head to the NC Arboretum for their annual Winter Lights. Here you can enjoy a spectacular outdoor walk-through light display featuring over one million lights. Their 50-foot tree is lit up and lights in the Quilt Garden are timed to holiday music.
The Rocky Cove Railroad model trains run during Winter Lights. There’s a special Polar Express one on the track! They also have hot chocolate booths, live music, fire pits and heaters. Smore’s kits are available for purchase and Santa is often wandering around.
Winter Lights begins on November 15, 2024 and goes through New Years Eve. Tickets are per car, so be sure to carpool!
Visit A Christmas Tree Farm
Did you know that there are several Christmas tree farms in the area? It’s a great way to shop local, enjoy an adventure and get in the Christmas spirit!
Our top recommendation for a Christmas tree farm near Asheville is Boyd Mountain. It’s an experience for the whole family! They open November 21, 2024 and close once they sell out, so plan to go early if you want a tree.
Other than you-cut Christmas trees, they also have Santa visits, a small play area for kids, a market with wreaths and other decor, food, drinks, fire pits and more. It’s a fun way to spend a cold winter day!
Christmas At The Biltmore
If you are looking for an absolutely magical experience, plan to visit the Biltmore Estate to experience their Christmas festivities.
Christmas at The Biltmore House is like no other. There are twinkle lights and trees everywhere, with candles and fireplaces guiding the way. It is so much fun to imagine what Christmas was really like in the house for the Vanderbilt family
And it’s not just the house that’s decorated. Even the trolleys have wreaths and lights!
You can either visit just the grounds or opt for a more expensive ticket that also includes a house tour. The grounds ticket includes access to Antler Hill Village. You’ll find shopping, decorations and hot chocolate here, as well as a model train and a playground.
Cozy Up To A giant Fireplace
Though the Gingerbread Competition is canceled for the 2024 season, you can still visit the Omni Grove Park Inn this winter. It’s the perfect place to order a drink and settle in by one of their iconic fireplaces with a great drink.
You can also enjoy a meal at one of their many restaurants (and you don’t have to be a guest for a reservation!)
Rent A Rooftop Winter Cabana
Looking for a way to stay warm and enjoy the outdoors? The Hemingway’s Cuba rooftop bar in downtown Asheville has the perfect solution for you. They have two repurposed greenhouses that act as seasonal rooftop cabanas.
Choose from a cozy lounge with the feel of a modern lodge, or opt for a full dining experience with panoramic mountain views.
Their menu features hot toddies, a s’more package and even a Polaroid package!
Hike Around Lake Powhatan
The loop around Lake Powhatan is a great option for any time of the year. The total trail is 1.6 miles, but there are several turnaround points if you are short on time. And given the minimal elevation change, it’s a great option for both kids and dogs.
The best part about it is that it’s only 15 minutes from downtown Asheville. It’s just next to the North Carolina Arboretum. And since it’s not off the Blue Ridge Parkway, you don’t have to worry about access roads closing in inclement weather.
Hike The Bearwallow Mountain Trail
You’ll find the Bearwallow Mountain Trail on the other side of Asheville from Lake Powhatan– it’s actually in Gerton, NC. We love this hike any time of year because it offers a steady (but not too steep!) climb that ends in a view.
Plus, it’s close to a great kid-friendly brewery that has fire pits and a ton of activities to keep everyone entertained. You can read more about Whistle Hop below.
Take a guided tour with Asheville Jeep Tours
With their custom Jeeps that look like safari vehicles, Asheville Jeep Tours offers a really fun way to tour the Blue Ridge Mountains. And don’t worry, there are plenty of winter views that make it worth the trip!
They will take you through the little-known roads and paths in the mountains near Asheville, showing you some of the most stunning views around. In fact, you’ll get even better views of hidden waterfalls in the winter.
Children ages 5 and older can ride in the Jeep– you’ll need to bring your own car seat, though.
Visit A Train-Themed Brewery
While a brewery with an outdoor play area for kids may not sound very winter-friendly, it’s actually a great place to warm up! You can opt to sit outside by a fire pit or inside with some seriously warm heaters.
It’s a fun place to bundle up and spend time outdoors. Plus, it’s not too far from the Bearwallow Mountain Trail mentioned above. The two make for an excellent day out!
Whistle Hop doesn’t have a kitchen but they do feature rotating food trucks. Our personal favorite is Smashville!
Explore Asheville On A Trolley Tour
The trolley is currently closed for the 2024 season due to Hurricane Helene.
One of our top recommendations for exploring Asheville this winter is the Asheville Hop-on Hop-off Trolley Tour.
The trolley tour is a great way to see Asheville sights at your own speed, plus you don’t need to worry about parking. It’s especially fun if it’s your first trip to Asheville.
The trolley stops at all the major highlights in Asheville including Montford, Grove Park Inn, Downtown Asheville, River Arts District and Biltmore Village. Don’t worry if that sounds like a lot to do in a day — the trolley ticket is good for two days for unlimited hop-on/hop-off privileges so you can keep exploring.
Go To A Holiday Pop-Up Bar
The holiday pop-up bar at Pillar is TBD this year due to Hurricane Helene.
We are so excited about the Rudolph’s Rooftop pop-up at Pillar in downtown Asheville! It’s open through New Year’s and features live music on the weekends and holiday themed cocktails. The kitchen is open daily from 5 to 10pm.
You’ll find fun drinks like Santa’s Eggnog, Scrooge’s Hooch, and even Butter Beer on the menu. You can view the full drink menu here.
Are you planning to be there on a Thursday in December? Make sure to dress up for their weekly ugly sweater party held on Thursdays!
Gingerbread House Competition
The Gingerbread House Competition was canceled for 2024.
The Omni Grove Park Inn typically hosts an annual gingerbread competition, but it was canceled for the 2024 season.
Keep it in mind for 2025, though! You can expect beautiful, elaborate displays and even a life-size 10′ x 10′ Great Gingerbread House serving up hot chocolate.
