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Winter Activities in Maggie Valley, North Carolina
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Home » Winter Activities in Maggie Valley, North Carolina

Spend a day, a weekend, Christmas vacation, or the whole winter in Maggie Valley, North Carolina. You’ll never run out of exciting winter activities.

Christmas lights in Waynesville, here in Haywood County, are beautiful. The whole town is lit up, with all its quaint shops, street musicians and restaurants. Biltmore Estate in nearby Asheville (about 30 miles from Maggie Valley) offers a truly spectacular presentation at Christmas, with the estate lit up with thousands of twinkling lights and special tours.

Tube World and the Cataloochee Ski Area are popular during the winter with locals and tourists alike. If you’re hunting ‘real’ winter snow, you’re likely to find it in Maggie Valley during the winter, but if you don’t, take the scenic drive up to Newfound Gap and you will usually find it at this highest mountain peak.

Discover Winter in Maggie Valley

Fun Winter Activities to do in Maggie Valley

Winter Hiking in Haywood County

Haywood County is home to more peaks over 6,000 feet than anywhere else in the eastern United States. In the spring and summer, some views are missed because of abundant foliage. [...]

Trout Fishing

Fly & Trout Fishing Near Maggie Valley, NC It’s time for fishing in the NC mountains and in Maggie Valley! Did you know that you can fish for trout in every season [...]

Snowboarding at Cataloochee Ski Resort

Snowboarding at Cataloochee Ski Resort Snowboarding is one of the best winter activities in Maggie Valley, NC. It’s one of the world’s favorite recreational activities, and has been an Olympic sport [...]

Skiing at Cataloochee Ski Resort

Skiing at Cataloochee Ski Resort Enjoy the longest running ski season on the east coast of the United States. Maggie Valley is famous for its Cataloochee Ski Area. The ski area [...]

Cataloochee Elk Viewing near Maggie Valley

Cataloochee Elk Viewing near Maggie Valley, NC Nestled in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains is a hidden gem that few tourists know about – Cataloochee Valley. This picturesque valley, [...]

Things to do in Maggie Valley in December

It doesn’t get more festive in Maggie Valley than having a Smoky Mountain Christmas. In addition to winter hikes, skiing, snowboarding, tubing, and all kinds of family-friendly winter fun, there are also annual events that will get you in the holiday spirit in no time.

Here at the Meadowlark Motel, we throw an annual holiday party with Christmas music, eggnog, desserts, raffles, a reading of The Night Before Christmas, and a special appearance by Santa and Mrs. Claus. Then on Christmas Day, we host an Appalachian Christmas Supper with all the festive fixin’s. (You can find more details on our Events Page.)

The historic Shelton House in Waynesville hosts an Appalachian Christmas Event every December, complete with hundreds of twinkling lights along their Tinsel Trail and a visit from old Saint Nick! Or take a memorable Christmas journey when you board the Polar Express at the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Depot in Bryson City (about an hour from Maggie Valley).

Visit the Biltmore House over in Asheville, festooned in all its Christmas glory. Just down the road from the Meadowlark Motel, the charming town of Franklin, NC presents its annual Winter Wonderland with living window displays and live holiday music. Or head over to Chimney Rock State Park and watch Santa practice his climbing skills as he repels down one of the largest chimneys ever.

And discover some of the best Christmas shopping in the Smoky Mountains with Maggie Valley’s delightful shops where you can find unique ornaments and gifts for that special person in your life.

Things to do in Maggie Valley in January

Ward off the post-holiday blues with fun winter activities in Maggie Valley, like skiing, snowboarding, tubing, and hiking. An exhilarating winter hike is an incredible way to enjoy the great outdoors. The trails are clear of the typical warm-weather crowds, making it feel like you have the whole of the Smokies to yourself.

Or strap on a pair of cross-country skis, and head to the iconic Clingman’s Dome for a one-of-a-kind Smoky Mountain winter adventure. Enjoy the time and space to take in the picturesque winter scenery, and the majestic 360-degree views at the top of the dome stretch out for miles.

Celebrate the Scots-Irish heritage of North Carolina’s Smoky Mountains with a Robert Burns Dinner. The Meadowlark Motel joins Scottish descendants around the world when we host our annual Burns Night dinner every January 25 to honor Scotland’s National Poet. This event showcases traditional Scottish music, prayers, poetry, speeches, and the ritual slicing of
a steaming haggis. (Feel free to wear your kilt!)

Warm up from the inside out with a hot toddy from one of Maggie Valley’s local distilleries, like Elevated Mountain. This craft distillery produces delicious Smoky Mountain Whiskey as well as other premium spirits with the same time-honored traditions and secrets of their forefathers. Plus, they have live music on their outdoor patio on Friday and Saturday nights.

At the end of an exciting day hitting all the winter attractions in Maggie Valley, head back to your cabin and warm up beside a crackling fire. Drape yourself in a comfy blanket and snuggle up on the couch while you sip hot cocoa or wine in the glow of the dancing flames.

Things to do in Maggie Valley in February

When the calendar flips to February, there’s romance in the air in Maggie Valley. Celebrate your love in our charming mountain resort-style town with an abundance of attractions and vast natural beauty right at your doorstep.

Book a romantic getaway at the Meadowlark Motel where you can snuggle up in a cozy cabin and sip hot cocoa or wine in the glow of the dancing flames of a crackling fire. It’s the perfect home base for an amazing winter adventure.

You still have plenty of time to enjoy the longest running ski season on the East Coast at Cataloochee ski resort, right down the street. There’s skiing, snowboarding, and tubing nearby. And afterwards, you can fuel up with a delicious meal and a glass of wine at one of the many local Maggie Valley restaurants, like J. Arthur’s.

Find handmade crafts that are made with love as you stroll hand in hand down Maggie Valley’s charming streets or venture onto the Blue Ridge Craft Trails. Talented local artisans and makers create unique pieces that make the perfect mementos to commemorate your romantic getaway. Better yet, take an art class taught by one of these artisans and make your own one-of-a-kind piece for your home – or have some fun and recreate that iconic scene from Ghost with a pottery class!

Other Winter Activities in Western North Carolina

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Straddling North Carolina and Tennessee, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park takes in the North Carolina counties of Haywood and Swain, as well as several Tennessee counties. The park offers a wealth of opportunities for recreation in every month of the year, from hiking to exhibits. Visit the official website to learn more.

Smoky Mountain Christmas Tree Farm

Located at 756 Hemphill Road in Waynesville, in Haywood County, Smoky Mountain Christmas Tree Farm is a ‘must’ to visit for those who love everything about the Christmas season, or just everything about Fraser Firs. Hand-sheared with love and 35 years of expertise, these Fraser Firs offer an authentic mountain Christmas experience. The smell is heavenly and the joy of hand-picking your own mountain-grown tree is priceless.

Tube World

Load up the family and go snow tubing and snowmobiling at Tube World. Offering one of the most popular activities in Maggie Valley, Tube World is open during the winter. While it is affiliated with Cataloochee Ski Resort, it is located approximately four miles from the Cataloochee Ski Resort. It opens in December annually, with reservations accepted beginning November 1st.

Tweetsie Railroad

Situated between Boone and Blowing Rock, North Carolina, the Tweetsie Railroad is a Wild West Theme Park and the centerpiece is a train ride through beautiful mountain terrain. The ride is a great delight for the young and the young at heart. It is normally open April through November, but the park does a few runs during the Christmas season when it transforms into a festive holiday train ride.

Whitewater Rafting

Rolling Thunder River Company operates three whitewater rafting locations in western North Carolina, including Nantahala River, Ocoee River and Toccoa River. They’re open year-round and serve all skill levels.

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