Many make the mistake of thinking there is nothing to see and do during the winter in the Blue Ridge Mountains, but they are so wrong! There are lots of things to see and do, and many of the activities are unique to winter, and of course snow!
Winter months are a great time to visit the Blue Ridge Mountains due to the better better views, reduced costs, and there being far less people here. Winter here in the Blue Ridge is a great time for a quick weekend getaway or an even longer vacation getaway.
Winter in the Blue Ridge Mountains offers SO much to see and do, including:
See the sections below for more detail on each one these fun Winter activities!
Our Top Guides for Winter Excitement!
Icy and Frozen Waterfalls
Winter is a wonderful and often amazing time to visit Blue Ridge Mountain Waterfalls, for a couple of reasons:
Our waterfall guides below will help you find the perfect winter fall to visit. We have complete guides to more than 40 waterfalls, we have personally visited and photographed.
Winter Hiking
One of the best ways to see the beauty of the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains is to get out there in them, even in the winter! In fact, hiking during the winter provides views you don't normally get to see. Hiking in the snow is not only beautiful, but incredibly peaceful and serene as well.
We're avid hikers, and enjoy getting out on the trail as often as we can, even in the winter. We have complete guides for every single trail we've hiked, on our Hiking Trails Page and for the top winter hikes, you can visit our Top Winter Hiking Trails Guide.
We also have guides for waterfall trails, scenic views, and they are organized by difficulty (easy to hard). So pack up the hiking essentials, dress warm and in layers, and pick the perfect winter hike for you!
Skiing and Snow Tubing
Some of the best skiing in the US, and certainly in the East Coast is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. There are more than 10 different resorts, offering lots of trails, great views, snow tubing, ice skating, snow mobiles, and much more.
Skiing at Ober Gatlinburg, TN
Scenic Drives
Scenic drives, during the winter months, when foliage is long gone from the trees, can offer some of the most spectacular views available. You'll also get unique opportunities to see snow, ice formations, and hoar frost (water vapor that is quickly frozen on vegetation).
The Blue Ridge Parkway is of course the ultimate scenic drive, but many portions of it are often closed during the winter.
There are also numerous other scenic drives all through the states of Virgina, North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee that offer beautiful views and relaxing drives. Two of our favorites are Highway 215 and Highway 276 in North Carolina.
Biltmore
Biltmore is an incredible place to visit and stay at all times during the year, but even during the winter. Seeing Biltmore's grounds and home covered in snow is a real treat, especially when decorated for Christmas during November and December.
Photo provided by The Biltmore Company
While anytime during the winter is a great time to visit Biltmore, Biltmore during Christmas is magical, especially during one of the Candlelight Christmas Evenings. Biltmore house and much of the estate is decorated for Christmas, with trees, wreaths, lights, and more.
Photo provided by The Biltmore Company
Winter Events and Festivals!
The fun doesn't stop when the holidays end! From ice carving competitions to chili cook-offs, the Blue Ridge Mountains stay packed with excitement all winter long.
Here are some exciting and fun winter events:
Events
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Thunder in the Smokies Summer Motorcycle Rally
Maggie Valley Festival Grounds 3374 Soco Rd, Maggie Valley, NC, United StatesLargest & Oldest Rally in Maggie Valley! Friday 11am-11pm, Saturday 9am-11pm, Sunday 9am-3pm. Tour Rides, Vendors, Bike Show, Bike Games, Prizes, Concerts, Fire Dancers, the Latest Bikes & Products on […]
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TrancEnd Band
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. 100 Sierra Nevada Way, Mills River, United StatesTrancEnd is an alt-rock band based out of Western NC / Upstate SC, covering 90’s, 2000’s AND MORE!
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Singing on Grandfather Mountain
MacRae Meadows at Grandfather Mtn. LinvilleA traditional gospel music and worship festival held at MacRae Meadows at Grandfather Mountain, cultivating fellowship through music.
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CarolinAloha
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. 100 Sierra Nevada Way, Mills River, United StatesCarolinAloha is the melding of three loves: the Mountains, the Ocean, and Music. Founded by Billy Cardine, a master of all things slide, Billy finds inspiration from the beautiful Hawaiian […]
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Salem Fair
Salem Civic Center Salem, VAMonday-Friday 4-10 p.m. Saturday & Sunday 12-10 p.m.
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Star-Spangled Banner Elk Fourth
Main Street & Tate-Evans Park Banner ElkCommunity Fourth of July celebration featuring one of the most popular and fun July 4th parades in NC, followed by Party in the Park and a duck race.
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Marion’s Independence Day Celebration
Downtown Marion (14 S Main St) 14 S Main St, Marion, NC, United StatesAmerica 250 Independence Day Celebration in Downtown Marion: 6:00 p.m. parade, 6:30 p.m. street dancing, 9:30 p.m. fireworks, free inflatables for kids, food vendors.
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Art on the Greene
Historic Banner Elk School Banner ElkFour summer weekends of fine art and handmade crafts from regional artists on the lawn at the Historic Banner Elk School, with no admission fee; proceeds help preserve the historic […]
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Backyard Fourth
Maggie Valley Festival Grounds 3374 Soco Rd, Maggie Valley, NC, United StatesCome celebrate Independence Day at Maggie Valley Festival Grounds! Gates open at 6pm. Bring your Blanket, Chairs, Picnic Basket, Bubbles, Hula Hoops, Balls and Yard Games! This is an alcohol […]
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Grandfather Mountain Highland Games
MacRae Meadows at Grandfather Mtn. LinvilleOne of the first and largest Highland games in the US celebrating Scottish heritage with piping, drumming, dancing, athletics, and traditional Scottish sports.
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Maggie Valley Summer Arts & Crafts Festival
Maggie Valley Festival Grounds 3374 Soco Rd, Maggie Valley, NC, United StatesFree event! Artists from across the Southeast sell Handmade Arts & Crafts with a variety of foods on site. Open both days 9am – 4pm. Contact Teresa Smith at 800-624-4431 […]
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Rhythm & Brews
Downtown Hendersonville HendersonvilleRhythm & Brews is a popular free outdoor concert series held on the third Thursday of each month from June through October in downtown Hendersonville. Main Street is closed to […]
