Appalachian Ski Mountain — known locally as App Ski — is one of three ski areas in Watauga County and the closest to Boone. The mountain is modest by Rocky-Mountain standards (12 trails, 365 feet of vertical, terrain park), but it has the friendliest pricing and the gentlest learning slopes in the High Country.
Snowmaking runs from December into March; on a good cold-snap the conditions are surprisingly solid. There is also an outdoor ice rink at the base lodge — open to non-skiers — which is a small, sweet touch on a winter weekend.