You Must Visit These 9 Awesome Places In North Carolina This Winter

It's easy to cozy up and stay inside on the couch during the darker and colder winter months — but avoid hibernating at home this year and use this time to experience North Carolina, because there's still a lot to see and do. From ski resorts full of outdoor activities and winter sports to upscale inns and luxury spas, here are nine awesome places for some of the best winter activities in North Carolina:

1. Beech Mountain Ski Resort

At Beech Mountain, you can hit the slopes at the highest ski area in Eastern America. This truly is one of the superlative spots for winter outdoor recreation in North Carolina.

2. Blowing Rock

The charming town of Blowing Rock is always an incredible place to visit throughout the entire year, but it's especially exciting during the month of January when it's taken over by WinterFest, a three-day festival that's dedicated to all things winter. Plus, local legend says you can see snow fall upside down at the Blowing Rock. It's worth a shot right?

3. Omni Grove Park Inn

Okay, so this one involves a little cozying up, but it's by the roaring fireplaces in the stunning lobby of the Omni Grove Park Inn. It's also a great place for a dip in an indoor pool. This is truly a bucket-list-worthy destination resort in North Carolina!

4. Sugar Mountain Ski Resort

If outdoor activities and winter sports are your thing, you can take your pick from plenty of them at Sugar Mountain Ski Resort with skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, or ice skating. There's even snowshoeing, too!

5. The Biltmore

The Biltmore Estate is always over-the-top beautiful, but add a blanket of snow and a million twinkling lights and you've got picture-perfect. After touring the incredible Biltmore House, warm up in Antler Village with a tasting at the estate winery. Plus, lower ticket prices are typically available during winter months.

6. Hawksnest Snowtubing Park

For a day full of family-friendly fun take a trip Hawksnest Tubing Park, where you'll find 30 different tubing lanes and two moving carpet lifts that'll easily take you back to the top. Lanes range in terrain and length with some as long as 1,000 feet.

7. Old Edwards Inn and Spa

Escape the snow and ice at an upscale retreat in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains at Old Edwards Inn and Spa. This award-winning spa offers treatments sure to beat the winter blues like a Vitamin A facial, or fight off a winter cold with an immunity boosting aromatherapy massage.

8. Hot Springs Resort and Spa

Relax and unwind in a soothing mineral bath at Hot Springs Resort and Spa. Each bath features natural mineral water straight from the famous North Carolina hot springs. Cherokee legends say the water from the hot springs has healing powers — and who wouldn't want to test that out?

9. Appalachian Ski Mountain

Yes -- there *are* ski resorts in North Carolina! Skiers and snowboarders can stay out all day on the slopes and then hit the hay at a cozy chalet at Appalachian Ski Resort. Don't know how to ski? The resort offers professional instruction at the French Swiss Ski College. First-time snowboarders can take advantage of lessons at the Burton Learn How to Ride Center.

Where's your favorite place to visit in North Carolina during the winter months? Do you have a favorite spot for amazing winter activities in North Carolina? Don't keep it to yourself; share it with us in the comments below!

After all that activity, we bet you've worked up quite an appetite! If you're looking for a unique dining experience in the Tar Heel State, check out this historic cabin that's been turned into a restaurant.