WATAUGA -- Ski season typically starts a week or so before Thanksgiving and runs until late March. But, for Sugar Mountain and Cataloochee, their slopes are already open.

Suzanne Brown with the North Carolina Division of Tourism says in addition to the great skiing available, Beech Mountain has also made a cool addition to their resort.

"Beech Mountain Resort has opened a new sky bar that is a top-of-the-mountain observatory with food and drink you can eat inside and outside and get a great view of that area. Beech Mountain does have the highest ski area in the East, and so this will be the highest bar of any ski area in the East as well."

She adds that all six ski areas have really good programs for kids, especially the Learn to Ski programs.