Cataloochee Announces New Quad Chair

Cataloochee Ski Area, home to great skiing in the great Smokies since 1961, has announced the purchase of a new quad chairlift from Doppelmayr USA.

The new chairlift will replace the Omigosh double. The 2,800 foot lift will rise 740 vertical feet and offer a smooth ride to both the mountain’s mid-point (intermediate terrain) and summit (intermediate and advanced terrain).

The increased uphill capacity is sure to be a crowd pleaser for the 65th season and beyond. Construction is scheduled to begin May of 2025 and will conclude ahead of the projected November opening for the 2025/26 season.

Cataloochee Ski Area is a ski area in the eastern United States in southwestern North Carolina, near Maggie Valley. With eighteen ski slopes and trails, approximately 44% are rated beginner, 39% intermediate, and 17% advanced. Its top elevation is 5,400 feet (1,646 m) above sea level, yielding a vertical drop of 740 feet (226 m). The slopes are accessed by three chairlifts and two carpet lifts.

Typical of North Carolina ski areas, Cataloochee relies primarily on snowmaking for its slopes. Cataloochee is known for having one of the longest seasons in the southeast, and in 2008 it opened October 28. The average ski season lasts 125 days.