About This Route
The Mount Mitchell Summit Ski Tour follows a 11-mile out-and-back section of the Appalachian Trail (AT) in the Black Mountains of Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina. Starting from Black Mountain Campground trailhead at 3,000 feet elevation, skiers ascend via the AT to the summit at 6,684 feet, the highest peak east of the Mississippi River. This backcountry ski route offers steep pitches, rolling ridges, and panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Expect variable snowpack from 2 to 6 feet in peak winter; conditions mirror those at nearby Appalachian Ski Mountain but with ungroomed terrain. Follow Leave No Trace principles: pack out waste, camp 200 feet from trails, and minimize campfire impact per USFS guidelines.
Safety Considerations
Winter storms hit hard here; NPS data shows Mount Mitchell averages 50 inches annual snowfall with frequent ice storms. Observe National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) Smart Style code: stay in control, yield to uphill traffic, avoid closed areas marked by rangers. Hypothermia risks spike above 5,000 feet due to 50 mph winds; check NOAA forecasts via the Mt Mitchell weather station. Avalanche danger is low (Class 1 per Mount Washington Avalanche Center analogs) but watch wind slabs on northeast faces. Thin cover on south slopes leads to rocks; scout with REI Co-op skins for safe skinning. Group travel recommended; solo skiers carry satellite messengers. Black bears hibernate, but store food in bear canisters like the BV450 from BearVault.
Essential Gear
Pack Black Diamond alpine touring skis with bindings like the Marker Alpinist; AT boots from Scarpa; Voile straps for boot packing. Avalanche kit: BCA Beacon, shovel, probe. Layer with Arc'teryx insulated jacket, merino base from Smartwool, Buff for face protection. Garmin inReach Mini for SOS; Petzl headlamp with 300 lumens; MSR Lightning snowshoes as backup for crusty conditions. First aid includes SAM splint, QuikClot, blister kit.