In North carolina I love the Banner Elk area for lodging and I like to ski Sugar Mountain, Beech Mountain, Hawksnest, etc, all within a 2 minute to 30 minute drive of Banner Elk.
http://www.skinorthcarolina.com/resort_locations.htm
Sapphire Valley Ski resort facts:
"They offer two runs, one each for intermediate and beginner skiers, featuring runs up to 1100 feet in length and a vertical drop of 200 feet."
In comparison to the above Sapphire Valley information, here is a quick Sugar Mountain comparison. Sugar Mountain is (for obvious reasons )my favorite North Carolina Ski resort.
SUGAR MOUNTAIN RESORT STATISTICS & FACTS
ONLINE:
www.skisugar.com •
SEASON: November - March
SKIABLE ACRES: 115 Acres, the MOST in North Carolina
VERTICAL DROP: 1,200 ft., the MOST in North Carolina
LONGEST RUN: 1 1/2 Miles the LONGEST in North Carolina
ELEVATION: Summit: 5,300 ft.
Base: 4,100 ft.
LIFT NETWORK: 4 Double Chairs, including the two longest in N.C.
1 Triple Chair
1 Handle Tow
1 Magic Carpet (Beginner's Area)
1 Magic Carpet (Tubing Park)
LIFT CAPACITY: 8,800 People Per Hour
4,750 Vertical Transport Feet
SLOPES & TRAILS 20 slopes, 15 with lights for night skiing/riding.
Total Slope Length: 5 miles (approx.)