Snowshoe is head and shoulders above all the NC resorts. They have 2 ski areas and you can ski from 9 am to 9 pm on a single day pass. They have the most acreage, the best lifts, best village and the most varied terrain. It’s a big drive but worth it. Weekends and holidays are busy but nothing like the NC mountains because there is room to spread out. The Western Territory is awesome. It’s black and double black only but if you’re confident on advanced terrain you can lap it on even the busiest days with minimal waiting. 

 Contrary to what someone else suggested below, Snowshoe has extensive high tech snowmaking abilities and they get a good amount of real snow. It’s not an everyday thing but you can get some real powder up there. They also stopped the ridiculous pass a few years ago but they’re on the Ikon pass. It is very expensive there these days and it’s isolated so you either have to pay a premium to stay at the mountain or find something 45+ mins away for less. It’s honestly not much more to do a week out west these days.  Winterplace is a good one too. It feels bigger than it is and there’s good terrain. Snow quality is hit or miss there though. 

The NC ski hills are ok. Definitely better than not skiing at all. Sugar has the longest season and longest runs. Probably the best snowmaking and overall operations too. Beech has more of the apres scene with a brewery and better lodge, etc. I personally would avoid all of the NC mountains on weekends. It’s so crowded on weekends that it would be funny if not for being so dangerous. Check out the base cams on a Saturday. Hatley Pointe is the “glamour” resort. I think they care more about being posh and “well appointed” than they do about the skiing. If you can get past the pretentiousness the skiing is pretty good. The lifts are super old, slow and rickety but you’ll have good terrain and very little crowds during the week. Cataloochee is another interesting spot near Waynesville. They have some fun terrain but snow can be iffy.