A husband-and-wife team transformed an abandoned North Carolina ski center into an oasis of family-focused comfort.
Words by Eric J. Wallace
Photos courtesy of the Hatley Pointe Team
When husband-and-wife entrepreneurs Deborah and David Hatley bought Wolf Ridge Ski Resort in 2023, the place was in shambles.
Areas of the western North Carolina resort had been closed for nearly a decade, and those slopes were overgrown and abandoned. Snowmaking equipment was broken or antiquated. There was just one working chairlift. Parking lots were crumbling, rental equipment was outdated, and the central lodge seemed destined for collapse.
“To say it needed work would be a major understatement,” says Deborah Hatley, CEO of Hatley Pointe. In the age of snow sports mega-conglomerates like Alterra buying out independent ski resorts left and right, most industry experts and professional observers like myself thought the couple’s initial $8.4 million investment was delusional.
But the Hatleys saw glimmers of possibility in the dilapidated outpost that others missed.
“I don’t think you could ask for a better location,” says Deborah. Wolf Ridge sprawled across the face of 4,700-foot Big Bald Mountain within a 40-minute northward drive of the hip and artsy city of Asheville, North Carolina. What’s more, the 500-acre property is surrounded by the Pisgah National Forest and sits about 1.5 miles from the Appalachian Trail, as the crow flies.
The couple envisioned an old-school, hospitality-focused alternative to corporate-owned resorts where price gouging is the norm and visitor experiences feel about as personable as an amusement park. They decided to rename the resort Hatley Pointe, as a nod to their family-oriented approach.
“We wanted to create a boutique destination that could be a home away from home for friends and families throughout the region and beyond,” says Deborah. The goal was to foster an environment of accessible luxury and over-the-top customer service that leaves visitors feeling like they’ve joined an amazing new family. “We want to create a lasting impression on every guest’s heart,” Deborah continues, “offering not just a getaway, but an unforgettable experience.”
Based on a recent trip my wife and I made during the resort’s inaugural 2024-2025 ski season, I can say with confidence that Hatley Pointe delivers.
“We want to create a lasting impression on every guest’s heart,” Deborah continues, “offering not just a getaway, but an unforgettable experience.”
Additional investments of more than $12 million have brought vast changes that, beyond the stunning mountain scenery, have transformed the resort into something unrecognizable. Pistes have been reclaimed, widened, and expanded into a 15-trail network that boasts a thoughtful distribution of greens, blues, black diamonds, and woodsy glades that offer thrills for all skill levels. Sixty inches of annual natural snowfall is supplemented by new, state-of-the-art snowmaking equipment and infrastructure. A newly rebuilt high-speed quad lift can ferry 4,100 riders per hour up the slopes. A progression-style terrain park and conveyor-serviced lower learning center have also been added.
Then there’s the wildly overhauled central lodge. The chic and sprawling modern industrial farmhouse-style building opens onto the lower slopes and offers a cutting-edge rental center, lounge, multiple bar areas, and three restaurants. Flagship eatery Smoke & Timber brings an impressive mix of soaring piste-front views, craft cocktails, wines, regional brews, and chef-driven New American staples. Lodging options include vista-rich luxury rental homes or condos in a rapidly expanding VRBO village that unfolds along upper ski runs.
But for me, the most striking change was the atmosphere.
Rental center staffers seemed happy to help, taking ample time to discuss skier ability levels and ensure comfortable fits, which is the key to a good time for kids, newbs, and casual hobbyists. From lift attendants to barbacks and hosts, everyone seemed to exude an air of genuine personability and professionalism. They not only asked how our day was going, but listened closely enough to make appropriate recommendations and provide a degree of service typically reserved for five-star-plus environments.
“We’ve been extremely intentional around hiring and training,” says Deborah. Finding the perfect person to fill a position is time-consuming, but it brings invested employees. “Our team believes deeply in what we’re doing and takes pride in fulfilling the resort’s mission.”
Best of all, the Hatleys say this is just the beginning.
They’re working to rapidly expand lodging options and partnerships with neighboring communities that will bring amenities like summer golf opportunities, more restaurants, guided horseback rides, ATV tours, paddling excursions, and more. An on-site, lift-served mountain biking park is currently under construction and expected to open in spring 2026. Additional glade skiing areas and trails are slated to be built next year. Annual music festivals and special events like wellness retreats are also in the works.
“We’re in this for the long haul,” Deborah says. For her, “Hatley Pointe was never just a resort; it’s a vision for something lasting. It’s a place where people can connect, slow down, and fall in love with the mountains all over again.”
