Beech Mountain: Ski and Snowboard
RomanticAsheville.com highlights the reasons why Beech Mountain is the place to visit in winter. Beech Mountain: Ski and Snowboard is an article that was written about all of the amenities that were offered in 2014-2015. For the upcoming 2015-2016 winter season more improvements will be complete, so come see why skiing and snowboarding is so wonderful at Beech!
Beech Mountain is the highest town in Eastern America (5,506 feet) and an ideal vacation spot in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Winter brings an average snowfall of 84 inches and transforms Beech Mountain into a wonderland for skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, snowshoeing and sledding. Come for a visit and see why Beech Mountain is “North Carolina’s Coolest Town.” Explore 95 acres of skiable terrain with 15 slopes and trails (three beginner, six intermediate, four advanced, two freestyle terrain areas) with a vertical drop of 830 feet. Their longest run is one mile. Lifts include four doubles, a quad and a high-speed quad with a panoramic vista. The Beech Mountain Adaptive Snowsports Center supports adults with disabilities.
New for 2014/2015 Winter Ski & Snowboard Season
Ski & Stay Package in December-March
Take a midweek ski getaway and get a great deal. Stay two nights in a cabin, rental house, inn or condo (on Sunday-Thursday nights) and get one free lift ticket per person for Beech Mountain Resort to ski on Monday-Friday. Minimum of two people. No experience necessary! December-March, excludes Christmas week and holiday Mondays.
Rate is only $99/person! For more info, go to the Beech Mountain Web site.
Skiing 101 Package in January 2015
January is “Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month” so take advantage of this great package for beginners. Enrollment” is just $101 per person and includes ski or snowboard lesson, equipment rental, full-day lift ticket and one night’s lodging. Double occupancy required. Available Monday through Friday, with lodging on Sunday through Thursday nights. For more info, go to the Beech Mountain Web site.
Endless Weekend Package
Maximize your weekend at minimal cost by staying Sunday night at half price with a Friday-Saturday stay. You’ll also get an Endless Weekend Card with discounts on dining & entertainment. For more info, go to the Beech Mountain Web site.
Resort Enhancements for 2014-15 Season
- The glass-walled round sky bar “5,506” is named for Beech Mountain’s top elevation. Enjoy specialty espresso drinks, organic and fair trade coffees, pastries, and various other food items by Bald Guy Brew with the best view in the high country on the observation deck.
- Beech Mountain Resort’s largest facility, the View Haus, got a makeover with a mountain lodge feel, complete with new tables, chairs and restrooms! It now accommodates 400+ guests.
- Beech Mountain Brewing has merged with Blind Squirrel Brewery. Visit the brewery in Ski Village to taste the lineup of beers born from the finest ingredients and crafted with amazing attention to detail. The tap room is open to both skiers and non skiers.
- Enjoy a free lesson included with the purchase of rental equipment. Available Monday through Thursday for ages eight and older.
- The all-new Rossignol Ski Experience Center at Beech offers the latest collection of high performance rental equipment for 2014-15, including brand-new Rossignol Experience skis and boots.
- The new Pisten Bully Park Pro 400 snow groomer will enable the crew to maintain the grounds and provide a quality, well-groomed environment for our customers. Plus, ample snow coverage is a guarantee this season due to the five new SMI Super Pole Cat Snow Guns placed in key locations on the slopes.
Special Events
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January 10-12, 2015: WinterFest
Enjoy a full slate of events that will please snow lovers and music lovers with ever-popular Cardboard Box Derby, the WinterFest Rail Jam, live music and much more. Beer Fest on January 10! - January 19-23, 2015: 34th DS USA Adaptive Learn to Ski Event
This is the oldest adaptive ski clinic being the first of a group of national instructional clinics started by Disabled Sports USA which in its history was known as National Handicap Sports. Sponsors of this event donate to bring together the instructors, equipment, and resources necessary to teach skiing/snowboarding to individuals with disabilities in the southeast region. - February 20-22, 2015: Totally ’80s Retro Ski Weekend
This time-warp takes you back to the new wave era with live music, special guest appearances, retro festivities and 80s-themed specials on lodging and meals. Headlining the weekend is The Breakfast Club, America’s favorite 1980s tribute band, playing Saturday night in the Beech Tree lodge with the annual $500 Totally Retro Apparel Contest. Friday night’s band is Buick MacKane, performing an all-80s set at the Mile High Tavern, including a $200 Madonna look-alike contest. The Carolina Ghostbusters – complete with their vintage Ectomobile – will make multiple appearances in town and at the ski resort, and they will be joined by a talking replica of the KITT car from the 1980s hit television show, Knight Rider. Another throwback event is an ’80s lip-sync battle Friday afternoon at Beech Mountain Brewing Co. As always, skiers and snowboarders are encouraged to wear retro ski gear on the slopes.
Ski & Snowboard
As the highest ski area in the eastern U.S., Beech Mountain Resort (Ski Beech) offers 15 slopes on 95 acres of skiable area. There are plenty of runs for every skill level, and with a vertical drop of 830 feet and more than 80 inches of annual snowfall, Beech Mountain Resort (Ski Beech) stands out as the premier ski resort in the South. The resort’s snowmaking capabilities, added to the abundant natural snowfall, have earned it the title Snow Capital of the South, with a reputation as the best snow skiing in North Carolina. Snowboarding is also a favorite activity, and the high-speed Quad Lift—the region’s most efficient chairlift—keeps lift lines short and ski days efficient. Need some lessons? They offer individual and group snow skiing and snowboarding lessons for beginners, even as young as 3 years old.Alpine Village & Ice Skating
Not into skiing or snowboarding? There’s still plenty to do and enjoy. The Alpine Village at Beech Mountain offers unique shops, dining lodges, and a nursery, as well as a 7,000-square-foot ice skating rink. There is also a free sledding hill next to town hall for kids 12 years and under open daily 9 AM-5 PM weather permitting.
Snowshoe & Hike on the 20-mile trail system maintained by the town of Beech Mountain (when there is natural snow cover on the ground). Or hike on warmer days. Rent snowshoes from the Buckeye Rec Center (call 828-387-3003 for availability) by the hour, half-day or full day. Private snowshoe guided excursions are also available for a hourly rate. Or take a free snowshoe guided tour through Beech Mountains Alpine wilderness on the town’s publicly maintained trail system.
Shopping
From antique stores to sidewalk shops, there’s always something to catch your eye. You can’t talk about shopping on Beech Mountain without mentioning its most famous general store—Fred’s General Mercantile. Fred’s features groceries, clothing, garden supplies, sleds, hardware, and winter sport rentals. If Fred dehave it, you don’t need it. Nearby Banner Elk offers more shops, restaurants and galleries.
For more info about winter fun, go to the Beech Mountain Web site.
Summer Hike & Mountain Bike
During spring, summer and fall, explore the 20-mile trail system. Take an easy stroll through the woods, or if you really want a challenge, make the eight-mile trek through a thousand feet of elevation change. You’ll see wildlife, waterfalls, picturesque lakes, and scenic vistas that showcase the breathtaking beauty of western North Carolina. Read more about the Beech Mountain Trails.
Beech Mountain Lodging and Rentals
Break free from chain establishments and select from an assortment of accommodations. From budget to luxury, choose from mountain lodges, bed and breakfasts, home rentals, cabins, chalets, and condos. For places to stay at the resort, go to the Beech Mountain Web site.
Fall Color & Land of Oz
Peak fall color in the Beech Mountain area is usually around the second week of October. See our Fall Foliage Guide for more details. Also each fall, enjoy the once-a-year tours of the Land of Oz! Read more about Land of Oz.
Beech Mountain Restaurants
Find a wide array of cuisine in local pizzerias, mountain lodges, and a renowned upscale restaurant. Above is Jackalopes View Restaurant at Archer’s Inn. We especially love their Vidalia onion stuffed with sautéed mushrooms, roasted garlic and shallot balsamic reduction topped with Gorgonzola cheese! They have a fun bar also with great bartender.
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