Winter Fun in North Carolina

Beech Mountain, NC is the place for winter sports. Beech Mountain Resort welcomes nearly 90 inches of natural snowfall each winter and boasts the region’s premier snowmaking capabilities. The ski resort is also served by the only high-speed quad ski lift in North Carolina, which offers its passengers spectacular, sweeping views of the surrounding area.

Up here, cold weather never brings us down. In fact, it’s the most exciting time of year, and the best time to plan your North Carolina ski vacation. That’s because Beech Mountain Resort was made for winter sports — with no shortage of recreational opportunities at the ski resort and in town.

As the highest resort in Eastern America, Beech Mountain Resort (Ski Beech) is home to some of the finest snowboarding and snow skiing in North Carolina. The resort offers both day and night snow skiing, snowboarding, and ice skating, with nine runs on the front side of the mountain and double-sided runs on the mountain’s backside.

Snowboarders enjoy the region’s premier terrain parks where features are changed on a regular basis. The Powder Bowl Terrain Park is for intermediate to advanced boarders, while the Meadows Park, which is dedicated to beginning snowboarders.

Rentals and equipment

For your convenience, ski and snowboard equipment is available for rent or purchase at the following retailers on the mountain:

Alpine Ski Center
1005 Beech Mountain Parkway
(828) 387-9291

Beech Meadows Ski Shop
405 Beech Mountain Parkway
(828) 387-4777

Fred’s General Mercantile
501 Beech Mountain Parkway
(828) 387-4838

Ski Beech Sports
1007 Beech Mountain Parkway
(828) 387-2011

Ice Skating

Even if you’re not up for the ski slopes, you can still enjoy outdoor winter sports at Beech Mountain Resort. The resort’s Alpine Village centerpiece is a 7,000-square-foot ice skating rink — where children and adults can skate to their heart’s content. Ice skating is an excellent activity for everyone in your group or family. Children 4 and under skate free with paying adult.

Tubing

If you like sledding, you will love tubing!

Beech Mountain Resort operates a state-of-the-art tubing park adjacent to the Alpine Village at the base of the slopes. It’s a great location that provides for extra long tubing runs, and offers convenient access to ice skating, shopping and dining in the Alpine Village.

With chutes up to 700 feet in length, all ages can enjoy an exhilarating ride. The tubing area is serviced by a magic carpet conveyer, which transports riders quickly to the top!

FREE Beech Mountain Youth Sledding Hill

The popular youth sledding hill in the Town of Beech Mountain is open daily, weather permitting, from early December through early March. The hill provides free sledding for children 12 and under.

Sledding conditions are usually favorable thanks to Beech Mountain’s average annual snowfall of nearly 90 inches, plus a snow gun for making the white stuff when Mother Nature isn’t. This is the only maintained sledding hill in North Carolina.

It’s operated by the Beech Mountain Parks and Recreation Department with safety personnel on duty. Plastic sleds are required. Folks may bring their own, or they are available for rent or purchase at three stores within walking distance of the sledding hill.

The sledding hill is located next to the Visitor Center at 403 Beech Mountain Parkway in the heart of Beech Mountain. Hours of operation are 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends and select holidays. Parents are to supervise their children and can ride with younger kids.

Parking is available across the street near the Brick Oven Pizzeria (which serves hot chocolate), while Wi-FI and warm restrooms are available in the Visitor Center. Call (800) 468-5506 to for live updates on sledding conditions.

FREE Beech Mountain Snowshoe Tours

Beech Mountain has an extensive trail system available for snowshoeing. The level of difficulty ranges from easy to moderate to strenuous. Experienced snowshoers might consider the Emerald Outback trails at the top of the mountain.

Snowshoes are available from the Beech Mountain Parks & Recreation Department for use on 30 miles of town-maintained trails. The department has a dozen pairs of snowshoes which can be checked out, free of charge, for a half day. Free guided excursions can be arranged by calling the rec center at least 24 hours in advance.
For info, call (828) 387-3003 or visit: www.BeechRecreation.org.

Beech Mountain Brewing Company is nestled in the village of Beech Mountain Resort and provides the perfect atmosphere to relax after a long day of your favorite mountain activity. A bi-level facility with a large fireplace and hardwood flooring throughout, Beech Mountain Brewing Co. is accessible for all visitors. You do not have to participate in resort activities to visit; they are open to the general public.

5506’ Sky Bar is an amenity unique to all ski resorts in North Carolina. At the top of slopes, right off the chairlift, sits a glass-walled skybar called "5,506." Named after Beech Mountain's superlative elevation, the skybar offers food & beverage service, plus a large deck for relaxing with friends or enjoying the amazing view.
*5506′ is only accessible to skiers and snowboarders during the winter season. Guests visiting 5506′ must have a valid lift ticket, ride the chairlift up, and then guests are required to ski/snowboard down the mountain (there is no ride available for going down the chairlift). Please drink responsibly.