Banner Elk 100th Anniversary Celebration Arts & Crafts Show!
July 23rd-24th: Banner Elk, NC
This celebratory arts and crafts show will be held near the Banner Elk Town Hall on Culver Street in beautiful downtown Banner Elk, NC.
This event will be patroned by seasonal residents, locals, and tourists visiting the high country of North Carolina to celebrate Banner Elk’s 100th anniversary of incorporation.
Banner Elk is situated within the High Country of North Carolina, which is home to numerous country clubs, resort communities, and seasonal tourist attractions.
This event is being promoted through the Town Hall and should have a great turnout. Get Directions
For more info on The High Country of North Carolina, call (800) 438-7500, or visit www.MountainsofNC.com.
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Beech Mtn Resort to Host USA Cycling’s Mountain Bike National Championships in 2011 & ’12
Beech Mountain Resort has been named host for the 2011 USA Cycling Mountain Bike Gravity National Championships, Sept. 22-25 2011. The popular North Carolina High Country resort has also been awarded the 2012 championship, and is the first resort in the South to host the event. “Beech Mountain Resort realizes the increased popularity in cycling, and the demand for a facility with lift access,” says Ryan Costin, general manager of Beech Mountain Resort, “We are pleased to host Gravity Nationals, while also producing a facility for all Mountain Bike Enthusiast.”The resort will begin construction of the facility in preparation for the championships, which will bring mountain bikers from around the country to the area.
Brevard native Christopher Herndon, 2007 Dual Slalom National Champion, and a Southeast leader in course design, will oversee construction. “We feel confident that Christopher Herndon will design a unique facility ensuring that Beech Mountain Resort will produce an innovative product,” says Costin. Beech Mountain Resort will offer a world-class venue for competitors in a spectator-friendly atmosphere, filled with plenty of family-friendly activities.
Beech Mountain Resort is excited to share this event with the Western North Carolina community, and will soon provide local cyclists with a mountain bike destination in their backyard.
“There is a lot of untapped terrain on Beech Mountain, ultimately providing a unique facility for Gravity Nationals,” said Shaw Brown of Boone Bike and Touring. “We are thrilled Beech is producing a legitimate Mountain Bike facility in the southeast.”
Michael Thomas, a Boone resident and 2008 and 2009 collegiate downhill champion, said: “This will be the first time that the National Championships have ever been held in the South, and it’s a big step forward in the progression of downhill racing here. We have great mountains to ride in, but actual downhill specific trails to ride on have been very limited until now.”
For more info, visit http://www.skibeech.com/
For more info on The High Country of North Carolina, call (800) 438-7500, or visit www.MountainsofNC.com.
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Three Nights on Beech in February/March Earn Two Lift Tickets
Skiers and snowboarders who stay three nights on Beech Mountain this February or March can earn two free lift tickets thanks to a special promotion.
The promotion, offered by the Town of Beech Mountain, allows snow sports enthusiasts to book a three-night stay in qualified lodging and receive two weekday lift tickets to Beech Mountain Resort. At 5,506 feet in elevation, Beech is the highest ski resort in Eastern America.
The offer is valid through March 31, excluding holiday weekends.
In addition to skiing, snowboarding and tubing, Beech Mountain offers a nice mix of fine dining, shopping, hiking and other recreational activities.
For information on this special, call (800) 468-5506, or visit: www.beechmtn.com.
For more info on The High Country of North Carolina, call (800) 438-7500, or visit www.MountainsofNC.com.
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The High Country is the “Ski Capital of the South”!
North Carolina’s High Country, known as the Ski Capital of the South, is home to three premier resorts - Appalachian Ski Mtn, Beech Mtn Resort and Sugar Mtn Resort.
All are located within a 30-mile radius, making the High Country a favorite destination of families, couples and adventure-seekers. North Carolina has the highest mountains east of the Rockies and caters to skiers of all abilities.
Away from the slopes, there’s plenty to see and do in Boone, Blowing Rock and Banner Elk.
Not a skier? We are home to the largest snow tubing park on the east coast. Hawksnest features more than 20 lanes of tubing fun. Also, each ski resort offers other winter activities, including ice skating, snow shoeing and tubing.
Another favorite option is the youth sledding hill in the Town of Beech Mountain. This free sledding hill is open all winter for children 12 and under.
For more information,visit http://skithehighcountry.com/
For more info on The High Country of North Carolina, call (800) 438-7500, or visit www.MountainsofNC.com.
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Winter Fun Always on Tap at Beech’s Youth Sledding Hill!
The sledding hill is located next to the Chamber of Commerce in the heart of Beech Mountain. It’s operated by Beech Mountain Parks and Recreation Department and open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (weather permitting) with safety personnel on duty. A loud speaker plays music and hot chocolate is available at nearby restaurants.
Plastic sleds are required. Folks may bring their own, or sleds are available for rent or purchase at nearby stores on the mountain.
Parking and restrooms are provided by the chamber. People are encouraged to call the chamber at (800) 468-5506 to receive live updates on sledding conditions.
‘We provide real-time updates on sledding conditions,” says the chamber’s John Troxler. “All we have to do is look out the window.”
Additional info on the Beech Mountain sledding hill is available at: www.beechmtn.com.
For more info on The High Country of North Carolina, call (800) 438-7500, or visit www.MountainsofNC.com.
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Beech Mtn. Pumps Up Snowmaking System and Revitalizes Village
A new system of automated snow guns will have a major impact on snowmaking capacity this winter at Beech Mountain Resort.
The resort, which is the highest ski area in eastern North America, has added six SMI Super PoleCat guns for 2010-2011. General manager Ryan Costin is excited about the new guns based on the performance of two installed last year.
“The automated PoleCat system is able to produce copious amounts of snow. The guns added last year were the highlights of our snowmaking,” Costin said. “Now we’ve upped that 300% by installing six more. The nice thing is this system is self-monitoring and constantly controls the output. It really increases our snowmaking capability.”
Last season’s snowmaking upgrades paid big dividends on the Robbins Run and Upper Shawneehaw trails. This year, the resort set its sights on the long, black diamond White Lightning run, along with the Lower Shawneehaw trail, Powder Bowl and Freestyle trail.
“We’re almost 100% better than three or four years ago because of the new automated system, plus we still have PoleCats that operate on carriages,” said Costin. “In addition, we’ve added 40 JCI tower guns the past couple years, and dozens of Ratnik guns. Significant money has been invested in snowmaking over the last 36 months. It’s paying off in the finished product.”
Also receiving attention was the alpine village at the base of the slopes. Three outside businesses moved in to lease a trio of storefronts. Skiers can now take advantage of a new equipment rental operation, coffee café and souvenir photo shop.
Meanwhile, new lockers were installed in the locker rooms, a third lane was built on the snow-tubing run and a shipment of ski/snowboard equipment was added to the rental fleet.
“We’ve really focused on bringing our offerings to a higher level,” Costin said. “A lot of time was spent this summer painting buildings and on general facility upkeep to give the resort a fresher look. The Beech Tree lounge was painted for the first time in 25 years. We are focusing on the details. We not only work here, most of us live here so we have a vested interest.”
Costin said skiers are excited about another season on the Oz trail, re-opened last year on the mountain’s back side. “I never realized how popular it was until we re-opened it,” he said.
For Beech Mountain skiing info, call (800) 438-2093, or visit: www.skibeech.com. For general info about Beech Mountain, call (800) 468-5506.
For more info on The High Country of North Carolina, call (800) 438-7500, or visit www.MountainsofNC.com.
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It’s Off to See the Wizard at Beech Mountain’s Autumn at Oz!
Get the feeling you’re not in Carolina anymore when the old Land of Oz theme park springs to life this fall for the annual Autumn at Oz celebration.
The 17th edition of Autumn at Oz takes place Oct. 2-3 atop Beech Mountain in the High Country of North Carolina.
Over the years, visitors from near and far have made pilgrimages to see the wizard and take a leisurely stroll with their favorite characters along the park’s iconic yellow brick road.
Autumn at Oz begins with a hayride or shuttle from the Town of Beech Mountain up to the enchanted forest. Once there, attendees are treated to live music, a tour of Dorothy’s House, a mini Oz museum, dance troupes, souvenir vendors and face painting. A highlight for many is the panoramic view from the Judy Garland Memorial Overlook Gazebo, from which they follow, follow, follow the 44,000 yellow bricks that wind around the mountaintop.
Along the way, there are visits with the Tin Man, Dorothy, Cowardly Lion, Scarecrow, Professor Marvel, Auntie Em, Uncle Henry, Glinda the Good Witch and the Wizard. The Wicked Witch of the West is also on hand with her Winkie guards and flying monkeys.
“We encourage fans of all ages to come dressed as their favorite Oz character and enjoy a nostalgic stroll through this unique place in time,” says event coordinator Cindy Keller.
The top of Beech Mountain, at 5,506 feet, is an ideal place to venture over the rainbow. Its rock outcroppings and gnarly, windswept trees inspired the creation of the Land of Oz theme park, which operated from 1970-1980.
“The elevation and elements have provided us an environment unlike any other,” Keller says. “We have huge boulders, ancient trees and giant ferns. It really is an enchanted forest.”
Autumn at Oz has three sessions daily. The sessions are at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. Tickets are $16.50 in advance and $20 at the event, if not sold out. Advance tickets are available online, and total ticket sales will be limited this year for the first time ever.
Children age 2 and under are admitted free, and the property is not wheelchair accessible or accommodating to large strollers.
Discount tickets are available to nearby Grandfather Mountain, and folks are encouraged to stay on Beech Mountain and make a weekend of it.
For info or tickets, call (800) 468-5506, or visit: http://www.autumnatoz.com.
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Beech Mountain hosts Porsche 928 rally on June 5
Fans of the Porsche 928 can witness the nation’s largest gathering of this powerful sports car on Saturday, June 5, atop Beech Mountain.
The 13th annual Sharks in the Mountains rally, hosted by 928 Specialists of Spruce Pine, will attract a fleet of more than 100 cars. These unique Porsches are called “sharks” because their front profile resembles that of a shark.
David and Jeannie Roberts, owners of 928 Specialists, invite sports car fans to visit Beech Mountain for this special event, beginning with a 10 a.m. “park in” of all participants. This takes place in the central business district of Beech Mountain in front of Town Hall.
“We have an ideal setting right here at the top of the mountain. Car owners can use our parking area and visitors can come through and see these cars,” said Beech Mountain town manager Randy Feierabend. “It’s also an opportunity to get people up here in June so they can see how beautiful our mountain is in summer.”
The front engine V8 Porsche 928 is a lesser known model in the Porsche stable. There were only 60,000 made over a 17-year period and there aren’t many left.
“To see that many 928s at one time is rare,” said David Roberts. “This is one of only two such annual events of this size in the United States, and ours is the biggest and oldest. If you’re a car person and like classic cars, it’s quite a sight to see.”
Roberts said folks are welcome to stroll along the isles of cars and chat with owners.
“Porsche 928 owners are some of the most down to earth folks you’ll find,” he said. “They love to talk to about their cars and are happy to expose others to the Porsche 928.”
After spending the day in the town of Beech Mountain, the group departs in grand style with a 5 p.m. parade that follows the route of the former Beech Mountain Hill Climb race and continues down the mountain to Banner Elk.
“It will be a parade of more than 100 beautiful sports cars driving through town,” said Feierabend. “Even if you’re not a fan of the Porsche 928, it will still be cool to watch.”
For more info, visit www.BeechMtn.com or call (800) 468-5506.
For more info on The High Country of North Carolina, call (800) 438-7500, or visit www.MountainsofNC.com.
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Ring in 2010 with Fireworks at High Country Ski Resorts
Winter sports enthusiasts are invited to ring in 2010 on the slopes in the High Country of North Carolina. Each of the three High Country ski resorts offers a fireworks extravaganza this New Year’s Eve.
The festivities begin with a 10:30 p.m. fireworks show at Beech Mountain Resort, while Appalachian Ski Mountain and Sugar Mountain Resort light the skies at midnight.
Beech Mountain Resort provides night skiing until 10 p.m., followed by ice skating from 10 p.m. to midnight. Folks can watch the 10:30 p.m. fireworks display from the Viewhaus restaurant or anywhere in the Alpine village at the base of the slopes. There will also be live music in the Beech Tree Bar & Grill from Chasing Edison, a Charlotte-based rock band.
Sugar Mountain Resort has skiing, tubing and ice skating until 10 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. At midnight, the public is invited to a combined torch light parade and fireworks show, while the Terry Batson Band provides live beach music and oldies in the lodge.
Appalachian Ski Mountain’s alcohol-free celebration begins with night skiing at 6 p.m., followed by moonlight ice skating at 10 p.m. A torch light parade takes place at 11:45 p.m., with fireworks at the stroke of midnight. Breakfast is also available from 9 p.m. to midnight.
“We’ve provided fireworks on New Year’s Eve since 1992. It’s one of our best nights of the year,” said general manager Brad Moretz. “They shoot them off on the slopes and people watch from the deck, or on the base of the slopes or the front porch.”
For info on these three celebrations, call High Country Host at (800) 438-7500, or visit the website for each resort: www.appskimtn.com, www.skisugar.com and www.skibeech.com.
For more info on The High Country of North Carolina, call (800) 438-7500, or visit www.MountainsofNC.com.
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Winter Storm = Heaven for NC Ski Slopes!
With over a foot of snow expected when it’s all said and done up here in The High Country, NC ski resorts are gearing up for what could be the best ski season in years.
The weeks around Christmas and New Year’s are some of the busiest of the whole year and the current winter storm (still pounding us as we type this) is putting the ski slopes in prime condition.
Make your plans and come on up!
Visit our new NC Ski website: http://skithehighcountry.com
Sugar Mountain: http://skisugar.com/conditions
Beech Mountain: http://www.skibeech.com
Appalachian Ski Mountain: http://www.appskimtn.com
Ski Hawksnest: http://www.hawksnest-resort.com
For more info on The High Country of North Carolina, call (800) 438-7500, or visit www.MountainsofNC.com.
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