The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation has lowered the cost of the ‘Keeper for a Day’ Program this year to $150 for guests and $120 for season-pass holders. The Mountain is also beginning to offer a three-hour option in addition to the full, six-hour option.

The full day option includes admission to the park, a t-shirt, lunch with the animal caretakers and six hours of experiencing the daily chores of the Grandfather Mountain Animal Habitats staff:  feeding, cleaning and caring for the five species of animals that call the habitats home.  The new half-day option, which costs $75 ($60 for season pass holders), includes admission to the park, a t-shirt and three hours of hands-on animal care.

“We hope to give people a better appreciation for our habitat staff and the wonderful animals that they care for,” said Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation President Penn Dameron.

Participants must at least 12-years-old; capable of walking up and down steep, rough terrain; wear closed-toe hiking or work boots and be willing to sign a waiver of liability.

The Keeper for A Day Program is available on certain Tuesdays, April-October.  Both the three-hour and six-hour options begin at 8 a.m.  Reservations for the program must be made at least 24 hours in advance.  A full schedule of dates can be found on www.grandfather.com.  For more information or to reserve your spot, call the Grandfather Mountain Animal Habitats at 828-733-8715.

The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation established to preserve Grandfather Mountain, operate the nature park sustainably in the public interest, provide an exceptional experience for guests, and inspire them to be good stewards of the earth’s resources.  For more information, visit www.grandfather.com or call 800-468-7325.

The High Country Host is a regional travel promotion organization.  For more information on accommodations, attractions, dining or shopping in the area please visit www.mountainsofnc.com or call 800-438-7500.

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Advance tickets are now available for the 57th Annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, July 12-15.  The Highland Games are a beacon of heritage and fun where the color of hundreds of tartan plaids and the clamor of half-a-dozen bagpipe bands grace the North Carolina High Country.

The Grandfather Games are considered the greatest of America’s Scottish Games because of the spectacular mountain setting that is so reminiscent of Scotland. The deep blue peaks of Grandfather Mountain tower above a meadow ringed by 130 red, blue, yellow and green striped tents.

In addition to the convenience of ordering tickets ahead of time and the fact that advance tickets save $25 versus buying daily tickets during the event, this year’s advance ticket holders will receive the added benefit of a free round-trip shuttle Friday, Saturday and Sunday between the games and Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute in Boone, a $30 per-person value.  Parking at MacRae Meadows will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis for the Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night events.

Grandfather Mountain Highland Games has also teamed up with several local hotels, offering discounted rates to those planning their trip in advance.

The Grandfather Mountain Highland Games is a not-for-profit organization based in Linville, NC.  Proceeds of the Highland Games go directly to scholarship efforts in the Avery County area.  For more information about the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games including advance ticket information and a full list of participating hotels, please visit www.gmhg.org or call the office at 828-733-1333.

The High Country Host is a regional travel promotion organization.  For more information on accommodations, attractions, dining or shopping in the area please visit www.mountainsofnc.com or call 800-438-7500.

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IT JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER AND BETTER

Sixteen slopes, five lifts, an average snow depth of 20 to 44 inches, three tubing lanes, snowshoeing and ice skating are all available at Sugar Mountain Resort. And it just keeps getting better and better. View the slopes straight from your desktop by accessing Sugar’s live, streaming webcam www.skisugar.com/sugarlive.

Ideal snowmaking temperatures and clear skies throughout this winter season continue to provide the opportunity to expand available terrain and increase the average snow depth, oftentimes leaving snow conditions fluffy, light and forgiving. Couple that with clear, Carolina blue skies, pleasant winter temperatures and things are perfect on Sugar Mountain.

There’s lots of winter left on Sugar Mountain with the bulk of events to come. NASTAR, a public ski and snowboard race, is held at noon every Saturday and Sunday. On February 19th, Sugar hosts the High Country Junior Race Series Championship giant slalom competition. BOSS HAWG, the area’s local, bluegrass band plays every other Saturday. The return of the Spyder Sample sale begins Thursday, February 23rd. Sunday, March 4th is Sugar Bear’s Birthday. Participate in the Dick Trundy Sugar Cup on Sunday, March 4th and support the American Cancer Society. Save money with a Winter Value Package www.skisugar.com/package or when you visit anytime after March 5th. For a complete list of Sugar’s events and specials please browse www.skisugar.com/calendar.

Don’t let this winter season pass you by, enjoy a fantastic winter experience; visit Sugar Mountain Resort. For more information please call 800-SUGAR-MT or view our website www.skisugar.com.

The High Country Host is a regional travel promotion organization.  For more information on accommodations, attractions, dining or shopping in the area please visit www.mountainsofnc.com or call 800-438-7500.

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We’ve got winter Olympians, Sugar Bear, the newest ski & snowboard equipment available for demo, fireworks, great camaraderie, authentic Southern bluegrass music, a chance to win a RIDE snowboard, real-live social networking, and a rail jam complete with prizes and giveaways.

SugarFest is sponsored by the Village of Sugar Mountain Tourism Development Authority and hosted by Sugar Mountain Resort. SugarFest is scheduled for Saturday, December 10th and Sunday, 11th, 2011.

The Highlands at Sugar 828-898-9601 Sugar Mountain Resort Accommodations / Resort Real Estate & Rentals* 800-438-4555 Dereka’s Sugar Mountain Accommodations & Realty, Inc.* 800-545-9475 Sugar Ski & Country Club* 800-634-1320 Sugar Mountain Lodging, Inc. / Sugartop* 800-858-9663 * Up to 30% off your stay at participating lodging agencies

The ninth annual, two-day festival is packed with a long list of winter activities and coincides with Sugar’s 18th Annual Adult Preseason Ski Clinic. Olympic Gold & Silver medalist Diann Roffe and US National Sugar G Champion, Keely Kelleher top the list of the ski clinic’s coaching staff.

Both Saturday and Sunday from 9:00am until 3:30pm, 2012 ski & snowboard equipment will be available for demo. Salomon, Volkl, Nordica, Burton, Head, Never Summer, K2, Atomic, Dynastar, Rossignol, Ride, Line, Fisher and Forum will all be represented. You must have a valid lift/slope ticket as well as a valid driver’s license or credit card in order to demo the equipment. The Sugarfest demo is brought to you by Ski Country Sports.

1992 Olympic Figure Skating Silver Medalist, Paul Wylie dazzle us with his amazing talent followed by an on ice skating clinic and a meet and greet session Saturday at 3:00pm. No fee is required to watch Paul’s inspiring on-ice performance. However, if you would like to skate, a valid skate session ticket is required. Sugar’s ice rink is located next to the Dave Nixon Pro Shop adjacent to parking lot D and is open for one hour and thirty minutes sessions from 10:00am until 10:00pm.

With Mother Nature’s cooperation and the newly installed snowmaking machines designated solely for the tubing area, Sugar’s Tubing Park will be open for six sessions each day beginning at 10:00am and ending a 10:00pm.

The entire family will be wowed by the thunderous and spectacular fireworks display at the base of Sugar Mountain Resort, Saturday evening at 5:45pm. Après ski isn’t a thing of the past. Kick off your ski boots, pull up a chair; indulge in some good food and warm drinks while enjoying live bluegrass music by Boss Hawg from 4:00pm until 7:00pm.

Come out and watch or throw down with some the area’s best riders in the RIDE Rail Jam Expression Session at 12:00 noon on Sunday. The winner receives a RIDE snowboard. Additional prizes and giveaways provided by Alpine Ski Center and RIDE Snowboards.

Text “RIDEBOB” to 35350 or visit www.sugarfestnc.com to enter online for your chance to win one of six RIDE snowboards to be given away SugarFest weekend.

And while you’re here why not stay for a night or two! Lodging agencies within the Village of Sugar Mountain offer discounted rates for slope-side and on-mountain accommodations during SugarFest. Winter Value Packages are available too.

For more information please contact Sugar Mountain Resort at 800-SUGARMT.

Plan your High Country Ski Trip! Visit: SkiTheHighCountry.com!

The High Country Host is a regional travel promotion organization.  For more information on accommodations, attractions, dining or shopping in the area please visit www.mountainsofnc.com or call 800-438-7500.

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SUGAR MOUNTAIN SKI RESORT, NORTH CAROLINA Sugar Mountain Ski Resort in North Carolina opens tomorrow; Saturday, November 12, 2011 for skiing, snowboarding and ice skating. Snowmaking began Thursday, November 10th and continues. A manmade powder surface covers the Upper and Lower Flying Mile slopes. The Summit #1 Lift will be in operation to the 3/4′s station. Weekend lift/slope ticket prices will be $25 for a full-day session and $20 for a half-day session. For a real time look at the slopes through the live, streaming web cam please log on towww.skisugar.com/sugarlive.

Sugar’s 10,000 square foot outdoor ice rink also opens tomorrow. www.skisugar.com/skating Sessions are one hour and thirty minutes long and run from 10 am until 10 pm on Saturday. Sunday’s sessions will begin at 10 am and end after the 6 pm session. Ice skating tickets are $15 per session and include skate rental.

Sugar Mountain Sports Shop, located in the Base Lodge will open tomorrow for the season. It features the finest in winter apparel and footwear, quality gift items, and souvenirs.

For more information please call 800-SUGAR-MT or view our website www.skisugar.com for the latest slope and weather conditions. Historical opening and closing dates as well as recorded annual natural snowfall measurements can be found at www.skisugar.com/press/stats.

Also, visit www.skithehighcountry.com for more info on snow skiing in The NC High Country!

The High Country Host is a regional travel promotion organization.  For more information on accommodations, attractions, dining or shopping in the area please visit www.mountainsofnc.com or call 800-438-7500.

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Celebrate Halloween with the creatures of the Grandfather Mountain Animal Habitats Saturday October 29th. Join in the first ever “Beary Scary Halloween” festivities and help the Mountain raise funds for renovations on Grandfather’s eagle habitat.

“We wanted to create a fun event that would give kids a chance to be more involved in the animals’ day and provide us with the opportunity to raise awareness about the improvements that we hope to make to our eagle habitat,” said Christie Tipton, habitat manager.

Halloween activities take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and are included with regular admission. Kids in costume will get in at half price.

The day begins at 10 a.m. with Halloween-themed crafts in the Nature Museum. At 10:30 a.m. kids can go trick or treating in the animal habitats, which will be decorated in mummy, werewolf, ghost and graveyard themes.

At 11 a.m. Naturalists will meet by the Mildred the Bear statue in the Nature Museum to lead an interactive program titled “Going Batty for Bats.” Participants will learn all about bats and their importance to the environment.

Prepare to be captivated by ghost stories at 11:30 a.m. in the Nature Museum Auditorium. Local storytellers Maggie Christenbury and Owen Gray will lead scary tales to thrill the whole family.

At 12:30 p.m. kids get a chance to compete in a costume contest and vote on their favorite costume worn by the animal habitat staff. Voting takes place in the Nature Museum lobby.

Immediately following the costume contest, guests have a unique opportunity to participate in the animal enrichments by decorating pumpkins and other treats that will later be given to the animals. An enrichment is anything different that can help to break up the animals’ day such as a scent, a new toy or a treat.

Join the Mountain’s Naturalists in the Nature Museum at 1 p.m. for the “Creepy, Crawly Critters!” program. Participants will learn about creatures of the night, creatures that bite and other spooky animals.

At 2 p.m. the Habitat Staff will begin the animal enrichments. Meet at the deer overlook to watch the animals enjoy their decorated treats.

The last of the day’s programming will take place in front of the fudge shop at 2:45 p.m. An “Owl Encounter” allows guests to meet and learn about the spooky night prowlers that can be found in the High Country.

Throughout the day guests can learn more about the eagle habitat, special programs offered by habitat staff and additional opportunities to get involved on the Mountain. For more information, contact the habitat staff at 828-733-8715.

Grandfather Mountain is a globally recognized nature preserve famous for its 360-degree vistas, native wildlife habitats and Mile High Swinging Bridge. The attraction is located on US Highway 221, two miles north of Linville, NC, and one mile south of the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 305.

The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation established to preserve Grandfather Mountain, operate the nature park in the public interest and participate in educational research activities.

For more information phone 800-468-7325 or plan a trip at www.grandfather.com.

The High Country Host is a regional travel promotion organization.  For more information on accommodations, attractions, dining or shopping in the area please visit www.mountainsofnc.com or call 800-438-7500.

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The first hints of autumn are in the air and Grandfather Mountain is preparing for the vibrant colors that are sure to follow.  In an effort to help visitors experience all of the beauty that the High Country has to offer, Grandfather Mountain provides many opportunities for guests to learn more about the amazing transformation that overtakes the forest in fall.

“We are seeing lots of color change already for this early in September. The trees are looking healthy with lots of leaves, so I’m very optimistic that this will be a good season,” said Director of Education Jesse Pope. “The peak viewing time in the higher elevations will likely be around the first two weeks in October.”

Grandfather Mountain has ideal conditions for leaf looking due to a wide range in elevation, which allows visitors to see the changing leaves over a greater number of weeks.  On the weekends of October 8-9 and October 15-16 Grandfather’s Interpretive Rangers and Naturalists will offer “The Colors of Grandfather” guided walks at 1 p.m. These hikes will lead guests through woodlands populated by many different species of hardwoods, provide an opportunity to learn more about the phenomenon of leaf change, and answer questions about Grandfather’s unique ecosystem.

Grandfather is a great destination for leaf looking, not only because its high peaks are a good vantage point for looking out across the color on the hillsides below, but because the mountain hosts such a tremendous variety of plant life.

In addition to the planned programming inside the park in October, fresh fall color photos are posted daily throughout the month on the Mountain’s website, Facebook page and Twitter account. These postings include up-to-date reports on leaf looking conditions, helpful tips for visiting the area in fall and the best routes for finding the brightest trees.

Grandfather Mountain is a globally recognized nature preserve famous for its 360-degree vistas, native wildlife habitats and Mile High Swinging Bridge. The attraction is located on US Highway 221, two miles north of Linville, NC, and one mile south of the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 305.

The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation established to preserve Grandfather Mountain, operate the nature park in the public interest and participate in educational research activities.  For more information phone 800-468-7325 or plan a trip at www.grandfather.com

For more info on The High Country of North Carolina, call (800) 438-7500, or visit www.MountainsofNC.com.

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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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The 56th Annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games will be held July 7-10, 2011 at MacRae Meadows on Grandfather Mountain near Linville, NC!

OUR MISSION: To carry on and promote the annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games and Gathering of Scottish Clans, to foster and restore interest in traditional dancing, piping, drumming, athletic achievement, music and Gaelic culture, and to establish scholarship funds to assist students from Avery County High School to study at American colleges and universities.

For more on the history of the games, visit: http://www.gmhg.org/history.htm

For a full schedule of events, visit: http://www.gmhg.org/events.htm

For more info on The High Country of North Carolina, call (800) 438-7500, or visit www.MountainsofNC.com.

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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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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.

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/

North Carolina ranks second in the nation in live Christmas tree production. Here in the North Carolina High Country it is truly an electrifying time of the year! There are thousands of acres of Christmas trees. Sure there’s holly and mistletoe but a Christmas tree is a must have during the holiday season! Christmas trees bring happiness and cheer to the faces of children throughout the nation. Maybe its time to start your family tradition, after all, the holiday season is quickly approaching!

The Watauga County Christmas Tree Association helps promote and educate the public about Christmas trees and their local growers. They also work closely with the Choose & Cut tree farmers to ensure top-quality products and a wonderful experience for their customers. Christmas tree farms send their trees throughout the Carolinas for purchase each year and also have individual sales through their Choose & Cut programs!

There are twenty-nine Choose & Cut farms in Watauga County. Each Choose & Cut Christmas tree farm is a little different. All twenty-nine Choose & Cut farms provide Fraser Fir Christmas trees and a select few provide Canaan Fir and White Pine Fir Christmas trees. If you are planning to decorate with garland or wreaths this holiday you can find these items and even a few Christmas shops at some Watauga County Choose & Cut farms. Some farms have put the idea of family first into your Christmas tree hunt experience by having animals, hayrides, sled and pony rides! For more information, or if you have any questions about the Watauga County Christmas Tree Association, please contact them at 828-264-3061

READ THE ENTIRE PRESS RELEASE!

For more info on The High Country of North Carolina, call (800) 438-7500, or visit www.MountainsofNC.com.

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SugarFest kick starts the winter season with a weekend of pure winter fun! Sponsored by the Village of Sugar Mountain Tourism Development Authority (TDA) and hosted by Sugar Mountain Resort, SugarFest will be held December 11th and 12th, 2010.

The eighth annual two-day festival is packed with a long list of winter activities and coincides with Sugar’s 17th Annual Adult Preseason Ski Clinic which 1994 Olympic Gold & 1992 Olympic Silver medalist Diann Roffe, two-time (1992 & 1994) Olympian, Krista Schmidinger, and 2010 US National Super G Champion Keely Kelleher top the list of this season’s coaching staff.

Both Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 am until 3:30 pm 2010 ski & snowboard equipment will be available for demo from Salomon, Volkl, Nordica, Burton, Head, Never Summer, K2, Atomic, Dynastar, Rossignol, Ride, Line, Fisher and Forum. You must have a valid driver’s license or credit card in order to demo the equipment.

Watch 1992 Olympic Figure Skating Silver Medalist, Paul Wylie dazzle us with his amazing talent followed by an on ice skating clinic and a meet and greet session Sunday at 3pm on Sugar’s ice rink located next to the Dave Nixon Pro Shop adjacent to parking lot D.

With Mother Nature’s cooperation Sugar’s Tubing Park will be open. Both ice skating and tubing activities will be open for two-hour sessions beginning at 10 am and ending a 10 pm.

“Ready, get set, go!” is what you’ll hear if you enter the snowball eating contest at 3:00 pm on Saturday, December 11th. You’ll have two minutes to eat as many tasty snowball look-a-likes as your stomach can stomach!

Be sure to bring the whole family to watch a thunderous and spectacular fireworks display at the base of Sugar Mountain Resort, Saturday evening at 5:45 pm. After a hard day of skiing and snowboarding there’s nothing better than good food, warm drinks, and fun music. Come dance and/or listen to live bluegrass music by Boss Hawg from 4:00pm until 7:00pm.

Don’t miss the Edge of the World/Burton Rail Jam Expression Session at 12 noon on Sunday as talented snowboarders pull off some of their best tricks. Later in the day marvel as blocks of ice become beautiful winter works of art.

And while you’re here why not stay for a night or two! Lodging agencies within the Village of Sugar Mountain have come together to provide discounted rates for slope side accommodations during SugarFest.

SugarFest is a great time to enjoy winter! For more information please contact Sugar Mountain Resort at 800-SUGAR MT.

Visit: http://www.seesugar.com/tourism/sugarfest/

For more info on The High Country of North Carolina, call (800) 438-7500, or visit www.MountainsofNC.com.

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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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Win a one-night stay at the Inn at Crestwood in Boone, NC and 2 tickets to the Mountain Home Music concert!

Be the 75th person to answer this question correctly and you will WIN!  All answers need to be emailed to highcountrycontests@gmail.com to qualify!

Question: What North Carolina River located in the High Country is said to be named after an Indian princess who drowned herself after losing her lover?

The Winner gets a one-night stay at the Inn at Crestwood in Boone, NC and 2 tickets to the Mountain Home Music concert!

The Inn at Crestwood is nestled in the mountains of Boone, North Carolina.  Crestwood is definitely a place to come and relax and get-a-way from the daily grind.  Each guest room, suite and cottage at Crestwood is uniquely designed with the ultimate mountain experience in mind. They featuring private terraces, whirlpool baths, gas-log fireplaces; amenities such as afternoon wine & cheese, continental breakfast, turn down services and more. You can enjoy unforgettable panoramic views, distinctive dining, celebrated local art and relaxing spa services all in one harmonious setting.  For more information about the Inn at Crestwood visit their website: www.crestwoodnc.com 

Mountain Home Music holds concerts throughout the year featuring the tradition sounds of the area!  Musicians, dancers, storytellers and poets come together to delight you with sounds of Appalachian music. The Appalachian tradition includes Celtic, old-time, bluegrass, dulcimers and African American forms of artistic expression.  When you attend a Mountain Home Music concert, fun can be had by people of all ages, couples or families.  For more information about Mountain Home Music and upcoming events please visit their website: www.mountainhomemusic.com

Disclaimer:  The Mountain Home Music concert tickets are through September 2011.  You will need to call and make your reservation with Crestwood first to see if there is any availability for the evening of a Mountain Home Music Concert!

The Winner will be contacted via Email from High Country Host to get their contact information.  The Winner will be mailed the Give-A-Way Package!  Included in your package will be the Inn at Crestwood’s information and a Fall and Winter Schedule for the Mountain Home Music concerts!

For more info on The High Country of North Carolina, call (800) 438-7500, or visit www.MountainsofNC.com.

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For the 33rd year the town of Banner Elk has welcomed both old and new friends to the annual Woolly Worm Festival.

This family event co-hosted by the Avery County Chamber of Commerce and the Kiwanis Organization of Banner Elk welcomes more than 23,000 people to the community to make family memories and also to win the prestigious title of predicting the High Country weather and the chance to win the $1000 bounty.

Visit: http://www.woollyworm.com

For more info on The High Country of North Carolina, call (800) 438-7500, or visit www.MountainsofNC.com.

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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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Our 20 Lane Snow Tubing Park has four different areas to snow tube; lanes are 400 – 1000 feet long.

Our 2 conveyor lifts take our snow tubers back to the top for more rides.

Hawksnest has 100% snow making and lighting on all lanes to provide the best possible conditions and fun for the whole family.

Snow tubing is a great outdoor activity for large groups of family, friends, students or church groups. Hawksnest has four different areas of snow tubing with different rollers and pitch. No experience or special skills are required. Please check out our list of “Things to Keep in Mind” which will give you ideas on clothing and weather related precautions. Reservations for groups are required for group discounts.

Also, don’t forget to enjoy our Coffee Bar, Carolina BBQ and Pizza before, during and after your tubing sessions!

Sessions are 1 hour and 45 minutes. Children must be 3 years old to snow tube. Holidays are December 21st to January 1st, January 17 & 18 & February 14 & 15. A liability waiver must be signed for each adult 18 and over.

For more, visit http://www.skihawk.com!

For more info on The High Country of North Carolina, call (800) 438-7500, or visit www.MountainsofNC.com.

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A Weekend of Winter Fun at
Sugar Mountain Ski Resort!

SugarFest kick starts the winter season with a weekend of pure winter fun! Sponsored by the Village of Sugar Mountain Tourism Development Authority (TDA) and hosted by Sugar Mountain Resort, SugarFest will be held December 12h and 13th, 2009. 

The seventh annual two-day festival is packed with a long list of winter activities and coincides with Sugar’s 16th Annual Adult Preseason Ski Clinic which 1994 Olympic Gold & 1992 Olympic Silver medalist Diann Roffe and two-time (1992 & 1994) Olympian, Krista Schmidinger will both be special guest coaches.

Both Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 am until 3:30 pm 2009 ski & snowboard equipment will be available for demo from Salomon, Volkl, Nordica, Burton, Head, Never Summer, K2, Atomic, Dynastar, Rossignol, Ride, Line, Fisher and Forum. You must have a valid driver’s license or credit card in order to demo the equipment.

Watch 1992 Olympic Figure Skating Silver Medalist, Paul Wylie dazzle us with his amazing talent followed by an on ice skating clinic and a meet and greet session Saturday 10 am and 1 pm on Sugar’s ice rink located next to the Dave Nixon Pro Shop adjacent to parking lot D.

With Mother Nature’s cooperation Sugar’s Tubing Park will be open. Both ice skating and tubing activities will be open for two-hour sessions beginning at 10 am and ending a 10 pm.

For more information, please visit: http://www.seesugar.com/tourism/sugarfest

For more info on The High Country of North Carolina, call (800) 438-7500, or visit www.MountainsofNC.com.

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Don’t just take our word for it. Hear what others are saying about the benefits of joining The High Country Host…

“High Country Host does an excellent job of attracting visitors to our area through its marketing. Just as importantly, they do a great job of helping our visitors find lodging, shops, places to eat, and things to do to make their visit a success. Happy customers come back and they also tell their friends to come. All types of businesses need to be part of HCH’s marketing and service efforts.”
-Harris Prevost
Grandfather Mountain

“High Country Host’s ongoing efforts to attract visitors to our area has been remarkable. Through the creation and distribution of a resourceful guidebook, to the development of and continued achievements in the High Country Host website, to co-op advertising and joint marketing opportunities, Chetola enjoys the continued benefits of our marketing partnership with High Country Host.”
-Kent Tarbutton, Proprietor
Marcia Field, Marketing Director
Chetola Mountain Resort

“We are thoroughly satisfied members of High Country Host. Your organization far outshines any other similar service in Boone in promoting our bed & breakfast to visitors. As far as we’re concerned, we cannot afford NOT to be members! Thank you and your excellent staff for serving us since 1997.”
The Baird House
-Tom & Deede Hinson

For more info on The High Country of North Carolina, call (800) 438-7500, or visit www.MountainsofNC.com.

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The popular Oz run returns, while a second terrain park debuts this winter at Ski Beech at Beech Mountain Resort.

The Oz slope, named for its proximity to the old Land of Oz theme park, was closed last season to upgrade the chairlift. New, padded quad chairs have taken the place of outdated double chairs, while Ski Beech officials also installed airless electrical snowmaking hookups along the run so the slope can be blown in within 24 hours.

“The reopening of the Oz run is great news for skiers,” says Ryan Costin, the resort’s director of operations. “It has nice intermediate terrain and opens up another side of the mountain. This will help disperse skiers during peak times.”

Ski Beech’s second terrain park will be unveiled this winter. The opening of the park was delayed a year because of lift problems. However, the lift is now fully functional and provides access to a multi-featured park with rails, boxes and jumps for intermediate to advanced freestyle riders. The park will have full-time staff to maintain the features and ensure safety.

Also new this year is a private locker room for season pass holders to store their skis and equipment, while snowmaking upgrades continued during the offseason.

“In the South, snowmaking is something you have to improve every year,” Costin says. “We’ve upgraded our product and want people to come see the quality of skiing we now offer.”

Ski Beech is scheduled to kick off its 2009-2010 season on Saturday, Nov. 21, weather permitting. Season passes are currently available for a discounted price of $350 through Nov. 1. The regular price of $550 goes into effect Nov. 2.

For resort information, call (800) 438-2093 or visit 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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Named One Of The Top Ten Fall Festivals in North America by the Society of American Travel Writers!

The Wooly Worm Festival is October 17th, 2009! Back in the late 1970s, the editor of the now-defunct Mountain Living Magazine, Jim Morton, was preparing to include a Woolly Worm Forecast in the winter issue of the magazine.

He photographed the first Woolly Worm he saw to use in formulating the prediction and illustrating his story, but the next day he saw a second worm that looked completely different from the first. “That’s when it struck me that we needed some formal procedure to use to decide which was going to be the official worm for making the winter forecast,” said Morton.

So since 1978, the residents of the village nestled between the Carolina’s two largest ski resorts have celebrated the coming of the snow season with a Woolly Worm Festival. They set aside the third weekend in October to determine which one worm will have the honor of predicting the severity of the coming winter; and they make that worm earn the honor by winning heat after heat of hard-fought races – up a three-foot length of string.

For more information on the festival CLICK HERE!

For lodging and other travel information, contact North Carolina High Country Host at 800-438-7500 or visit: www.mountainsofnc.com.

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Source: VirtualBlueRidge.com

GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN, NC – The 54th Annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games and Gathering of Scottish Clans kicks off Thursday July 9. This event, which runs through Sunday, July 12, brings the color of hundreds of tartan plaids and the clamor of half a dozen bagpipe bands to the North Carolina Highlands.

Because of the spectacular mountain setting that is so reminiscent of Scotland; The Grandfather Games are considered America’s grandest Games. The deep blue peaks of 6,000-foot Grandfather Mountain tower above a grassy green meadow lined with 167 red, blue, yellow and green striped tents. The color is augmented by thousands of Scots luxuriously costumed in tartan plaids, and the energy is amplified by the sounds of bagpipes and kettle drums echoing across the moor.

The Highland Games will begin in the afternoon of Thursday July 9. Events that day will include opening ceremonies, a piping concert, sheep herding exhibition, the running of “The Bear”. Many people choose to bring a picnic dinner or buy concessions at the Meadows to enjoy during the evening events.

The official opening ceremonies begin at dusk with a torchlight ceremony where representatives of each of the 92 clans announce their families’ participation in the gathering. This “raising of the clans” proclaims that they have once again come together to celebrate their heritage.
Prior to the torchlight ceremony, over 900 runners will participate in a 5-mile footrace called “The Bear”. The course climbs 1,568 feet in elevation from the town of Linville to the summit of Grandfather Mountain.

Returning this year on Friday, July 10 is “The Grizzly” bike ride, a challenging route with 7,000 feet of climbing completed over 65 miles. The ride begins at Grandfather Mountain with cyclists traveling throughout Avery County, including a two mile dirt road up the backside of Beech Mountain.

Completing the trio of extreme physical challenges is the 42nd running of the Grandfather Mountain Marathon on Saturday, July 11. A special prize will be awarded to athletes who complete all three grueling events.

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are filled with competition. There will be events in heavy-weight Scottish athletics, highland dancing, bagpipe band parades, piping, drumming and harp competitions. Also enjoy sheep herding demonstrations by Scottish border collies and concerts featuring a wide variety of Celtic music.

At the center of the weekend’s activities are the athletic competitions. The nation’s top Scottish athletes clash in traditional heavyweight events such as “Turning the Caber” and “Tossing the Sheaf.” The first requires an athlete to flip a telephone-pole-sized tree trunk end-over-end. The second event challenges athletes to loft a 16-pound sack of hay over a cross bar more than 20 feet above the ground. Other ancient tests of strength awaiting the brawny professionals are highland wrestling, putting the stone, the hammer throw and various weight throws.
On Friday night, the Celtic Jam highlights traditional and contemporary Celtic music at MacRae Meadows. Music continues on Saturday night as the Celtic Rock Concert serves up encore performances from some of the higher energy bands.

Among the performers at this year’s Celtic Jam and Celtic Rock Concert is a percussion group named Albannach who delivers a heart-pounding tribal rhythm that makes people get up and dance. Other Celtic groups include The Killdares, Mother Grove, Barleyjuice, Coyote Run, Teribus, Clandestine and Scythian. A variety of these musicians will also be performing in the Celtic Groves each day.

More traditional Appalachian and Celtic folk musicians will be appearing at the Games. The playlist includes Alex Beaton, Ed Miller, Jim Malcolm, Colin Grant Adams, Blessed Blend, R.G. Absher & Celtic Connection and George Hamilton IV.

More evening activities include a concert of Scottish folk music and dance called a Ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee), held both Friday and Saturday nights at Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk. A Friday night Scottish Country Dance Gala will be held at Lees-McRae College and a piping concert is on the schedule for Saturday night at the Broyhill Inn in Boone. Also at the Broyhill on Saturday night is a concert by Alex Beaton and Friends.

One of the most popular attractions at the Games is the traditional Scottish bazaar which is set up adjacent to the parade grounds at MacRae Meadows. The bazaar is a gathering of Merchants to sell Gaelic and tartan gift items .Concessionaires will be set up to sell Scottish meat pies and give visitors a taste of the highlands. There is also a tent set up to help guests trace their Scottish roots and learn more about their heritage. The bazaar is open throughout the weekend.
Adult tickets are $15 Thursday, $20 Friday, $30 Saturday and $15 Sunday and cover all activities in the meadows, which on Friday and Saturday last from early morning to midnight. Tickets are $5 dollars each day for children ages 5-12 with children under five free. Tickets are available at the field on the day of the event.

Parking is available on site at the Games field Thursday and Friday on a first-come, first-serve basis with overflow parking at shuttle lots in Linville, but public parking is not available at the field on Saturday and Sunday. Shuttle service is provided between MacRae Meadows and satellite parking areas in Linville, Newland and Boone. Shuttle fees vary depending on the distance between the lots and MacRae Meadows.

Tickets to the off-mountain evening events vary by event. For more information call 828-733-1333 or visit online at www.gmhg.org.

For lodging and other travel information, contact North Carolina High Country Host at 800-438-7500 or www.mountainsofnc.com.

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