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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Your Christmas Tree is waiting for you!
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
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For more info on The High Country of North Carolina, call (800) 438-7500, or visit www.MountainsofNC.com.
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Mark Your Calendars Now For Sugarfest!
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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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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Win A High Country Get-Away!
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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Woolly Worm Festival This Weekend!
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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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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Snow Tubing At Hawksnest!
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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SugarFest is December 12th & 13th!
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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