3rd Annual High Country Beer Fest

Labor Day Weekend
Saturday, September 4th, 2010
3pm – 7pm

The High Country Beer Fest is the annual celebration of great craft beer from around the region and the world.

Come sample craft beers, club beers, and delicious food in the beautiful high country of North Carolina.

Educational seminars will cover all aspects of beer, brewing, and pairing food and beer.

The music line-up for the 2010 Beerfest is coming together. Get ready to hear these great local bands:

• Whiskey Smugglers
• Swift Science
• Henhouse Thieves
• Soul Benefactor 
For more information, please visit http://www.hcbeerfest.com or http://www.broyhillinn.com/events/beer

GET YOUR TICKETS HERE

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

Stay Connected!

Since its beginning in 1971, Footsloggers has always presented the best in backpacks, sleeping bags, footwear, tents, and outdoor equipment.

In response to the demands of the paddling community, we our proud to announce the addition of our boat shop which specializes in whitewater and touring kayaks.

Our years of experience provide us the opportunity to outfit users in the latest technical gear or the best in economy equipment.

Whether hostelling in Europe or vacationing close to home, Footsloggers is here to assist you in your adventures.

Footsloggers prides themselves in employing individuals who specialize in the different activities that the outdoors has to offer. This interest in the outdoors led to the name “Footsloggers”, found in Roget’s Thesaurus under the verb “walk”, a World War II term which means to “march” or “tramp” through mud.

The title was was given to us by our good friend Paul Daimler who now resides in Connecticut and as our name suggests, footwear is where outfitting begins.

Walking around town or around the world, our casual wear will fit your every step. For those who walk the walk, our boot department is the long and the short of it. Whether you are hiking the Blue Ridge Parkway, backpacking the Appalachian Trail or negotiating a mountain stream, you can walk miles in our shoes.

For more information, visit: http://footsloggers.com

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

Stay Connected!

Professional Blogger and Social Media Expert in The High Country to hold second round of Social Media Workshops for area businesses!

Sarah Pinnix, founder of HighCountryMomSquad.com, WiiMommies.com and RealLifeBlog.net is gearing up for a second round of “Talk of the Town” Social Media Workshops…to be held once again at The Broyhill Inn & Conference Center on the campus of Appalachian State University.

The new series begins on Tuesday, March 2nd and will be held on the first Tuesday of every month moving forward.

The first round was a huge success and consisted of 6 sessions where local area businesses could come to the workshop and learn how to effectively use social media to promote their products and services.

Doug Uzelac, General Manager of The Broyhill Inn & Conference Center and host of the workshop series states, “Social Media Marketing is such a fast growing segment and it is the Broyhill Inn’s pleasure to be to be able to host these very informative sessions.  I would greatly recommend folks that have an interest in increasing their social media knowledge to attend.”

Vicki Stevens, Marketing Manager for the Appalachian Regional Healthcare System adds, “The Talk of the Town series provided phenomenal insight to the world of social media and assisted our organization in establishing a new presence with our audience. I highly recommend the series!”

Julie Hayes from the NC Christmas Tree Association also adds, “The Talk of the Town workshops showed us what Social Media is, gave helpful hints, and provided resources to get us started.”

Mast General Store also comments, “The Talk of the Town Series helped us understand the power of social media and how we might use it to start a conversation with our customers. We found the interaction with Sarah, Boomer, and Scott to be informative and refreshing and also enjoyed brainstorming ideas with our fellow classmates. Our Facebook page has grown by leaps and bounds – surpassing all of our expectations, and it is a ready resource to convey timely happenings.”

These workshops cover such hot-button topics as Website Design & Development, Search Engines, Blogging, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Analytics and much more.

Success stories abound as attendee, Mast General Store has nearly 5,500 Facebook fans. Also, The NC Christmas Tree Association is experiencing online traffic growth on their site and the Appalachian Regional Healthcare System is setting up multiple Facebook pages, writing social media policies and growing followers on Twitter.

Learn more about Sarah Pinnix and her team of coaches and speakers at the workshop series. Visit: http://www.talkofthetownworkshop.com/speakers-and-coaches

For more information and to register for the upcoming sessions, please visit: http://talkofthetownworkshop.com

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

Stay Connected!
 

Late night skiing is available this winter in the High Country. Appalachian Ski Mtn. in Blowing Rock hosts nine Midnight Blast Weekends from now through February 20th.

On Fridays and Saturdays of these special weekends, night skiing begins at its usual 6 p.m. time, but stays open an extra two hours until midnight. Best of all, these extended hours are offered at no additional cost.

“With challenging economic times, people looking for a good value will discover that this is the best ticket value that we offer, at a time that is actually convenient,” said Appalachian Ski Mtn. General Manager Brad Moretz.

Appalachian is the only ski area in the Southeast region offering late-night skiing this winter.

For info, visit www.AppSkiMtn.com or call (828) 295-7828.

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

Stay Connected!
   

Conditions are generally very good throughout the winter. Beech Mountain (elevation 5,506 feet) averages more than 80 inches of snowfall per year, and the town has its own gun for blowing snow when Mother Nature isn’t.
 
The Beech sledding hill is located next to the Chamber of Commerce. It is open daily at no charge for kids 12 and under, although parents may ride with smaller children. Plastic sleds are required. Folks are encouraged to bring their own sleds, or they may be purchased at stores on the mountain.
 
“It’s a free and enjoyable place for children to have fun,” says Peggy Coscia of the Beech chamber. “They come from North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee. We get a lot of folks from Florida who are excited because it’s the first time the children have seen snow.”
 
The sledding hill is operated by the Beech Mountain Parks and Recreation Department. It is 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.
 
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.
 
“All I have to do is look out the window,” says Coscia. “We’re that close.” 
 
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.

Stay Connected!
    

Complete information on skiing and winter sports in the North Carolina High Country is just a mouse click away thanks to the re-launch of SkiTheHighCountry.com.

The redesigned and upgraded website now features everything skiers need to know about the High Country’s three ski resorts – Appalachian Ski Mountain, Beech Mountain Resort and Sugar Mountain Resort – as well as key info on the snow tubing park at Hawksnest Resort.

Visitors to SkiTheHighCountry.com can access live webcams for real-time conditions, view trail maps, check rates and hours of operations, receive details on ice skating, and browse accommodations. There’s also a dining guide and an overview of activities away from the slopes.

Photo galleries of each resort, featuring the work of award-winning photographer Todd Bush of Banner Elk, are included.

The site was created by Big Boom Design of Asheville and is produced and maintained by North Carolina High Country Host.

High Country Host is a tourism marketing organization that promotes travel to North Carolina’s High Country, a five-county region anchored by the popular towns of: Banner Elk, Beech Mountain, Blowing Rock, Boone, Linville, Sparta, West Jefferson and Wilkesboro.

To view the new site, go online to www.SkiTheHighCountry.com.

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

Stay Connected!

 
Source: http://www.vallecrucis.com/fireside/index.html

The historic community of Valle Crucis invites you to warm up by their firesides on Sunday, December 6th, 2009 from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. This tour meanders along country lanes to gift shops, galleries, bed and breakfast inns, restaurants, cabins, and churches where hosts will provide you with refreshments and hospitality throughout the afternoon.

   This year’s stops include several bed and breakfast inns, churches, and other businesses in the Valle Crucis community.

   Tickets are $10 each and are available from the Mast General Store beginning in early Fall. A limited number are available this year and ticket sales end at 4 p.m. on December 6th. All proceeds benefit the Valle Crucis Community Park. Those wishing to purchase tickets in advance may send a check made out to Valle Crucis Park in care of Sheri Moretz, Mast General Store, Highway 194, Valle Crucis, NC 28691. Please include 50¢ extra over the cost of the tickets for mailing.

Make a weekend of it…

   There are many holiday and seasonal activities to participate in. You can choose and cut your own Christmas tree at many local farms – some offer hot chocolate and other treats for an added experience. They will be happy to bale your tree and help you tie it to your car or SUV.

   Take in a Christmas concert. Mountain Home Music presents a plethora of popular performers coming together for a holiday tradition on December 5 at 8 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Boone. For tickets and more information, visit www.mountainhomemusic.com.

   The Original Mast General Store will have live bluegrass and Appalachian music most weekends during December. Saturdays music is scheduled for 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. and on Sundays from noon until 2 p.m. You can also visit with Santa Paws at the Little Red School House on Saturday, December 5th and Sunday, December 6th to have your pet’s picture taken with the jolly ol’ elf from the North Pole.

   Take a trip down the hill at Appalachian Ski Mtn. as they turn back time to 1962! That’s right, lift tickets will be priced at 1962 prices. For more information, visit www.appskimtn.com.

    This event is co-sponsored by ExploreBooneArea.com and the Watauga County TDA.

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

Stay Connected!
    

The Broyhill Inn has teamed up with Circle C Tree Farms to provide a deal on a Christmas tree!

As a guest of the Broyhill Inn you can receive a voucher for a Christmas tree from Circle C Tree Farms!

This will only be available for a limited time, restrictions apply. One night and Two night packages available.

For more information, visit http://broyhillinn.com/events/christmastree, or call: 800.951.6048

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

Stay Connected!
    

The new site contains information on lodging, attractions, festivals, shopping, restaurants, heritage events and outdoors activities. There is also a blog, calendar of events, a section for specials & deals, High Country maps and a downloadable vacation planner.

“This new site pulls together all the key information visitors need to plan a trip to the High Country,” says Millie Barbee, executive director of High Country Host. “And, it is user-friendly. There are multiple ways to navigate the site to quickly find what you’re looking for.”

This new site was created by Big Boom Design of Asheville, using a Joomla platform. It incorporates the latest in website technology, including advanced search engine optimization.

“Our desire was to build a site that’s easy to navigate and brings as much information above the fold and to the surface as possible,” said Boomer Sassmann of Big Boom Design. “It’s a well organized second-generation website that also incorporates social media aspects such as YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and Flickr.”

The look and feel of the website will change quarterly to match the four distinct seasons that draw visitors to the High Country.

“If this were a traditionally built  website, we wouldn’t be able to do that,” Sassmann says, “but because of this Joomla content management system, it is easy to change the look without altering the content.”

To view the new site, go online to www.MountainsofNC.com.

Stay Connected!