Mountain bikers and mountain boarders can enjoy a holiday weekend of competition this Sept. 5-6 at Beech Mountain Resort.

The resort is hosting a combined mountain bike/mountain board event that encompasses the final leg of the Triple Crown Downhill Bike Competition and the inaugural High Ground Mountain Board Competition. The mountain board contest has a $1,000 cash purse, one of the largest purses for mountain boarders in the Southeast.

In the Triple Crown biking competition, there will be races in separate divisions for professionals, amateurs and beginners, with all riders competing on the same course. The course descends the full elevation of the ski slope at Beech Mountain and includes four sections in the woods, one section that navigates boulders and three opportunities for sprints.

Entry fee for mountain bikers is $55 per person, with helmets mandatory for all racers.

“The Triple Crown series has been successful. We’re averaging about 100 competitors per event and expect to have that many or more for the finale,” said Ryan Costin, director of operations at Beech Mountain Resort. “It’s been a nice re-introduction of mountain biking at Beech Mountain.”

The High Ground Mountain Board Competition showcases the resort’s new board park. The all-wooden park was built by Ground Industries of Greenville, S.C., and Ground Industries is sponsoring this inaugural event in which boarders will showcase their best in a slope style competition and a big air competition. Entry fee is $55 per person.

Spectators can enjoy scenic lift rides, food, craft vendors and music, in addition to watching the thrilling competition. The resort is also offering overnight camping for a small fee.

“We’re excited to be in the forefront of mountain boarding here in the Southeast,” Costin said. “It should be a good time for participants and a great spectator event. Our goal is to have a fully operational mountain board/mountain bike park open weekends next June though October. It will be a lift-access park, which will hopefully be a big draw for mountain boarders and mountain bikers throughout the region.”

For info, visit www.skibeech.com

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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