Opening Day At Tweetsie Railroad Is April 13th!
Tweetsie will open for the 2012 Season on April 13th!
- April 13 through May 28, 2012: Open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and Memorial Day Monday, May 28, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Note: Tweetsie Railroad is closed Monday-Thursday through May 31. - June 1 through August 19, 2012: Open 7 days a week, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Tweetsie will be open until 9:00 pm on July 4th for the Fireworks Extravaganza, and July 7, 14, 21 & 28 for Cool Summer Nights.
Note: Tweetsie Railroad is closed Monday-Thursday beginning August 20. - August 24 through October 28, 2012: Open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and Labor Day Monday, September 3, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.
- We will also open Friday and Saturday nights September 28 through October 27 for the Ghost Train® Halloween Festival. Gates open 7:30 pm.
Tweetsie Railroad will be closed for the winter beginning October 28, 2012.
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.
Stay Connected!
Eighth Annual Easter Egg Hunt At Ski Sugar!
On Sunday, March 18th Sugar Mountain Resort hosts the Eighth Annual Easter Egg Hunt right on the slopes. Dress up in your Easter Best costume and join Sugar Bear and Sweetie Bear on the snow in search of prize-filled eggs. In addition to the sweet treasures, other lucky hunters may strike gold and claim a sparkling trove of great giveaways. And one great hunter will find a season ski pass hidden in the grand prize egg for the 2012-2013 winter.
At the start of the hunt, participating children, who must be 12 years and younger, will load the No. 1 Summit lift promptly at 9 am. All thats required is a valid slope pass and everyone must be on skis or snowboards. Unloading at mid-station, everyone will gather at the start line and then the hunt begins down Lower Flying Mile.
Children are encouraged to wear their ‘Easter Best’ Costumes, and the top three entrants will win prizes. Judges will be looking for color, creativity, and imagination behind the outfits. So put on your bunny suit and bonnet, bring your Easter basket, and join us for another wild hare outdoor adventure at Sugar Mountain Ski Resort.
For more information please call 1-800-SUGAR-MT or visit our website www.skisugar.com/calendar
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.
Stay Connected!
SKI OR RIDE TO BENEFIT THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY AT SUGAR MOUNTAIN SKI RESORT
On Sunday, March 4th we celebrate the life of the late Dick Trundy, a decorated Marine Corps General and aviator who served as Sugar Mountain Ski Resorts Director of Operations after his retirement from the service. Dick was an avid skier who enthusiastically embraced the daily life of a ski area executive. Sadly he died of cancer in 2002.
The Dick Trundy Sugar Cup giant slalom competition is a NASTAR style competition open to skiers and snowboarders from the age of four to seniors 65 years and up. Event registration is from 7:30 am until 8:30 am with racing beginning at 9 am on Big Red. Prizes are awarded to the top three ski and snowboard finishers in 13 categories ranging from four and under to 60 plus. Entry fee is $15.00 and participant lift tickets are $25.00. One-hundred percent of entry fees are given to the American Cancer Society in Dicks memory. Additional donations are greatly appreciated.
For more information please call 800-SUGAR-MT or visit www.skisugar.com/calendar.
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.
Stay Connected!
Inaugural 5K To Fund Eagle Habitat Renovations!
Since Grandfather Mountain added eagles to their showcase of indigenous North Carolina wildlife in 1981, these majestic birds-of-prey have been housed in an open-topped enclosure. All the eagles that have called Grandfather Mountain home were injured by gunshot, resulting in a full or partial wing amputation and leaving them completely flightless.
Their enclosure has remained beautiful and well maintained during this period, but several problems arose as a result of the absence of a fully enclosed habitat. Ravens, bears and other animals can enter the eagles’ home, stealing their food and posing a serious threat to their well-being.
Another drawback stemming from the park’s lack of a fully enclosed eagle habitat, is Grandfather’s inability to adopt other eagles that may be partially or fully flighted. Even though these eagles may have the ability to fly normally, other injuries, such as eye problems, could render them unable to hunt for food and survive in the wild.
The park’s habitat staff has been tirelessly fund raising for over a year in hopes of renovating the enclosure and their efforts are continuing this May with the first annual “Critter Crawl” at Grandfather Mountain. This 5K race begins in MacRae Meadows and ends at the top of Grandfather. It is a charity event where runners pay a $30 admission fee to participate. All of the money generated will directly benefit these pending renovations.
“We’ve been actively raising money for a year now in the community. We’re excited because the hope is that this race will finally allow the improvements to begin,” said Christie Tipton, Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation habitat manager. If the Critter Crawl is a success and all 500 running spots are filled, the renovation process will begin on the eagle habitat.
The $30 cost per runner includes: a “Critter Crawl” t-shirt and a free day-pass for the following weekend. T-shirts are only guaranteed for participants registering before April 19. Awards will be presented to the top three male and female competitors.
The “Critter Crawl” race is very similar to the popular “Bear Run” held each year during the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, but is unique in that it loops through the animal habitat pathways, giving runners the opportunity to view the eagle habitats they are helping to renovate. Online registration for the event begins March 1.
For registration information, please visit www.grandfather.com and for more information about the “Critter Crawl” or the eagle habitat renovation project, call 828-733-8715.
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.
Stay Connected!
First Annual “Critter Crawl” Set For May 3rd at Grandfather Mountain!
This May, the inaugural “Critter Crawl” kicks off at Grandfather Mountain. The 5K race begins in MacRae Meadows and ends at the top of Grandfather. All proceeds will directly benefit upcoming renovations to the Grandfather Mountain eagle habitats.
The race will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 3. To accommodate runners and race spectators, the park will end ticket sales at 4 p.m. and close at 5 p.m.
Online registration for the “Critter Crawl” begins March 1 with 500 spaces for runners available. The cost per participant is $30 and includes: a “Critter Crawl” t-shirt and a free day-pass for the following weekend. T-shirts will not be guaranteed for participants that register after April 19. Awards will be presented to the top three male and female competitors.
Parking passes, available during registration, are $10 per car. Spectators will be able to park in designated parking lots on Grandfather and MacRae Meadows on a first-come, first-serve basis. Shuttles will transport spectators to the top from each parking area.
For registration information, please visit www.grandfather.com and for more information about the “Critter Crawl” or the eagle habitat renovation project, call 828-733-8715.
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.
Stay Connected!
It Just Keeps Getting Better And Better At Sugar!
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.
Stay Connected!
High Country Host Welcomes New Member: Woof Pack Pet Services!
We are proud to welcome our newest member, Woof Pack Pet Services! They offer dog training, pet sitting and much more!
Puppy Kindergarten is a class for puppies from 4 months – 1 year in age focusing on socialization, problem puppy behaviors.leash walking and 6 of the basic commands.
Basic Obedience is a class for dogs over 1 year in age focusing on learning 12 basic commands with distraction and proper leash walking.
AKC Programs – Dogs do NOT have to be purebred to participate in either program
AKC STAR Puppy Program is for puppies (up to 1 year) who want to get a head start on their Canine Good Citizen skills and work through puppy problem behaviors. At the end of the 6 weeks your puppy will be tested to be enrolled in the AKC S.T.A.R program
AKC Canine Good Citizen is a class for dogs (over 1 year) who are working towards their 10 skills in the Canine Good Citizen Certification.At the end of the 6 weeks your dog will be evaluated to become an AKC Canine Good Citizen.
For more info, visit: http://www.woof-pack.net
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.
Stay Connected!
Watauga Medical Center Among Top 10% Nationally for Patient Experience for the 4th Year in a Row
For the fourth straight year, Watauga Medical Center has received the Outstanding Patient Experience Award from HealthGrades. This distinction ranks Watauga Medical Center among the top 10% of hospitals nationwide based on an analysis of patient satisfaction data for 3,797 U.S. hospitals. In addition to the Overall Patient Experience Award, HealthGrades also named Watauga Medical Center among the top 5% in the U.S. for Overall Pulmonary Services in 2012.
“This is something for the community, the patients and the staff to be very proud of,” said Richard Sparks, President & CEO of Appalachian Regional Healthcare System, “Earning positive feedback from our patients is one of the highest honors.”
HealthGrades analyzed HCAHPS (Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) hospital survey data obtained from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and identified those hospitals performing in the top 10% in the nation for patient satisfaction, based on survey responses from patients treated at those facilities. Hospitals had to meet bed size, survey-response size, and clinical-quality thresholds in order to be eligible for the award.
When making healthcare decisions, patients consider not only the outcome of a procedure or treatment, but the kind of experience they can expect to have at a hospital. A recent McKinsey & Co. study found that 20% of a patient’s choice is based on a hospital’s clinical reputation and 41% of patients consider patient experience measures to be an important factor in choosing a hospital. This is in sharp contrast to the conventional wisdom that such considerations are much less important.
According to HealthGrades, 80% of patients treated at the nation’s best-performing hospitals would definitely recommend the hospital compared to only 55% of patients who received care from the poorest-performing hospitals.
The more information consumers have about the health care choices available to them, the more confident they can be in selecting the best medical care for themselves and their loved ones. The Outstanding Patient Experience Award is a distinction generated by patients for patients.Information on award recipients and the ratings methodology is available, free to the public, at www.healthgrades.com.
“It’s clear that patients are driving higher quality in our nation’s hospitals,” said Dr. Rick May, HealthGrades Vice President of clinical quality programs. “Hospitals like Watauga Medical Center take HCAHPS survey results very seriously and invest time and resources to ensure each patient’s experience is the best possible. This is yet another example of how transparency in health care drives quality.”
When compared to hospitals performing in the bottom 10% for patient satisfaction, HealthGrades Outstanding Patient Experience Award recipient hospitals are attributed with the following:
- 45% more patients gave the hospital an overall rating of a 9 or a 10 (10 being the highest possible)
- 34% more patients responded that they always received help from staff quickly
- 24% more patients reported that the staff always explained their medications to them prior to administering them
- 19% more patients felt their pain was always well controlled
- 45% more patients reported that they would definitely recommend the hospital to their family orfriends.
About Watauga Medical Center
Watauga Medical Center, part of Appalachian Regional Healthcare System, is fully accredited by the Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and licensed as a 117-bed regional referral medical complex, offering both primary and secondary acute and specialty care. In addition to the main hospital, the campus of the medical center includes The Cardiology Center of ARHS, The Sleep Center of ARHS and the Seby B. Jones Regional Cancer Center, offering both radiation and chemotherapy on an outpatient basis. The Cancer Center is recognized as an approved Community Cancer Care Center by the American College of Surgeon’s Committee on Cancer.
Other units are: The Paul H. Broyhill Wellness Center, The Rehabilitation Center, The Wound Care Center, ARHS Home Health, which provides a full range of home care services, Appalachian Regional Pain Clinic, and a branch of the Northwest Area Health Education Center.tauga Medical Center has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for certification as a Primary Stroke Center.
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.
Stay Connected!
The High Country Host Welcomes New Member, Blue Ridge Dinner Theater!
The Blue Ridge Dinner Theater is owned and operated by Dick and Linda Copus of Winner’s Circle Restaurant & Steakhouse and former owner’s of Greenfield Restaurant. Dick and Linda have been in the restaurant business since 1990. The opening of the Blue Ridge Dinner Theater has given them the opportunity to take their restaurant experience to the next level by combining good food and good entertainment!
With the conception of the Dinner Theater, Dick and Linda strive to offer name-brand as well as local entertainment to Ashe County. It is their wish to provide something unique and different to the High Country that will bring more visitors to our area.
The Blue Ridge Dinner Buffet is included in your ticket price and provided by Winner’s Circle Restaurant & Steakhouse and is the same great buffet you new and loved at Greenfield Restaurant. You’ll have your pick of mouth-watering entrees and side items including pan-fried chicken like Grandma used to make, roast beef, baked ham, real homemade mashed potatoes, green beans, corn, homemade biscuits and gravy. And you’ll not want to miss the homemade baked apples and cobblers. Buffet meal also includes coffee, tea, and water. Soft drinks sold separately.
Although our mailing address is 9331 Hwy. 16 S., West Jefferson, we are actually located in the small town of Glendale Springs at the old Mountain Music Jamboree.
For more info, visit: http://blueridgedinnertheater.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.
Stay Connected!
Mark Your Calendars For Blowing Rock Winterfest, 2012!
Join the Village of Blowing Rock as we celebrate the fun side of winter at the 14th Annual Blowing Rock Winterfest! From the Chili Cook-Off to WinterPaws, from the icy Polar Plunge to WinterFeast, there’s something for all age groups at Blowing Rock Winterfest.
- Shop with Blowing Rock Merchants
- Dine in our cozy restaurants!
- Free Hot Chocolate & Hayrides!
- FREE SNOW!
For more, visit: http://www.blowingrockwinterfest.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.
Stay Connected!
Recent Comments