How to Plan a Ski Trip to Beech Mountain

The town of Beech Mountain may have fared better than neighboring communities in the wake of Hurricane Helene, but it didn’t come away totally unscathed. “Immediately after the storm, there wasn’t much structural damage, but we did have tree and road damage,” Armando Garcia, the marketing and tourism director of Beech Mountain, tells Travel + Leisure. “Both roads in and out of the mountain were washed out … We were isolated. No one could leave, and communication was down.”

Thanks to the efforts of its residents, first responders, volunteers, and the North Carolina Department of Transportation, however, the 601-person town was able to reopen about a month later and prepare for the winter season ahead. Like many Western North Carolina destinations, Beech Mountain heavily relies on tourism — and its primary attraction is a ski resort. 

Beech Mountain Resort brings in thousands of visitors every year. Along with 17 trails for skiing and snowboarding, it offers an average of 64 inches of annual snowfall (plus snowmaking capabilities) and a peak elevation of 5,506 feet, cementing its status as the highest ski resort on the East Coast. At the base, you’ll find what Danny Wilcox, the owner of Premier Mountain Guides, a tour company that offers guided ski trips, describes as a “ski village atmosphere, similar to large resorts out West.” There’s a snow tubing park, a craft brewery, several restaurants, a sports shop, and a full rental facility. 

Dreaming of the snow-covered High Country? Read on for everything you need to plan a trip to Beech Mountain Resort, including when to visit, where to stay, and where to après-ski. 

When to Go

Thanks to snowmaking abilities, Beech Mountain’s winter season begins in late November or early December (exact dates may shift by year) and runs through mid-March. “January and February offer the best snow conditions,” says Wilcox, but, he adds, if you come before the holidays, you’ll get “the best rates and the least amount of crowds.” If your schedule is flexible, aim for a mid-week adventure, as you’ll likely experience more congested runs on weekends.

Where to Stay

There are a couple of different accommodation types for Beech Mountain visitors staying overnight, but rentals tend to be the most popular. Travelers can book their cabin, lodge, or chalet via Beech Mountain Lodging or search through rental listings on Airbnb and Vrbo. 

Where to Eat

First Chair Coffee Shop

Before a big day on the slopes, you’ll want to fuel up at First Chair Coffee Shop. Next to the resort’s entrance, the café offers caffeinated beverages of all kinds — even some seasonal specialty drinks — plus bagels, croissants, muffins, scones, and yogurt parfaits. 

Beech Mountain Brewing Co. Taproom & Grill

Located in the heart of the ski village, Beech Mountain Brewing Co.’s Taproom & Grill is the type of eatery you want to arrive to hungry. The menu features items like buffalo tots, a classic smash burger, and loaded beer cheese nachos, all of which can be washed down with a Beech Blonde, 5506′ Pale Ale, or Downhill IPA.

Famous Brick Oven Pizzeria

If pizza is your ideal post-ski-day meal, you’ll be more than satisfied with dinner at Famous Brick Oven Pizzeria. The family-owned and operated restaurant is a five-minute drive from the resort and serves up pies in all flavors — from classic cheese and BBQ chicken to Greek, Hawaiian, and cheesesteak pizza. 

Where to Après-ski

5,506’ Skybar

As you may have guessed from its name, 5,506’ Skybar sits at the very top of the mountain. Recently remodeled with expanded seating and updated TVs, the full-service bar is best known for its 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains, which can be enjoyed from the deck or inside the roundhouse.

The Red Baron Room

You’ll find the 21-and-over Red Baron Room and its 1917 French-style bar downstairs in the Taproom and Grill. It has a bit of a speakeasy vibe, with oak floors, a pool table, and a menu featuring light bites and cocktails. 

Off-mountain Activities

Bring the family to the sledding hill.

One of Beech Mountain’s most popular attractions is completely free and open to the public. Even when there’s no natural powder, two dedicated snow guns ensure the sledding hill is ready for winter fun. Sleds aren’t provided, but you’re welcome to bring your own, buy one from Fred’s General Mercantile, or rent one from White Wolf Lodge or Beech Meadows Ski Shop.

Ride the alpine coast in Banner Elk.

“There are lots of different activities to do in the wintertime outside of the ski area,” says Wilcox, who recommends making the six-mile drive to Banner Elk, home to the Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster. Billed as North Carolina’s first alpine coaster, the year-round attraction is 3,160 feet of circular loops, waves, twists, and turns, and, at its fastest, gets up to 27 miles per hour. 

Spend an afternoon hiking.

Some of Beech Mountain’s hiking trails are still inaccessible following damage from the hurricane. That said, be sure to check your chosen route’s status on All Trails or stop by the Buckeye Recreation Center while in town to grab a trail map and any additional information. 

Support surrounding communities.

If you can, plan to spend a few extra days exploring other Western North Carolina towns and communities within driving distance of Beech Mountain. Banner Elk, as well as Boone, Blowing Rock, West Jefferson, and Wilkesboro are currently welcoming visitors. “Supporting the businesses will help the area,” says Garcia, although he recommends checking NCDOT for road closures and paying close attention to which destinations are and aren’t open for tourists. This map is a helpful resource. 

How to Ride

Tickets: Beech Mountain has a range of lift ticket options — from four-hour and multi-day passes to night slope passes, granting you access to the mountain from 5 p.m. until close. Adult tickets start at $39 for night tickets and increase to $100 for 12-hour weekend flex tickets. The resort also has season passes and accepts the North Carolina Ski Areas Association (NCSAA) Gold Card; cardholders have unlimited access with no blackout dates.

Rentals: You can rent both ski and snowboard equipment from Beech Mountain. Adult packages start at $42, although helmets are an extra $15. The resort also has a clothing rental program, where guests can rent winter coats and pants as needed for their trip. 

Skiing

Beech Mountain has nine lifts — including a tow rope and four quads — to access 17 trails across 95 skiable acres. Of those 17, three are greens, seven are blues, four are black diamonds, and three are considered freestyle terrain. “Carolina Caribbean is the best for the beginner skier or snowboarder, with the unique tunnel conveyor belt that takes you to the top of the beginner hill,” says Wilcox. For intermediates, he recommends Lower Shawneehaw: “It has a high-speed, four-person lift, which makes it great for intermediate riders to see the whole mountain without having to go to a steep terrain.” And if you’re an experienced athlete? Head up to Upper and Lower White Lightning, runs he says “can challenge any rider at any level.”

Programming

Beech Mountain’s Ski & Ride School has private and group lessons for skiers and snowboarders. Lessons are first-come, first-served and can be booked in person at the resort. For children ages 6 to 12, the resort offers the Traxx Ski and Snowboard Learn to Ride programs. If your kids are ages 2 to 5 and not hitting the slopes with you, they can spend the day participating in a “variety of art, games, and outdoor activities “ at Snow Kamp.