Whether you want to cozy up by a fire and admire the mountains or enjoy some winter activities, a weekend in Boone makes for a perfect winter getaway. There’s nothing quite like visiting a charming mountain town during winter! Fortunately, Boone and Blowing Rock are two delightful towns located just 10 miles apart. Since most of North Carolina does not experience a snowy winter wonderland, it’s refreshing to drive a few hours and immerse yourself in a completely different environment!
Boone, NC, holds a special place in my heart. I lived there for five years while attending Appalachian State University, for my undergraduate and graduate degrees. Although this post specifically mentions Boone, I will also include nearby towns and activities that contribute to the uniqueness of the high country.
HurricanE Helene Update
As I am writing this post, it has been 2 months since Hurricane Helene hit Western North Carolina. All of the areas mentioned are now open to tourists, but you can still see the effects of this horrendous storm. Listed below is a list of organizations that are continuing to support the High Country if you want to contribute any time, money, or supplies.
Listed below are all of the logistics and everything to do for a perfect weekend in Boone.
Getting To and Around Boone
Getting To Boone
Boone is located in the Northwest region of North Carolina. There are two main highways to reach Boone depending on where you are coming from.
While driving up the mountain, you should not have any issues unless there is a big snowstorm. In that case, use extreme caution and it is always nice to have 4-wheel drive. NEVER drive in icy conditions and do your research before deciding whether the roads are safe.
Transportation Around Boone
Unless you are only venturing around downtown Boone, a car is necessary to reach other destinations and activities. If you do not have a car, public transportation and Ubers/Lifts are readily available.
Where to Stay for a Boone Weekend
There are several accommodation options for a weekend in Boone. I added a list that is dependent on what your weekend activities will focus on and where you want to stay within the High Country.
Boone Lodging
Great place to stay if you want to be close to shopping and dining! From Boone, you are roughly 18 minutes from Blowing Rock and App Ski and 30-45 minutes from Sugar and Beech Mountain.
- Horton Hotel $$$
- This is a unique boutique hotel situated right in the middle of downtown! There is also a bar and rooftop within the hotel.
- Courtyard Mariot $$
- An economical option with no frills. You know what to expect with a Courtyard Marriott.
- Cabin (Price varies)
- There is no better way to add to the mountain experience than by renting a cabin! Look for rentals through VRBO and Airbnb.
Blowing Rock Lodging
Staying in Blowing Rock will make you feel like you are transported into a Hallmark movie! The several inns add to the charm of this tiny, quaint mountain town.
- Chetola Resort & Spa $$$
- With this accommodation, you truly don’t have to leave the resort! Chetola offers a hotel suite and condo options. Other features include the Timberlake restaurant and a spa.
- Blowing Rock Brewing Company $$
- Yes, you read that right, brewery and inn in one!
- Holiday Inn Blowing Rock $
- Great option if you do not want to spend a lot of time in the room and truly want to embrace the mountain atmosphere.
Ski Resort Lodging
There are so many ski chalets, condos, and cabin rentals along Beech and Sugar Mountain that make for a very convenient accommodation. If your sole purpose for the weekend is to snowboard and ski, then I would look into the “Ski in Ski out” accommodations.
Banner Elk Lodging
Cute village within close vicinity of Sugar and Beech Mountain. Banner Elk provides great dining options and a few shops for your pleasure.
Boone Weekend Winter Activities
Shopping
Boone Shopping & Dining
The primary shopping area in Boone is King Street, which is very walkable and features several independent shops and restaurants. As a college town, Boone has a unique atmosphere that sets it apart from other mountain towns. You can still experience its quaint charm, but you’ll also notice a vibrant, hippie vibe that adds to its authenticity.
You can spend a couple of hours simply walking in all of the shops along King Street, but here are some of my favorites:
Blowing Rock Shopping & Dining
Main Street Blowing Rock is where you will find the majority of shops and restaurants. Similar to King Street, the downtown is very walkable and there are several independent shops to meander through the town and check out. Compared to Boone, Blowing Rock has more upscale shops and restaurants. For more Blowing Rock activities and information, check out my in-depth guide to Blowing Rock.
Some of my favorite shops include:
Outlets at Blowing Rock
Although I suggest supporting locals, Blowing Rock has outlet shops located along Highway 321.
Dining
Boone Restaurants
- Lost Province
- Lost Province is my go-to when visiting Boone. It is a brewery with wood-fired pizzas that are made with local ingredients. If pizza is not your thing, there is a menu full of other delicious options.
- Cobo
- Cobo is another Boone favorite, it’s a sushi restaurant with a trendy vibe. The sushi is delicious and Cobo has an amazing cocktail list.
- Howard Station
- Another great option in Boone. Howard Station is a barbecue restaurant that also has a rooftop.
Blowing Rock Restaurants
- Storie Street Grill
- A good classic in downtown Blowing Rock. Perfect place to take a break from shopping.
- Bistro Roca
- A great atmosphere with an amazing food selection. Be sure to try the mac and cheese!
- Game Keeper
- This one is a splurge, but the Gamekeeper offers a dining experience like no other. I highly recommend making a reservation if you are intrigued by exotic meats such as emu, antelope, and other daily specials.
Banner Elk Restaurants
- Sorrento’s
- There is no better way to warm up than with a nice bowl of pasta. You can’t go wrong with Sorrento’s Italian cuisine.
- Stonewalls
- A classic steakhouse that has been a staple in the area for the past 40 years.
Snow Activities for a Weekend in Boone
Even though these ski slopes aren’t comparable to out West, visiting the High Country is a great way to experience the snow for a weekend trip. The ski resorts in the area are listed below with specific details about the routes, rates, and rentals.
Beech Mountain: 25 miles (~45 minutes from Boone)
Beech Mountain has 15 slopes ranging from easy to advanced difficulty. After visiting both Beech and Sugar Mountain, I like Beech more due to their other amenities outside of the slopes. These amenities include: a bar at the top of the mountain, a brewery, and a cafe. I am not an advanced snowboarder, so it makes sense that I enjoy Beech Resort because of its flexible options.
Note: After visiting the bar at the top, you must ride the lift up and ski/snowboard your way back down. There is no alternative way down.
Snow tubing is also available for $45.
Sugar Mountain: 15 miles (~28 minutes from Boone)
Sugar Mountain is the largest ski resort in North Carolina with 21 slopes ranging from easy to extreme difficulty. This is a great option for those wanting a variety of slopes at different levels.
Sugar Mountain also offers other snow activities including snow tubing for $50 and $36 for ice skating.
Appalachian Ski: 8 miles (~18 minutes from Boone)
App Ski is the smallest ski area with only 12 slopes. This is a great option for anyone wanting to try a winter sport but does not want the activity to consume their whole weekend. This is also great for novice skiers who don’t want to spend as much on a lift ticket.
If skiing or snowboarding isn’t your thing, App Ski also offers ice skating for $26.
Ticket & Rental Price Comparisons
There are several ticket discounts depending on the day of the weekend, how long you wish to ski, and whether you want to do a night session. Double-check Sugar, Beech, and Appalachian Ski for more in-depth ticket details. The table below gives a good gauge of how the different slopes compare.
| Ski Area | Peak Pricing 12 Hour | Peak Pricing 8 Hour | Peak Pricing 4 Hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sugar Mountain | – | $94 | $74 |
| Beech Mountain* | $100 | $87 | $68 |
| Appalachian Ski* | $85 | $77 | – |
*Beech and Appalachian Ski has flex ticketing, which means your time on the slopes starts when your pass is scanned. Sugar Mountain’s rates are based on a specific timeframe.
| Ski Area | Ski Rentals | Snowboard Rental |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar Mountain | $47 | $61 |
| Beech Mountain | $39 | $44 |
| Appalachian Ski | $39 | $46 |
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THANK YOU
Thank you for taking the time to read my post. I would appreciate your thoughts about a Weekend in Boone, NC, and how this blog post helped you plan your trip.
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