Beech Mountain makes for a perfect vacation to ski, or to simply admire the North Carolina mountains. This year, I went skiing with a group of friends and it was so much fun! I highly suggest getting together with friends or family to plan a trip to the NC mountains.
Even though Beech Mountain Ski Resort fails in comparison to Western or Northeastern resorts, North Carolina is a great starting point for those wanting to dip their toes into either skiing or snowboarding, especially at a more affordable price.
Read more below on all the things to do around Beech Mountain and the perks of the resort.
Basic Questions
What is the best time to ski in NC?
The best time to ski in North Carolina is obviously in the winter, but more specifically during December- early March. On average Beech Mountain gets around 63 inches of snow per year. North Carolina winters fluctuate heavily, but with the higher elevation, you can still get some cold temperatures and decent snow!
A fun way to prepare for your trip to Beech Mountain is to check out the live resort cam to keep track of the snowy conditions!
Which is better, Beech or Sugar Mountain?
I would say Beech and Sugar Mountain are pretty equal based on the quality and elevation of the slopes. Sugar is a little bit more expensive and has a couple more slopes. Beech is a steeper mountain with more activities, like the brewery and bar at the top of the mountain. Both resorts are great options and are two of the best places to go in NC for some snow!
Beech Mountain Ski Resort Information
Getting to and from the Resort
Driving
Unless your accommodation is ski in ski out, you will need a car to get to and from the resort. If there are snowy conditions take extra precautions and opt for a 4-wheel drive if possible.
Parking
Not gonna lie, parking during the weekends can be rough. Add snowy/icy conditions and it can be a nightmare. The lots closest to the resort fill up quickly, but there are lots further away that provide shuttle services.
We opted to park in a private lot, which was a little bit of a walk to the resort, but manageable. We paid $40 for the day and it made sense for us to split as a group.
Lift Tickets
Beech Mountain lift tickets and rentals vary by how long and when you plan to ski. Listed below are the prices during different times.
Tip: I suggest ordering tickets online, ESPECIALLY if you are going during a busy time. We ordered ours online and were able to walk up to the kiosk and easily print our tickets.
Weekday Ticket Pricing
| Ski Area | Multi-Day Rate | Night Tickets | 12 Hour Flex | 8 Hour Flex | 4 Hour Flex |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | $54 | $39 | $69 | $54 | $44 |
| Junior | $44 | $32 | $57 | $44 | $34 |
| Seniors | $44 | $32 | $57 | $44 | $34 |
Weekend Ticket Pricing
| Ski Area | Multi-Day Rate | Night Tickets | 12 Hour Flex | 8 Hour Flex | 4 Hour Flex |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | $87 | $53 | $100 | $87 | $68 |
| Junior | $65 | $43 | $80 | $65 | $53 |
| Seniors | $65 | $43 | $80 | $65 | $53 |
Rentals
Like the lift tickets, we opted to reserve our rentals online. I am not sure this really made a difference because when we arrived at the resort around 12:30 on a Saturday to get the rentals, they were out of most boot sizes and boards. The moral of the story is to go early to ensure you get the right equipment.
Beech also offers rentals for premium skis and snowboards as well as snow clothing. Listed below are the Beech Mountain Resort’s general rental rates.
| Ski Area | Ski Rentals | Snowboard Rental |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | $42 | $48 |
| Junior | $32 | $43 |
I would also check out other rental shops nearby Beech that may have a better stock of items. Listed below are a few places to check out. I would do some research prior and figure out if there is a rental shop close to your accomodation.
Accommodations
- Cabin Rental
- The best option for accommodation is to find a cabin rental around Beech Mountain. If you want to splurge and plan to do a lot of skiing, then I would look into ski-in-ski-out rentals.
- Hotel
- If you want to stay at a hotel, your best option may be to stay in Boone as there are several more options.
Other Activities at the Resort Besides the Slopes
Tubing
If you want to enjoy the snow but snowboarding/skiing isn’t your thing, then check out tubing! Tickets cost $37 for weekdays and $45 for weekends. Keep in mind tubing tickets are based on a specific time slot so plan accordingly. This is such a fun activity, especially for families!
Beech Mountain Sledding Hill
This a great free activity for families with children 12 and under. The Beech Mountain sledding hill offers this fun activity even when it’s not snowing naturally, the town brings in a snow gun.
Drinking and Quick Bites
There are several different options for dining or drinking to kill some time. Because we only got 4-hour lift tickets, our friends who didn’t want to ski stuck around the resort and enjoyed the other attractions within the resort:
- Drinking
- Food
- The Lodge
- Beech Mountain Brewery
- Coffee
- Shopping
What To Do Around Beech Mountain
If winter sports aren’t your thing, that’s totally okay! There is so much around Beech that you can opt out of skiing and snowboarding.
Hop Around to Different Mountain Towns
Town of Beech Mountain
Beech Mountain is very small and centered around the ski resort. There are still some great restaurants and shops with snow gear. Other than that, I wouldn’t necessarily call Beech Mountain a “shopping town”.
One place I would say is a must-stop in the Beech Mountain village is Fred’s Mercantile. This general store has a little bit of everything ranging from groceries, ski rentals, apparel, hardware, and even a small cafe.
Beech Mountain to Boone
Boone is 24 miles (47 minutes) from Beech Mountain and is a must-see with an eclectic college-town vibe. Walk along King Street, admire Appalachian State’s beautiful campus, and embrace the mountain scenery. For a more in-depth guide to Boone, read my Winter Weekend in Boone guide.
Beech Mountain to Blowing Rock
Blowing Rock is 24 miles (50 minutes) from Beech Mountain and makes for a great day trip. The downtown is very picturesque with unique local shops, restaurants, and even an art museum. Check out my Blowing Rock Guide for a perfect day trip.
Visit Banner Elk, NC
Banner Elk is a small village only 6 miles (15 minutes) from Beech. This is a great stop if you are visiting Boone or Blowing Rock.
Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster
Depending on the weather, this attraction may not be an option, but is such a fun way to experience the mountain! Tickets are purchased in person starting at $5 for children aged 3-6, $13 for children aged 7-13, and $16 for 14+. There are also discounts when purchasing multiple tickets.
Where To Eat and Drink
Beech Mountain Eats and Drinks Outside the Resort
Banner Elk Eats and Drinks
Let’s Connect!
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THANK YOU
Thank you for taking the time to read my post. I would appreciate your thoughts about a ski vacation to Beech Mountain, and how this blog post helped you plan your trip.
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