Beech Mountain North Carolina
- Beech Mountain Facts
- Elevation: 5,506 feet
- Population: 330
- Average Snowfall: 70 inches
- Vertical Rise: 830 feet
- Lakes and Hiking Trails
- Mountain Biking
- Restaurants and Shoppes
Ski Beech Mountain Resort
Just as Grandfather Mountain is the highest peak in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the resort village of Beech Mountain NC is the highest town in the eastern United States, and with an elevation of 5,506 feet, it can get pretty foggy driving on the Beech Mountain Parkway.
As a four season resort, ski beech mountain resort is spotted with all kinds of accommodations, from rustic cabins and chalets, to condos, inns, and a Bed and Breakfast. Be sure to call ahead for beech mountain NC vacation rentals.
Where Sugar and Hawksnest rely more on Banner Elk for its shopping and entertainment, Beech Mountain NC is a more self contained (and pretty tight knit) community. With a genuine general store, plenty of specialty shops and restaurants, local festivals and events, and even some after hours night life - some spend an entire season without ever leaving "the Beech".
For golfing on the mountain, if you own property on Beech, you can become a member of The Beech Mountain Club. If you’re just vacationing, hopefully you know a member, or you’ll have to go to Sugar or Hawksnest for golf. Public Tennis courts, as well as a basketball court are located at Buckeye Lake.
Fred's General Mercantile
Founded in 1979 by a guy that couldn’t find a decently priced can
of tuna on the mountain, Fred’s has become a destination for tourists
and locals alike. Set in a rustic wooden building, the downstairs has a
grocery store, a hardware store, and a clothing store. There is also the
Backside Deli, a toy shop, specialty gift items, and the Wildbird Supply
Co., stocking all of your bird feeding needs!
Fred and Marge used to live upstairs, but they moved, and now the 2 bedroom
apartment is known as “The Guest Quarters”, and available for rent.
Designed with a mix of stonework and natural woods, a stained glass window,
wood burning stove and vaulted ceilings, its also right next to everything you’ll
need!. A charming example of the Beech Mountain NC
culture and ambience.
Hiking Trails, Biking Trails and Trout Ponds
Although there are a lot of homes on Beech, the mountain is huge, and much of it remains in its natural state of thick forests, streams, lakes, and rolling farmland.For cyclist, the Beech Mountain Bike Club has developed and proudly maintains
over 40 miles of mountain biking trails, and is open to anyone.
There are also a number of scenic, easy to moderate
hiking and jogging trails, leading through the forests, waterfalls, and
around the lakes of Beech Mountain NC.
Most streams and lakes are stocked annually in North Carolina, and Lake Coffey and Buckeye Lake are stocked with trout. Of course, if you’re over 16 you’ll need a fishing license, so be sure to pick one up at Fred’s Mercantile when you’re stocking up on your other gear!
Ski Beech Mountain Resort
Being the highest of the North Carolina ski resorts, as well as in the rest of the east, Ski Beech tends to get the most of the natural snow. Nevertheless, their snowmaking capacity is 100%, and with an 830 foot vertical rise, 15 trails and 10 lifts, the Beech offers all kinds of terrain for beginners and experts alike. And there’s even some terrain on the mountain for cross country skiers!Ski Beech mountain resort is also the home of the Red Baron Snowboard Shop and welcomes snowboarders with a surface lift to the half pipe.
Something unique to the area is an outdoor ice skating rink, located in the middle of Beech Tree Village at the base of the slope. Skate rentals are of course available, and there are even bleachers on either side for those who just want to watch!
There are many slope side accommodations available on Beech Mountain NC making it easy to ski in and out your front door, leaving many a worn out weekenders thinking -“Life is a Beech”.
