Seasonal Guide · Winter
Winter: the ski season in the High Country
When the snow flies, the High Country becomes the eastern US's highest ski destination. Two resorts, tubing, snowshoeing, and quiet snowy towns, all within a short drive of the cabin on Beech Mountain.
No. 01 · The Resorts
Beech and Sugar
Beech Mountain Resort is the highest ski area in the eastern United States, with a 5,506-foot summit, an 830-foot vertical drop, 17 trails across 95 skiable acres, nine lifts, and 100 percent snowmaking. It also runs snow tubing lanes, two terrain parks, and a ski school, with the Beech Tree Village base area for warming up.
Sugar Mountain Resort, North Carolina's largest ski area, has a 1,200-foot vertical drop, roughly 125 acres across about 20 trails, eight lifts including the Summit Express six-passenger chair, night skiing across about 100 acres, plus snow tubing, ice skating, and snowshoeing.
No. 02 · Beyond the Lifts
The quiet winter stuff
- Sledding and tubing in town: Beech Mountain is the highest incorporated town in eastern America, and its residential streets turn into sledding runs after a good storm.
- Cross-country and snowshoeing: quiet trails around the summit and the state parks, free and uncrowded.
- The 5506' Sky Bar: a hot drink at the top of the chairlift, the highest bar in Eastern America.
- Cabin evenings: after dark, the mountains get quiet. Board games, slow dinners, and snow falling past the porch light.
No. 03 · Trip Notes
Winter practicalities
- Check the snow report and season dates at both resorts before booking lift tickets.
- Bring chains or all-wheel drive. The last mile to the cabin climbs, and mountain weather changes fast.
- Rent gear in Banner Elk or at the resorts rather than hauling it up.
- Book the cabin early for holiday weeks; winter weekends go fast.
Stay Close to the Snow
Minutes from the lifts, warm at night
The Heart of Beech Retreat is a short drive from both resorts, with the quiet streets of the mountain outside the door.