Beech Mountain, NC, is the highest town on the East Coast and is great for winter adventures. The town is popular with nature enthusiasts all year round, but in my book, it's even more impressive when visited in the winter months. This cold spot in the southeast boasts stunning mountain scenery and a free sledding hill for all to enjoy.
Beech Mountain
Located near the North Carolina – Tennessee border, this is the highest town east of the Rockies, sitting at 5,506 feet above sea level. It's well known for its ski resort and the annual Autumn at Oz festival, which takes place in the former Land of Oz theme park near the mountain's summit. In the summer, this is a popular hiking area with an extensive trail system, covering nearly 30 miles of walking and biking trails on the mountain slopes.
The town of Beech Mountain is about a three-hour drive from Greenville, SC. To get there, we took US 85 N toward Spartanburg and then turned onto I-26 W to Asheville. We drove north on NC 221 past Linville Falls towards Linville,
Grandfather and Sugar Mountain, where mountain slopes are encased in
icicles
and snow covers mountain peaks in the distance.
From Sugar Mountain, we followed NC 184 to Banner Elk and then to the town of Beech Mountain. The final stretch of road from Banner Elk along Beech Mountain Pkwy is rather steep and can be treacherous in snowy conditions, but the views along the way are unparalleled.
Sledding Hill
While the town has a plethora of things to do and explore in winter, the sledding hill is an adventure in and of itself. The hill was designed for
ages 12 and under, but in fact, it's perfect for all ages to sled. You will also find some gentle slopes at the other end of the hill that are safer for little ones. The
Town of Beech Mountain maintains the hill and even makes snow as needed
to keep the hill up to par on warmer days. The hill is cushioned and fenced-in.
Bundle up, wear waterproof clothes, bring your own sled, and get ready for a thrilling sledding experience. You will want to go down the hill again
and again!
We hit the slope at least a hundred times in less than a couple of hours before unceremoniously collapsing in a heap from exhaustion – tired but happy.
The hill is bumpy at times and there are some occasional uneven patches
that can be hard for smaller kids to steer a sled over. Opt for the
sled that is easy to maneuver, and the one that can accommodate a few
people at once, so you can sled with your child.
Winter Wonderland
Is there anything more dreamy than snow-capped mountain peaks in the distance and pine trees dressed in white?
Wrapped in a blanket of white, the grounds make for a wonderful pristine playground.
You will want to spend more than a few hours there. Besides the sledding hill, there's enough snow for endless fun. Young and young at heart will enjoy making a snow angel, digging a cave or building a snow fort.
Good to Know:
Sleds: Plastic sleds only. Sleds are not available at the sledding hill. You can bring your own or rent one from the Beech Meadows Ski Shop or White Wolf Lodge.
Safety Tip: Even though the bottom of the hill is cushioned, there is not enough
room for the sled to gradually slow down, so always err on the side of
caution and teach children beforehand how to avoid collisions with
obstacles and other people and stay safe on the sled.
Season: Mid-November through early March. Note, there's no set end date for the season. Usually, the hill is open through early March. Be sure to call the Visitor Center at 800-468-5506 if you're visiting any time in March.
Hours: Open daily from 9am - 5pm, including holidays
Parking: Available for a small fee: $3 per hour
Restrooms: Adjacent to the hill
The road from the town of Banner Elk to Beech Mtn is very
steep and rather narrow. To find out about the current snow conditions on the roads leading up to the town and on the sledding hill, call the Visitor Center at 800-468-5506 or check out the live webcams HERE.
If you're looking for further adventures, head to Banner Elk, the resort town along the way, to explore this quaint Appalachian Highlands community.
There's no shortage of things to do here both on and off the trails as well.
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