A FREE Daily Visitor Guide for the North Carolina Mountains and 50+ NC Mountain Cities

Monday, January 7, 2013

Sugar Mountain Ski Resort hosts Septuagenarian Party

January 8, 12 PM in the Last Run Lounge at Sugar Mountain Ski Resort - The Annual Septuagenarian Party wil be held for anyone 70 and older. Present a photo ID to qualify for complimentary skiing/riding at Sugar

Mountain Resort from the Sugar Mountain Resort administration office, located on the second floor of the main lodge building. A season pass will be issued to you for a processing fee of $10. You may also chose to receive a daily ticket at no charge. Every January Sugar recognizes the wonderful contribution seniors make to the sport of skiing by throwing a party.

Get a link for the Septuagenarian Party and other events at Sugar Mountain Ski Resort on the NC Ski Resort Guide.

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Beech Mountain Ski Resort hosts the High Country Nordic Association 3rd Annual Telefest this Weekend

January 9 - 11 High Country Nordic Association 3rd Annual Telefest Downhill Nordic skiers celebrate the beautiful Telemark turn at Beech Mountain Resort in this annual event. The "telemark", is a dipping, dance-like turn that Nordic skiers can execute, because only their toe is attached to the ski binding.

In its third year, the event is now the leading regional opportunity for "tele-ski" enthusiasts to meet, ski together, improve their skills, and win great prizes. Prizes are provided from a long list of outdoor gear suppliers. Telefest events include a poker run, skinning race (skin-up and race down through gates), beacon search, best costume, switch riding, best tele-trick.

Beech Mountain (Ski) Resort, often referred to as "Ski Beech", is located on Beech Mountain NC in the heart of North Carolina's High Country. Beech is Eastern America's highest ski resort at 5506 feet above sea level. With excellent skiing (day or night), and a charming Alpine Village filled with intriguing shops, tempting restaurants and more Ski Beech offers a winter wonderland of fun and activities for all members of your family or group.

Alpine skiing and snowboarding will appeal to the thrill-seekers and for those looking for something a little tamer, the resort also features ice skating and snow tubing. Snow making is on 100% of the skiing terrain. To round out your fun-filled day, spend some time in one of the charming shops or tempting restaurants.

Get a link for the Nordic Telefest, Beech Mountain Ski Resort and other North Carolina winter sports on the NC Ski Resort Guide.

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Biltmore Estate Ticket Special Plus FREE Kids Tickets

January 2 through March 20 Get Biltmore adult tickets for only $35! Youth under 16 admission is FREE with paid adult ticket. Enjoy the best prices of the year to explore Biltmore without the crowds and waiting during the busier times of the year.

Biltmore - America's "Castle" - was built in 1895 by George Vanderbuilt and is preserved and maintained today by his descendants. With interior square footage over 4 acres, 250 rooms, 65 fireplaces, 43 bathrooms and an impressive collection of art and period furnishing it is one of the East's most popular attractions.

Once a working dairy farm the 8,000 acre estate now includes a winery; trails, gardens and grounds to explore; an Equestrian Center, River Bend Farm, a luxury Inn and the newest addition, Antler Village. Plan on spending at least one full day or more to fully enjoy all that Biltmore has to offer.

GET DISCOUNTED BILTMORE TICKETS HERE: Biltmore Estate, Special discounted tickets

Friday, January 4, 2013

Beech Mountain Ski Resort Offers Skiing 101 Throughout January

photo by Kristian Jackson

BEECH MOUNTAIN, N.C. - In conjunction with national Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month in January 2013, the Town of Beech Mountain is offering a basic course.
"Skiing 101 at Beech" is a program that provides one night's lodging, equipment rental, helmet rental, full-day lift ticket, and a beginner skiing or snowboarding lesson at Beech Mountain Resort.

The month-long program is available Monday through Friday to anyone age eight or older. Cost of enrollment is $101 per person, double occupancy required.

"Skiing and snowboarding can be intimidating if you haven't tried them before, so we're offering a learning experience that's easy, safe and fun," says Talia Freeman, marketing director for Beech Mountain Resort. "Additionally, this program provides an affordable entry point for folks who don't want to make a significant upfront investment."

Registering for "Skiing 101 at Beech" is simple. Just contact any of the participating lodging options listed at: www.BeechMtn.com/skiing101 and ask for the Skiing 101 package. The accommodation will book your room and provide a voucher at check-in to be redeemed at the ski resort for a lesson, equipment rental, helmet rental, and lift ticket.

So grab a friend or family member and take advantage of this opportunity to venture into a new sport during national Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month.

Further details are available by calling (800) 468-5506.

The Blue Ridge Parkway at 469 miles long is the nation's longest scenic rural parkway. Now 70 years old it is administered by the National Park Service and host to approximately 20 million visits annually. It connects the Shenandoah Valley National Park with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina and Tennessee. Along the route are opportunities for lodging, dining, camping, hiking and simply enjoying breathtaking views from easily accessible overlooks and picnic areas. For additional information visit :The Blueridge Parkway Association

The River Arts District is open year around with the opportunity to meet artists in their studios. Schedules are available online. This unique area along the French Broad River is home to more than 165 artists with working studios located in 18 turn-of-the-century industrial buildings. The artists of the River Arts District welcome you into their studios to talk with them, see their latest artwork, watch demonstrations, and experience for yourself the magic hidden inside the time-worn factories and warehouses along the French Broad River.

Chimney Rock Park is named for a 500 million-year-old giant granite monolith overlooking Hickory Nut Gorge. Visitors are awed by the breathtaking view that spreads 1200 vertical feet beneath them and 75 miles across the Carolinas. The now state owned park encompasses 1,000 acres offers the best of the mountains in one place with spectacular 75-mile views, hiking trails for all ages, a 404-foot waterfall, a variety of special events and much more. Chimney Rock NC

The National Scenic Byways Program is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration. The program is a grass-roots collaborative effort established to help recognize, preserve and enhance selected roads throughout the United States. Since 1992, the National Scenic Byways Program has provided funding for almost 1500 state and nationally designated byway projects in 48 states. The U.S. Secretary of Transportation recognizes certain roads as All-American Roads or National Scenic Byways based on one or more archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational and scenic qualities.

Tsali Recreation Area is an outdoors lover's paradise. Probably the most popular features of Tsali Recreation Area are the 39 miles of trails suited for mountain bikers and horse-back riders, as well as hikers. The 4-loop system offers a variety of landscapes. You can climb 1-foot wide rugged paths or travel flat, well-beaten roads. The four trails--Right, Left, Mouse Branch, and Thompson Loops--meander through mixed pine and hardwoods on a peninsula stretching into Fontana Lake. Near Bryson City NC and Robbinsville NC.