Beech Mountain Resort

The highest elevation mountain town and ski resort in the eastern United States located in NC a few hours drive from Asheville.

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A Note on Our Recommendations:  We do not make the recommended vendors aware of our endorsement ahead of time and of course, we do not charge for our recommendations. All are based on the personal experience of Ronald Holland and my tastes may well be different from yours. We are always happy to hear feedback from our readers as well as restaurants, hotels and entertainment venues that would like for us to visit and check them out. - Ronald Holland To contact us, please use the following form. Click Here For E-Mail Form

Beech Mountain is the highest elevation incorporated town in the eastern United States at over 5,000 feet. The climate has more in common with Canada than Dixie and it is one of my favorite places to visit in North Carolina. The skiing is good and the high elevation even at the bottom of the slopes gives this Southern location a real taste of Northern winter. I must say that the coldest hour of my life was many years ago when I rode the lift up to the top in a 30 MPH wind with the real  temperature in the single digits. I went up once and when I skied down I went directly to the parking lot and drove back home to Asheville. Be sure to visit Fred's General Mercantile Store for shopping and it is also my favorite place to have breakfast in the morning. Try the waffles and hot chocolate. Also the golf is excellent in the summer and check out Dorothy's House and the Yellow Brick Road where the old Land of Oz theme park was located.

Ski Trail Map

Favorite Hotels

Beech Alpin Inn -  European old world charm sort of lost in a 70's small hotel. Although a cross between Helen, Georgia and Switzerland but still this is North Carolina not the Alps. Still the location is beautiful, it's convenient to the slopes and the inn can be romantic. It is always our second choice if the following Archers Mountain Inn is booked up and it often is. 

Archers Mountain Inn - My favorite inn for romance in the mountains and you can't beat the exposed beams and the fireplaces in most of the rooms, not to mention the views. My choice for lovers to go from bed, to bar to restaurant or the other way around. Check it out along with the Jackalopes View restaurant.

Favorite Restaurants

Louisiana Purchase - My very favorite restaurant in the high country of western North Carolina. In fact, its my favorite restaurant in all North Carolina. They have an extensive wine list, great jazz music and the best Cajun food north of New Orleans and I once lived in New Orleans. The downside is it is located in a nondescript roadside shopping center on the way in to Banner Elk and I'm sorry to say I drove by it for years without stopping. By the way, the inside is fantastic and you'll actually find yourself thinking you're in New Orleans or New York instead of right between the ski areas of Sugar and Beech Mountain.

Jackalopes View - Great restaurant at the Archers Mountain Inn right on the South side of Beech Mountain facing Sugar Mountain. Great views and the food is excellent.

Thanks for reading.

Ronald Holland