Snowboarding in Banner Elk/Boone area (Charlotte, Beech Mountain: ski resorts, rentals, home) - Western North Carolina - North Carolina (NC) -The Mountain Region including Asheville - City-Data Forum

Mariben · 12-26-2007, 07:10 PM

We will be visiting the area for the first time in January. I've heard alot about Sugar mnt. and Ski Bch., but would like some insight on the other ski resorts such as Hawksnest and Appalachian. We will be there on a holiday weekend (Jan 18-21, MLK Monday) so I am expecting it to be pretty crowded. Which resort do you reccommed. Our family has skiied before and do realize the N.C mountains wont quite compare to skiing out west but thats all we can afford this year. (although the lift tickets and board rentals are NOT any cheaper) Should we rent the equipment at the resort or from a rental shop?
Thanks, any info will help.

LiveLoveLaugh · 12-27-2007, 04:24 PM

I plan on taking my very 1st ski lesson in Jan. I live minutes from Sugar Mountain. I suggest you check out High Country Webcams...com! You can see the slopes! Today was 55 degrees...I bet the snow was melting. Enjoy your vacation!

Mariben · 12-29-2007, 09:45 AM

Thanks, I'll check out the webcams.

ymalaroo · 12-29-2007, 07:54 PM

There is a snowboard park at Hawksnest, and I believe the others do not have one. There are rails to slide etc. Pretty fun. Check out their websites.

Yma

Mariben · 12-31-2007, 07:51 AM

Thanks for that info. I'll check with my kids as to what they want to do and we will check out Hawksnest website.

spankys bbq · 01-04-2008, 03:50 AM

As far as getting the most ride time, I'd have to reccomend Beech Mountain. For the longest single run, Sugar (assuming you are comfortable going to the top of the mountain).

Appalachain and Hawksnest are not bad, but I prefer the others over App/Hawk.

App is a pretty small area and the runs aren't very long.

Beech offers several lifts including the high-speed quad lift that will get you from the base to the top in just a few minutes.

Judging from the warmer-than-normal winter we've had, I hope you don't plan to come just for the skiing. Beech is showing 5/15 runs open with frozen granular (read: ice) and 8-18 inches of base. Sugar's site is showing open runs to the 3/4 Unloading station with 15-46 inches of snow (I've found this to be exaggerated from past experience.). Its granular just as Beech is.

If things keep up like this, the few open runs will be crowded to the point that skiing could be miserable over your holiday. Just as a general rule, I make it a point to never go on holidays anyway because of the crowds.

Hopefully the snow will stay around and only get better for you. I'd just watch the conditions carefully until you get here.

And if you are staying up the hill (Banner Elk, Sugar Mtn) pack warmer than the weather reports will indicate. The last time I went to Beech, the Weather Channel reported a high of 29. It was 23 in Banner Elk and 2 at the base of the ski area. 0 at the top with some serious wind. I drove up there from Charlotte, put in 3 runs and came home because it was miserable.

Mariben · 01-06-2008, 02:28 PM

Thanks, your info was very helpful. I'm getting nervous and thinking of scrubbing N.C. all toghether since, yes, our main reason for going is for the skiing. Last year we went to tahoe and I'm sure we would be very dissapointed. I'll keep and eye on the conditions but looks like more warm weather is on the way.

Maybe I'll have to come up with "plan B". Look for some cheap flights to Denver on a different date (non holiday) and hopefully not have to worry about no snow!