One of the wonderful things about retiring in central North Carolina is the proximity to the Appalachian Mountains, where we have snow skiing and snowboarding available in the winter, canoeing and kayaking in the summer, hiking and mountain biking in spring, summer, and fall, and wondrous beauty all year long. For the vast majority of residents in the US, a mountain vacation is a major undertaking at a not insignificant expense. Think of expenses for airfare, rental cars, accommodations, and food – before you ever step foot near a ski slope, a great hiking trail, or a kayak. If you live in the Triangle or Triad, however, you are just an hour and a half to 3 hours to the action.
Book a Getaway
Close enough to home to almost be a stay-cation, a getaway to the North Carolina High Country in any season transports you to another realm. The Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk area offers the quickest and easiest access to High Country activities like snow skiing, river rafting, and hiking and has a vast variety of dining and lodging options. Luxurious accommodations come in a variety of sizes and styles. Looking for a quaint mountain lodge experience? You might choose a destination like the Chetola Resort. On the former estate of the Carolina’s Coca-Cola King, Luther Snyder, Chetola is now a luxurious resort with beautifully appointed lodge rooms, Timberlake’s Restaurant, and Headwaters, a wood paneled bar for an elegant cocktail. Steps from downtown Blowing Rock, this resort centers on a small fishing lake and offers a variety of larger accommodations on the grounds for families. Downtown Blowing Rock offers a dozen restaurants, coffee shops, ice cream shops, as well as fine art galleries, antique and jewelry stores, handmade craft shops, and more for a little retail therapy.
Private homes abound across the region offering stunning rentals, some with spectacular views to complete the mountain experience. Indeed the accommodations offered in the High Country are a major part of a ski-centric winter getaway or an invigorating warm weather adventure. Excellent restaurants offering a variety of fare at varying price points abound as well, such as Best Cellar which began as a basement bookstore on Blowing Rock’s Main Street in 1975 selling simple soups. Today it is located in an historic building and offers renowned fine dining. Enjoy a craft cocktail in the cozy lounge by the fireplace before dinner and select a wine from their curated wine cellar. It’s an experience to cap off a day on the slopes, the trails or the river.
A Day Trip
During ski season, Monday through Thursday are the least crowded days of all at the ski slopes. Avoiding the weekend skiers means many more trips down the hill and far less potential for mixing it up with the newbie-skier who might be trying the big slope for the first time. Rates are also better with a weekday ski pass typically about 1/3 less expensive than the weekend. And after all, you’re retired … you can opt for the less busy days to make a good day on the slopes a great day.
A season pass with unlimited skiing for seniors can run as little as $382. Sugar Mountain attracts the older set with seniors over 75 years of age paying as little as $45 for the season or $3 per day! Wow! Ski Beech offers those 65 and older a season pass for $515 (or a weekday only season pass for $325) with the perk of allowing some early slope access during the season. An annual pass is going to restrict you to one mountain for the season, unless you can snag a Gold Card at $1,300. The Gold Card allows you access to 6 different ski mountains.
As the weather warms in the spring and the winter snow pack gives way to spring flowers, the High Country offers its most alluring seasons in Spring and Summer. Mile High Yoga is offered at Ski Beech on Saturdays and Sundays from early June through the end of August. For $28 you begin with a ride on the scenic chair lift followed by a one-hour guided yoga session on the summit. Or you may choose to just take a ride. Both Beech and Sugar Mountains offer scenic chair lift rides through the warm months.
Great Exercise
Skiing is great exercise and some might think it perhaps to be too great. Or too challenging. But fear not. Each slope has trained ski instructors and regular classes to get you reacquainted with skiing and to help you enjoy skiing that is appropriate to your age and physical condition. Take one or a few classes and you’ll have a new sport to call your own and brag about at cocktail parties back home. Appalachian Ski Mountain has hosted the French Swiss Ski School since the school’s launch in 1969, and this school claims to have taught over 1,000,000 folks to ski.
Summer and fall offer some of the best water activities you’ll find anywhere. The New River is the oldest river in North America, and local guide operations offer individual as well as family boat rentals and even provide transport back to your car. Canoeing and kayaking the New River is an exciting adventure that’s accessible to almost anyone. Expert guides will keep you out of trouble and even provide a picnic lunch along the way as you take in the spectacular scenery.
Find the Hill That suits you
Each of the resorts in the High Country has its own unique personality and you’ll find ardent devotees to each and for different reasons. Ski Beech is the highest slope at one mile above sea level and has arguably the most challenging (read steep) slopes of the three. Many seek it out for that quality. Yet others will love a summer afternoon lift ride to the summit to visit the highest bar in the East at 5,506 feet above sea level. Grab a drink and soak in the views. Beech Mountain itself is a little hamlet with private homes for rent and a few inns. There are several restaurants and Fred’s General Mercantile … an institution on Beech Mountain … which has everything under the sun available for purchase.
Easier to access with runs that are long and challenging is Sugar Mountain. It’s close to the little township of Banner Elk with easy access to Linville, Boone, Foscoe, and even Blowing Rock. You can find accommodations right on the slopes at Sugar Mountain or opt for a private home or an inn nearby. Many love Sugar Mountain for it long runs and easier access.
Appalachian Ski Mountain is a smaller mountain but very inviting, especially for families, and its location just outside Blowing Rock and Boone mean lots and lots of restaurants, shopping and entertainment await. Day trip or unforgettable week-long getaway the High Country is a fabulous asset for Triangle and Triad retirees. It offers a reasonably priced getaway with an experience that will thrill regardless of season. Fine food, elegant accommodations, and a physically challenging endeavor are all available to you because of where you live. Lucky you!
Photo credit Sam Dean.
