North Carolina’s Beech Mountain Resort is celebrating its 45th anniversary this winter, and in honor of that anniversary, the ski area will be offering $45 learn-to-ski packages for the entire month of January, 2013.

Beech Mountain began upgrading its snowmaking infrastructure four years ago, converting to high-tech automated guns, and that move helped pay off during last winter’s mild season.

“When we had windows last winter to produce our product, we were very effective,” explained Ryan Costin, General Manager of the resort. “It showed us we’re making the right moves in our snowmaking department.”

Beech Mountain has added six additional SMI Super PoleCat guns, rounding out its arsenal to a total of 30. Several existing PoleCats were repositioned to boost coverage on trails such as Upper Shawneehaw and Robbin’s Run. Beech Mountain also has 100 smaller guns.

New shops have been added to the resort’s alpine village, and a new high-tech grooming machine was purchased. Skiers and boarders will also notice a fresh coat of back paint on all chairlift towers.