Beech Mountain
Overview
At 5,506 feet above sea level, Beech Mountain is the highest ski resort on the East Coast. Beech is also one of the coldest spots in the southeast, with an average snowfall of 70 inches. That helps Beech be one of the first ski areas to open in the region each winter. Beech has been in operation for over 50 years.
Founded in 1964 by Dr. Thomas Brigham, who also developed West Virginia’s Snowshoe Mountain Resort, Beech offers 17 total trails and an 830-foot vertical. The resort also features an ice skating rink, a snow tubing area, and a terrain park.
Over the past several years, Beech Mountain has been in the process of upgrading its snowmaking system. During the summer of 2021, Beech Mountain added two high-performance pumps and increased its total of new high-tech snow guns to 85, bringing overall snowmaking capacity to 5,000 gallons of water per minute. During 2021, the resort also made significant enhancements to its base area, creating a park-like setting with new outdoor spaces for guests to interact and relax.
Beech is located near Banner Elk, North Carolina, a two and a half hour drive from Charlotte. At the mountain there are hundreds of privately owned chalets, townhouses, condominiums, inns, and a bed and breakfast. More restaurants and accommodations can be found in nearby Banner Elk.
Photo provided by Beech Mountain.
Mountain & Resort Details
Mountain
- Vertical Drop
- 830 feet
- Base Elevation
- 4,675 feetHighest base elevation in the Mid-Atlantic
- Peak Elevation
- 5,506 feetHighest summit in the Mid-Atlantic
- Skiable Acres
- 95
- Longest Run
- 5,280 feet
- Trails
- 17
- Trail Mix
- 4 beginner 7 intermediate 4 expert
Skiing & Amenities
- Lifts
- 8 (3 quads, 3 doubles, 1 magic carpet, 1 rope tow)
- Night Skiing
- Yes, on 100% of terrain
- Terrain Park
- One terrain park
- Tubing Park
- Yes
Contact & Links
- Address
- 1007 Beech Mountain Parkway
Beech Mountain, NC 28604 - Phone
- (800) 438-2093
- Directions
- Get directions →
- Website
- Official resort website
Summer Activities
Bike the road Lance Armstrong once trained, hike the numerous mountain trails, or drop a line into Buckeye Lake for a chance to catch mountain trout. Golf, tennis and swimming privileges at the private Beech Mountain Club are available to guests staying in qualified lodgings.
Trail Map
Getting There
Weather
Weather near Beech Mountain
| Humidity: | 100% | Visibility: | 10.00 |
| Wind Speed: | mph | Sunrise: | 7:26 a.m. |
| Barometer: | 30.17 in | Sunset: | 7:06 p.m. |
| Dewpoint: | 47 °F |
Weather supplied by the National Weather Service. Errors or reporting delays may be possible.
Recent Beech Mountain News
The Race to Winter Begins: Ski Areas Test Snow Guns and Eye Opening Day
Snowmaking tests are underway as resorts across North America, including several high-elevation ski areas in North Carolina, prepare to compete for an early opening.
Where Can You Still Ski for Less? The Mid-Atlantic's Best Values
DCSki searches for the Mid-Atlantic’s best ski values for the 2026-2027 season, from bargain lift tickets and season passes to military, family, and lodging deals.
A Snapshot of Mid-Atlantic Ski Conditions Heading Into Late December
A period of sustained cold weather has allowed Mid-Atlantic ski resorts to build solid snow bases and open substantial terrain as the region heads into late December.
Mid-Atlantic Ski Areas Accelerate Snowmaking as Early-Season Openings Roll Out
Mid-Atlantic ski resorts are capitalizing on sustained cold weather to fire up snowmaking and launch early-season operations, with multiple mountains opening in the first week of December and more terrain coming online as conditions allow.
More Mid-Atlantic Resorts Open
The majority of ski resorts in the Mid-Atlantic are now open for the 2024-2025 winter season, with others preparing to launch operations in the coming days amid favorable early-season conditions.
December Kicks Off with the Sound of Snowmaking
Mid-Atlantic ski resorts are capitalizing on cold temperatures to make snow, with several planning early December openings for the 2024-2025 season.
Beech Mountain in the Forum
Recent DCSki discussions mentioning Beech Mountain.
Whitetail/Epic photo requirements
Unbuilt Ski Areas or Unbuilt Expansions
Sugar and Beech question
Lift Ticket Price Insanity
North Carolina's Ski Resorts Are Reeling After Hurricane Helene
Early Season Snowmaking
Nearby Resorts
Other ski areas closest to Beech Mountain.
Sugar Mountain
Winterplace Resort
The Homestead
