Beech Mountain
Overview
At an elevation of 5,506 feet, Beech Mountain is the highest ski resort in eastern North America. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of northwestern North Carolina, the resort offers 95 acres of skiable terrain, 17 trails, and an 830-foot vertical drop. Its high elevation helps deliver cold winter temperatures, supporting an extensive snowmaking system and an average annual snowfall of approximately 70 inches.
Beech Mountain opened for the 1967-1968 winter season, following development led by Dr. Thomas Brigham, who later helped establish Snowshoe Mountain Resort in West Virginia. Over the decades, Beech has become one of the Southeast’s best-known winter destinations, offering a mix of beginner, intermediate, and advanced terrain, along with terrain parks and night skiing.
The resort has invested heavily in snowmaking infrastructure, including new pumps, automated snow guns, and increased pumping capacity. Improvements completed in 2021 expanded snowmaking capacity to approximately 5,000 gallons per minute. The resort has also modernized its base area, adding outdoor gathering spaces and other amenities.
Beyond skiing and snowboarding, Beech offers snow tubing, outdoor ice skating, and a variety of dining options. The resort’s 5,506-foot summit is also home to the 5506’ Skybar, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
Beech Mountain is located near Banner Elk, North Carolina, approximately two and a half hours from Charlotte. Visitors can choose from privately owned chalets, condominiums, vacation rentals, and other lodging options on Beech Mountain, with additional accommodations and restaurants 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
- 3 beginner 9 intermediate 4 expert
Skiing & Amenities
- Lifts
- 9 (4 quads, 2 doubles, 2 magic carpets, 1 rope tow)
- Night Skiing
- Night skiing available on select trails
- Terrain Park
- Two terrain parks
- 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
Beech Mountain operates a summer adventure park featuring lift-served mountain biking, scenic chairlift rides, disc golf, and mountaintop yoga. The resort also hosts outdoor concerts and other seasonal events. Visitors can explore hiking trails throughout the surrounding mountains, while nearby Banner Elk offers additional dining, shopping, and recreational opportunities.
Trail Map
Getting There
Weather
Weather near Beech Mountain
| Humidity: | 100% | Visibility: | 7.00 |
| Wind Speed: | mph | Sunrise: | 6:48 a.m. |
| Barometer: | 30.40 in | Sunset: | 5:34 p.m. |
| Dewpoint: | 39 °F |
Weather supplied by the National Weather Service. Errors or reporting delays may be possible.
Recent Beech Mountain News
A History of High-Speed Chairlifts in the Mid-Atlantic
From Whitetail’s pioneering high-speed quad to today’s six-passenger lifts, explore the history of detachable chairlifts at Mid-Atlantic ski resorts.
New North Carolina Ski Safety Law Takes Effect, Expanding Skier Responsibilities and Resort Liability Protections
A new North Carolina law expands skier responsibilities and resort liability protections while adding misdemeanor penalties for collisions, pass misuse, and unauthorized access.
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.
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
