Category: Boone

History of Appalachian Ski Mountain, opening Nov 20

Now that autumn is here, the ski slopes in the Boone area are that much closer to opening. Appalachian Ski Mountain even has a scheduled opening day of November 20.  So what makes Appalachian Ski Mountain special?

Appalachian Ski Mountain got its start in 1968 when Grady Moretz and four other partners bought the area at a public auction

Originally, the resort only had a 12,000 foot base lodge and 3 slopes. These slopes only had two rope tows for ascending the mountain. As it became more and more popular, in 1984 it underwent a major renovation which added chairlifts and a 6,000 foot addition to the ski lodge.

By 2010 Appalachian Ski Mountain has twelve slopes, three chairlifts, two conveyer lifts and one handle pull lift. The ski lodge itself now covers 46,000 feet and is very comfortable as well. 

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Fishing in the Boone Area 2020

For fishing enthusiasts, the Boone area is rich in a wide variety of places to fish. You can visit https://www.ncwildlife.org/ to get info on regulations for fishing in the area. 

Just outside the pristine town of Blowing Rock is Bass Lake. Lined with rhododendron and mountain laurel, the lake offers a 1.7 mile loop which is great for fishing and hiking.

Another fishing spot which is located off the Blue Ridge Parkway is Price Lake. In addition to its plentiful fishing spots, they also offer fishing tackle rentals and sell bait. You can also rent canoes and kayaks to take out onto the lake when you want to take a break.

Also near the Blue Ridge Parkway is Trout Lake. In addition to fishing, Trout Lake also has a 1 mile  pathway with plenty of wildlife. The lake is set in a hemlock-dominated cove forest with ancient conifers and thickets of rhododendron which makes it a wonderful place to enjoy a day of fishing. 

William Kradel Leave a comment on Fishing in the Boone Area 2020 Blowing Rock, Boone, Hiking

Beech Mountain Brewing Co.

Other than the slopes themselves, one of the most important facets of a trip up the mountain is the amenities there. And on Beech Mountain, the most popular amenity is Beech Mountain Brewing Co.

Located in the Beech Mountain Resort village, the brewery is open to all visitors, not just those staying at the resort. It is a bi-level facility with a fireplace and hardwood floors throughout. On Friday through Sunday, you can try the latest creation that the brewery has cooked up.

Every Friday is a different live music performance. Coming up on January 3rd at 6:00 pm is A Welcome Distraction.

There is also a variety of food to eat at the brewery. For instance they have fried green tomatoes, chips and salsa, chicken wings, quesadillas, hamburgers, and more.

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Luke Combs’ “What You See is What You Get Tour” coming to Appalachian State May 2, 2020

As part of his 2020 tour highlighting his new album, the country music star will be performing at Appalachian State’s Kidd Brewer Stadium this May!

Combs, who is from Charlotte, went to Appalachian State in college so he is honoring it by making it the venue of his first outdoor stadium show. This should make the concert a very special and festive spectacle.

In addition, special guests Ashley McBryde and Drew Parker will be featured as well. Put together, it should be an incredibly fun night for those of all ages to enjoy. 

William Kradel Leave a comment on Luke Combs’ “What You See is What You Get Tour” coming to Appalachian State May 2, 2020 Boone, Concerts and Events

Black Bears on Grandfather Mountain

Bear Photo Trail
Hopefully this is the only bear you’ll encounter along a trail!

There’s more to do on Grandfather Mountain than hike the trails. One of the most enjoyable activities on Grandfather Mountain is visiting the environmental habitats. Environmental habitats are large enclosures built around the natural habitat which enable visitors to view animals in natural settings. 

One of the most impressive animals found in one of the habitats, and all throughout the mountain, are black bears.

Black bears are the smallest, and most common bears in North America. They have better sight and hearing than humans. And their sense of smell is seven times greater than that of a dog.

Their diet primarily consists of various kinds of vegetation. Their animal diet normally consists of  insects such as birds and ants. They do in fact like to eat honey. On the pacific coast where salmon are abundant, they will fish for them at night as the salmon are able to see them otherwise.

Enjoyably on Grandfather Mountain, there is a wildlife habitat just for Black Bears so you can view them safely in their natural environment. So next time you’re visiting Grandfather Mountain take some time to visit the bear habitat!

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Ice Skating

While many enjoy coming to Boone for skiing and snowboarding, many may also be looking for other winter activities which are less strenuous or as a break from skiing. What the ski resorts in the area offer in addition to skiing fits that billing: ice skating rinks.


Beech Mountain has an 7,000 square foot outdoor ice rink located in the Resort Village. It is family friendly and is open to those of all ages. The skating sessions are 2 hours which cost $18 on the weekdays and $20 on the weekend. This includes skate rental. The sessions start every 2 hours and tickets can be purchased at the site 2 hours before the sessions start. 

Appalachian Ski Mountain also has an outdoor ice skating rink which had a refrigerated ice floor and is fully lighted for skiing at night. While the ice skating rink is normally open from noon till 9pm, on New Years Eve and President’s Day Saturday, they are open till 11:30.

Beech Mountain has a 10,000 square foot outdoor ice rink located near the “D” parking lot. Sessions are 1 hour and 30 minutes at length and begin at 10am and every 2 hours after until 8pm. Tickets go on sale 1 hour prior to the start of session.

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