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!

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.

Boone in Winter

You may not consider areas in the South when planning your next skiing or snowboarding vacation this winter. And it’s true many of us moved to the South to escape the long, cold, dark winters in the northeast areas of the country. However Boone’s climate and its proximity to Charlotte and the Raleigh-Durham areas of North Carolina makes it a great option for a skiing, or snowboarding vacation. Not only that but if you live ever further south, such as in Florida, you can be in the mountains and ready to ski in a day’s drive. With 3 ski resort areas plus Hawk’s Nest for snowtubing there are some great options for the winter sports enthusiast. Or, if you prefer hiking, or sightseeing by car, Boone is off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Explore the overlooks and trails all along this scenic highway. Not to leave out those less inclined to outdoors in the winter, nearby Blowing Rock offers shopping and restaurants. Need a place to stay during your visit to Boone? Kradel’s Kabins has 3 great cabin rentals. Check availability now.

Tanglewood Cabin after a light snow