Blue Ridge Mountain Club: The magic of winter in your own backyard

“The High Country is a winter wonderland. We look forward to being up here as much as we can—to see the snow and to get outside and experience it.”

Courtney & Mike Jackson 
BRMC homeowners & Charlotte residents

Blue Ridge Mountain Club is a true year-round, four-season community. Unlike many regions in Western North Carolina that go dormant in January, February, and March, the High Country comes to life. Blowing Rock, Boone, Banner Elk, and other towns in Watauga and Avery County is bustling with energy and activities—much of which centers around winter activities for families, such as the regions’ popular ski and tubing resorts.

BRMC is a winter hub for families

“We really enjoy the winter season up here. Both of our kids are on the ski team at Appalachian Ski, which is a great experience. We also like to go on winter hikes in the snow, we love tubing, we like the energy and activity in Boone and Blowing Rock…we just enjoy this time of year up here. The whole family has a blast, even the dog.”

Courtney & Mike Jackson
BRMC homeowners & Charlotte residents

“Wintertime is the best time in the High Country. We have four children: the three boys love snowboarding and our daughter loves to ski. And we all love taking the UTVs out on the trails in the snow. We enjoy hiking off the Parkway—the views are incredible in winter. And we just have fun being outdoors and then relaxing by the fire. There’s just so much to do up here—the winter really comes alive.”

Lori & Jon Peyton
BRMC homeowners & Charlotte residents

“Winter has become the favorite season for many of our families. And it’s not just the skiers and snowboarders. Many folks love the winter hiking and the extended winter views. Several members and their kids often go UTV’ing on property or just enjoy playing around in the snow. Plus, being able to sit in your home by a nice fire and have a glass of wine and look at the snow-covered beauty all around you is hard to beat.”

Nick Presnell, Team BRMC
Broker In Charge

Three awesome winter towns

It’s fitting that an area known for its natural wonders, topographical diversity, and wide-ranging attractions—both natural and manmade—would be home to such quaint small towns. Each is unique and enticing, immersed in the rich folklore of the towering mountains that stand watch on all sides. Their charm and hospitality help make this region unlike any other with. And as it so happens, Blowing Rock, Boone, and Banner Elk are all in close proximity to one another—a mere stone’s throw away—which makes hopscotching from town to town as convenient as it is delightful.

• Blowing Rock: This is the quintessential small mountain town: quaint, romantic, friendly, and eternally inviting. It is always aglow with activity, beckoning visitors with its postcard charm and an array of restaurants, pubs, curio shops, and boutiques. It is often referred to as the “Crown of the Blue Ridge,” and is frequently listed among America’s most charming small towns.

• Boone: Just down the road from Blowing Rock is the energetic, culturally hip university town of Boone—home to the Appalachian State Mountaineers. Boone has the vibe and electricity of a college town, coupled with the nearby attractions of a major resort destination. Adventure Sports Magazine has called it “the ultimate outdoor adventure destination in the Southeast.”

• Banner Elk: Located in Avery County—the heart of ski country—Banner Elk is a bustling, upscale community that boasts a wealth of outdoor recreational opportunities that visitors can enjoy year-round. Recognized as “The Ski Capital of the South,” Banner Elk attracts thousands of visitors each winter to its picturesque resorts, posh accommodations, and world-class restaurants.

Ski Mecca

Often the first thing that comes to mind when people think of the High Country is skiing. Its combination of ideal winter climate, optimal altitude, and scenic Appalachian slopes makes for some of the most exhilarating, family-centered skiing in the country. Visitors and locals have several top-notch resorts to choose from.

• Sugar Mountain Resort
  • Located in Banner Elk
  • 125 skiable acres
  • Multiple lift options (including the two longest in NC)
  • Can lift-transport up to 10,520 skiers an hour
  • Features 21 slopes and trails (15 with lights), 4 tubing runs
  • 5,300-foot summit
  • Vertical drop of 1,200 feet
  • Features skiing, snowboarding, tubing, and ice skating
  • 100% snowmaking capability
  • Rental equipment

• Beech Mountain, North Carolina
  • Located 10 miles north of Sugar
  • The highest town in Eastern America: elevation 5,506 feet
  • Vertical rise 830 feet
  • Averages 84.6 inches of snow a season
  • Has 17 slopes, 8 lifts
  • Can lift-transport 10,858 skiers per hour
  • Features skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, snowshoeing, sledding, and après ski
  • Offers skiing and snowboarding lessons
  • Summer activities include mountain biking, disc golf, scenic lift rides
  • 100% snowmaking capability

• Appalachian Ski Mountain
  • Located in Blowing Rock
  • The High Country’s first official ski area (opened in 1962)
  • Features 12 ski slopes and multiple lifts
  • Longest run is ½ mile
  • Offers 3 terrain parks
  • Snowboard rentals
  • Has 46,000-square foot Bavarian-style lodge
  • Children’s programs available
  • Home to French-Swiss Ski College, the Southeast’s largest independent Ski School

Winter Celebrations

Winter in the High Country is no time to hibernate. It’s an invitation to revel in the great outdoors—to get outside with friends and family and embrace the beauty and splendor that these snow-draped mountains present. Above all, winter here is a time for communal celebration and festivities, best exemplified by the annual Blowing Rock Winterfest (January 24-27, 2018). The 4-day festival is packed with events, music, wine/food exhibits, and family attractions.

Ready for your adventure?

With so much going on this winter in the High Country it is a great time to come by Blue Ridge Mountain Club (BRMC) for a personal Discovery Tour. Let Team BRMC introduce you to a living experience that you can enjoy today, and for generations to come.

LET TEAM BRMC GIVE YOU A PERSONAL TOUR

We look forward to seeing you soon!