Take A Look At Life Inside Beech Mountain, The Snowiest Town In North Carolina
Unsurprisingly, the snowiest town in North Carolina is located on top of a mountain. Straddling Avery and Watauga Counties, the town of Beech Mountain is billed as Eastern America’s Highest Town because, since 1981, it’s been the highest incorporated community east of the Mississippi. At an elevation of 5,506′ above sea level, Beech towers over the valleys below and delivers some of the best long-range, layered views of the surrounding mountains. There’s a reason it’s the town that gets the most snow in North Carolina and attracts countless visitors every season. Let’s take a closer look.
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The very top of the mountain was developed from the get-go as a ski resort back in the 70s, when Beech was first developed by a group of private investors.
You've probably heard of the well known, shuttered 70s Land of Oz theme park with its famous yellow brick road that can still be seen from space on Google's satellite maps. Beech Mountain Ski Resort is adjacent to that park.
So what is life like in not only the snowiest town in the Tar Heel State, but also with a popular ski resort in your backyard? Speaking from firsthand experience, it's pretty fantastic.
For starters, Beech has fewer than 350 year-round residents, but more than 2,300 homes and condos. But the mountain is so huge you really never feel squeezed by the swells in population during the peak seasons.
The average snowfall on the mountain is right around 80 inches each winter. Technically, that's over most people's heads! Fortunately, this snowy town has a fantastic system in place for keeping the roads as clear as possible. Most of the time it's easy to get where you need to go when you need to be there.
Residents of this snow paradise enjoy a bevy of year-round outdoor activities. The mountain has an extensive trail system in place that can be accessed in the snow (if you dare). And if you do, then you'll be rewarded with some frigidly frozen waterfalls along the trails, making for some peaceful scenery.
Of course life with a ski resort in your backyard means you're always at the ready for a quick run or two down the mountain. For a sampling of what that's like, check out the short video below from the Beach Mountain Resort Facebook page:
Snow days on Beech and in the surrounding towns at the base of the mountain can be super fun when you have a ski resort nearby.
Most locals prefer to stick to the mountain for necessities. The only general store on Beech is Fred's General Mercantile and they have virtually everything you really need from food to clothing. They even have a full size restaurant on the bottom floor where you'll find a smattering of locals each morning sampling the coffee and gnosh. Nearly everyone says, "If Fred's doesn't have it, then you don't need it." It's true.
Several restaurants operate year-round on Beech. Across the street and up the road from Fred's, you'll find the Famous Brick Oven Pizzeria, specializing in subs, pizzas, desserts and always a smiling familiar friendly face behind the counter.
Next to the Visitors Center, the town operates a sledding hill popular with locals and visitors. Even if you're not actually sledding it's still fun to just watch everyone else as you're driving by.
Real-life inside North Carolina’s snowiest town is both exciting and laid back. It’s pleasant and exhilarating at the same time. And since it’s a resort, you too, can come for a visit and have a little slice of the winter pie dished out on top of Beech Mountain.
Have you ever visited Beech Mountain? What did you think of the town that gets the most snow in North Carolina? Let us know in the comments below!
What is there to do in the snow in North Carolina?
Just because it’s snowing outside doesn’t mean you need to stay cooped up indoors. Bundle up and embrace the fresh powder by taking part in one of the many different winter activities peppered throughout North Carolina. Some of the most popular winter activities in the western part of the state include skiing at the Cataloochee Ski Area in the Great Smoky Mountains, ice skating at the Highlands Ice Skating Rink, and tubing at Tube World in Maggie Valley. For a more relaxing experience, you can always cozy up in a cottage in the mountains and rent a cabin at Bear Lake Reserve and watch the snowfall from the comfort of a cozy couch surrounded by a crackling fireplace.
How much snow does North Carolina get each winter?
North Carolina is no stranger to snowfall, even though the state doesn’t receive the jaw-dropping amounts the northern states do. While different parts of the state receive drastically different snowfall amounts, North Carolina averages 5 inches of snowfall per year. The western part of the state averages about 7.5 inches per year, while the eastern side of North Carolina averages less than 2 inches per year.
What is the most snow ever recorded in North Carolina?
The greatest 24-hour snowfall happened on March 13, 1993 when Mount Mitchell, North Carolina was hit with a whopping 36 inches of snow. From April 2-6, 1987, Newfound Gap, Swain County, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park received a record-breaking snowfall from a single storm with 60-inches.
Robin Jarvis is a travel and entertainment writer and editor for OnlyInYourState.com with a bachelor's degree in Journalism. Her love for travel has taken her to many parts of the world. She spent more than two decades living on the coast in South Carolina and currently lives in the mountains of North Carolina - although she still makes it back to see family in South Carolina quite often. When she's not working, she loves to hike, kayak, and check out new adventures. Get in touch at [email protected]
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