Photo: Amy Morrison
One of Beech Mountain’s favorite traditions is back. The free youth sledding hill in the middle of town is covered with snow and children zipping down on their sleds.
Beech Mountain is the only place in the entire Southeast that has a free sledding hill run by the town. It is located next to the Beech Mountain Visitors Center, where folks can step inside, warm up, take advantage of restrooms and Wi-Fi, and learn about all the winter activities on the mountain.
Kate Gavenus, Beech Mountain tourism director, watches the kids sled from her window.
“About half of the kids who come to the sledding hill haven’t experienced snow before,” Gavenus says. “It’s a great, relaxed way to play in the snow, and it’s cheap. It’s also a good introduction to all the fun winter sports offered on Beech Mountain.”
One upgrade this year is the addition of big foam pads, which provide a safe way to stop at the bottom of the hill.
The sledding hill is exclusively for kids, 12 years old and younger, although parents may share a sled with younger children. Sledders can bring their own sleds (plastic only) or purchase them from businesses nearby. Beech Meadows Ski Shop and White Wolf Lodge also rent sleds for just $5 a day.
The sledding hill usually stays in good shape through mid-March thanks to the average of nearly 90 inches of snow each year on Beech Mountain, as well as a snow gun that blows fresh powder when Mother Nature isn’t.
Sledding hill hours are Monday-Friday, 1 p.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, Sunday and holidays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Parents are encouraged to double-check conditions beforehand by calling (800) 468-5506.
For more info about sledding, skiing, snowboarding, skating and snowtubing in Eastern America’s Highest Town, www.BeechMtn.com
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