Beautiful Beech Mountain, NC is on a peak overlooking seven mountain chains of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Beech Mountain was originally called "Klonteska" by Native Americans (see History of Beech Mountain). Today's name derives from the proliferation of beech trees that green the mountain. Listed as America's Highest Town East of the Mississippi, and the High Country's coolest destination with an average of 80 inches of natural snow and temperatures rarely as warm as 80 degrees, "the Beech" is a natural for a variety of summer and winter recreational activities.
The recreational activities include:
Ski Beech, which is a few minutes walk from Holiday Beech Villas, operating through December, January and February. Call 828-387-2011 to give daily information on slope conditions.
Snowboarding is allowed on all slopes, along with skiing. Roads to the South's premier ski village are cleared after every natural snowfall.
Sledding is allowed for children on the hill outside Beech Mountain's Town Hall.
Hiking trails are identified as Easy, Moderate and Steep on maps available from the Visitors Center and Fred's General Mercantile.
Nature walks with animals and birds abound since the area is an animal and bird sanctuary.
Fishing is allowed in local lakes and streams under restricted conditions (Fred's General Mercantile atop Beech Mountain has details and sells fishing licenses).
Biking competitions flow up Beech Mountain Parkway in the summer.
Six local golf courses welcome golfers (see Yellow Pages for details).
Fred's General Mercantile, at the summit of Beech Mountain, is an institution. An old-timey store, Fred and Margie claim "If we don't have it, you don't need it." Their Backside Deli feeds more people than any other restaurant on the mountain. Access their website for more information about the Beech Mountain community atwww.fredsgeneral.com.
Medical and Fire:If you're worried that Beech Mountain is too far away from either fire or medical personnel, you'll be relieved to learn that Beech Mountain has it's own Volunteer Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services (EMS). The Beech Mountain Volunteer Fire Department, station 1, is about 100 yards away from Holiday Beech Villas. The Fire Department has approximately 35 members, that give their time to the Town of Beech Mountain. Regular training occurs on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday's of each month.
The Beech Mountain Volunteer Fire Department also has approximately 11 volunteer EMTs (2 of which are paramedics). These folks also give of their time to come to your home when you call 911, no matter what time the call comes in. They will come to help you, until the Ambulance/Paramedics arrive to take you to the hospital in Linville (approximately 25 minutes from Beech Mountain.)
These services are completely volunteer and rely on donations to help keep the town and residents safe from fire and medical emergencies.