Affordable ski villas: Opening in 1972, Holiday Beech Villas was planned to be affordable condominiums in close proximity to the Ski Beech resort. Original buyers bought their unit as a second home. Today, some unit owners live at HBV year around, entertaining in HBV's free-standing Club House which contains the Association's Office and laundry rooms. One and two bedroom units exist within the 88 units comprising the ten buildings on three levels. Membership is available in the near-by Beech Mountain Club which operates tennis courts (with tennis pros offering lessons), a fitness center staffed full time, an outdoor pool, and also has planned social events and educational nature and theatre trips. Lake Coffee, with walking trail and fishing permitted, adjoins this Club.
Nearby towns are Banner Elk, Boone and Newland. Straddling both Watauga and Avery counties in NC, the Town of Beech Mountain is a ten minute drive to the Tennessee border and a half hour's drive to Boone. Holiday Beech Villa residents receive a tax bill from Beech Mountain and from Watauga county. Additional taxes are paid by visiting tourists who rent HBV units and that revenue is helping to pay for the new Indoor Recreation Center.
Recreation at Buckeye Lake: The culmination of years of development by the Town of Beech Mountain, Buckeye Lake which is a part of the Grassy Gap recreation area, is open to the public. The seven-acre lake has a boat ramp that allows access to non-motorized boats for fishing or recreation. The Town stocks the lake with trout. A picnic pavilion, softball field, walking trails, restrooms and a playground for children surround the lake. The new Recreation building includes a basketball court, gym, fitness area and community and children's meeting areas. A short walk away is the non-profit "Genesis" organization that houses recuperating wildlife. Free maps are available at Town Hall.
Other area recreation: Professional tours are available in the town of Banner Elk for whitewater rafting, fishing, rock climbing trips and horseback riding on mountain trails. Wildcat Lake in Banner Elk has a sand beach, lifeguard and changing rooms. Free brochures are available at Fred's, as are inexpensive maps showing detailed regional areas for camping, hiking and rafting.
Area churches are quaint: Nearly every religion is represented by churches and synogues located within a 30-minute drive from HBV. The Yellow Pages give hours and days of services.