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 at the snowiest town in North Carolina …
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.
TripAdvisor/James M
You’ve probably heard of the well-known, now-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.
Facebook/Beech Mountain Chamber of Commerce
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.
Facebook/Beech Mountain Ski Resort
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.
Robin Jarvis
All year long the views from all over the mountain are so incredibly rewarding. And the sunsets in the winter are perfectly picturesque.
TripAdvisor/Francois A
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.
Facebook/Beech Mountain Police Department
Which is a good thing, because when it snows — it really pours it on.
Facebook/Beech Mountain
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.
Facebook/Beech Mountain Chamber of Commerce
The mountain has a few small tranquil lakes that are especially serene in a winter setting.
Facebook/Fred’s General Mercantile Of course, life with a ski resort in your backyard means you’re always ready for a quick run or two down the mountain.
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.
Facebook/Beech Mountain Ski Resort
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.
Facebook/Fred’s General Mercantile
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.
Robin Jarvis
From a table in the front room of this eatery, you can have your pizza and views of the ski slopes too.
TripAdvisor/Annie A
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.
Facebook/Town of Beech Mountain
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. Wondering where to see snow in North Carolina? You found it!
TripAdvisor/James M
Facebook/Beech Mountain Chamber of Commerce
Facebook/Beech Mountain Ski Resort
Robin Jarvis
TripAdvisor/Francois A
Facebook/Beech Mountain Police Department
Facebook/Beech Mountain
Facebook/Fred’s General Mercantile
Of course, life with a ski resort in your backyard means you’re always ready for a quick run or two down the mountain.
TripAdvisor/Annie A
Facebook/Town of Beech Mountain
Have you ever visited Beech Mountain? What do you think of snow in North Carolina? Crazy, right? The Tar Heel State is full of surprises, including our very own winter wonderland! Let us know in the comments!
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Address: Beech Mountain, NC, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Snowiest town in North Carolina January 10, 2020 Jackie Ann 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.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Snowiest town in North Carolina
January 10, 2020
Jackie Ann
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.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
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.
