You're Invited: The High Country Welcomes Visitors

Tweetsie Christmas in Blowing Rock

Photo Courtesy of Tweetsie Railroad

The High Country Welcomes Visitors

North Carolina's High Country is open and ready for your visit. In the past several weeks, local businesses have been reopening, and events are resuming. The community welcomes visitors to come stay and explore this beautiful region. From charming downtown districts to spectacular mountain slopes, the High Country has something for everybody. This time of year, the area's Christmas tree farms stay busy, with families flocking to local farms to cut down live trees for the holidays. (For a list of Choose & Cut Tree Farms in the High Country area click here.) Whatever experience you're seeking, discover it and more in the High Country!

While the High Country has made significant progress in returning back to normal after Hurricane Helene and most businesses have reopened their doors, support to the region's communities is greatly appreciated. Click below to learn about how you can help with relief and recovery efforts in western North Carolina and East Tennessee.

Donate Now

Moses H. Cone Memorial Park in Blowing Rock

Photo Courtesy of Getty Images

Ultimate Winter Activities

With the Blue Ridge Mountains as the stunning backdrop, winter in the High Country is a magical time of year. Boasting some of the highest ski and snowboard areas in the east, this region is an outdoor enthusiast's dream come true. Snow-covered hills, lively with a variety of winter sports, provides visitors and locals alike all kinds of outdoor adventures. With several ski resorts, the High Country offers impressive opportunities for skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing.

Appalachian Ski Mountain is a family-friendly ski area that has been in operation for more than 50 years. It features 12 slopes, three parks and an outdoor ice skating rink.

Beech Mountain Ski Resort is the highest resort in the east with an impressive elevation of 5,506 feet. Set on 95 acres, the resort has 17 trails and loads of activities beyond skiing.

Sugar Mountain Resort is North Carolina's largest ski resort, offering 125 acres of skiing with 21 slopes for different skill levels. This is home to the state's only double black diamond slope.

For snowtubing, check out Hawksnest Snowtubing, with four areas with up to 30 lanes. (Note: Many of these resorts are set to open for the season in late November.)

Learn more>>

Stonewalls Restaurant in Downtown Banner Elk

Open for Business

Year-round visitors escape to North Carolina's High Country to soak in its amazing natural landscapes and quaint towns. Blowing Rock, Boone, Banner Elk and the area's other appealing towns are full of quality restaurants, fascinating attractions, unique shopping and diverse events. Here, visitors enjoy a plethora of things to see and do, plus places to stay. Now is a wonderful time for a visit.

Popular local dining establishments such as The Gamekeeper Restaurant and Bar in Boone, Stonewalls Restaurant in Banner Elk, along with many other restaurants, have reopened their doors recently and are serving up delicious meals to guests. Attractions like Mystery Hill in Blowing Rock are entertaining families with a variety of fun activities.

On Oct. 23, Grandfather Mountain, an attraction run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, reopened to visitors. Weather permitting, the park is open everyday with park entry from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Trails close at 5 p.m. and the park closes at 6 p.m. Visit this website for tips for an upcoming visit.

Click below for more tips on planning an upcoming trip to the High Country.

Learn more>>

Grandfather Mountain's Mile High Swinging Bridge

Photo Courtesy of Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation/Leslie Restivo

Holiday Festivities and More!

The High Country's events calendar doesn't go silent during the colder months. The region's downtowns, parks, resorts and farms all stay active with fun activities. The holiday season brings numerous festivals, parades and other events, offering fun for the entire family. Keep an eye out for one-of-a-kind events such as celebrating the new year at Grandfather Mountain's Sunrise at the Swinging Bridge happening on Jan. 1, 2025 from 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.

Tweetsie Christmas is a beloved holiday tradition, open on select dates in late November through December, full of holiday festivities including a night train ride along a 3-mile route glowing with more than 1 million lights. Blowing Rock WinterFest, Jan. 23-26, is another popular event during the winter.

Due to the continued impact of Hurricane Helene, some events may be cancelled.

See full events calendar>>

Click below to view the digital magazine.

High Country.Guide