Are you looking to take the family for some cold weather fun but don't want to go to the big ski resorts? Here are a few options that might just fit your need for fun!
Boone Jaycee Park
527 Oak St., Boone
The park is perfect for some sledding fun, snowball fights and making a snowman. Nestled in a residential neighborhood, it's a public park and there's plenty of parking. Just around the corner is Horn in the West where there are also some great hills for sledding and plenty of parking. We were there last year and it was "snow much fun"!
Beech Mountain Town Sledding Hill
The Town of Beech Mountain offers the only municipal sledding hill in the southeast. Designed for kids ages 12 and under, parents or other responsible adults are allowed on sleds with preschoolers. Natural snow is enhanced by a snow gun when needed, so there’s plenty of good sledding to go around.
There’s no charge to use the hill, and it is a wonderful way to introduce kids to winter sports. Many families make a day of it on the mountain, sledding at the hill, then warming up and learning about other things do at the Visitor Center across the street, and eating a great meal at one of the town’s restaurants (three of which are walking distance from the hill).
The Beech Mountain Resort, which offers skiing, snowboarding, tubing and ice skating, is a mile and a half further along the Beech Mountain Parkway. Even if families don’t plan to ski, it’s worth a trip to the resort, to see the other great winter sports options for the whole family. There are several good dining choices there as well, along with the Beech Mountain Brewery, and some opportunities for shopping.
The Town Sledding Hill requires the use of plastic sleds. Sleds aren’t provided on the Town Sledding Hill. You can bring your own plastic sleds or rent one from the Beech Meadows Ski Shop or White Wolf Lodge. Fred’s General Mercantile also has sleds for sale.
Hours of operation for the Sledding Hill are 9-5 pm Monday through Sunday and holidays, weather permitting. Call the Visitor Center to find out about snow conditions at 800-468-5506.
Snowshoeing at Beech Mountain
The Town of Beech Mountain has added snowshoeing to its list of activities for visitors. Beech Mountain has an extensive trail system available for snowshoeing. The level of difficulty ranges from easy to moderate to strenuous. Experienced snowshoers might consider the Emerald Outback trails at the top of the mountain. Meanwhile, another snowshoeing option is the 1/3-mile walking track surrounding the Buckeye Recreation Center. There are no fees to check out the snowshoes and they can be used for up to a half day before being returned. Snowshoes are available at the Buckeye Recreation Center 828-387-3003.
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If we get enough snow in Lincolnton, the hill at the VFW is a great place to go sledding. It's located near the corner of Country Club Dr. and Generals Blvd. Also Highland Park on Highland Dr. near the hospital has a great hill for sledding!
