I haven't been skiing in forever, and because our holiday cruise fell through, we chose to do a ski…read moretrip that was within driving distance to Atlanta, GA. Little did I know, or maybe I just forgot, that my girlfriend frequented ski resorts growing up, but hasn't been in over a decade. Having done extensive research, I chose Beech Mountain. This is a resort town and the surrounding areas felt like we weren't in the U.S. The quaint village was so welcoming and relaxing and it was amazing to hear several different languages at this resort - Ukrainian, Spanish, Italian, Russian, and more. We arrived after it had snowed so it was the perfect winter escape. I recommend renting your equipment, if you don't already have yours. We chose White Wolf lodge to rent our skis, poles, and boots and the process was quick and the workers were friendly. Heading to the mountains, we decided to do the twilight and the entire resort and property felt like a real vacation overseas vacation. They had various buildings and houses that operated as standalone restaurants, rental shops, and more. Additionally, we were so excited to be there we didn't realize we got on the wrong lift that took us up to the very top for a black diamond slope. Because I haven't been skiing as much as my girlfriend, I took her lead and followed her, which was a big mistake. Let's just say I have never had more fun then wiping out face first in front of experience skiers and snowboarders. Once we eventually made it down the slope we found a more user friendly slope that we conquered with perfection and then we upgraded to intermediate slope. We continued skiing for several hours and the night time views from the lift were stunning. The pictures here don't begin to reveal how beautiful it was. SIDE NOTE: for any beginning skiers, it is not as intimating as you may think. Just be confident, listen to instructions, and by all means don't be afraid to fall.

Amazing experience thanks to lovely people. Our ski instructor, Peter Soria, was absolutely…read morefabulous today. He demonstrated the utmost patience and exceptional guidance with our children. He truly went above and beyond to accommodate our family and ensure that our kids had the best day possible on the mountain. It was a very chaotic day, and without Peter, I can't imagine how it would have gone. Skiing with four young boys is challenging, to say the least, but Peter handled everything with calm, kindness, and professionalism. He is phenomenal and deserves to be celebrated all year long at Beech Mountain.

Great trails - not for beginners!…read more Rocky Knob is a beautiful, and extremely well maintained mountain bike park near Boone NC featuring winding, narrow and forested trails. Though I have some experience mountain biking, I would consider myself beginner/intermediate. I had a blast on the trails! But it was difficult for me, especially the inclines and the switchbacks and the declines had me pumping the brakes. I had to walk the bike at a few points but by the end I was able to complete a full trail without interruption! Reading other reviews and talking to some locals, I was told there is a Kindergarten track that goes around the parking lot that's suitable for beginners. Either I did not find the Kindergarten track or it's ironically named, couldn't see any one younger that 16 successfully navigating it. There was however a large playground that would easily entertain children, and covered benches for parents to supervise or have a picnic. The park also featured a small pump track suitable for all ages. I wasn't able to pump my way around the track but I had a great time pedaling around it!

Fun Mountain Bike park. For beginner(green trail) to several sharp turn blue trails and even 2…read moreblack trails for The uninhibited. Amazing park that just opened this summer of 2019.

LOVE this place! Great place for as Vance's riders or beginners looking to try mountain biking for…read morethe first time. Beautiful views and well maintained trails make this a standout mountain bike trail system in the Southeast!

Our kids try skiing and tubing and Sugar Mountain Ski Resort delivered on the activities with a few…read morecaveats. If you're expecting a ski-town vibe like Breckenridge, Colorado, this isn't that. Sugar Mountain is a practical ski resort. The skiing terrain is best suited for beginners to intermediate skiers and is not ideal for Olympic-level skiing. Most people on the mountain appeared to be beginners, which actually made the environment feel low-pressure, relaxed, and family-friendly. We enrolled our kids in ski lessons through the ski/snowboard school and that was a highlight of the trip. The instructors were patient, knowledgeable, and very kid-friendly. The kids also went snow tubing, which they really enjoyed. Ski/ snowboard school spots and tubing sessions fill up quickly. Book in advance. It's also a good idea to pick up rental equipment the day before lessons to avoid long lines. Kids get a cubby at ski school, so sending them with a water bottle and an extra snack is helpful, especially for the 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM sessions. Parents can watch from the upper deck or the Last Run Lounge, which serves adult beverages and has excellent views of the ski school area. It's a great spot to watch the kids while enjoying a drink and a meal. The resort does get crowded for its size, and parking fills up quickly, so arriving early is important. You are allowed to bring your own food and drinks, though food options are available on site. Pro tips: wear sunscreen and UV-protective sunglasses or ski goggles (even if you're just watching), and bring small bills if you plan to tip the shuttle drivers. Overall, Sugar Mountain is a beginner-friendly, family-oriented resort that works well if you plan ahead and manage expectations.

Sugar Mountain Ski resort is a no-frills ski mountain, so if you're expecting a ski town vibe like…read moreBreckenridge, you'll be disappointed. Sugar is no pressure, most people out here look like they're beginners. We enrolled our kids in ski lessons through the ski/snowboard school. The instructors were patient, kid-friendly, and knowledgeable. Kids had a blast. Kids also went tubing, which they enjoyed. Both tubing and ski lessons must be booked in advance, and for ski school it's best to pick up rental equipment the day before to avoid long lines. Kids get a cubby at the ski school, so send them with a bottle of water and an extra snack if they're doing the ski school from 10 AM to 3 PM. Parents can watch their kids while in school from the upper deck or stay warm in the cafeteria. Upstairs is Last Run Lounge (adults only). The resort does get pretty crowded for its size, so plan accordingly. Parking fills up fast, leaving early helps. You're allowed to bring your own food and drinks, though there are food options available for purchase on site. Pro tips: wear sunblock and UV-protective sunglasses or ski goggles (even as a spectator). Bring cash (single dollar bills) tip the shuttle drivers. Overall, Sugar Mountain is a practical, beginner-friendly option that works well if you plan ahead and manage expectations.

Love it here ... this particular part of the park is my favorite. Lots of deer around and spots to…read morefish.

We were visiting the area and looking for an easy walking path. This path did not disappoint it is…read morea Beautiful, scenic, well maintained walking path. There are many places to sit and enjoy the views of the river along the way. It is Pet friendly with lots of pet waste stations. There was Plenty of parking at the Clawson-Burnley Park. Highly recommend for all ages.

April, 2025. We visited Abington, Virginia quite a few years ago. After discovering the Virginia…read moreCreeper Trail at that time, we promised that we'd return "someday" to bike at least part of the trail. This trail is a nationally-acclaimed Rails-to-Trails that extends for 34 miles and over 47 trestle bridges. While best known as a biking trail, it's actually a multi-use trail with bikers, walkers, stroller pushers, runners, equestrians, and more, especially near the access points. In the past, the trail started near Whitetop, went about 18 miles to the center point near Damascus, and ended in the charming town of Abingdon (or vice versa). Unfortunately, Damascus was hard hit by Hurricane Helene, and 18 trestle bridges were destroyed as well as many portions of the trail so the Whitetop to Damascus portion of the trail is currently closed. The 18-mile stretch from Damascus to Abington IS open. While there are bike rental companies, as well as shuttle services to take you to the trail's start, we brought our own bikes. We decided to ride the 8.5 mile segment from Abingdon (elevation: 2,020' to Alvarado Station (the old train stop at 1,750') and back. This "lower" section is considered a relatively easy to moderate stretch through rolling farmland and forests and over beautiful trestle bridges. As mentioned, our turning point was Alvarado Station, where we enjoyed our picnic lunch on a bench river-side. The stop also had drinks and snacks available for sale, a water refill station, restrooms, and a big, friendly dog eyeing our lunches! The trail is wide in most areas, and is very well-maintained. There are multiple access points with parking lots, information kiosks, regular mileage markers, benches, photo ops, and some restrooms. In a relatively recent development, e-bikes are now allowed on the trail. With its restaurants, breweries, shops, local theater, and more, make some extra time to visit Abingdon!

Love riding the Virginia Creeper Trail. Most people ride it from Whitetop Mountain down to…read moreDamascus, but it's just as enjoyable riding the section from Abingdon to Damascus, and back. Both routes offer beautiful scenery and make for a great ride. ‍

Took some additional photos today on our walk. More and more residents are learning about the…read moretrails. If you are looking for a great place to get some fresh air and exercise, these trails are for you! The updates to the Riverwalk sections are beautiful.

The entire park is very beautiful, but the highlight was the Broyhill Trail, there are a number of…read moreEasy to Hard trails you can WALK, or BIKE on. 4 to 6 miles (Broyhill Trail to the Car Lot) of pure beauty, you get shade and a cool breeze deep in the woods. My kids enjoyed it. Gonna miss NC when we head back to Texas.

When my son's mountain bike had issues after his second day riding the trails at Sugar Mountain, we…read moreran down to Headquarters just to see if they would check it out. After working on it for a few minutes they were able to tell us why it was happening and offered us a good deal on a part that would keep it from happening again. They diagnosed, installed, and checked us out in less than 20 minutes. Their selection of gear was impressive, and the two guys working were friendly, knowledgeable, and quick to help. The highlight for my son was not that his bike was primed for his last day at Sugar tomorrow but the wild cheeto-print gloves he found.

As Mtber from Florida I visit the area every winter and bring my bike with me. Why you ask? Well so…read moreJC can service my suspension. He's an amazing bike mechanic and guy! I love browsing the shop and finding something to bring home. Thanks guys for the amazing work!

Been there a million times. Even though it's changed alot through the year's it's a beautiful…read moreplace.

Beautiful grounds and wonderful activities! I bring my kayak in the summer to tan and relax in the…read morepeaceful water and sunshine. The park is spacious, and the facilities are clean. The employees are exceptionally friendly, and the food at the lakeside restaurant is delicious. Highly recommended!

Very pretty, very easy hike. And we're not hikers…read more Met some kayakers heading down as we headed back. It's way back in the country.

The falls are closed as of late April 2026. Road is blocked about 2 miles out from town.read more