Review Date
December 7, 2003

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Used product for
6-16

Reviewed by: Brad, Advanced

Price Paid: $0.00

Summary:
I have lived near Hawksnest for 5 years, and agree with Lonnie's review below. If you don't expect much, there's a chance you might be surprised. Of course, that's the kind of chance that comes along with me rubbing one off and thinking a genie might magically spew out and grant me a wish to be somewhere like Apex Mtn in BC riding backcountry waist deep powder. That's only happened once though.

Review Date
May 5, 2001

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
Countless times

Reviewed by: Lonnie, DoubleDiamond, from Sandy, UT

Summary:
O.K. folks here is the "Real Deal" review for this resort. I have also skied most of the resorts in the south east and have rated them all for comparison. I worked at Beech for many years. I will be very honest in my opinions. (And no, I wasn't fired, I moved to Utah to follow my skiing passion :-). My time at Beech got me a full time ski teaching job at powder heaven Alta, UT. So not all bad things come out of the SE. Well, here goes.

All of the negative things folks have said about this resort are true. The snow can be bad. The tickets are expensive but not as bad as Sugar and Beech. But folks, this is North Carolina. If you want 3 feet of powder on a regular basis, come ski with me at Alta. Yes the snow blowers are on quite often. How are we going to ski without them ? North Carolina isn't blessed with tons of natural snow. This is also one reason that the tickets are so expensive. Most folks just don't know that it takes many thousands of dollars just to turn the snow guns on (like $10K). So if you turn them of and off for 10 days in a row that's around $100K. Not chump change. That not even considering the money it takes to keep them running or to run the lifts. So I can live with that.

The best thing about Hawksnest is it's terrain. Top Gun is super. It can have some of the best moguls in North Carolina. The folks who work and ski there are also alot of fun. I have many great days at hawksnest when Sugar and Beech were very crowded.

Hawksnest generally opens a little later than Beech or Sugar so their snow can be a little less reliable. But it quite often dosen't get skied off as quickly as the snow at Sugar or Beech. On the filp side I don't think hawksnest grooms as much as the other two. This can lead to inconsistant snow.

If I would not have worked at beech, I would have worked and hawksnest.

If you are looking for a cool and funky vibe and wanting to beat the crowds give Hawksnest a try.
Folks have to look at southern ski areas for what they are. They are pretty good places to learn to ski. I would also say that if you can't get to a big resort, these places will do in a pinch. Don't go and expect Vail or Aspen. That is not the niche that southeastern ski hills play. You can very easily fall in love with a cool sport at one of these places. I know I did.

My Ratings are based on other resorts in the SE. For a National Rating please subtract 1 star.

Review Date
March 1, 2001

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Value Rating
 1 of 5

Used product for
2-5 times

Reviewed by: Nathan Way, Advanced, from Knoxvegas, Tn, USA

Summary:
yeh....well....gotta keep this in perspective. This is the south. It is a great place to go practice i suppose. Day prices are ludicrous, but it is worth it to drive up and go in the evening. We head out of school and get up there around 10pm to do the 10 to 2am night hawk. Don't plan on practiceing carving, but if you are the type who goes to a big resort to ride up and down the terrain park t bar, then that is pretty much what this feels like, just with man made snow. I am of the impression that if you can board here, you can board anywhere.

Review Date
January 16, 2001

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Once

Reviewed by: Jess, Intermediate, from Florida

Summary:
Try the chilly. It's scrumptious!!

Review Date
December 19, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Countless times

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: Patrick Beeson, DoubleDiamond, from Bluffcity, TN, USA

Summary:
Overall this resort is the best in the southeast hands down. The nice people, great terrain, and excellent park provide all the necessary ingrediants for a good time. Come when the snows deep and you won't regret it. Support the ASU Snowboarding Club, and visit Hawksnest!