Review Date
May 5, 2001

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Used product for
Countless times

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

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 resort 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 lines can be long. The tickets are expensive. 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.

One area that could be improved upon is the custmer service. It's not too bad relative to the other ski areas in the SE, but could be greatly improved upon. (Think lift operators and food service!!) Ski Patrol and Ski School were always very good.

Another thing that always bothered me here was the lack of facilities. A little bit of sprucing up I think is in order.

One thing I always liked about Beech was the terrain. There was a pretty good variety and even with long lift lines folks can spread out if every thing was open. One problem area was at the bottom of freestyle (the beginer area). There can be bottlenecks there when the crowds were large.

Another bonus about this place is the Ski School. A great value. The is very true if you are an intermediate or advance skier. Since most folks at that level don't take lessons, you can get a really good deal on a group lesson that will most likely end up as a 1 on 1 lesson. Most of the instructors that teach at that level are pretty good folks too. Heck I think they are always looking for help so, Hey give it a shot !!

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, DoubleDiamond, from Knoxville, Tn, USA

Summary:
No terrain park, short season, short runs, no variety, and the blacks are funny....i am normally an advanced rider, but his place puts me in the triple black diamond according to their ratings. 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 (15 bucks). We head out of school and get up there around 10pm to do the 6pm-midnight . 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 and no terrain. I am of the impression that if you can board here, you can board anywhere. But chances are you will get hurt learning.

Review Date
February 26, 2001

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Used product for
Once

Reviewed by: Kevin, Advanced, from Atlanta, GA

Summary:
Definitely can get in a skiing or riding fix in here. Get there early, the large bus groups spend most of the morning getting rental equipment and start filling the slopes around noon.

Review Date
February 22, 2001

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 2 of 5

Used product for
Once

Reviewed by: Tom, Beginner, from Charlotte, NC, USA

Summary:
Don't go here if you are a beginner. Sugar Mtn., in Banner Elk is a better choice. Better still, go to Winterplace or Snowshoe in WVa

Review Date
January 16, 2001

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
Once

Reviewed by: Jess, Intermediate, from Florida

Summary:
This was the most beautiful resort out of the three we visited on out trip to NC. By far, it beats them in a landslide...you might like this one more if you are a skier though.