Achieving a Year Round “Beech Body”
Photo Credit: Beech Mountain TDA
At the dawn of a new year when health becomes a top priority, Beech Mountain is the perfect destination for those looking for a more active vacation. As the highest town in Eastern America, it is the perfect place for both mental wellness (mountain vistas) and physical fitness goals.
Beech Mountain offers a wide array of activities year-round to keep visitors moving and healthy. From outdoor adventure to indoor classes, there are plenty of options for guests to achieve that “Beech Body” during a getaway.
For the first few months of the year, the ski resort at the center of town, Beech Mountain Resort, offers winter sports where participants can get in a full body workout. The resort offers 17 slopes on 98 skiable acres with plenty of runs for every skill level. Skiing and snowboarding burn 300 to 600 calories per hour depending on the intensity of the courses. The resort offers 17 slopes on 98 skiable acres with plenty of runs for every skill level, with two terrain parks for snowboarders. For those who prefer a quieter and less intense winter option, adventurers can embark on a frosty snowshoe hike through Beech Mountain’s 30 miles of maintained trails. Snowshoeing is fantastic for endurance and agility yet can still burn up to 1,000 calories per hour. Adventurers can embark on a frosty hike through Beech Mountain’s 30 miles of town-maintained trails.
During the warmer spring, summer and fall months, Beech Mountain’s hiking and biking trails give outdoor enthusiasts scenic views and challenging paths. For the mountain biker, Beech has a wide range of biking adventures for all skill levels: 51 miles of designated routes for road cyclists; seven miles of trails for cross-country mountain bikers; and the highest lift-served park east of the Rockies for downhill bikers. Biking burns anywhere from 650 to 1,400 calories per hour, depending on intensity. Hikers can explore some of the same trails at a slower pace. The Emerald Outback offers a myriad of overlooks to enjoy the unobstructed views of the North Carolina mountains with seven miles of trails designed to accommodate all experience levels, from a leisurely stroll to enthusiasts looking to reach new heights. A walk in the woods can provide views of views, flowers and wildlife while burning 400 to 500 calories an hour.
Another thrilling activity offered during these seasons is kayaking/canoeing where visitors can explore glistening lake waters while working core muscles of both the upper and lower body and improving cardiac health. The Buckeye Recreation Center offers free kayak and canoe rentals to residents and visitors alike to burn those 200 to three hundred calories per hour.
During the summer, Beech Mountain has additional seasonal recreational options with disc golf and Mile High Yoga. For a peaceful workout with breathtaking views, Mile High Yoga gives participants all the benefits of a traditional yoga class in an untraditional setting as instructors lead through a cycle of asanas to ensure an increase in strength, posture, relaxation, and inspiration, burning 200-400 calories per hour. While yoga is more of a solitary activity, disc golf provides group competition for friends and family. The Resort’s 18-hole course spans the entire length of the slope, starting at the top and winding its way down, burning 300 calories per hour.
A great outlet for access to indoor recreational pursuits is the 22,500 square foot Buckeye Lake Recreation Center which boasts a fitness center, weight room, basketball and pickleball courts, and a variety of daily classes such as pilates, Zumba or spin. Outdoors, visitors can enjoy hiking trails, kayaking, tennis and basketball courts and guided programming.
With all these options for challenging fresh air activities and the natural relaxation of a scenic, mountain getaway, Beech Mountain assures travelers an authentic wellness retreat. For a seamless trip, the town offers lodging options for groups of all sizes from condos, chalets, and private homes to quaint inns and lodges and is a short drive from most major cities in the Southeast.
For more information, visit www.beechmtn.com
