Skate Your Worries Away

The High Country offers more than just skiing, so for all those non-skiers, the area provides a great alternative ...
ice skating. With a big boom from snow tubing, the High Country still gets many skaters and lots of interest for its now, three outdoor rinks.

Photo by Mark Mitchell

There’s big news atop the sweet slopes of Sugar Mountain as Sugar Mountain Resort has added a 10,000-square-foot refrigerated outdoor ice skating rink to its selection of winter activities. The ice-skating rink is scheduled to open Nov. 15, 2007 with six daily sessions. sessions are 1 ¾ hours long and are available at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m., and 8:00 p.m. A total of 300 pairs of rental skates are available. Special session bookings can be accommodated upon request. The ice rink is located adjacent to parking lot D and the Tubing Park.

In the middle of a re-created Bavarian village at Beech Mountain, the rink proves to be the heart and soul for many years in Beech Tree Village. If you visit the northwestern mountains in the winter, this is the perfect side trip. A refrigerated ice surface allows the rink at Ski Beech to operate even in marginal temperatures. When snow conditions have been less than ideal, the rink has provided a consistent surface for recreation each winter. Though it may take a little more effort than tubing, it’s an experience visitors keep with them forever.

In 1995, the folks at Appalachian Ski Mountain near Blowing Rock built the High Country’s second outdoor rink. The facility proved an immediate success. Modern refrigeration and a sun-blocking canopy improve the ice condition long into the season.

The rink is a perfect complement to any winter visit at Appalachian Ski Mountain for all groups of skiers and snowboarders.

Skating begins at both rinks daily at noon in season. The two-hour skate sessions conclude with the 7 p.m. skate around. Sessions are at noon, 2:30 pm, and 7 pm.

Price per session at both rinks is $12 with skate rental. Appalachian Ski Mountain though features a group rate of 15 or more skaters for only $9.

Both locations provide skating lessons by appointment. For more information call the rinks at Ski Beech at 387-2011 and Appalachian Ski Mountain at 295-7828.