Elk River Club is buzzing with activity year-round, from trail riding and fishing to tennis and golf, time at the pool or spa, meals shared with friends and more. Our community couldn’t be lovelier thanks to the backdrop of the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains with its many beautiful streams, shimmering lakes and rocky rivers. Each season brings new opportunities to explore the great outdoors with a fresh perspective. In today’s post, we’re covering the seasons at Elk River Club with a special emphasis on winter activities.
Beauty in Every Season
Springtime splendor surrounds our signature Jack Nicklaus golf course with altitudes ranging from 3,450 feet to 4,650 feet. Spring also means mountainsides blanketed with pink and lavender Rhododendron and trails ready for hiking. Summer memories are made poolside and at one of our many outdoor events, complete with delectable food and wine. The colors of fall captivate, from amber to crimson and emerald to ember. Winter calls many of our residents to explore the town of Banner Elk. You’ll find them skiing at one of the nearby mountains or visiting cultural attractions with friends and family.
A Host of Appealing Options
Banner Elk, North Carolina combines small-town charm with modern amenities. There is plenty to do, such as visiting Big Falls with its 50-foot drop or taking little ones to the Tweetsie Railroad to see a vintage steam locomotive. In wintertime, skiing at Sugar Mountain and Beech Mountain is a must-do for many visitors.
Sugar Mountain Resort
Sugar Mountain Resort offers 21 slopes and 125 acres of skiing with a vertical drop of 1,200 feet. Activities also include tubing, a 10,000 square foot refrigerated outdoor ice skating rink and snowshoeing.
Beech Mountain Resort
Beech Mountain Resort is the highest ski area in Eastern America. There are 17 trails and 95 skiable acres along with a 7,000 square foot outdoor rink.
Grandfather Mountain
For those who don’t mind the cooler temps, Grandfather Mountain is open year-round. Their Mile-High Swinging Bridge dates back to 1952 and is America’s highest suspension footbridge, spanning an 80-foot chasm. Grandfather Mountain gift shops carry local crafts and wares for those who wish to bring home a memento.
Cultural Events and Attractions
For theatre, refer to the neighboring Lees-McRae College, The Ensemble Stage and upcoming events at Appalachian State University. Museum-goers have several options, including the Banner Elk House Museum, which takes visitors back to life in the North Carolina mountains in the mid to late 1800s. Grandfather Mountain Nature Museum’s gem and mineral display houses 62 kinds of minerals and 350 specimens. Local art is on display at BE Artists Gallery and Blue Mountain Gallery, where you’ll also find kiln-formed glass, stoneware, pottery and more. Spend the day sightseeing and return home to your mountain sanctuary with a happy heart and full belly!