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Traveling is such a great way to get out and see so many great things! I love long trips, short trips, and everything in between! Last year we went skiing with a friend in Beech Mountain, NC and decided to go back again this year but to make it a full family excursion. It’s about 6 hours from Savannah and makes a great long weekend get-a-way!

Where to Stay

This year we tried a new VRBO and it didn’t disappoint! The place was nice but to be honest we are more concerned with the convenience of ski in/out than how spectacular the rental is. We weren’t right on the slope but only 3 house back and the road was completely level. There was a small sloped path once the paved road ended but overall this place gets a 10/10 for location.  The storage area for all the gear was also great here. There was a small mud room for boots and there was a rack outside the bottom entry way for skis. If my parents decide to go back skiing with us – they skipped this year – I would 100% look to rent this place again!

Lift Passes and Rental Equipment

We skied at Beech Mountain Resort and rented our gear from a local place called Fred’s General Mercantile. If you are going over a holiday weekend, like we did, I would consider buying lift tickets online early. We bought tickets about 3 weeks in advance and didn’t have any trouble with sell outs.

I would also advise getting your rental equipment the night before you plan to ski a full day so you can start the day skiing and not waiting in line for equipment. We stopped when we got into town around 3:30 pm and didn’t have any trouble with lines or the equipment being all rented out BUT when my sister came through around 6:00 pm Fred’s was sold out. She had to call around to several places Saturday morning and ended up having to go back down the mountain about 20 minutes to a place. We learned that White Wolf Lodge does rental reservations so if you are coming in late Friday or Saturday on a busy (holiday) weekend you might want to make a reservation for gear.  Also, you have to be present to rent ski equipment so bring everyone who is planning to ski to the shop!

Skiing Friday Night

I bought lift tickets for Chris and Christopher for Friday night. I knew they would want to ski but between Shauna getting to town after work and not knowing how Ada would do I only bought for them. Man I’m glad I did! Chris and Christopher went out but it got down to 15 and I’m glad I had the “I don’t have a lift ticket” excuse to stay in and keep warm.

Skiing on Saturday

I bought a Beech Pass for Saturday and for Sunday – this pass is an open to close pass – which for us this year was better than the 2 day pass which expires at 5 pm on the 2nd day. Since the walk to the slopes was so easy and the slope we were on was accessible by 2 lifts we were easily able to go in and out for breaks without much hassle. Christopher kept Chris out all day – they came in for an early dinner break around 3:30 and went back out again until dark.

We even got Ada to ski!! She wasn’t a huge fan Saturday but she really wanted to ride the lift so we walked her down, played on the bunny slope some (she hated it), and then rode the lift up to go back to the rental.

Skiing on Sunday

Sunday morning Christopher had Chris back on the slopes bright and early and Ada surprised us all by saying she wanted to go back out and ski more! We were shocked!!! Shauna and I took her out and did 3 runs before she started crying and wanting to go back to the house. All she really wanted to do was build a snowman so we bribed the 3rd run out of her so I would be able to take her down at least one time. Here’s how she skis with Shauna vs. me… lol

She did get to build her snowman.

Looking for other trips from Savannah?

Check out my Cumberland Island Day Trip post, if you are looking for something a little closer to home that doesn’t require an overnight.

We also had a great time recently in Crystal River, Florida. Kayaking and seeing manatee makes a great weekend trip!