Beech Mountain Bike Park Opens June 7 for the 2013 Season

April 30, 2012 - Don’t You Love It When a Plan Comes Together!!!! Beech Mtn Bike Park OPEN for Biz!

It’s finally here, after all the speculation and neah-sayers, Beech Mountain Resort will officially open its doors in the summer months with a place for riders to enjoy a bike park in the Carolinas starting Friday June 7 with Grand Opening ceremonies during their Bike, Brews, and Views Festival on July 20/21.

In the nineteen years since two wheels hit the slopes of the mountain way back in 1994, some have said it would never happen. With the challenges and obstacles out weighing the opportunities, it has been a LONG process with plenty of blood, sweat, and tears. Just recently (in the grand scheme of things), 2008 was the year when the light little at the end of the tunnel started to appear on the horizon. That year Ryan Taylor a local Asheville native brought the “Triple Crown” to the resort (a stop on a three race Carolina DH series). This ultimately was the milestone that raised a few eyebrows and kicked off the resurgence for a sustained bike park at the resort. The tipping point that cleared the path would take place just two years later (2010) with a successful bid to hold the US Gravity Nationals on the mountain in 2011 and 2012.

Today, behind the scenes the resort staff has their hands full with plenty “firsts” for the Carolinas What’s new? Kicking off just a few short weeks, the park is holding a “soft” opening June 7 and will be open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from through September 29th. Make sure you clear your schedule, as the party really takes place the weekend of July 20-21 with the official “Grand Opening” of the park. Combined with the Bikes, Brews and Views Festival (now in its third year) it’s guaranteed to be a great weekend of trail riding in the Emerald Outback, getting your competitive fix with Beech Mtn Series Race 1, and kicking back with your favorite beverage while listening to some live tunes. The Beer Fest will take place on Saturday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. located at the ice skating rink in the heart of the resort's Alpine Village. Note that the resort will hold a “Best Beer” contest, as judged by you, the patrons. The bubbly voted the best will become the highlighted beverage during the 2013-14 Fall/Winter ski season at the resort.

"We received such positive feedback the last two years from the beer festival and the biking atmosphere," said Talia Freeman, Marketing Director for Beech Mountain Resort. "So, we decided to take it to another level for 2013. By combining the beer festival with the official grand opening of our mountain biking park, we expect an even bigger turnout this summer."

But wait, there’s more……. Need a set of rental wheels? That’s right, Beech Mountain Resort and Boone-based Magic Cycles have partnered offering a full line of rental rigs, along with a full-service bike shop. Magic Cycles’ new shop will be located inside Ski Beech Sports, just across from the Beech Tree Bar and Grille adjacent to the lower lift house.

Need something else to do to unwind after a full day of pounding the trails? The resort now offers an 18-hole disc golf course. This one-of-a-kind course will be designed and built by Pat Farrell of Disconcepts with Innova discs available for purchase in Ski Beech Sports…. should you come un-prepared.

There are likely too many people to thank either with a small or large hand the success in the number of years that challenge has developed into what it is today: Talia Freeman, Ryan Costin, Christopher Herndon, Ric Wilkenson, Ryan Taylor. Now for those within driving distance in the Southeast region…. It’s your turn to help seal the deal. Come on out for the “soft” opening June 7 and the official Grand Opening on the weekend of July 20-21. Happy Trails!

Event sponsors include: Monster Energy, Cane Creek, GoJammedia, 661, OneBike, Smith, Dakine, Magic Cycles and The North Face.

For more information and a full event schedule, please visit www.beechmountainresort.com

Beech Mountain Race Series:
07-20-13 DS
07-21-13 DH Race 1
08-18-13 DH Race 2
09-28-13 DH Race 3

Summer Hours – June 7 through Sept 29
Friday: 12pm – 6pm
Saturday: 10am – 6pm
Sunday: 10am – 6pm

Lift Ticket Prices:
All Day (Single): $30
Single Ride/ Scenic Lift Ride Ticket: $10
Season Pass: $200

Questions and Answers:
Q: When will the specific details for the Race Series be released?
A: The race dates have been released, but all other information will be releases very soon. Keep an eye out for a FB Event Page, a “Save the Date” from GoJaMMedia, and the information on the Beech Mountain Resort website: www.beechmountainresort.com

Q: Are the Beech Mountain Series Races going to be USAC Sanctioned?
A: Yes, they will be USAC sanctioned races and you can use them as a Nationals qualifier if you haven’t already qualified for 2013 or for 2014 respectively (for events held after the 2013 Nationals).

Q: Where do I register for any of the Beech Series Races?
A: Registration will via the USAC website, details are coming very soon.

Q: How will the class structure be broken down?
A: We will follow USAC Categories and ages groups, then submit the results to USAC shortly after each event. However, we will recognize the class structure as follows at each of the Beech Mountain Series for prizes, etc:
Pro Men
Pro Women
Juniors (Under 17)
Masters (+40)
Ladies (All Ages)
Cat 1/2/3 18-29
Cat 1/2/3 30-39

Q: Where can I purchase season passes/lift tickets? Can they be purchased in person?
A: Starting May 1, 2013 Beech Mountain will start selling season passes. It can be done onsite or by calling 1-800- 438-2093, 1-828-387-2011. Sorry, at the moment we currently do not have an online purchase capability.

Q: Are there plans for trail expansion at the bike park?
A: Yes. There is currently a lot of work to do on the existing trails due to the residual snow amounts and temperatures we’ve been experiencing as of late. Once Mother Nature decides she wants to move into Spring, we will start work on the new trails and maintenance on the existing trails. More details will be published when they are available.

Q: What skill level will the new trails be?
A: That is still TBD. Stay tuned to Beech Mountain Resort’s website: www.beechmountainresort.com for new information as it becomes available.

Q: Who's doing the trail work and how can I help?
A: That is still TBD. There are “trail days” planned (no exact dates just yet) where we will allow those that wish to get their hands dirty as volunteers.

Q: When will the new trail(s) be open?
A: The current plan is to have a new trail and complete the beginner trail by the official “Grand Opening” on July 20 and 21.

Q: Will there be any "Pro" personal bike instruction?
A: Not at this time, but that is something the resort is seriously looking to offer in the future.

Q: Will there be any or is there any skill camps planned?
A: Not for 2013, but that is something the resort is seriously looking to offer in the future.

Q: When will Magic Cycles be open for business at Beech Mountain Resort?
A: June 7th for the park’s “Soft” opening.

Q: What brands will Magic Cycles be carrying and renting?
A: That is still TBD.

Q: Will Magic Cycles have gear for rent as well as bikes? What brands?
A: Yes, gear will be available for rent at Magic Cycles. Brands are still TBD.

Q: What are the rental rates from Magic Cycles?
A: Weekday rental: $65 Half weekday rental: $45, Weekend rental: $85 Half weekend rental: $65. Rentals for less than 4 hours or after 2pm will be given half day rental rate. Rentals of 4 days and longer will be given an additional 20% discount. All rental rates include full face helmet and body armor.

Q: Will there be a retail store to purchase gear?
A: Yes, various brands of bike gear will be available for purchase in Ski Beech Sports, across from the Beech Tree. That will also serve as the location where lift tickets can be purchased.

Q: Where is the disc golf course located?
A: Alll over the slopes

Q: What is the cost to play disc golf?
A: All you need is a Scenic Lift Ride Ticket at a cost of $10.00 to access the course.

Q: Where can I find lodging information?
A: Visit http://www.beechmountainresort.com/mountain/lodging.html

Q: Whom should I contact if I have any questions?
A: Talia L. Freeman, 1-800-438-2093, 1-828-387-2011, info@skibeech.com
Website: www.gojammedia.com
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/GoJAMMedia
Vital MTB: http://www.vitalmtb.com/community/gojammedia,19973/all