Continental Divide Retreat on Apple Mountain Airbnb/VRBO

09/02/2025

Sunsets,

One of the great things about living on the top of a mountain is enjoying sunsets. When we live in areas surrounded by structures and trees, we often forget that beautiful sunsets (and sunrises) are happening without us being able to enjoy them.

Every evening presents something different.

As Anna, our granddaughter, noted one time when she was very young, "Papa, the mountains never change, but they change every day".

And sunsets are always part of those changes.

10/13/2024

To those who may have stayed at our Mountain Retreat on Apple Mountain and visited downtown Spruce Pine: Hurricane Helene devastated Spruce Pine, Mitchell County and Western North Carolina.

Mountaineers are a tough breed, but this got the best of many of them. Some lost everything, all lost something.

The Continental Divide Retreat is at 3,500 feet, so we did not suffer what those in the valleys did.

We have lost electricity, water, and the Internet for a while, but we suffer nothing compared to many.

It will take a while for things to return to the new noraml.

But our (and your) retreat above the clouds still has beautiful sunsets and the quiet you can only experience by being there..

06/06/2024

When my Granddaughter, Anna, was about 4 years old, she observed "Papa, the mountains never change, but they change every day. That is so true!

I love to sit and watch the clouds dancing with the sun as it closes in on the horizon. And the beauty changes every minute, not just every day.

I do love

05/31/2024

A couple times a year our family gets to enjoy the Airbnb - we set aside a week or two to perform upgrades and maintenance on the house, all while soaking in one of the best views in the world!

Last summer a few of our big projects were installing a picnic table on the back deck, fixing the weather station on the roof, purchasing new games, and reflooring the basement. We've got great plans for this week and can't wait to share them with you! For now, enjoy the view :)

Book your mountain getaway on Airbnb or VRBO today!
Airbnb: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/21237355?gclid=Cj0KCQjwuNemBhCBARIsADp74QT-Pkxl14-vBC_w-CCvD2oehYDlrjjFowXOTmqt2FrYO8KtCB6E4xUaAnsdEALw_wcB&source_impression_id=p3_1717127029_ToFmnlmo9zgD5nFs
VRBO: https://www.vrbo.com/1642417

05/20/2024

Summer is one of our favorite times of year in the Blue Ridge Mountains! We still have some availability in July and August if you're looking for a way to cool down and recharge!
Book your retreat today on Airbnb: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/21237355?gclid=Cj0KCQjwuNemBhCBARIsADp74QT-Pkxl14-vBC_w-CCvD2oehYDlrjjFowXOTmqt2FrYO8KtCB6E4xUaAnsdEALw_wcB&source_impression_id=p3_1716169933_qtHeTFiXa95sbo%2Fe

PS: Average July temperatures in Spruce pine are a high of 83 degrees and a low of 60... how nice does that sound?!

04/24/2024

Summer is Coming! Book your vacation with Continental Divide Retreat on Apple Mountain Airbnb/VRBO and relax in the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains!

And if you love rhododendrons as much as we do, June is your month! Bakersville, NC will be hosting their 77th annual Rhododendron festival June 21-22nd but you can catch them all over town all month long 🙂

Fun fact, we’ve even planted several rhododendron bushes (sourced locally) off the back porch for you to enjoy!

Find us on Airbnb (https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/21237355?source_impression_id=p3_1713984706_%2F9LXuBvV5O%2BKhs8n) or VRBO (https://www.vrbo.com/1642417)

12/02/2023

12/02/2023

We've had some mild rain today, but it's clearing up, and we are excited to announce that we're opening tomorrow. While there's some forecasted rain for tomorrow, we've got a solid snow base, and hey, it's the mountains—the weather can change on a dime.

See you at 9 a.m. tomorrow, and for all you early risers getting first chair, we've got some goodies and giveaways waiting for you!

Here's what's open tomorrow.👉

Lifts Open: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Lifts:
Play Yard Carpet
Lift 1
Lift 3
Lift 5

Terrain Open:
Play Yard
Freestyle
Crossover
Upper-Lower Shawneehaw
Amenities:

Beech Mountain Brewing Company Brewhouse
Ski Beech Sports Retail
The Lodge Cafeteria and Bar
5,506'

Ticket and Pass Information:
Administration is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for season pass pick-up. If you purchased a ticket online, redeem it at the pick-up box (PUB) located at the upper or lower ticket booth.
Lift Schedule:

Important Note:
Early access for season pass holders starts on Saturday, December 9.

12/02/2023

The weekend is here and the Parkway is calling...

Scenes like this one, though, are more frequent in the winter and necessitate short- and sometimes long-term closures in the interest of public safety until the road is safe for travel. No one wants to come around the curve to a solid sheet of ice at nearly 5000' elevation. So, it's essential to proceed with caution and plan ahead.

Road status information is updated daily and is available on the Parkway's website at nps.gov/blri.

A parkway closed to cars offers a unique opportunity for hikers to enjoy a hike on the roadway itself. This gives a chance to enjoy the solitude and quiet of the parkway without vehicle traffic—including walking through and photographing tunnels and enjoying roadside vistas in peace. If you choose to recreate behind closed gates, remember to keep dogs on leash and be sure not to leave your car behind in a way that blocks parkway gates.



NPS Image - Blue sky pops through wintry trees that line a curved section of the Parkway. The milepost marker to the left of the scene indicates MP366, and the road is lightly covered with snow and ice. Photo taken November 28, 2023.

12/02/2023

OPENING DAY for the slopes. Thanks to this cold snap, 10-30 inches of man-made powder coat 6 of 20 trails: Northridge, Switchback, Upper and Lower Flying Mile, Easy Street, and Magic Carpet area. The high-speed, six-passenger Summit Express chairlift, four-passenger Easy Street chairlift and Magic Carpet conveyor lift are running. Today's high 22 on summit, wind chill around zero The full-day session of skiing runs 9 AM-4:30 PM. Half-day shift is 12:30-4:30 PM. Twilight and night skiing in coming weeks. Snowsports school, rental shop, sports shop and childcare are open. Ice Skating is open, the tubing park opens soon. See our Ski Resort Insiders Guide: https://seesugar.com/ski/