Ski Beech Unveils Major Upgrades to Slopes, Infrastructure

December 10, 2008

Ski Beech at Beech Mountain Resort enters its fifth decade with a variety of improvements and new options for winter sports enthusiasts.
The resort has added a new tubing park, a second terrain park, new quad chairs on the Oz lift, two new grooming machines, and 56 high-tech snow guns. Additionally, all reservoir lakes have been dredged to push the mountain’s water capacity to eight million gallons.
The end result, says new director of operations Ryan Costin, will be a vastly improved experience for visitors to Ski Beech and Beech Mountain Resort.
“We’re really making an effort to win back their business and make this a place they want to visit,” said Costin. “A plan is in motion to upgrade the resort for the long haul. Folks will see positive changes this year and in years to come.”
Ryan Costin and his brother, Jack, represent the third generation of the Costin family at Beech Mountain Resort. Their father, John, is president, while their grandfather, Ray, has owned the operation since 1985.
Ryan Costin studied ski resort management at Western State College in Colorado, and he is using that knowledge to spearhead improvements at Beech. He has centralized and streamlined the check-in process for skiers, and placed an emphasis on customer service.
“Although we’ve invested a lot in capital improvements, one thing everybody will notice is our push to improve customer service. It will be at a higher standard than in years past,” Costin said. “All lift operators will wear uniforms for the first time in a few years. And our staff will be focused on helping people on the hill, and off the hill.”
Skiers should also notice the addition of the two new grooming machines for the slopes.
“It is extremely important to be able to maintain the snow quality, especially in the South where you get the constant change of temperatures,” Costin said.
The resort’s director of marketing, Gil Adams, is pleased with what’s taking place.
“To me, the most important thing that is new is a new philosophy,” said Adams. “Everybody in management now is an avid skier and they’re breathing new life into this place.”
Ski Beech at Beech Mountain Resort opened for the season Nov. 22, marking just the second time since 2000 it has opened prior to Thanksgiving.
For resort information, call (800) 438-2093 or visit www.skibeech.com.

Article by Craig Distl; Photo by Debbie Canady