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May 2024 by Cory Wilkinson
I have been going to Alpine for years and will continue to go back as the service is top notch, Jon and the staff are incredibly knowledgeable on ski and snowboard gear, I have bought both for myself, wife, and kids from Alpine. They are patient on fittings, demos, and are no pressure on the sales side. Without a doubt they have some of the best prices in the high country as well as compared to online. If you are getting gear for yourself or kids Alpine is the best shop around.
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February 2024 by Christina R.
Sabrina, Jennifer, and the owner should all be ashamed of how this business is run. Three separate families coming from three separate states planned a trip to this resort MLK weekend. We spent weeks of planning, and hours trying to figure out how to properly book on their website due to it being a holiday weekend. We were told three different rates over the phone and were told we could not send a friend to buy in person, nor buy on the same day. Upon arrival, we received minimal assistance, followed by rude associates. The few sympathetic associates told a few of our guests to go to guest services to try and clear up our issues. There we were greeted with not only more rudeness but denied a refund or credit to come back although their lack of customer service led us to the situation we were in. They even asked me to point the employees out who suggested I request such. We emailed and called after the trip, only to be hung up on or transferred. The outcome came from the owner, who agrees with Jenifer and Sabrina, that this is "our fault".
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January 2024 by Elizabeth S.
This might be a nice little place for beginners on weekdays but wow, this place is not set up to handle weekend crowds. Here are some pros and cons to help you decide where to spend your time and money skiing in WNC: Pro: You can purchase your LIFT CARD and sign your waivers online before you arrive, making it very fast to get on the slopes. Pro: The wide RUNS were great for beginners and those who want to avoid beginners since there was enough room to safely pass them. Pro: Lift OPERATORS seemed safety focused and were paying attention. Pro: Most STAFF were friendly and helpful. There were several who acted too busy/ important to talk. Pro tip: take your nametag off if your job does not include being nice to the public. Pro: The FOOD was tasty and not as outrageously priced as some places. Con: PARKING and DROP OFF. There is no drop off close to the lodge. You have to walk pretty far with your gear. You also have to pay $2 for parking which just feels like they are trying to squeeze their guests. Con: This is the only ski resort we've been to that doesn't offer a half day lift ticket. You have to buy a full-priced full-day ticket. We spent $150 to ski for 2 hours before the wind got too bad to ski. It seems bonkers not to have the half day option for a place with beginners who usually aren't up for a full day. Con: This is NOWHERE TO SIT indoors! This is just shocking for a place that brands itself as family friendly: This resort has ZERO indoor seating for people who are not actively eating in the restaurant dining areas. We watched staff continuously kick people out who had finished eating or who brought their own snacks. "No picnicking" signs are everywhere. That is perfectly reasonable for a restaurant but not for a ski resort! Where are people supposed to go?? Case in point: we watched a mother with 2 young children whose husband and older children were skiing be told she couldn't sit at the table if she was done eating. The food line is easily 10-15 minutes long and people are swooping in on tables as soon as you get up. Was she supposed to leave her toddlers at the table while she went to buy more food when they weren't even hungry? Take them and hope no one took her table? Then what, after they finished their second round of food? Go sit outside in the 7 degree weather? It makes absolutely no sense. It must be a new policy because so many people were upset and vowed never to come back. Con: There are no ski/ board racks at the entrance of the lodge. Skis and snowboard are not allowed in the main part of the lodge. You have to drag your gear all the way downstairs, through long hallways then outside to stow your gear while you check in, eat, use the restroom, etc. One staff member said we could leave our gear near the entrance while we got settled but I honestly have no idea what other people do other than drag it all the way through the building and outside then come back. It seems like the vast majority of people are first timers and rent their gear so maybe this isn't an issue for the masses but still, it seems like a big oversight. Overall: We give this place a C- Not a failing grade, but we know they can do much, much better
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January 2024 by Ariana D.
"It is not protocol for us to stop the lift" my daughter got hurt here today because they did not stop the lift when she fell getting off the lift and her snowboard twisted around her; they then had the audacity to tell me it didn't happen and that they watched the footage and that the lift was stopped and my daughter stood up and boarded off. They lied straight to my face. I had them pull the footage again in front of me which showed they never stopped it and my daughter going down and board twisting around her because of it and then their response changed to it's not protocol for us to stop the lift. I also requested a copy of the footage which they denied me. I went in and spoke to them about this so they could correct the girl operating the lift so it doesn't happen to anyone else and they could have cared less. Someone is going to get seriously hurt at this mountain!! This was extremely disappointing and I highly recommend you go anywhere else if you care about yours or someone else's safety. The people in the first aid area are fantastic though! So thank you to them for helping my daughter and actually caring.
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November 2023 by Amy Doster
Wonderful staff who will answer all of your questions.
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March 2023 by TDawg2214
We stayed at Sugar mountain, but wanted to try Appalachian resort to take the kids ice skating. Website required advanced reservations and payment, so we booked the evening before our visit. Woke up to a snowstorm and were unable to make it safely up the mountain. I requested a refund due to living out of state and only being in town for another day. Request was denied. Offered a credit that I won’t be using. Awful policy/customer service. We’ll be staying at Sugar or Beech if we return.
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March 2023 by Anna S.
I have been here many times over the last several years with my most recent trip being last month. I went with my husband for his first ever ski trip. Being that he has never skied before, we signed up for the beginner ski lesson. This is what their website recommends, but I would not. If you are an adult and have an athletic bone in your body I would recommend just skipping to intermediate, even if you have never skied before. Our group lesson was full of children all below age 7 and could not even stand up with their skis on. So we did not get very much attention from our instructor, though she did her best (not her fault). All other adults were in the intermediate classes. So that was kind of a waste of time for us. We went on a Saturday, and it was the last weekend in February so I thought there was a chance it would be less crowded. But I was wrong. We still had to dodge tons of people. I was also surprised to see more freestyle slopes than I remember, which makes the other slopes even more crowded. There are now only 3 slopes you can go on not counting freestyle and bunny slope. That was kind of lame in my opinion. I think if we go again we'll try Beech of Sugar next time. I like the lower cost of proximity to Boone, but I think it would be worth it to have more slopes to go down.
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March 2023 by Qiongqiong M.
I saw a lot of conflicting reviews but I truly think it's a really fun ski resort. I came on a weekday day in early March, it was empty. I was able to have some of the skii slopes all to myself!!! Instructors were so helpful. Definitely got better and was able to go on harder blues one after the lesson! Food was surprisingly good. Slopes were made of fake snow for sure and melted during lunch but it's not really their fault since temp has been weird this yr. Overall I had lots of fun here! I always come here because it's closer to Chapel Hill where I live.
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February 2023 by Skye D.
For a small, east coast experience, it was great! Drive from Atlanta with three 13-year-olds and two 19-year-olds. The younger kids needed snowboard lessons and they were effective and affordable. Rental helmet, boards, and boots were good quality and the customer service was positive. The kids liked the food selection. The place is small enough that they can be independent and there's just enough variety to keep them entertained for a week. We were pleasantly surprised at how well the slopes were maintained and how deep the snow was, even when the temps got warm (like 60 degrees!) Will definitely go again next time we wait too long to get tickets to CO.
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February 2023 by Chaz C.
We had a terrible experience. Girlfriend was new to skiing and the hope was that she could get a group lesson and utilize the beginner hill. instructor was worthless in getting her any preparation during group lesson. "private" lesson area is right next to a run where people are flying down the slope and causing colissions. The public bunny hill (area for beginners) is so crowded that even once you wait 30+ minutes for the lift, there's so many people on the little hill that there's nowhere to ski. People were fighting in line because the staff (or lack thereof) is not doing anything to facilitate line movement, and people start to cut due to wait times. I have no idea what type of skier would want to come here. It's not beginner friendly and it's definitely not for a intermediate or advanced skier given there are only 2 very small runs. The place is understaffed and very overbooked. Rental gear was mediocre at best. Very clearly trying to squeeze out every last dollar that they can. It also reeks inside
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February 2023 by Kerri W.
EVERYONE (parking attendants, food service, rentals, etc) was so friendly and helpful. This was the first time our kids had skied, so there was a lot of questions, and we weren't the fasting moving folks around. No one seems to mind. Even the other people skiing were friendly and helpful. This made for a fantastic family vacation. We will definitely be back! Our kids were planning our next trip before we even left the parking lot.
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February 2023 by Chuck C.
We took our 9 year old daughter to the skating area today, the worker Skylynn was phenomenal we can't say enough about her. She was the only one there, and she got out and helped every one of the kids that were on the ice. Not because people paid for lessons just because she said she loves helping the kids. She is a model for hospitality jobs and went above and beyond. She made our daughters' day, thanks so much.
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January 2023 by Peggy K
What a fun family ski experience. Impressed with online reservation and purchase process, parking and traffic support, well marked directions and a staff that could adjust to holiday crowds, making a busy holiday weekend of skiing still fun.
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January 2023 by Hallie C
I grew up skiing at App Ski Mountain and recently brought my 2 1/2 year old daughter for her first time skiing. The staff were all incredibly helpful and friendly. I also spoke with managers Jennifer and Sharon who were so kind and assisted with all our needs. My nephews and nieces had ski school classes for which they had excellent instructors and thoroughly enjoyed. I cannot recommend App Ski Mountain enough. The slopes are well maintained, the instructors are wonderful, the staff are friendly and helpful which all make for a much more enjoyable experience.
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January 2023 by lesley reed
These guys are the best! Their customer service is superb and they know their stuff. We don’t ski at App unless our kids are racing and I choose to come here for gear instead of the numerous ski shops in Banner Elk. I have purchased numerous items including boots, skis, poles and clothing and have been happy with price and quality. I was thrilled to be able to demo the skis I wanted to buy. They have always shown patience in selecting what is best for me and I have never felt pressured to buy. Keep doing what you are doing and we will be back year after year. Thank you for your exceptional service!
