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Beech Mountain Brings the ’80s to the High Country with Sixth Annual Totally ’80s Retro Ski Weekend Feb. 23-26

By Bailey Faulkner

It’s almost time for one of the most anticipated weekends in the High Country! Beech Mountain will host its annual Totally ’80s Retro Ski Weekend starting this Thursday, Feb. 23 through Sunday, Feb. 26. Like each year, the event will take crowds from the High Country and beyond to an earlier, neon-dominated era for the weekend of skiing and entertainment.

Skiers at last year’s Totally ’80s Retro Ski Weekend/Photo courtesy of Beech Mountain Resort

The annual event brings together people of all ages and backgrounds for a weekend of pure ’80s fun.

“It gives people the ability to really let loose and have a great time. People from all ages dress up and participate,” said Talia Freeman, marketing director for Beech Mountain Resort. “It is a weekend full of laughs.” 

Thursday, Feb. 23

This year, the weekend will kick off on Thursday with a full day of retro attire on the slopes and “totally tubular snowtubing” that will continue throughout the weekend. From 5 – 9 p.m., the resort will begin the first day of the Ms. Pac Man contest at the Beech Alpen Inn.

The Beech Mountain Brewing Co. will also host an 80’s trivia event on Thursday night. Beech Mountain goers have especially enjoyed trivia night recently.

“Trivia at the Beech Mtn Brewing Co. has been hugely successful all year,” Freeman said. “People will love the ‘name that tune’ round.” 

Thursday will also be the first of three nights of ’80s music. Raleigh-based group Rockzilla will take its power rock to Famous Fast Eddie’s to show off the style that ushered in big hair and even bigger rock showmanship. The show will begin at 8:30 p.m. There will be no cover charge for the event.

Friday, Feb. 24

In addition to another full day of retro skiing and tubing, Friday will continue the Ms. Pac Man competition from 5 – 9 p.m. The Youth Cosmic Sledding event will also take place on Friday at the town’s sledding hill from 6 – 8 p.m.

Friday night will host a retro karaoke contest at Beech Mountain Brewing Co. and a “tap takeover” by Newgrass Brewing Co. Both events will take place from 6 – 8:30 p.m. on Friday night.

The weekend’s second ’80s musical act, Cassette Rewind, will play tunes from the decade at Mile High Tavern on Friday night. Music will start at 9 p.m. with a $5 cover at the door.

Saturday, Feb. 25

Saturday will bring the largest lineup of events for the entire weekend. With retro skiing and tubing continuing throughout the day, retro show cars will be on exhibit in the ski village. A talking Knight Rider KITT car will be displayed alongside an instantly-recognizable stainless steel DeLorean from 10 a.m. – 4p.m. An old school DJ will also break out some old jams at the 5506′ Skybar from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

The Beech Mountain Banked Slalom race will kick off at noon on Saturday, followed by the “Hot Tub Time Machine Trivia Contest” at the Beech Tree Bar & Grille kicking off at 2 p.m. Saturday will also conclude the Ms. Pac Man contest, which will take place from 3 – 5 p.m. A Rubik’s Cube contest will also be held at Beech Mountain Brewing Co. beginning at 4:30 p.m.

Former Winners of the Totally Retro Apparel Contest

The Breakfast Club, the weekend’s third and final ’80s musical act, will take the stage at the Beech Tree Bar & Grille at 7:30 p.m. The band will perform until the beginning of the highly-awaited “Totally Retro Apparel Contest” held at the same location. The contest, arguably the most anticipated event of the weekend, will award $500 dollars to the participant with the flashiest and most eye-grabbing ’80s attire. After the contest, The Breakfast Club will return to the stage to continue the night of ’80s tunes.

Saturday night will conclude with the Late Night ’80s Dance Party held in the Beech Tree Bar & Grille. The night of retro dance and music will begin at 11:30 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 26

Wrapping up the totally rad weekend, Sunday will finish strong with another full day of retro skiing and tubing. In total ’80s fashion, Sunday will host a viewing of classic film Ferris Bueller’s Day Off at Beech Tree Bar & Grille.

If you have never had the chance to attend Totally ’80s Retro Ski Weekend, this year would be a great time to see what this blast from the past is all about. This year’s music will be especially fitting for the weekend.

“I am really pleased with the music talent this year. All three nights have great bands,” Freeman said. 

The weekend forecast is also looking particularly inviting for the annual event.

The weather will be perfect. We have a great base right now and know that our skiers will be happy,” Freeman said. 

Don’t miss out on your chance to travel back in time at Beech Mountain this year! Click here for more information about the weekend and a list of each day’s events.

Check out these pictures from past Totally ’80s Retro Ski Weekends.