Snowbird Mountain Lodge

Tom and I spent our 4^th anniversary at the lodge on Memorial Day weekend of this year (2014) and I have nothing but glowing reviews for the staff and accommodations of Snowbird Mountain Lodge. It is well worth the money spent!
We own an independent Euro repair shop in Concord, NC and the lodge was about a 4 hour drive so by the time we arrived it was almost 10pm. The staff was welcoming and eager to please when we arrived. We quickly settled into our room in Chestnut Lodge and then returned to the main lodge for the most amazing desserts and drinks before retiring for the evening. Will and Blue helped arrange our lunches for the following day and were extremely happy to help.
Our bungalow was beautiful and there was even a stunning arrangement of roses and chocolates waiting for me on the bedside table that had been worked out by Tom and the staff ahead of time! We greatly enjoyed the peace and quite while soaking in the private hot tub on the balcony. The gas fireplace even comes with a remote so you can turn it on and off from the bed!
The views were breathtaking and it was a welcome change from the chaos of everyday life. If you are a driver, the area is a must see! The surrounding roads are some of the best twisties you will ever find along the Cherohala Skyway, Tail of the Dragon and Moonshiners 28. The staff will make sure you have maps as there is no signal along the mountain roads.
I highly recommend Snowbird Lodge to anyone wanting to escape the madness and will certainly be making return trips in the future.
Just to prove the hospitality of these folks, we accidentally forgot our camera battery and gopro remote plugged in the room and by the time we realized it and called the lodge, they had already mailed it back to us! These folks even offer a BMWCCA discount! We couldn’t be happier with our visit and encourage everyone to check it out!

The place is everything it says it is in the ads, both written and TV. Nothing seems to be over looked. The owner made the round of tables at supper each night. The breakfast and supper dining was very good with several choices to select from. The lunch in a bag was generous. The staff were all personable and helpful. The only thing that didn’t cooperate was the weather and that was ok because we had great rooms with a good view or the lodge with reading and games. The cell signal for AT&T is zero or one bar. Verizon is a little better. Wifi was adequate. We will be going back as the opportunity permits. Attention to detail seems to be their motto.
One other note, if you attempt to drive to the lodge using a cell phone signal and map, forget it. Satellite GPS safer.

This is our 2^nd visit, and last. We came in 2010 on Mother’s Day wkend and it was nice but pricey for a rustic lodge with good but not great meals.
I recall from the previous visit that the innkeeper, Robert Rankin, was stuck up and now, July 2012, he is the same. When I ask questions about things to do in the area he is condescending and a tad snotty. Today I went in to ask about the webcam they have and he could barely look up from his mail to answer me, in the shortest syllables possible. Sandra, the front desk lady, is also as little helpful as possible.
Our dinner seating Friday nite was 7:30 and Sandra took us to a table inside. We asked for a table on the enclosed porch and she said it would take ten or fifteen minutes to get it ready. I called her bluff and said we’d wait. I glanced at my watch and 3 minutes later we were seated on the porch.
At 7:30 (they stop serving at 8:30, by the way) they were already out of one of the appetizers. They bragged about the large t-​bone so I ordered that. It was large sure enough, but not especially tasty or tender so I asked for steak sauce. Waitress told me they don’t have any as the chef thinks the meat will stand on its own. I would think that I could be the judge of that.
Bkfst this morning it took a while for my wife to get coffee and skim milk, and «fresh fruit» tasted stale and canned. Biscuits with gravy were good, scrambled eggs ok, and grits avoidable.
Summary: a nice place in a nice setting but the owner and staff need to go to hospitality school to learn the meaning of hospitality, and work on friendliness.

This was our second stop for my partner’s birthday road trip. I had originally booked it because they had a firefly walk listed to coincide with his actual birthday, and because we both really wanted to see the synchronous fireflies. I double checked their activity schedule a week or so before we set off only to see it no longer listed. A call to their staff and I was informed that the original tour guide was ill, but that the lodge owner would be taking guests himself. That pretty much sums up the place, they’ll do all they can in order to make your stay everything you’re looking for.
The food was delicious, the bartender was great and the bar was nicely stocked, and our room was exceptionally cozy. My partner called it «posh camping» because you get to go trek around in the wilderness all day, come back to a lovely steam shower, eat wonderful food, sit out looking at the gorgeous scenery and then go soak in the hot tub before crawling into bed. They even provide you with a pack lunch, maps, activities, and plenty of things for a rainy day as well. The staff was wonderful, down to Gracie the cat, who let us pet her as we watched night time fall from the front porch of the lodge.
We’ll definitely be back!

My husband and I have visited the Lodge at least 7 times, recently going twice a year. We have enjoyed our stays. Last month we arrived after a days drive and were informed our visit was scheduled for a week later. There was no room in the inn for us. We showed a confirmation letter that confirmed our arrival date as correct. There was no attempt to locate other accommodations for us, so we left to go home. We received no followup from Snowbird offering apology or returning our deposit. Two weeks later we called them and were told they would refund the money.
My advice is to call immediately before you leave to ensure your accommodations are awaiting you.

Spent the weekend at Snowbird Mountain Lodge over July 4^th and had a wonderful visit. Snowbird is located about as far West as you can get in North Carolina near Robbinsville. Accommodations range from rooms in the main lodge to creek-​side cabins and cottages. Prices include all meals and the meals are good.
During our stay breakfasts consisted of one main course such as an omelet or pancakes and then several sides such as bacon and grits. There were cereals, fruits, and yogurts also available in a buffet style. Sitting out on the porch was a great way to enjoy breakfast.
Lunches are packed and ready for pickup each morning for you to take out on your daily adventure. The lunch includes a sammie, and you can add pickles, chips, fruit and cookies if you desire. The sandwich choices included a cucumber creamcheese on wheatberry that was excellent and an old fashion PB&J that was enjoyable after our hike. The amount of food and size of the sandwiches is sure to quell any post morning hiking activities and induce a blissful early afternoon nap.
Dinner menu had a choice of beef, pork, chicken, fish or vegetarian that changed up daily. Each day the menu changes but includes these main meats. We enjoyed homemade lobster ravioli, steaks, mountain trout, and pork schnitzel — everything was delicious.
You do not have to stay at Snowbird to eat in the restaurant, I believe the price fixed menu was about $ 35 per person.
The food was good and the digs relaxing and beautiful — I would come back for another visit!

We went for a quiet weekend away from the Piedmont. As the other reviewer says it is quite a drive, frankly very beautiful to drive. We got a little side tracked (drinks in Asheville) on the way there and got a call from the hotel that we would need to get there by 6:30 for dinner since they had so few people in the inn for the night. This was not possible as the earliest we could get there was 7:30 at our current spped (15 miles over the posted limits).
The website said dinner was served to 8:30 so we became a little up-​tight and did not want to cause a scene by being late, but we had no option. When we did get there at 7:20ish there were maybe 10 — 12 tables in various stages of eating.
The front desk person said it was okay to go to the room and grab a quick shower before dinner (so what was the big rush earlier?). Dinner was actually quite good. My girlfriend and I try (I say try becuase it’s hard) to limit oily, buttery, heavy meat meals because we travel so much. No such luck here (lots of heavy cream, butter, oil, sauces, etc.) on pretty much every entrée. I had no issues eating and it was quite good, but I think for the price paid they should have some healthy alternatives but it is an old-​school kinda place.
The vibe here is retiree meets Harley Davidson with a splash wealth and Grandma’s old Log Cabin. The service is just okay, don’t expect polished or refined. The front desk lady (who’s been there for like 10 years) isn’t warm and engaging but will answer pretty much any questions you have.
We were there for Memorial Day and they had a kick ass Bluegrass band. the room was okay, a bit dark and old smelling (no mildew or mold) just musty… but hey its an old, very old log cabin. the walls are paper thin so keep the evening playing to a minimum unless you want the old people looking at you at breakfast…
I don’t think I’d go back unless someone else is paying or they significantly update their menu options. You have very limited options for bfast and are kinda stuck eating there since you paid for it and there is nothing else in site.
Our bill was $ 1196 for 3 nights in an average room (but comfy bed) a bottle of wine and 5 mixed drinks. Roughly $ 400 a night for 2 people, not cheap by any measure but the views are killer and it is 10 degrees cooler there than whatever weather site you go to says it is.
There are a ton of motorcycles that ride down the Cherehola Skyway and during the sunlight you will hear each of them go by since the hotel is just up the hill from this entrance. if it were not for the motorcycles it would be extremely peaceful.
If you haven’t been (which is probably why you are reading this) it may be worth trying it on your own and forming you own opinions. I tend to have higher expectations than average.

We booked a long weekend at Snowbird Mountain Lodge after seeing a story about it on WUNC’s, «NC Weekend.»
Located near Nantahala National Forest, the Cherokee National Forest, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park it is a perfect long weekend getaway. Be warned tho, it is a six hour ride from Raleigh.
Your daily rate includes three meals a day (one being a picnic lunch in a backpack or paper sack) and use of a wide variety of sporting, fishing and boating equipment. Hiking, kayaking, and biking are all close by.
The lodge is a beautiful building of post and beam constructed in the early 1940s. Rooms are spotless, wood paneled, fairly small, and offer great views of the mountains. It is definitely a place to relax as there are no TVs or telephones…
The dining experience is described as rustic and elegant and it is exactly that. The cooked to order breakfasts were excellent. We had eggs benedict one morning, pancakes the next and a veggie omelet the third.
The sack lunches were very good. You had a choice of four or five different sandwiches each day (including home made pimento cheese spread) along with chips, a pickle and a home made cookie.
The four course dinners were very nice. Each evening you get the choice of a beef, chicken, fish and pork entrée. I think the highlight was the local trout. Excellent!
They have an excellent wine list, local beer on tap and a great selection of single malt scotch. The bartender is excellent! He free pours a mean drink. Be sure to pay him a visit.
We visited over the 4^th of July weekend and never felt crowded. The large main room and many porches/​decks all offered great mountain views and inviting spots to relax. It was definitely a nice getaway.