WNC IS MADE BY MOUNTAINS

Play Movie

With unmatched natural assets and a community intimately engaged in the outdoors, Western North Carolina is the outdoor industry hub of the East. Step in for a closer look at places, people and companies that are made by mountains.

Made By Mountains Stories

Leah Wong Ashburn

The history of creative makers runs so deep in our area that I think Highland Brewing was born by these inspiring surroundings.

Read Leah’s story

David Billstrom

Bicycle brands like to be based in beautiful locations when they can, but most can’t.

Read David’s story

The Fire Mountain Trails / Provided

Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle

There is a sensibility to this area that for me, is rooted in having value for this place.

Read Annette’s story

Making outdoor adventure accessible
/ SylvanSport

Thrive Here

These mountains have made dreamers and doers, tinkerers and builders, industry leaders and pioneers.

Find a Career in the Outdoor Industry

Lush forests blanket our WNC mountains / Matthew Larkin

These Mountains

Western North Carolina

Explore What Makes These Mountains Special

Join Us

Get Involved to Enhance Your Community’s Natural Assets, Grow Your Business and Partner with the MADE X MTNS Brand.

Explore Ways To Get Involved

Here are some highlights from an inspiring ribbon-

Here are some highlights from an inspiring ribbon-cutting event yesterday in Old Fort, celebrating the GRAND OPENING of the Old Fort Trails Project. The first 6 miles of what will encompass a 42-mile network of hike, mountain bike, and horse trails is now open to the public, located in the Grandfather District of Pisgah National Forest. This project serves as a national case study on how inclusivity and public-private partnerships can drive an outdoor recreation economic resurgence. Congratulations to all the partners involved. @g5trailcollective @campgrier

We’re so excited to join the celebrations of the

We’re so excited to join the celebrations of the Grand Opening of The Old Fort Gateway Trails this Sunday, June 26!

Join the community, the @u.s.forestservice, @g5trailcollective, @kitsbow, @campgrier, Eagle Market Streets Development, People on the Move Old Fort and partners, all convening to celebrate completion of the first six miles of the Old Fort Trails Project. The ribbon cutting happens at 1pm at the new trailhead off Curtis Creek road. Enjoy hiking, riding, and running on these new trails followed by a reception at Hillman Beer in Old Fort at 4:00pm.

We’ll be there with our MADE X MTNS tent and @outdoorgearbuilderswnc! Come be a part of the trail magic!

The community of Old Fort is uniting to stage an economic resurgence through outdoor recreation.

📍Old Fort Gateway Trailhead, 1500 State Road 1227, Old Fort, NC

#madexmtns #oldfortnc #g5trailcollective #oldforttrails

Did you know Western North Carolina is within a on

Did you know Western North Carolina is within a one day drive of 50% of the United States population? Over 178 million people!

Accessibility, paired with epic seasonal beauty and communities that value outdoor recreation as a driver makes WNC a world class destination for hikers, campers, climbers, cyclists, mountain bikers, paddlers, anglers, and more. We are made by these mountains.

#madexmtns

Which mountain views will you be chasing this week

Which mountain views will you be chasing this weekend? With a cooler front coming into WNC after this scorcher of a week, we’re excited to head to the higher elevations! 🙌 We hope you enjoy a great #dadsday weekend outdoors with those who matter most to you.

#madexmtns

Calling all creatives! This #outdoor #contentcreat

Calling all creatives! This #outdoor #contentcreator opportunity is for you!

The @appalachian_adventure_company is hosting a Content Creators Camp July 8-11, 2022 in Western NC! Designed for #storytellers, it combines the fun of summer camp with a master-class experience in content creation. Join hosts, Shannon Davis (successful freelance writer and editorial leader at Backpacker, Climbing, and REI) and Steven Reinhold (the AAC Founder, outdoor photographer and content creator) on an immersive, experiential course that begins with an overnight backpack to a favorite local spot in Western North Carolina and continues with a two night stay at the rustic, mountaintop Cabins at Sandy Mush Bald.

As a participant, you’ll walk away with a master-class level experience in content creation from various sellable forms of writing, to field and product photography, including adventure narratives, skills and how-to, gear reviews, trip reports and social media copy. Campers will receive an introduction into adventure photography and explore the elusive business skills needed to nail the pitch process and establish a successful career as a content creator.

More info and registration cost at: https://www.theaacsite.com/trails

#contentcreation #outdooradventures #outdooractivities #backpacking #writerscommunity
#wnc
#wncoutdoors
#wncadventures
#visitnc
#contentcreator
#contentmarketing
#backpacking
#hiking
#hikingadventures
#getoutside
#gooutsidenc

This epic weekend is made by the beautiful mountai

This epic weekend is made by the beautiful mountains in Swain and Graham Counties — biking Tsali Recreation Area with @dirtskrrts and celebrating 50 years of @nantahalaoutdoorcenter!

Thanks to everyone who stopped by our booth to talk about #madexmtns, @outdoorgearbuilderswnc, and how we can strengthen the #outdooreconomy with #outdoorrecreation, #outdoorinfrastructure, #outdoorcommunity and #outdoorindustry together in Western North Carolina.

#nantahalaoutdoorcenter #noc50th #noc #swaincountync #tsalirecreationarea #mtb #grahamcountync #fontanalake #visitnc #visitwnc

We’re looking forward to celebrating 50 years of

We’re looking forward to celebrating 50 years of family fun and adventure at the Nantahala Outdoor Center Jubilee, this Saturday, June 11th! What started in 1972 as a small operation in the Nantahala Gorge has grown to a full-scale adventure experience with multiple outposts and a range of activity options both on and off the river — gaining regional, national and international recognition. Come see us in the community village from 1-5 at NOC’s main campus!

#madexmtns #natahalaoutdoorcenter #noc #nantahalagorge #nantahalariver

Whether traveling on feet or wheels, we hope you e

Whether traveling on feet or wheels, we hope you enjoyed celebrating #nationaltrailsday on the trail in Western North Carolina this weekend!

#madexmtns #wnc #trailsday #happytrails

Welcome to new @outdoorgearbuilderswnc Executive D

Welcome to new @outdoorgearbuilderswnc Executive Director, Matt Godfrey! If his face looks very familiar, that's because it is! For many years, Matt has been an advocate, business leader, connector, and educator in our outdoor industry. He is a huge supporter of WNC: MADE X MTNS; and, an expert facilitator of the @mtnbizworks Waypoint Accelerator, an outdoor entrepreneurship and innovation accelerator program for early-stage, outdoor-focused companies.

We look forward to continuing our aligned step with the Outdoor Gear Builders as we build upon solid foundations to expand WNC's opportunity-filled Outdoor Industry Hub of the East, vibrant and empowered outdoor communities, and diverse and inclusive outdoor culture. Congrats Matt!

See the press release for more detail: outdoorgearbuilders.com/ogb-welcomes-matt-godfrey-as-executive-director

#madexmtns #wnc #outdoorgear #outdoorindustry #outdoorindustrynews

We hit the road with @mtnbizworks to Franklin yest

We hit the road with @mtnbizworks to Franklin yesterday to join the Southwestern Commission to celebrate communities that received investment through Opportunity Appalachia in real estate and/or business expansion projects that support community strategies for economic restructuring and diversification. While in town, we had the opportunity to check out local Cherokee heritage site, the Nikwasi Mound, and the Little Tennessee River Greenway. Local culture, craft food & beverage, outdoor infrastructure, revitalized Main Streets, and wayfinding means that link trails to towns are key ingredients to build vibrant outdoor communities.

#madexmtns #southwesterncommission #buildingoutdoorcommunities #wnc

Sometimes taking the “wrong way,” is absolutel

Sometimes taking the “wrong way,” is absolutely the right way to create something new and beautiful. Thanks to Shelton & Joe at @wrongwaycampground for showing our team around, and sharing their stories of #resilience and #creativity as they gear up for their August opening. Every inch of this property is planned with a focus on #environmental responsibility, #sustainability and #hospitality to visitors and the local community alike. We can’t wait to see this pillar of adventure in Asheville come to life!

#madexmtns #wrongwayriverlodge #wrongwaycampground #asheville #ashevillenc

This moment of zen, brought to you by Hickory Nut

This moment of zen, brought to you by Hickory Nut Gorge and Chimney Rock State Park. We hope you’re enjoying this Memorial Day Weekend outside! ☀️

#madexmtns #hickorynutgorge #chimneyrockstatepark #chimneyrocknc

Happy Weekend! We're sure glad to see the sun agai

Happy Weekend! We're sure glad to see the sun again after a few days of intense rain...just in time for the holiday weekend! How do you plan to spend your next few days outdoors?

In the interest of sharing impactful content, particularly as we embark on our exciting Building Outdoor Communities programming, we've created a LinkedIn Page. If you're a LinkedIn user, do us a favor and give us a follow at: http://linkedin.com/company/madexmtns

#madexmtns #wnc #wncmountains

@mtnbizworks Invested Class and Waypoint Accelerat

@mtnbizworks Invested Class and Waypoint Accelerator cohort graduate @northcovedgc is gearing up for a busy summer expanding and operating their 157 acre property in McDowell County as a premier outdoor recreation and entertainment hub, and globally renowned Disc Golf destination. Learn more about the beautiful land, the North Cove story, and the opportunity that exists in this next big tourist corridor and Appalachian gateway: http://thenorthcove.com

#madexmtns #northcovediscgolf #northcoveleisureclub #outdoorgearbuilderswnc #mcdowellcountync #discgolf #outdoorrecreation #wnc

What does a workforce and a waterfall have in comm

What does a workforce and a waterfall have in common?

The pursuit of quality of life, incredible opportunity, and an invite to everyone, everywhere to learn, grow and experience something transformative. We’re proud to partner with @blackfolkscamptoo to share the #unityblaze and encourage anyone who may be looking to train In a new career path to explore the opportunities available in WNC’s $1.4billion outdoor industry.

Stay tuned with us as we join Earl B. Hunter Jr. and the awesome #blackfolkscamptoo team to learn more about WNC’s #outdoorindustry job and entrepreneurial opportunities.

#madexmtns #careers #wncoutdoors #ncoutdoors #outdoorliving #outdoorjobs #outdoorindustryjobs #wncmountains #outdoorhuboftheeast

Happy Saturday from #trailsanddales at @oskarblues

Happy Saturday from #trailsanddales at @oskarblueswnc! Come see us in Brevard before the afternoon rain rolls in. All things #mountainbiking here, supporting @pisgahareasorba!

@explorebrevardnc #madexmtns #brevardnc #pisgahsorba #oskarblueswnc #trailsandalesday

Thanks to @avlchamber and @newbelgium_avl for host

Thanks to @avlchamber and @newbelgium_avl for hosting today’s Policy on Tap - Outdoor Economy Highlights in WNC. With 9% employment growth over the past 5 years, adding up to over 10,000 jobs in outdoor goods and services, and $1.4B in customer sales, WNC is the place to establish, grow and thrive in the Outdoor Recreation Economy. Thanks to panelists Land of Sky Council, @_sylvansport, @diamondbrandgear & @industry_nine for sharing their stories of resilience & pivoting over the past few years.

Through collaboration between our communities, education programs, industry innovators, and conservation partners, we’re uniquely positioned to thrive in expanding workforce opportunities, sustainable visitor management, conservation priorities and outdoor industry innovation. It’s a bright road ahead!

#madexmtns #wnc #ashevillechamber #policyontap #outdoors #outdooreconomy #ncoutdoors #ncoutdoorrec #outdoorrec #outdoorindustry

What’s your WNC weekend looking like? On Saturda

What’s your WNC weekend looking like? On Saturday May 21st, find us at @oskarblueswnc Trails and Dale’s Day celebration of mountain biking and beer in support of @pisgahareasorba! 🚴🏻‍♀️🚴‍♂️
If you’re itching to get in the river, head to the @wacko.official’s Green River Access Spring Shindig, benefitting the Green River Access Fund! 🚣‍♂️ Whether on land or water, it’ll be a great weekend to celebrate adventuring outside in WNC!

#madexmtns #trailsandales #pisgahsorba #greenriveraccessfund #greenriveraccess #greenriver

Such a beautiful day to film a special MADE X MTNS

Such a beautiful day to film a special MADE X MTNS story. Thanks to @nantahalaoutdoorcenter for letting us film on site as they continue their celebrations of 50 years in increasing accessibility and recreation opportunities in WNC’s rivers. Thanks to our interview guest (we’re not giving away the surprise of who it is quite yet!) for giving us a wonderful insight into his story and how these mountains and rivers have shaped his legacy, to @edpnc NC Outdoor Recreation Industry Office Director, @amycallison, for lending her expertise as our interviewer, and to @robb_leahy for a seasoned eye (and an underwater camera) that helps us capture the magic.

#madexmtns #noc #nantahalaoutdoorcenter #whitewater

The team had a very productive week traveling acro

The team had a very productive week traveling across the Piedmont and High Country previewing the Building Outdoor Communities Program launching this September. WNC communities will have access to capacity building and technical assistance funds to advance their outdoor recreation economy initiatives. By helping communities leverage their natural beauty with outdoor recreation, we lay the foundation for place-based economic development. We met with partners from: Piedmont Triad Regional Council, Wilkes County, and Mitchell County.

See what we've been up to

Follow Us