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

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

Black Balsam / Steve Reinhold

Earl B. Hunter, Jr.

So many Black folks have died without experiencing this beauty, this nature, this calm. This is our public land, too.

Read Earl’s story

Always ready for the trail / Johnny Johnson

Jennifer Pharr Davis

Hiking changed my values. It broke a lot of my preconceived notions about who I was, and what my options were in the world.

Read Jennifer’s story

Making outdoor adventure accessible
/ SylvanSport

Thrive Here

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

Learn About The WNC Outdoor Industry

Lush forests blanket our WNC mountains / Matthew Larkin

These Mountains

Western North Carolina

Explore What Makes These Mountains Special

Join Us

And Get Involved with MADE X MTNS

Find Ways To Get Involved

Our partners at Growing Outdoors have just release

Our partners at Growing Outdoors have just released the schedule for the 2021 Outdoor Economy Conference!

https://outdooreconomy.org/schedule/ Link in bio.
@growingoutdoors @ncoutdoorrec NC Outdoor Recreation Industry Office @outdoorgearbuilderswnc Outdoor Gear Builders of WNC @harrahscherokee Harrahs Cherokee @visitcherokeenc Visit Cherokee #outdooreconomyconference #outdooreconomy #madexmtns #outdoorindustry #outdoortourism #sustainabletourism #wnc @greatsmokynps Great Smoky Mountains National Park #greatsmokymountainnps #buildingoutdoorcommunities

Outdoor brands have played a huge role in creating

Outdoor brands have played a huge role in creating manufacturing jobs in WNC. SylvanSport lives by the idea that creating local jobs and sourcing locally is their responsibility. In fact, 80% of their towables come from within 70 miles of Western North Carolina. Read how SylvanSports is MADE X MTNS in founder, Tom Dempsey's story. https://madexmtns.com/story/tom-dempsey/ Link in bio.

SylvanSport @_sylvansport Outdoor Gear Builders of WNC @outdoorgearbuilderswnc @growingoutdoors @ncoutdoorrec NC Outdoor Recreation Industry Office #brevard #locallymade #wncmade #usmanufacturing #camping #wanderlust #outdooradventures #madexmtns @explorebrevardnc #sylvansport

Where's your favorite after work adventure spot? T

Where's your favorite after work adventure spot? The Fire Mountain Trails in Cherokee are among ours. This 10.5 mile system offers great mountain biking and hiking just minutes from town. See how this special place has inspired local writer, Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle in her MADE X MTNS story.

https://madexmtns.com/story/annette-saunooke-clapsaddle/ Link in bio.

@annette_saunooke_clapsaddle @firemountaintrails @growingoutdoors Growing Outdoors Fire Mountain Outpost #madexmtns #appalachianmountains #wnc #cherokee #mtnbikewnc Outdoor Gear Builders of WNC @outdoorgearbuilderswnc @ncoutdoorrec NC Outdoor Recreation Industry Office #firemountaintrails #localwriters #evenaswebreathe #readlocal @visitcherokeenc Visit Cherokee

We loved seeing this profile of Boone based gear b

Just when we thought SylvanSport's towables couldn

Just when we thought SylvanSport's towables couldn't get any more epic, they released the VAST. See how these mountains have inspired these locally crafted trailers in SylvanSport founder, Tom Dempsey's MADE X MTNS story. madexmtns.com/story/tom-dempsey/ Link in bio.
#madexmtns #sylvansport #wanderlust #camping #campingtrailer #campinggear #wnc #madeinwnc #madeinusa @_sylvansport @outdoorgearbuilderswnc @ncoutdoorrec @brevardnc @growingoutdoors NC Outdoor Recreation Industry Office Growing Outdoors Brevard NC @explorebrevardnc Explore Brevard Outdoor Gear Builders of WNC

There's something incredible about reading a book

There's something incredible about reading a book that takes place in your region. For those of us who love the outdoors, "Even As We Breathe" by Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle is even more powerful. Annette writes as she rides, infusing her writing with a physicality that can't be faked. Read more in her MADE X MTNS story. Link in bio
Picture: Teri Clark
@annette_saunooke_clapsaddle Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle @firemountaintrails Fire Mountain Trails #madexmtns #appalachianmountains #wnc #cherokee #mtnbikewnc @outdoorgearbuilderswnc @growingoutdoors NC Outdoor Recreation Industry Office Outdoor Gear Builders of WNC @ncoutdoorrec #firemountaintrails #localwriters #evenaswebreathe #readlocal

Hey Boone! MADE X MTNS is heading your way on Mond

Hey Boone! MADE X MTNS is heading your way on Monday. Join us at Booneshine from 4-6pm for a pint, networking, and a celebration of the outdoors in WNC.

@booneshinebrew Booneshine @appstate Appalachian State University @mistymountainthreadworks Misty Mountain Tsuga @tsugausa @northcovedgc North Cove Disc Golf Club @roam_outdoors_ #madexmtns #roamoutdoors #WesternNorthCarolina #gooutside @ncoutdoorrec #blueridgeparkway @mastgeneralstore Mast General Store Tarpestry @tarpestry @boonechamber Boone Chamber

“I envisioned this person sitting at work at lun

“I envisioned this person sitting at work at lunchtime on a Friday. And they’re thinking, ‘Should I get outside this weekend? Should I paddle, bike, camp, hike?’ I wanted a product that made the answer of ‘Yes! Do it! Go!’ come much easier.”

With that idea, Tom Dempsey was inspired create the innovative camping trailers that made SylvanSport an outdoor industry powerhouse. Read his story to see how these mountains have made him. Link in bio.

https://www.madexmtns.com/story/tom-dempsey/
@_sylvansport @madexmtns @outdoorgearbuilderswnc @ncoutdoorrec @growingoutdoors #madexmtns #sylvansport #camping #roadtrip #getoutside #wncmade #explorebrevard @explorebrevardnc #brevardnc #WNC #828isgreat

“I took a walk in the woods and came out taller

“I took a walk in the woods and came out taller than the trees.” —Henry David Thoreau

#madexmtns #828isgreat #wncoutdoors #brp #ncmade #gooutsideandplay #madeinwnc #outdoorkids #outdoorfamilies #madebymountains
@outdoorgearbuilderswnc @growingoutdoors @ncoutdoorrec @mtnbizworks Photo: Abby Cantrell for MADE X MTNS

MADE X MTNS is out at @firemountainoutpost today.

"The Appalachian mountains are a beautiful juxtapo

"The Appalachian mountains are a beautiful juxtaposition. They’re ancient, and yet it feels like there’s still mystery here. Like there is so much to discover, that there are more things we don’t know than we do know."

Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle's sentiments about WNC make it easy to understand how her novel, #EvenAsWeBreathe, so beautifully captures the essence of our region. Annette is more than a writer, though. She is also a talented educator, an incredible mountain biker, and an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Read her story at madexmtns.com (link in bio)

@annette_saunooke_clapsaddle @firemountaintrails #madexmtns #appalachianmountains #wnc #cherokee #mtnbikewnc @outdoorgearbuilderswnc @growingoutdoors @ncoutdoorrec

Mountain views, local footwear, and pure joy! It's

Mountain views, local footwear, and pure joy! It's hard to look at this photo without smiling 😄. What's your favorite born in WNC gear?
Photo: @thewildercoast for @astralfootwear

#madexmtns #madebymtns #astral #madelocal #wncbrands #828isgreat #hikewnc #outdooreconomyconference @outdoorgearbuilderswnc @ncoutdoorrec

Our friends at @growingoutdoors just released earl

Our friends at @growingoutdoors just released early bird tickets for the 2021 Outdoor Economy Conference. From speakers to excursions, they have some epic things planned! Head to outdooreconomy.org to register and save $200.

Psst... it's going to be at the newly constructed event center at @harrahscherokee - just 5 minutes from @greatsmokynps and @firemountaintrails and within walking distance of some of the country's best fly fishing - during peak leaf season! Trust us, you want to ve there. #madexmtns #madebymtns #outdooreconomy #outdooreconomyconference #outdoorindustry #wnc @outdoorgearbuilderswnc Photo: @manbearpic for Cherokee

You might be from WNC if when you say “that’s

You might be from WNC if when you say “that’s how I roll” you’re talking about paddling. @liquidlogickayaks @astralfootwear @moriah_heaney #madexmtns #wncpaddling #kayaking #kayakeveryday @growingoutdoors @outdoorgearbuilderswnc @ncoutdoorrec #828isgreat #gooutsideandplay #madexmtns #madebymtns #wnc #wncmountains

It doesn’t get much better than a relaxing day i

It doesn’t get much better than a relaxing day in WNC + locally made gear. @blueridgechairworks @watershed_drybags @ncoutdoorrec @growingoutdoors @madexmtns @outdoorgearbuilderswnc #madexmtns #watershed #blueridgechairworks #828isgreat #getoutsideandplay #wnc #wncadventures Photo: @katiecahn for @blueridgechairworks

It’s always exciting to see new outdoor rec opti

It’s always exciting to see new outdoor rec options in WNC. @madexmtns is heading to Spruce Pine tomorrow for the grand opening of the The Thickets Mountain Bike Pump Track. Come say hey, meet some awesome people, and try out the track. We can’t wait to level up our skills! @exploremitchell #sprucepine #bradraganpark #pumptrack #mtbwnc #mountainbike #madexmtns #madebymtns #mitchellcountync #thethickets Photo: @canecreekusa

It’s official - MADE X MTNS is WNC’s collabora

There are few views as brilliant as a WNC sunset.

There are few views as brilliant as a WNC sunset. Photo: Abby Cantrell for MADE X MTNS #madexmtns #828isgreat #wncoutdoors #brp #ncmade #gooutsideandplay #madeinwnc #madebymountains @growingoutdoors @outdoorgearbuilderswnc @mtnbizworks @ncoutdoorrec

WNC maker, Blyss Running, proves that stuff doesn'

WNC maker, Blyss Running, proves that stuff doesn't have to be complicated to be awesome. Their trail skirt stays in place, freeing you from constant readjusting. Because when you’ve got trails to crush, ain’t nobody got time for that. Oh… and *it has pockets!*

#madexmtns #828isgreat #wncoutdoors #brp #ncmade #gooutsideandplay #madeinwnc #madebymountains #womanowned #trailrunning #findyourblyss #aintnobodygottimeforthat #ithaspockets #buylocal @growingoutdoors @outdoorgearbuilderswnc @mtnbizworks @ncoutdoorrec @blyss_running

The only thing better than enjoying #WNC’s natur

The only thing better than enjoying #WNC’s natural beauty is enjoying it with #MadeinWNC gear. This throw from @outdoorgearbuilderswnc member @tarpestry is perfect for a chill day on the #BlueRidgeParkway. Photo: @gajdaphotography for @tarpestry

#madexmtns #828isgreat #wncoutdoors #boonenc #brp #ncmade #madebymountains #gooutsideandplay @growingoutdoors @mtnbizworks @ncoutdoorrec

See what we've been up to

Follow Us