WNC IS MADE BY MOUNTAINS

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 X MTNS Pillars

Building Outdoor Communities

Building Outdoor Communities

Driving equitable outdoor economic & community development.

Growing Outdoor Businesses

Growing Outdoor Businesses

Connecting entrepreneurs to training, funding, mentors & peer networks.

Amplifying Outdoor Culture

Amplifying Outdoor Culture

Creating a network of storytelling, collaboration & camaraderie.

outdoor gift guide

Check off Your Holiday Gift List with Outdoor Gear and Experiences Made in Western North Carolina.

find outdoor gear from wnc

shop and support outdoor industry brands that are "made by mountains, loved by locals"

helene recovery

the outdoor business alliance of wnc is raising funds to help outdoor brands suffering from the devastating impacts of helene.

Made By Mountains Stories

The French Broad Paddle Trail

The French Broad River State Trail was established in 1987 on the French Broad River, one of the oldest in the world. The French Broad Paddle Trail begins at the confluence of its North and West Forks in Transylvania County, and travels through Henderson, Buncombe, and Madison counties, all the way into Cocke County, Tennessee.

Food For Adventures

Outdoor culinary and educational company, Food For Adventures, embarked on a "Cooking, Camping, & Conversations" nationwide tour, from the Appalachian Mountains to the Cascades, and back North to wild and scenic Maine.

Made by Mountains, Loved By Locals

Author, Eastern Band of the Cherokee citizen, and avid cyclist Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle shares her thoughts on finding the best local outdoor gear to get outside in WNC.

these mountains

western north carolina

WNC Outdoor recreation participation survey

The first regional snapshot of its kind to establish a foundational dataset supporting the economic impact of outdoor recreation participation in the WNC region.

If you could describe WNC's #outdoorrecreation eco

If you could describe WNC's #outdoorrecreation ecosystem in one word, what would it be? We asked this question at this week's Recovering Forward: Conversations with Public Land Managers event. Here are some of the answers that outdoor community leaders in the room shared as we dove into the topic of how we can continue to work together, support each other, and share information and resources to keep improving our trails and waterways as we head into summer.

How do you describe outdoor recreation in WNC? Let us know in the comments.

#madexmtns #wncoutdoors #ncoutdoors #outdoornc #ncoutdoorrec #outdoorrec #buildingoutdoorcommunities
#wnc #westernnc #wncmountains

6 months to the day, post-Helene, we're thinking o

6 months to the day, post-Helene, we're thinking of all of the firefighters from state and local fire departments, US Forest Service, NC forest service, and all those who have come to aid our region to battle multiple wildfires.

There is a statewide ban on burning currently in place.

Updated safety information can be found via the NC Forest Service, @u.s.forestservice - National Forests in North Carolina Facebook Page, and via the Henderson, Polk, Buncombe, Transylvania, Jackson and Swain County Emergency Management pages.

Pisgah National Forest Shining Rock Wilderness Area, DuPont Forest and the Green River Gamelands have current trail.closures due to wildfire danger.

Several areas of WNC not impacted by fires are experiencing extensive smoke impacts.

Be aware, stay safe, and keep up to date on fire information and updated maps as they become available.

#wnc #wildfire #wncfires

We had a packed house and equally packed program y

We had a packed house and equally packed program yesterday at our Recovering Forward: Conversations with Public Lands Managers event! We heard from the @u.s.forestservice, @carolinamountainclub, @ncwildlife, @mtntrue, and @ncstateparks. Our speakers shared their various Helene impacts and recovery efforts so far, and we ended the day with a great discussion about their needs around community support and communication moving forward as we head toward the busier outdoor seasons.

We have many more questions to get back to folks on, and we are excited to be able to compile great follow up resources for attendees and #buildingoutdoorcommunities participants. Thanks to @mcdowelltechcc Workforce Education Center in #oldfortnc for hosting us! Thanks to event sponsor, @equinox_environmental. Thanks to speakers: Paul Curtin, Carolina Mountain Club; Jacob Rash, NC Wildlife Resources Commission; Lisa Jennings, USFS; Jennifer Barnhart, USFS; Alexandra Davison, USFS; Jack Henderson, MountainTrue; Scott Avis, NC State Parks; and, Lance Huss, NC State Parks. And, thanks to all organizations, community leaders, and trail advocates who traveled to Old Fort to join us for the day. It was an incredible room to be in, and we look forward to continuing these important convening and conversations!

#madexmtns #recoveringforward #publiclands #outdoorrecreation #outdoorrec #ncoutdoorrec #greattrailsnc

Come help us out at the @outdoor_business_alliance

Come help us out at the @outdoor_business_alliance Get in Gear Fest, Saturday April 26th! 🙌

Volunteering at the Get In Gear Fest is a fun and rewarding way to get to know the folks behind our local outdoor industry, and support the outdoor community and economy in our region.

Sign up at https://form.jotform.com/250763336396161 (link in our bio)

#madexmtns #outdooreconomy #outdoorindustry #wnc #ncoutdoors #outdoornc #greattrailsnc

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