Biltmore Estate prepares for Christmas as it reopens. What to know about visiting

This story was updated to add new information.

ASHEVILLE – Biltmore Estate, coined “America’s largest home,” has reopened after Tropical Storm Helene closed it for more than a month.

George Vanderbilt’s Biltmore House was among many Western North Carolina locations hit hard by the Sept. 27 storm, which caused devastating flooding and left 102 people dead. Neighborhoods directly impacted included the historic Biltmore Village, established alongside the iconic house.

Chase Pickering, vice president of Biltmore House Guest Experience & Operations and great-great-grandson of George and Edith Vanderbilt, said cleaning and recovery efforts have allowed the 250-room French Renaissance château to resume operations, though with limitations.

“It’s very important to know that some areas are going to take longer to recover than others but there are so many places ready to welcome folks back within this community that are really reliant on the tourism funds that come into this region,” Pickering said.

He advised tourists to be prepared, informed and respectful as they travel to the Asheville area and estate.

Christmas at Biltmore is on

The annual Christmas at Biltmore holiday program aligns with the estate’s reopening.

On Oct. 30, Biltmore hosted its traditional tree-raising ceremony of a 28-foot-tall Fraser fir tree in the Banquet Hall.

Chihuly at Biltmore, an original art exhibit showcasing Dale Chihuly’s works, opened in March and has been extended a month, through Feb. 2.

Chief Marketing Officer Mark Hemphill reported that the estate welcomed nearly 7,200 guests over the weekend of Nov. 9, about 35% of regular traffic at this time of the year.

“However, we are really encouraged by the positive response of our guests, and many of our leading business indicators suggest that business volumes will improve steadily throughout this holiday season, and beyond,” the statement said.

Additional marketing efforts with the Explore Asheville and Visit North Carolina tourism agencies are planned to reach wider audiences and support the economic recovery of the community.

“Our message to our community is one of hope and resilience,” Hemphill’s statement said. “While recovery will take time, together we can make a meaningful impact in bringing visitors back to the Asheville area. We remain dedicated to supporting the local economy, aiding recovery efforts, helping to preserve our region’s unique culture, and offering visitors memorable experiences that showcase the best of Western North Carolina.”

What to do at Biltmore Estate after Helene

Pickering said this is the third time for Biltmore to close for an extended time ― for World War II, two months during the COVID-19 pandemic and a month for Tropical Storm Helene.

Pickering said Biltmore House, the Conservatory, gardens, restaurants, winery, Antler Hill Village shops and the estate’s hotels received minimal or no damage from the storm and are open.

Biltmore House is open for daytime visits, Candlelight Christmas Evenings and guided specialty experiences like the Rooftop Tour and Biltmore House Backstairs Tour.

The farmyard in Antler Hill Village is open so guests may visit the farm animals. However, the Outdoor Adventure Center and Horse & Carriage Barn are closed for the season.

As of Nov. 14, the Equestrian Center’s boarding facility has reopened but the equestrian trails remain closed.

Biltmore’s horses: Trapped with 54 horses for 4 days, Biltmore employees fought to find water during Helene

The wall, shrub and azalea gardens, and select walking paths around Antler Hill Village are accessible.

On Nov. 16, additional trails and roads will reopen, including those surrounding Bass Pond and the Lagoon. The Lagoon has been repaired. Some trails in wooded areas remain closed for cleanup.

The three-mile stretch of Approach Road and the road from the Walled Garden to Antler Hill Village will be accessible. Yet, guests should expect temporary detours as work continues throughout the estate.

Asheville’s North Fork Reservoir has to be rebuilt due to storm damage and non-potable water is still running through the city water system. However, Biltmore operates on a self-sustained well system so restaurants and plumbing are operating normally.

“This moment of reopening is a moment of hope for the whole community,” Pickering said. “It goes to show the amazing commitment of our incredible employees here at Biltmore to come together and clean this place up and get us ready to reopen and welcome guests back for this truly magical time.”

How much does it cost to visit Biltmore Estate?

Pickering said Biltmore operates with “dynamic pricing,” so entry costs fluctuate depending on the day of the week and season. The pricing system will resume as normal with no storm-related increases or discounts, including to locals.

During the holiday season, which is now in swing, the entry for an adult ranges from $125 to $155 for the Biltmore House and grounds access package. The house, grounds and Chihuly at Biltmore exhibition access package cost $160 to $190.

Biltmore offers seasonal pricing with discounted annual passes in January, February and March.

The latest on recovery efforts, programs, events, passes, services and new hours of operation are on the company’s website, biltmore.com.

Biltmore cleanup, repair and demolition progress

Biltmore’s grounds and some of its buildings suffered significant flood damage, visible from its main entry on 1 Lodge St., off All Souls Crescent at Biltmore Village.

Pickering said the team was working sunup to sundown clearing the “thousands” of downed trees, wooded areas and waterways and repairing roads.

Pickering said seven buildings were impacted when the Swannanoa River flooded: one of the guest cottages, the gatehouse shop, the Lodge Street gate, the ticket center, the admissions booth, the group sales building and the Starbucks at the front entrance.

The Citizen Times has reported that the Swannanoa River, just north of the village, rose nearly 6 feet above the record and crested at 26.1 feet, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Pickering said the Starbucks building, leased by the coffee chain, and the group sales building were demolished.

Several other damaged structures were repaired in time for the reopening, and the front entrance is open to guests.

A flood line remains visible on the gatehouse, which Pickering said serves as a reminder that the Asheville area is still healing.

“It looks very different. Unfortunately, our tulip poplars ― our big, beautiful 100-year-old tulip poplars that were at the front ― their roots were compromised when the soil was washed away in the flood, so we made the decision to remove all of those,” Pickering said.

He said plans are underway to replant the trees next year and beautify the front entrance.

“It will be an important symbol of the rebirth of Biltmore Village,” he said.

Other waterways on the property flooded, like Bass Pond and the Lagoon, which will remain closed, but the dam didn’t break. The Lagoon’s bridge is being repaired.

Wildlife like wild turkeys, deer and black bears have been highly active on the grounds since the storm, Pickering said. The status of the fish and other water species is unknown.

“Nature is resilient,” he said. “She’ll find a way to come back in amazing ways.”

Biltmore’s community support and staffing

Amid the storm and estate closure, Biltmore staff members were temporarily furloughed.

The company employed nearly 2,400 workers before Helene. Pickering estimated more than half of the staff had since returned as of Oct. 30. He said the staff would continue to be “scaled up” based on guest volume.

Biltmore reported that all staff were accounted for though several lost their homes in the storm.

Pickering said he is proud and grateful for the staff who rallied to expedite cleanup ― many of whom stayed on-site during the recovery.

Biltmore and its family owners launched the Biltmore Relief Fund for WNC, pledging a $2 million gift to local Helene recovery, and sponsored the sold-out, star-studded “Concert for Carolina” fundraising event with sponsorship dollars donated for disaster relief.

“We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support for our community and the determination of our first responders, utility workers, and community volunteers,” Bill Cecil Jr., president and CEO of Biltmore, said in a news release. “As recovery unfolds, welcoming guests back to Biltmore not only means we can open, but also brings critical support to our region’s economy to aid area employees, local businesses, and friends. Together, we can help restore the vibrancy of Asheville and its surrounding areas.”

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Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. She is a graduate of Michigan State University and covered the arts, entertainment and hospitality in Louisiana for several years. Email her at tkennell@citizentimes.com or follow her on Instagram @PrincessOfPage.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Biltmore Estate prepares for Christmas as it reopens after Helene