Sugar Mountain Resort

BY NEAL FALVEY

Sugar Mountain Resort is the largest winter sport destination in the state of North Carolina and lives up to the name as a grand place to be. Sugar Mountain Resort features skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, tubing and a snowshoe experience.

For more than 50 years Sugar Mountain Resort has altered the winter sport culture of the Appalachian Mountains and remains a significant achievement in the realm of High Country sporting. Gunther and Kim Jochl have been operating Sugar Mountain Resort for more than four decades and they have time and again created and expanded the activity-related foundation of the county. The Jochls are a driving force in the shaping of the successful winter and summer destination.

The Sugar Mountain trail system offers 125 acres of skiable terrain, with 22 slopes being served by a multitude of chairlifts and a magic carpet for the beginner slope. Fifteen of the slopes are available for night skiing and snowboarding. Along with the beginner slope, Sugar Mountain Resort contains various trails with different expertise levels, including a terrain park, to accommodate the brand new to the highly experienced snowsport enthusiast.

Sugar Mountain Resort has been a mainstay in the county for years and has continued its expansion to offer not only the highestquality winter sport experience but overall experience for those who take part in the resort’s snow activities.

The resort has made available all the necessary accommodations to equip oneself for a full vacation. Rentals, instruction, and lodging can all be found at the resort to compliment the winter sport vacation. Last year Sugar Mountain Resort added a large amount of space to the base area, allowing for more visitors to gather and swap slope stories. This year a brand new 2,000-foot-long, fixedgrip chairlift has added to the slopes, the fourth installment in six years, demonstrating the resort’s commitment to upgrades, offering the highest possible quality experience. Five additional, fully automated snow making machines have been installed on the slopes to go along with a freshly paved parking lot as well.

Sugar Mountain Resort has made a name for itself in the event hosting arena, offering numerous different festivals and special events at the village. Sugar Mountain is known for its Oktoberfest celebration and then officially kicks off the winter season with the annual SugarFest weekend of winter fun, which takes place Dec. 10 to 12.

SugarFest features a special test drive of the newest and coolest ski and snowboard equipment for visitors to try. With the purchase of a lift ticket, guests can try out the latest ski and snowboard equipment from Salomon, Volkl, Nordica, Burton, Head, Never Summer, K2, Atomic, Rossignol, Ride and Line, and just about every other manufacturer displayed in store showrooms. Demo opportunities will take place on Saturday and Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This year’s winter kickoff will also include the ceremonial opening of Sugar’s new Big Birch quad chairlift.

SugarFest, a high caliber winter sports festival, will also have even more to offer. The event will celebrate the first Girls Go Shred Ride Day of the season. From beginners to experienced riders, all are encouraged to come out and snowboard with the crew, making some turns with new friends and picking up some tips and tricks. Girls Go Shred will be ready for visitors at the bottom of the slopes.

Additionally, lots of food and drink will be available at SugarFest. A hot chocolate and whipped cream bar, soup safari and a barbecue dinner will be offered. The festival will have live music and conclude with a fireworks show presented by the Village of Sugar Mountain.

Other events to be hosted by Sugar Mountain Resort are the preseason ski clinic, a New Year’s Eve celebration, and a continuously offered winter music series to be performed on various weekends throughout the season.

For more information, visit skisugar.com or call (828)-898-4521. Sugar Mountain Resort is located at 1009 Sugar Mountain Drive in Sugar Mountain.

PHOTO COURTESY SUGAR MOUNTAIN RESORT Sugar Mountain Resort was established in 1969.

FILE PHOTO Visitors to Sugar Mountain Resort will have the opportunity to demo and test some of the newest industry leading gear from brands like Salomon, Volkl, Nordica, Burton, Head, Never Summer, K2, Atomic, Rossignol and Ride and Line at Sugar Mountain’s SugarFest.

MOUNTAIN STATISTICS

Acreage: 125 skiable acres Peak Elevation: 5,300 feet Base Elevation: 4,100 feet Vertical Rise: 1,200 feet

Trails

8 Beginner 10 Intermediate 1 Difficult 2 Expert 1 Double Black Diamond 22 Total Trails