Make a difference this Sunday, March 8 by skiing or riding to raise funds for the American Cancer Society. The Richard T. Trundy Sugar Cup competition celebrates the life of Dick Trundy, a decorated Marine Corps General and aviator who served as Sugar Mountain Ski Resort’s Director of Operations after his retirement from the service. Dick was an avid skier who enthusiastically embraced the daily life of a ski area executive. Sadly, he died from cancer in 2002.

Resident mascot, Sugar Bear and long-time, Snowsports School director, Len Bauer, visited the Banner Elk Elementary School to teach fourth graders about slope safety. The students then spent a day on the slopes which kicked off a three week fieldtrip program. Following their time skiing and snowboarding, the children participated in the National Ski Areas Association’s (NSAA) Kid’s National Safety Poster Contest. Each student created a poster based on one or more of the seven elements of the “Your Responsibility Code” or one of the three elements of the “Smart Style” Freestyle Terrain Safety Program.

Join us today, as we kick-off Sugar Mountain Ski Resort’s 50th season. The six-passenger Summit Express chairlift, which runs to the mountain’s peak and the Magic Carpet conveyor lift are open. Accessible slopes include Northridge, Switchback, Upper and Lower Flying Mile, and the Magic Carpet area for beginner’s and first-timers. The new four passenger, high-speed, detachable Easy Street chairlift and the Easy Street slope are expected to open later this morning.

For a second year in a row, two-time Olympic medalist and former U.S. Ski Team member, Andrew Weibrecht, joins Sugar Mountain Resort’s preseason ski clinic coaching staff, December 13-15. The 24th annual, three-day clinic coincides with SugarFest and includes daily and day-long coaching with Andrew and other notable and encouraging staffers, lift tickets, video analysis and Friday night dinner.

Fifty years ago the thrill of skiing down the rolling slopes of Sugar Mountain intrigued a group of daring developers. Participating in a sport mostly unfamiliar to the Southern population rapidly took hold and winter fun became a staple for many. Today, the masses flock to Sugar Mountain, not only to feel and see and touch snow, but to enjoy the plethora of activities that only the accumulation of snowflakes can produce.