MISSION:

Sugar Mountain Resort strives to serve its customers in the most professional, friendly, and accommodating manner possible. We endeavor to make Sugar Mountain Resort a pleasant and enjoyable recreation facility.

WINTER FUN:

Skiing, snowboarding, tubing, ice skating and snowshoeing

SUMMER FUN:

Mountain biking, hiking, scenic chair lift rides, and special events

LOCATION:

1009 Sugar Mountain Drive, Sugar Mountain, North Carolina 28604.
Just off NC Hwy 184 approximately two miles east of Banner Elk, North Carolina

800 NUMBER:

1-800-SUGARMT (784-2768), general information, slope conditions, group sales, and summer activities.

ONLINE:

www.skisugar.com • info@skisugar.com

LIVE STREAMING WEBCAMS:

www.skisugar.com/cams

TYPICAL WINTER SEASON:

November through March

Average annual snowfall: 78 inches

SEASON HISTORY:

2023-2024:
Opening:  November 28, 2023 • Closing: March 24, 2024
Skier Days: 118 • Total Snowfall: 51.7″

2022-2023:
Opening:  November 14, 2022 • Closing: March 30, 2023
Skier Days: 136 • Total Snowfall: 36″

2021-2022:
Opening:  November 15, 2021 • Closing: March 27, 2022
Skier Days: 127 • Total Snowfall: 56.7″

2020-2021:
Opening:  November 19, 2020 • Closing: March 28, 2021
Skier Days: 123 • Total Snowfall: 80″

2019-2020:
Opening:  November 9, 2019 • Closing: March 17, 2020
Skier Days: 130 • Total Snowfall: 64.2″

2018-2019*:
Opening: November 11, 2018 • Closing: March 31, 2019
Skier Days: 141 LC • Total Snowfall: 66.8″

2017-2018:
Opening: November 20, 2017 • Closing: April 1, 2018
Skier Days: 127 • Total Snowfall: 75″

2016-2017:
Opening: November 21, 2016 • Closing: March 20, 2017
Skier Days: 114 • Total Snowfall: 44.3″

2015-2016:
Opening: November 15, 2015 • Closing: March 23, 2016
Skier Days: 102 • Total Snowfall: 66.7″

2014-2015**:
Opening: November 2, 2014 • Closing: March 29, 2015
Skier Days: 146 • Total Snowfall: 77.1″

2013-2014:
Opening: November 13, 2013 • Closing: March 30, 2014
Skier Days: 138 • Total Snowfall: 86.5″

2012-2013:
Opening: October 31, 2012 • Closing: March 31, 2013
Skier Days: 144 • Total Snowfall: 120″

2011-2012:
Opening: November 12, 2011 • Closing: March 14, 2012
Skier Days: 110 • Total Snowfall: 46.5″

2010-2011:
Opening: November 6, 2010 • Closing: March 23, 2011
Skier Days: 126 • Total Snowfall: 130″

2009-2010:
Opening: November 27, 2009 • Closing: March 28, 2010
Skier Days: 122 • Total Snowfall: 136″

2008-2009:
Opening: November 17, 2008 • Closing: March 24, 2009
Skier Days: 128 • Total Snowfall: 69.7″

2007-2008:
Opening: November 7, 2007 • Closing: March 25, 2008
Skier Days: 140 • Total Snowfall: 44.1″

2006-2007:
Opening: November 20, 2006 • Closing: March 25, 2007
Skier Days: 121 • Total Snowfall: 31.4″

2005-2006:
Opening: November 18, 2005 • Closing: March 19, 2006
Skier Days: 120 • Total Snowfall: 80.1″

2004-2005:
Opening: November 26, 2004 • Closing: March 28, 2005
Skier Days: 120 • Total Snowfall: 92.25″

2003-2004:
Opening: November 15, 2003 • Closing: March 21, 2004
Skier Days: 116 • Total Snowfall: 104″

2002-2003:
Opening: November 19, 2002 • Closing: March 23, 2003
Skier Days: 125 • Total Snowfall: 106.25″

2001-2002:
Opening: December 21, 2001 • Closing: March 23, 2002
Skier Days: 94 • Total Snowfall: 25.5″

2000-2001:
Opening: November 16, 2000 • Closing: March 28, 2001
Skier Days: 133

1999-2000:
Opening: November 17, 1999 • Closing: March 9, 2000 Skier Days: 105

1998-1999:
Opening: December 15, 1998 • Closing: March 28, 1999 Skier Days: 98

1997-1998:
Opening: November 16, 1997 • Closing: March 28, 1998 Skier Days: 133

1996-1997:
Opening: November 10, 1996 • Closing: March 3, 1997 Skier Days: 109

1995-1996:
Opening: November 10, 1995 • Closing: March 25, 1996 Skier Days: 137

1976:
Opening: November 5, 1976

Biggest snowfall on Sugar Mountain: 66 inches April 2-6, 1987
*2018-2019: longest consecutive season ever: 141 days
**2014-2015: longest season ever: 146 days

Sugar Mountain Resort first opened in 1969

HOURS:

Administration Office Hours:
Ski Season: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Off Season: 8:00am – 4:00pm, Monday – Friday

Lifts & Ski Slopes 
Ski Season:
Day Session: 9:00am – 4:30pm
Half-Day Session: 12:30pm – 4:30pm
Twilight Session: 12:30pm – 10:00pm
(lifts & slopes closed 4:30pm – 6:00pm)
Night Session: 6:00pm – 10:00pm
Christmas Eve: 9:00am – 4:30pm
Christmas Day: 12:00 – 10:00pm

Tubing: 8:00am – 10:00pm during Holiday Period, Martin Luther King & President’s weekends Saturdays, and Sundays only
10:00am -10:00pm weekdays & non-holiday weekends

Ice Skating: 10:00am – 10:00pm

See also: www.skisugar.com/mountain-info

SKIABLE ACRES:

125 Acres

VERTICAL DROP:

1,200 ft.

LONGEST RUN:

1 1/2 Miles

ELEVATION:

Summit: 5,300 ft.
Base: 4,100 ft.

LIFT NETWORK:

1 High Speed Detachable Six Passenger Chairlift
2 High Speed Detachable Four Passenger Chairlifts
1 Fixed-Grip Four Passenger Chairlift
2 Double Chairlifts
1 Magic Carpet (Beginner’s Area)
1 Magic Carpet (Tubing Park)

UPHILL LIFT CAPACITY:

12,935 People Per Hour

SLOPES & TRAILS:

20 slopes, *14 with lights for night skiing/riding.
Total Slope Length: 5 miles (approx.)

Experts Only:
Whoopdeedoo – 1,250 ft. (48-degree pitch/grade)
Boulderdash – 1,200 ft. (48-degree pitch/grade)

Most Difficult:
Tom Terrific – 1,250 ft. (45-degree pitch/grade)
Gunther’s Way – 2,900 ft.

Intermediate:
Northridge* & Switchback* – 3,400 ft.
Upper Flying Mile* – 4,300 ft.
Sugar Slalom – 1,300 ft.
Laurel Lane – 800 ft.
Big Birch* – 2,500 ft.
Oma’s Meadow* – 2,600 ft.
Sugar Bear – 800 ft.

Beginner:
Lower Flying Mile* – 2,000 ft.
Easy Street* – 2,100 ft.
Easy Street Extension* – 600 ft.
Little Nell* – 1,500 ft.
Tiny Tim/Connection* – 300 ft.
Magic Carpet Area* – 385 ft.
Ski School Yard* – 100 ft.
Crossover* – 600 ft.

* slope has lights for night use

See also: http://www.skisugar.com/trailmap/

TRAIL CLASSIFICATION:

Expert: 20%
Intermediate: 40%
Beginner: 40%

SNOWBOARDING:

Snowboarders welcome on all slopes. Rentals and lessons available.

NIGHT SKIING:

6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. nightly from opening to closing. 100 of 125 acres, 14 of 20 slopes under lights.

SNOWMAKING:

100%

GROOMING:

2024 PistenBully 600 W
2022 PistenBully 600 W
2024 PistenBully 600 Standard
2024 PistenBully 600 Standard
2020 PistenBully 100
3 – Thiokel Imps
1 – Sprite

EQUIPMENT RENTALS:

2,100 complete sets of shaped skis with bindings includes poles
2,200 ski boots
900 snowboards and snowboard boots
900 plus Skiboard and high-performance rentals 
800 helmet rentals
Complete repair shop with tuning service

CLOTHING RENTALS:

700 plus full sets (jackets & bibs) of clothing.

SKI & SNOWBOARD LESSONS:

Professional Ski Instructors of America and American Association of Snowboard Instructors School, using The American Teaching System. Group or private ski and snowboard lessons are available for all levels of ability.

SNOWSHOEING:

One-hour tours are every Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 3:00pm and Saturday at 9:00am and 3:00pm. The tour includes a guide and snowshoes. Based on instructor availability, additional group tours are available on demand for groups of 4-15. Adult tours are for 12 years or older. Children’s tours are for 8 to 11 year olds. Sign up at least 15 minutes prior to your tour time at the Ski/Snowboard School.

TUBING:

Multiple runs are serviced by a Magic Carpet conveyer lift. The 1 3/4 hour sessions are available at 8:00am*, 10:00am, 12:00pm, 2:00pm, 4:00pm, 6:00pm, and 8:00pm The tubing park is located adjacent to lot D.

*Holiday Period, Martin Luther King & President’s weekends Saturdays, and Sundays only.

See: www.skisugar.com/tubing

ICE SKATING:

Skate sessions on the 10,000 square foot refrigerated outdoor ice skating rink are 1 1/2 hours long and are available at 10:00am, 12:00pm, 2:00pm, 4:00pm, 6:00pm, and 8:00pm. Four-hundred pairs of rental ice skates are available. Figure skate sizes include youth 7-4 and adult 5-13. Hockey skate sizes include youth 4 and adult 5-14. In addition, 12 pairs of double-runner youth sizes 8-13 skates are available. The ice rink is located next to the Dave Nixon Pro Shop adjacent to parking lot D.

See: www.skisugar.com/skating

FOR CHILDREN:

Upon approval children 4 and under qualify for a $2 slope/lift pass (does NOT include rental equipment and lessons), obtained only in the Ski School or the Administration office. The child must be present and accompanied by a ticketed adult or have a private lesson voucher.

Sugar Bear Ski School and Polar Bear Snowboard School is located in the Children’s Learning Center inside the Ski/Snowboard School Building. The programs teach skiing to Sugar Bear kids ages 5 – 10 and snowboarding to Polar Bear kids 7-14. Full-day registration is from 8:30 – 9:30am with the session running from 10:00am – 3:00pm. You may pre-register for the full-day program the night before from 4:00pm – 7:00pm in the Ski/Snowboard School building. The half-day program runs from 1:00pm – 3:00pm with registration from 12:30 – 1:00pm. The Sugar Bear Ski and Polar Bear Snowboard programs include slope / lift ticket, rental equipment including helmet, group lesson, lunch (full-day only), and supervision. Both sessions give parents the opportunity to pick up the children and still have time to ski with them. Enrollment is subject to instructor availability. See: www.skisugar.com/kids

Polar Bear Snowboard School – This program is for youngster’s 7-14 years old and includes slope / lift ticket, rental equipment including helmet, lesson and lunch. Registration is from 8:30 – 9:30am with the day session lasting from 10:00am – 3:00pm Enrollment is limited. Full and half day sessions are available.
See: www.skisugar.com/kids

Drop off childcare at Sugar Mountain Resort is open seven days a week from 8:30am to 5:30pm. Childcare is available after 5:30pm with reservations. Infants 1 year and under require a reservation and 24-hour advanced notice. Call for start and end date.
See: www.skisugar.com/kids

GROUP SALES:

Sugar Mountain Group Sales staff looks forward to assisting your group of 15 or more in planning your winter sports vacation. We strive to make your experience as enjoyable and convenient as possible. Our staff can provide your group with orientation information, lift/slope tickets, rental equipment & clothing, and lessons so you can hit the slopes with ease! The group sales office is located on the first floor in the Base Lodge next to the Sports Shop. www.skisugar.com/group-sales.

SPECIAL EVENTS & PROGRAMS:

Please visit: http://www.skisugar.com/events/

RACING:

NASTAR, a public racing program, is offered at noon on Saturday & Sunday on Oma’s Meadow. Contact the Ski & Snowboard School for details 828-898-4521 x 200.

Sugar Mountain Ski Club, a non-profit organization is an active United States Ski & Snowboard https://usskiandsnowboard.org/ race program.

NOTE: Races and race programs are offered only when weather and snow conditions permit.

SPORTS SHOP & ANNEX:

Sugar Mountain Sports Shop, located in the Base Lodge, features the finest in ski & snowboard, and leisure apparel. The 2,320 square foot shop also offers a wide variety of accessories, souvenirs, and gift items for the entire family. http://skisugar.com/sportsshop.

The Sugar Mountain Sports Shop Annex, located in the Dave Nixon Pro Shop between the Tubing Park and the Ice Skating Rink offers cold weather necessities including apparel & footwear as well as Sugar Mountain souvenirs including t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, and other last minute items.

For a list of some of the areas shopping opportunities see the brochure or log onto www.skisugar.com/shopping.

LOUNGE:

The “Last Run Lounge”, a full-service bar and restaurant, features a large fireplace, TV, and music.

DINING:

350 Seat Cafeteria (open from 8:00am – 10:00pm daily)
250 Seat “Top Floor” Cafeteria (open when needed)
“Last Run Lounge” Restaurant
Outdoor grill on deck (weather permitting)
Annex snack bar

NOTE: The Banner Elk/Sugar Mountain area offers a diverse selection of dining opportunities to suit varying budgets including Italian, Cajun, Continental, Barbeque, Chinese, seafood, steaks, Mexican, cafes, and fast food. For a list of some of the areas dining opportunities see the brochure or log onto www.skisugar.com/dining.

FREE SHUTTLE SERVICE & PARKING:

Free and convenient parking is located in lots A-D and 1-6 at the base of Sugar Mountain Resort. Free shuttle buses run every weekend and during the holiday period from 8am until 11pm (or as needed) from each parking lot to the Base Lodge.

Bus and oversized vehicle parking in conveniently located in Lot C adjacent to childcare building.

VILLAGE SHUTTLE SERVICE:

The Village of Sugar Mountain Tourism Development Authority provides free shuttle service from many points throughout the Village of Sugar Mountain to Sugar Mountain Resort’s Base Lodge during weekends and holidays.

ACCOMMODATIONS / LODGING:

Lodging at Sugar Mountain ranges from rooms to condos and homes located throughout the Village of Sugar Mountain. For a list of some of the agencies handling lodging on Sugar Mountain, go to www.skisugar.com/lodging.

NOTE: For a complete list of accommodations in the Village of Sugar Mountain area, log onto www.seesugar.com 

OTHER AMENITIES:

Locker Room & Cafeteria Lockers
Free Parking Lot Shuttle
Convenient Bus Parking

SUMMER ACTIVITIES:

Scenic summer lift-rides aboard the Summit Express are available Memorial Day weekend and Fourth-of-July weekend through Labor Day weekend. www.skisugar.com/bikepark

Bike Park includes its signature expert terrain and beginner and intermediate trails. Varying line option choices from the summit to the base include rollers, small dips, table tops, and other fun features. The Summit Express and Easy Street chairlifts operate for mountain bikers and are equipped with bike racks. www.skisugar.com/bikepark

See also: http://skisugar.com/summer-trail-map/

Sugar Mountain Summit Crawl is held annually the 4th of July. Climb to Sugar’s 5’300’ peak as fast as you can via Easy Street, Gunther’s Way, and Northridge. www.skisugar.com/crawl

Oktoberfest is held annually on the second weekend in October. Activities from 10am until 5pm. Admission, parking and shuttle service are free! www.skisugar.com/oktoberfest

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Area Chambers of Commerce can provide complete shopping, dining, and lodging information.
– Avery County Chamber of Commerce: 800-972-2183
– Banner Elk Chamber of Commerce: 828-898-8395
– Boone Chamber of Commerce: 828-264-2225
– Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce: 800-295-7851

**Information subject to change