Scenic Chairlift Rides & Bike Park Schedule
Scenic Rides & Bike Park Chairlift Ticket Rates
Summer Season Pass
Mountain Bike Rentals
Mountain Bike Tours & Lessons
Food Truck Festival
Summit Crawl
Fourth of July Fireworks Show
Teen & Tween Gravity Mountain Bike Camps
Waiver
Responsibility Code & Checklist
Summer Trail Map
Operation and event dates and details are subject to change at any time due to weather and other variables.
The Summit Express chairlift shuttles foot-passengers and mountain bikers from the base of Sugar Mountain to its 5,300’ peak.
The Sugar Mountain 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. Always observe all signs and beware of trail maintenance.
Valid trail access/lift ticket required at all times to enter the trail system.
Tickets can be purchased at the main ticket windows located in front of the base lodge as you approach from the parking lot.
Bicycle helmets are required by Village Ordinance.
Full-face helmets are required when riding any downhill expert trail.
Scenic Chairlift Rides and Bike Park Schedule
Ticket sales begin 30 minutes before the Summit Express Chairlift and Bike Park open
Ticket sales end 30 minutes before the Summit Express Chairlift and Bike Park close
(excludes July 4)
May 22 – 25, 2026 / Memorial Day Weekend
OPEN: Summit Express Chairlift & Bike Park
Friday – Memorial Day Monday: 10am until 6pm
No uphill traffic after 10am Friday – Sunday or Memorial Day Monday
May 26 – July 2, 2026
OPEN: Hiking welcome
CLOSED: Summit Express Chairlift & Bike Park
July 3 – September 7, 2026 / Friday through Sunday & Labor Day Monday
OPEN: Summit Express Chairlift & Bike Park
Friday – Sunday: 10am until 6pm
Labor Day Monday: 10am until 6pm
Saturday, July 4: See schedule below
Sunday, August 2: Scenic rides available from 10am until 6pm
Sunday, August 16: Scenic rides available 10am until 6pm and Bike Park open from 2pm until 6pm
CLOSED: Sunday, August 2: Bike Park closed to all non-competing mountain bikers
Sunday, August 16: Bike Park closed to all non-competing mountain bikers from 10am until 2pm
No uphill traffic after 10am Friday – Sunday or Labor Day Monday
July 4, 2026 / Fourth of July – Summit Crawl & Mountain-Top Fireworks
On the evening of July 4, purchase a one-time lift ticket between 6:30pm and 8:30pm to experience mountain-top fireworks via the Summit Express Chairlift which will run from 7:30pm until 10pm.
OPEN: Summit Express Chairlift & Bike Park
Scenic rides open 9am until 5:30pm and 7:30pm until 10pm
Bike Park open 10am until 5:30pm
CLOSED: Summit Express Chairlift closed from 5:30pm until 7:30pm and Bike Park closed after 5:30pm
No uphill traffic between 10am and 6pm
August 1 & 2, 2026 / Go Nuts North Carolina Funduro – International Enduro
(Round 5) Series
OPEN: Summit Express Chairlift scenic rides are available from 10am until 6pm
Bike Park is open August 1 from 10am until 6pm
CLOSED: Bike Park closed to all non-competing mountain bikers August 2
August 15 & 16, 2026 / Gravity Carolinas Mountain Bike Competition
OPEN: Summit Express Chairlift scenic rides are available from 10am until 6pm
Bike Park is open August 15 from 10am until 6pm
Bike Park is open August 16 from 2pm until 6pm
CLOSED: Bike Park closed to all non-competing mountain bikers August 16 from 10am until 2pm
September 4 – 7, 2026 / Labor Day Weekend
OPEN: Summit Express Chairlift & Bike Park
Friday – Labor Day Monday: 10am until 6pm
No uphill traffic after 10am Friday – Sunday or Labor Day Monday
September 8 – October 9, 2026
OPEN: Hiking welcome
CLOSED: Summit Express Chairlift & Bike Park
October 10 & 11, 2026 / Oktoberfest
OPEN: Summit Express Chairlift (Scenic chairlift rides only)
Saturday and Sunday: 10am until 5pm
CLOSED: Bike Park
Schedule is subject to change at any time due to weather and other variables.
Scenic Rides and Bike Park Chairlift Ticket Rates
$25 for a one-time ride (all ages)
One-time ride tickets are ONLY for scenic lift rides!
(Upgrades from a one-time ride ticket to an all-day ticket are available by paying the difference)
$58 adult (12 and older) full day ticket*
$45 junior (11 and under) full day ticket*
$45 adult (12 and older) half day ticket**
$27 junior (11 and under) half day ticket**
Kids 4 and under ride for $3 with a paying adult.
On the evening of July 4, purchase a one-time lift ticket between 6:30pm and 8:30pm to experience mountain-top fireworks via the Summit Express chairlift which will run from 7:30pm until 10pm.
*Full Day times:
Friday – Sunday (plus holiday Mondays): 10am – 6pm
**Half Day times:
Friday – Sunday (plus holiday Mondays): 10am – 2pm or 2pm – 6pm
Group Rates for 10 people or more:
$20 per person for one-time ride tickets
$45 per person for full day adult tickets
$33 per person for full day junior (11 and under) tickets
Payment for groups must be made in one single transaction at the main ticket windows located in front of the base lodge as you approach from the parking lot.
Reservations are required for all group tickets (no walk-ins)! Please call 828-898-4521 x 202 Monday through Friday between 8am and 4pm or email groupsales@skisugar.com.
Group rates are not available on July 4th or October 10th-11th.
Summer Season Pass Rates
Unlimited use of the bike park and rides on the Summit Express Chairlift during the summer schedule
$250 junior (11 and under)
$350 adult (12 and older)
Season Pass Application and Waiver
Mountain Bike Rentals
All bike rentals come with a helmet and knee pads.
$175 – Adult Full Day Bike Rental, Scott Ransom 930 (29″ wheel, 170mm travel)
$150 – Adult Half Day Bike Rental, Scott Ransom 930 (29″ wheel, 170mm travel)
$150 – Junior Full Day Bike Rental, Scott Ransom JR (one size, 24″ wheel)
$126 – Junior Half Day Bike Rental, Scott Ransom JR (one size, 24″ wheel)
$55 – Rental Insurance
Bike Rentals are first come first served.
Mountain Bike Tours & Lessons
Tours
Tours are for those who have never ridden at Sugar Mountain Resort and need someone to show them around for a run or two. Participants are introduced to the lift service, trail signage, and map use. There is no skill instruction with this service.
½ hour tours – $33 for the first person and $8 for each additional person. Not to exceed 4 per tour.
Lessons
A lesson introduces the rider to lift service, trail signage, map use, the elements of bike control through body positioning, braking, and cornering.
One-hour lesson – $70 for the first person, $20 for each additional person, not to exceed 4 per lesson.
Bike, gear, and lift ticket not included.
Valid trail access/lift ticket required at all times to enter the trail system.
Tickets can be purchased at the main ticket windows located in front of the base lodge as you approach from the parking lot.
Reservations are recommended for tours and lessons. No guarantee for walk-ins. Call 828-898-4521 x 202 Monday through Friday between 8am and 4pm or email bike@skisugar.com.
In Case of Emergency – call 828-898-4521 x 213
Bike wash stations are available outside of the bike rental shop. See trail map for location.
July 10 – 12, 2026 (Friday – Sunday)
August 7 – 9, 2026 (Friday – Sunday)
Ages: 11 – 16 years
Kids are going to have so much fun they won’t want to go home. Three days of fun, friends, and developing and improving mountain bike gravity skills.
Cost / Registration for 3-day camp:
- $496 with bike rental – $381 with summer season pass
(includes full-face helmet and knee / shin & elbow pads) - $405 without bike rental – $289 with summer season pass
Summer season pass holders must register for the Gravity Mountain Bike Camp in the administration office Monday – Friday from 8am to 4pm, or over the phone at 828-898-4521 x 202.
Full-face helmets and knee pads are required and can be rented at an additional cost.
Personal mountain bikes should be in good working condition with good tires, brake pads, and drivetrain. Disk brakes are required, full suspension is recommended.
Camp includes
- Full Day lift ticket and bike rental
- Professional downhill mountain bike instruction
- Lunch
- Gravity Mountain Bike Camp T-shirt
Daily schedule
9:30am: Meet at the Sugar Mountain Resort Snowsports School
10:00am – 1:00pm: Group instruction
1:00pm – 1:30 pm: Lunch
1:30pm: End of camp day
1:30pm – 6:00pm: Ride the bike park on your own
What you should bring:
- Mountain bike, helmet, knee / shin & elbow pads (if you have)
- Comfortable sportswear and flat-soled footwear
- Rain coat
- Sunscreen
- Water bottle
- Cash / card in case you need to rent additional equipment or rent a locker (card only)
Why you should participate
- You will experience three days of outdoor fun with other participants your age
- Professional mountain bike instructors will help you develop and improve your downhill biking skills
- You will be grouped according to your level of ability
- Sugar Mountain Resort bike park offers diverse trails and stunning views
*The camp is for all levels of ability; however, we recommend that participant has ridden on mountain bike trails at least once before*
Mountain Biking Release and Waiver of liability assumption of risk and indemnity agreement
Signed waivers are required for all bikers. Save time by downloading and signing the Mountain Biking Waiver (PDF)! If you are under the age of 18 and are riding without a parent or guardian, please have your parent or guardian complete this release before you arrive at the ticket counter.
Mountain Biker’s Responsibility Code and Mountain Bike Checklist
