Sugar Mountain Ski Resort
Skiing Vacations in the Western North Carolina Mountains
Sugar Mountain ski resort in the western North Carolina mountains offers skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, ice skating, and tubing.
Sugar Mountain Ski Resort
The Sugar Mountain ski resort is located in the village of Sugar Mountain south of the town of Banner Elk in the northwestern North Carolina Mountains. Covering 115 acres, Sugar Mountain is the largest of North Carolina's eight ski resorts.
Sugar Mountain ski resort has artificial snow making equipment to supplement the nearly 80 inches of average natural snowfall each year. Their snow grooming provides snow conditions that are often considered the best in the region.
In addition to skiing and snowboarding, Sugar Mountain offers snowshoeing, tubing, and ice skating.
Ski Packages
Sugar Mountain offers skiing and snowboarding. Lift tickets, equipment rentals, and lessons are all available. Midweek packages that include all three are available from Monday through Friday. Season passes are available for frequent skiers.
Group packages are also available for school, church, scout, and other groups. Groups larger than the minimum group size of 15 people receive discount rates.
In conjunction with local motels, Sugar Mountain offers ski vacation packages that include both lodging and skiing. There is a day care center for young family members who do not ski.
Description of Slopes
Sugar Mountain's mile high slopes have a top elevation of 5300 feet and a bottom elevation of 4100 feet. The 1200 feet vertical drop is the largest in North Carolina. The longest run is 1.5 miles.
There are 20 slopes and trails. The slopes are divided so that 40% are beginner slopes, 40% are intermediate, 16% are advanced, and 4% are advanced expert, black double diamond, slopes.
The beginner slopes are segregated from the more advanced slopes and the beginner terrain is considered excellent. There is also a slope reserved only for snowboarders. There are five chair lifts and three surface lifts located on the easiest beginner slopes.
For those who would rather ride inner tubes than ski or snowboard, there is a 700 foot tubing slope with a separate lift. There is also a new 10,000 square foot ice skating rink.
Ski School
Both group and private lessons from beginning to advanced levels are available. There are separate classes for adults and children of different ages. Children's ski classes are available for ages 5 to 10. Snowboarding classes are available for children from ages 7 to 14.
Those wanting to learn to snowshoe can take guided snowshoe tours.
Getting There
Sugar Mountain ski resort is just off route 184 between Banner Elk and route 105. The intersection between route 105 and route 184 is between Boone and Linville.
If you live in the southeastern US, Sugar Mountain ski resort is conveniently located for a ski weekend or quick ski vacation in the western North Carolina mountains. For more information call 800-784-2768.
