Sugar Mountain Resort in North Carolina is a popular destination for skiers and snowboarders. As part of a series on ski resorts, Huffington Post Travel offers our guide to Sugar Mountain Resort, featuring all the key information snow lovers need to know before they hit the slopes.
The Basics
Located in North Carolina's western high country,
sits just 2 miles east of Banner Elk and 14 miles from Boone. The
is the Tri-Cities Regional Airport in Blountville, Tennessee, which is about an hour and 20 minutes away. This family-friendly ski resort is the
and attracts visitors with skiing and snowboarding, as well as other fun snow activities including night skiing, ice skating and snow tubing.
The Mountain
The peak at Sugar Mountain Resort climbs to
at the summit, with a vertical drop that runs 1,200 feet long. The winter season at the resort runs from November through March. Annual snowfall at the resort reaches up to
, but running out of snow is rarely an issue since the resort's snowmaking machines reach 100 percent of the trails. The staff at the resort makes grooming the snow a top priority to ensure that skiers have plenty of fresh powder as they make their way down the slopes.
Trails And Lifts
Skiers at Sugar Mountain have
available to them. And 100 of those acres are also open for nighttime skiing. The mountain features 20 trails,
. Another 40 percent of the trails are rated at an intermediate level, while the remaining 20 percent of trails are designated for advanced and expert skiers. Skiers ride up the mountain on the resort's seven lifts, with one triple chair lift, four double chair lifts and two surface lifts available.
In The News
Numerous
have visited Sugar Mountain Resort in the past to ski or simply tour the resort's facilities. In 2008, former North Carolina Sen. Elizabeth Dole visited the resort. Also that year,
visited the resort to teach skiers in a special preseason ski clinic. The resort also hosts a popular
public racing series every weekend and is active in the United States Ski Association's race program.
Cost
A
at Sugar Mountain Resort costs $40 for adults and $30 for children. Visitors can choose from several cost-saving
, such as three-, four- and five-day packages that offer 30 to 40 percent off lift tickets,
and
. Children 4 and under and adults over 70 ride the lifts for free. Special rates are available for military employees, teachers and students. The resort offers equipment rental, including high-performance equipment from Burton and Head. Basic ski equipment rental starts at $20 per full day for adults and $12 for kids. Group skiing and snowboarding lessons on the mountain start at $22 per person. Private lessons run $50 per hour.
Apres-Ski
When guests need a break from the snow, they can head to the resort's
, which features a large gas fireplace for warming up, along with television, music and a full-service bar. The resort also houses a large cafeteria, open throughout each day, for skiers to enjoy a meal on the premises. For full-service meals, guests must make a quick trip to the town of Banner Elk, where they can find numerous dining options.
WATCH: Sugar Mountain
The staff at Sugar Mountain Resort prides itself on running a state-of-the-art, family-friendly ski resort.
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