North Carolina’s Sugar Mountain Resort became the first ski area in the mid-Atlantic to open for the winter season on Saturday, November 12, 2011.

Sugar Mountain took advantage of a drop in temperatures on Thursday, November 10 to begin snowmaking operations on the Upper and Lower Flying Mile slopes. For the November 12-13 weekend, Sugar Mountain plans to run the Summit #1 lift to the 3/4’s station. The 10,000 square foot outdoor ice rink will also be open for the weekend.

Lift tickets for November 12 and 13 will be priced at $25 for a full-day session and $20 for a half-day session. Ice skating tickets will be sold for $15 per 90-minute session.

First day of skiing at Sugar Mountain on November 12, 2011. Photo provided by Sugar Mountain Web Cam.

With a peak elevation of 5,300 feet above sea level, Sugar Mountain benefits from cold temperatures early in the season. Sugar has a history of being the first mid-Atlantic resort out of the gate to offer skiing and boarding each winter, usually opening before Thanksgiving. In 2008, Sugar Mountain opened on November 17; in 2009, Sugar opened on November 27. Last year, Sugar Mountain launched its season on November 6.

Early season openings can be fleeting, so before making a trip to Sugar Mountain, check directly with the resort to verify operating conditions. Sugar has not announced whether it will remain open midweek after this weekend.