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.
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First day of skiing at Sugar Mountain on November 12, 2011. Photo provided by Sugar Mountain Web Cam.
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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.
M. Scott Smith is the founder and Editor of DCSki. Scott loves outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, kayaking, skiing, and mountain biking. He is an avid photographer and writer.
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