Sugar Mountain Resort Profile and Ski Guide

About the mountain

Overview

With its 1,200-foot vertical, Sugar Mountain is the largest ski resort south of West Virginia, and one of few resorts breaking a 1,000-foot vertical south of New England. The mountain is located near Banner Elk, North Carolina - a 7-hour drive from D.C., but less than three from Charlotte, Knoxville, and Winston-Salem, and a little over four hours from Atlanta.

The mountain offers skiers and boarders trails spread out over 125 acres. The lower mountain features graceful groomers, perfect for lower intermediates. The summit, however, will surprise even seasoned experts with several narrow, expert trails sporting 60-percent pitches. Sugar receives over 60 inches of natural snow annually, which is supplemented with 100 percent snowmaking. Snow tubing, ice skating, and snowshoeing are also offered in the winter.

There are approximately 1,000 beds located in condos on the mountain and another 10,000 beds located within 15 miles of the resort.

Photo provided by Sugar Mountain Resort.

At a glance

Mountain & Resort Details

Terrain

Mountain

Vertical Drop: 1,200 feet2nd-highest vertical in the region
Base Elevation: 4,100 feet2nd-highest base elevation in the region
Peak Elevation: 5,300 feet2nd-highest summit in the region
Skiable Acres: 125
Longest Run: 1.5 miles
Trails: 22
Trail Mix: 34% beginner 52% intermediate 14% expert

Experience

Skiing & Amenities

Lifts: 9 (1 high speed six-pack chairlift; 1 high speed quad; 1 fixed grip quad; 3 doubles; 1 handle tow; 2 magic carpets)
Night Skiing: Yes, on 15 slopes.
Terrain Park: Serviced by a handle tow lift.
Tubing Park: Multiple runs serviced by a Magic Carpet conveyer lift.

Plan your visit

Contact & Links

Address: 1009 Sugar Mountain Drive
Sugar Mountain, NC 28604
Phone: (800) 784-2768
Directions: Get directions →
Website: Official resort website
Social: Instagram

Beyond ski season

Summer Activities

Sugar Mountain Resort and the nearby Sugar Mountain Village feature golf, mountain biking, river rafting, tennis, and hiking during the warmer months. Nearby attractions include Grandfather Mountain, Blowing Rock, and the Pigsah National Forest.

Each summer, the resort sponsors the Showdown at Sugar Mountain Bike Competition & Festival, one of 23 American Mountain Bike Challenge (AMBC) events held each year throughout the country.

Plan your day

Trail Map

View full-size map →

Plan your trip

Getting There

Estimated Drive Times

Baltimore, MD 8 hours 466 miles Washington, DC 7 hours, 20 minutes 431 miles Arlington, VA 7 hours, 20 minutes 429 miles Richmond, VA 5 hours, 50 minutes 333 miles Pittsburgh, PA 7 hours, 20 minutes 439 miles Harrisburg, PA 8 hours, 10 minutes 486 miles Philadelphia, PA 9 hours, 45 minutes 568 miles Charleston, WV 4 hours, 25 minutes 255 miles Raleigh, NC 3 hours, 50 minutes 210 miles Charlotte, NC 2 hours, 20 minutes 111 miles

Mountain forecast

Weather

Weather near Sugar Mountain

4:55 pm on October 13 / Watauga County Hospital Heliport

Humidity:	41%	Visibility:	10.00
Wind Speed:	mph	Sunrise:	7:31 a.m.
Barometer:	30.17 in	Sunset:	6:56 p.m.
Dewpoint:	50 °F

Way too warm for snowmaking. No snowmaking

Tonight

Low: 54°

Clear

Clear, with a low around 54. West northwest wind 3 to 8 mph.

Wednesday

High: 72°

Sunny

Sunny, with a high near 72. West northwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming calm in the afternoon.

Wednesday Night

Low: 57°

Mostly Clear

Mostly clear, with a low around 57. Calm wind becoming west northwest around 5 mph after midnight.

Thursday

High: 71°

Sunny

Sunny, with a high near 71. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the morning.

Weather supplied by the National Weather Service. Errors or reporting delays may be possible.

Latest from DCSki

Recent Sugar Mountain News

Visit the Newsroom →

October 12, 2026

New North Carolina Ski Safety Law Takes Effect, Expanding Skier Responsibilities and Resort Liability Protections

A new North Carolina law expands skier responsibilities and resort liability protections while adding misdemeanor penalties for collisions, pass misuse, and unauthorized access.

October 6, 2026

The Race to Winter Begins: Ski Areas Test Snow Guns and Eye Opening Day

Snowmaking tests are underway as resorts across North America, including several high-elevation ski areas in North Carolina, prepare to compete for an early opening.

August 30, 2026

Fall Returns to the Mountains: 2026 Events at Mid-Atlantic Ski Resorts

DCSki rounds up Fall 2026 events at Mid-Atlantic ski resorts, from Oktoberfests and foliage chairlift rides to music, mountain biking, and Bigfoot.

August 29, 2026

Where Can You Still Ski for Less? The Mid-Atlantic's Best Values

DCSki searches for the Mid-Atlantic’s best ski values for the 2026-2027 season, from bargain lift tickets and season passes to military, family, and lodging deals.

August 27, 2026

The Pacific Is Heating Up: What a Powerful El Niño Could Mean for the Mid-Atlantic Ski Season

A potentially historic El Niño is taking shape ahead of the 2026-2027 winter, bringing the prospect of an active storm track — and plenty of uncertainty — to the Mid-Atlantic.

December 18, 2025

A Snapshot of Mid-Atlantic Ski Conditions Heading Into Late December

A period of sustained cold weather has allowed Mid-Atlantic ski resorts to build solid snow bases and open substantial terrain as the region heads into late December.

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