By Justin Grimes
Nothing Compares, North Carolina’s new branding slogan may best sum up the grand opening of Sugar Mountain Resort’s Summit Express, the newly installed state-of-the-art, six-seater, detachable, high-speed chairlift manufactured by Doppelmayr, an Austrian based company.
The governor and Sugar Mountain Resort owners Gunther and Kim Jochl were cheered on by
other dignitaries and a crowd of hundreds at the base of Sugar Mountain Saturday morning, Nov. 14, as they cut the ribbon and enjoyed an historic inaugural ride.
Mother Nature cooperated and the first man-made snow of the 2015/16 season blanketed the slopes.
The nearly one-mile-long ride to Sugar Mountain’s 5,300 foot peak aboard the Summit Express took five minutes.
“First class,” McCrory said, when exiting a plush Gondola, a gift to the Jochls by Doppelmayr’s CEO, Michael Doppelmayr, who also attended the festivities.
“The ride was smooth, warm and fast, and the views…great,” McCrory exclaimed.
Immediately following the lift ride, invited guests filled the Last Run Lounge and the third floor area of Sugar’s lodge where the Jochls treated the participants to an elaborate brunch including crab cakes, prime rib, fresh fruits and breakfast items; a veritable feast.
Welcoming everyone and praising his staff, Gunther Jochl said “The ski industry is a big part of the economy of the High Country and North Carolina and of course, we are glad to be a part of it.”
Previously Jochl had stated, “Our guests expect to be offered something new every year. Therefore, it’s important that we continue to develop and provide innovations with a wow factor. Both summer and winter tourism will benefit from the new installation.”
Echoing the same sentiments about the new Summit Express was Jim Cottrell, president and founder of French-Swiss Ski College; “Wow, this is big news, really big news; Gunther’s investment will help us all.”
After applauding Gunther and Kim Jochl for Sugar’s multi-million dollar investment and saying Sugar Mountain should be the site of his new western office, McCrory spoke briefly about about the state’s new branding project.
“Our new state motto is North Carolina, Nothing Compares. Nothing compares to North Carolina and nothing compares to Sugar Mountain.”
He entertained the crowd with anecdotes about his past skiing experience; how he rolled down Sugar’s expert terrain on his first ever ski trip at 16-years-old, ending with a moving memory of the Christmas his parents gave him a new pair of skis.
Not to be outdone, the Doppelmayr contingent in attendance produced a red velvet drape which covered a beautifully crafted and weighty Austrian bell. They roused people from their seats and the bell was passed with attendees taking turns ringing the bell; traditionally ringing in the snow.
Upon completion of the sounding ceremony, Michael Doppelmayr presented the bell to Kim Jochl.
Sugar Mountain Resort opened for skiing on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015.
For more information of the new Summit Express or Sugar Mountain Resort, click to:
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