Despite an unseasonably warm start to the winter season, snowmaking is in progress at Sugar Mountain Resort and most SugarFest events are still on for this weekend, Dec. 18-20.
The Summit Express chairlift will whisk guests to Sugar’s 5,300’ peak. Manmade packed powder and frozen granular snow will cover the Northridge, Switchback, Upper and Lower Flying Mile slopes. Day and night sessions will be available.
The adult preseason ski clinics scheduled for Saturday and Sunday mornings have been cancelled, but they are the only SugarFest events that have been affected.
The folks at Sugar are making snow already and plan to open slopes on Saturday morning. At the moment, plans still include keeping slopes open for nighttime skiing.
Sugar’s 10,000 square foot outdoor ice rink is open while snowmaking continues in the tubing park.
The fun begins Friday night with an all-star performance by American figure skater and 1992 Olympic silver medalist Paul Wylie, who has been the star of the SugarFest weekend festivities for the past several years.
Wylie performs his signature skate routines free of charge. The approachable Wylie is a great showman who eagerly interacts with anyone on or off the ice.
This performance will take place on the ice skating rink and will be followed by an on-ice clinic.
After the show at 7:30 p.m., meet and greet with Wylie, check out his medal and get his autograph. If you’ve never seen or held a real Olympic silver medal, you don’t want to miss this!
Ice skating will continue through the 10 p.m. session, and don’t forget to stay warm with a drink from the hot chocolate and whipped cream bar at the ice rink.
So, what else can you do at SugarFest?
Delight in the beginning of the three-day SugarFEAST during the evening’s skate show on Sugar’s 10,000 sq. ft. outdoor ice rink. To keep warm and well-hydrated a hot chocolate and whipped cream bar will flow creamy, smooth chocolate pleasures.
All day Saturday and Sunday ski and snowboard manufacturers roll out their newest equipment with an unmatched demo inventory. Other than a valid lift/slope ticket or pass and a driver’s license the demo is free of charge.
Participating brands include Salomon, Blizzard, Volkl, Nordica, Burton, Head, Never Summer, K2, Atomic, Rossignol, Ride and Line. Just bring your boots, register, and test drive the goods from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. The SugarFest demo is made possible by Ski Country Sports.
SugarFEAST runs throughout the weekend. Browse through the newly renovated cafeteria line on Saturday and experience the “Soup Safari”. Beginning at 11 a.m. each day North Carolina BBQ and Sweet Tea should satisfy your appetite during or after a productive and rewarding day demoing this season’s new equipment.
At SugarFest, Après ski isn’t a thing of the past. A fireworks display free of charge will take place just before 6:00 pm on Saturday. The deck at the base lodge is a great place to take it all in. Kick off your boots and enjoy great food, warm drinks and live bluegrass music from favorite local music group, Mountain Creek.
To enjoy the total SugarFest experience, you’ll want to spend the weekend on the mountain. Participating lodging agencies within the Village of Sugar Mountain offer discounted rates for slope-side and on-mountain accommodations.
Sugar Mountain Resort’s Winter Value Packages are available, too.
To learn more about SugarFest please visit www.skisugar.com/sugarfest or call 1-800-SUGAR-MT and become a part of Sugar Mountain’s fun-filled winter celebration.
Think Snow!
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