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Sugar Mountain Plans Earliest Open in Resort History on Wednesday, Oct. 31; Began Making Snow Last Night

Oct. 29, 2012. Sugar Mountain Ski Resort plans to open unprecedentedly early on Halloween, Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2012 for skiing and snowboarding. In its 43-year history, Sugar Mountain Resort’s earliest opening was on Nov. 5 in 1976. 

Photo courtesy of Sugar Mountain Resort

The mega storm, Sandy, which continues to pound the East Coast is ushering in winter in the North Carolina Mountains. Two inches of natural snow have fallen already with eight inches plus expected. Snow continues to fall while temperatures are forecasted to remain in the low to mid-twenties through Wednesday. 

Snowmaking began Sunday evening, Oct. 28 and continues around the clock. On Wednesday, skiers and snowboarders can expect a natural and manmade powder surface covering the Upper and Lower Flying Mile slopes. The Summit #1 Lift will be in operation to the ¾’s station. For a real time look at the slopes through the live, streaming web cam please log on to www.skisugar.com/sugarlive.

“This will be the first time in Sugar’s history that we’ve made snow in October and, for sure, the earliest we’ve opened in October,” said Kim Jochl with Sugar Mountain Resort. 

Sugar Mountain Sports Shop, located in the Base Lodge will open Wednesday for the season. It features the finest in winter apparel and footwear, quality gift items, and souvenirs. New winter items are arriving daily.

Although Sandy is causing some headaches along the East Coast, it has been conducive for an early start to the ski season.

“[The snow] gets a lot of momentum going,” Jochl said. “It gets people excited for winter and for skiing.”

Sugar’s 10,000-square-foot outdoor ice rink and tubing park are scheduled to open in mid-November or as weather permits. 

For more information, call 800-SUGAR-MT or view www.skisugar.com for the latest slope and weather conditions. Historical opening and closing dates as well as recorded annual natural snowfall measurements can be found at www.skisugar.com/press/stats.