As the crisp mountain air settles over the High Country of North Carolina, winter enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the official start of the ski season.
Compiled By Chris Murphy
Located in Avery County, Sugar Mountain Ski Resort marks this exciting time of year with its signature early-season celebration: SugarFest from Dec. 11-13, 2026. Designed to bring together seasoned shredders, families, and newcomers alike, this action-packed weekend serves as the ultimate alpine season kickoff.
Test Out the Latest Gear
One of the premier highlights of SugarFest is the massive consumer equipment demo. Sponsored by Ski Country Sports, the weekend gives visitors an exclusive chance to test out the newest and coolest skis and snowboards straight from top-tier manufacturers. Whether you are curious about carving with equipment from Atomic, Burton, K2, Nordica, Salomon, or Volkl, the demo tents allow you to put the gear through its paces right on the slopes before making a purchase decision.
Clinics, Competitions, and On-Snow Fun
For those looking to sharpen their technique before the heavy winter traffic hits, SugarFest hosts comprehensive Preseason Ski Clinics starting bright and early each morning. Beyond testing gear and fine-tuning turns, guests can explore Sugar Mountain’s other cold-weather offerings. The resort’s outdoor ice skating rink and multi-lane snowshoeing and tubing parks open up wide-scale entertainment that keeps the energy high all weekend long, day and night.
Hearty Food and Festive Entertainment
All that carving and cruising on the mountain is bound to work up an appetite, and SugarFest delivers with delicious culinary traditions. Attendees can warm up with the popular “Soup Safari,” featuring fresh, made-from-scratch gourmet soups, alongside a comforting BBQ and Sweet Tea lunch and dinner special. A hot chocolate and whipped cream bar provides the ultimate sweet treat for cold hands.
As the sun begins to set on Saturday, the celebration transitions into an après-ski party featuring live music from bands like Classic Highway. The festive atmosphere culminates in a spectacular fireworks display presented by the Village of Sugar Mountain, lighting up the chilly night sky above the peaks.
Combining premier equipment testing, expert clinics, hearty food, and community celebration, SugarFest captures the pure magic of winter and sets the stage for an unforgettable season on the slopes.
Find out more about Sugarfest: skisugar.com/sugarfest
