Sugar Mountain: Winter Sports, Bike Park and Nature

When looking for hotels for a trip to Sugar Mountain, first decide what you want to focus on during your stay: winter sports, mountain biking, golf, other recreational activities, or nature. The activities differ in type and in their seasonal and weather-dependent operating conditions.

Ski Terrain, Ice Skating, and Tubing

Sugar Mountain Resort has 125 acres of ski terrain; operations on the ski terrain are weather-dependent. The resort also has a refrigerated outdoor ice rink covering 10,000 square feet and a tubing facility. Its lanes are 700 feet long and served by a Magic Carpet lift. Seasonal operating details for the ice rink may vary; tubing is also subject to seasonal conditions. This gives you three distinct options: ski terrain, a refrigerated outdoor ice rink, and tubing lanes with a lift.

Bike Park and Summer Lift

The bike park at Sugar Mountain has trails for experts, as well as beginners and intermediate riders. The listed difficulty levels provide a guide for choosing the type of trail that suits you. In summer, the Summit Express carries pedestrians and mountain bikers from the base of Sugar Mountain to its 5,300-foot summit. Its operating details vary by season and weather. This leaves two separate questions to consider when planning: What difficulty level are you looking for at the bike park, and will the lift be running on your travel dates?

Adventure Course and Alpine Coaster

The Wilderness Run Adventure Course has 28 aerial obstacles and routes of varying difficulty. A registered check-in is required to visit; operating details may change. The Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster is located at the foot of Sugar Mountain. Individual cars reach speeds of up to 27 mph on multiple 360-degree loops; the coaster operates year-round. Check reservations and operating conditions before your trip. The Adventure Course focuses on obstacles and routes of varying difficulty, while the coaster offers a ride with loops and speed.

Golf and Nature

The Sugar Mountain Public Golf Course is a public 18-hole course with a par-64 layout across 60 scenic acres. If you’re planning a round, check the course’s current reservation and operating information.

J. Douglas Williams Park covers 14 acres, is wooded, and has a large picnic pavilion. A conservation easement in the park protects forests and wildlife habitats while allowing recreational and educational activities. The golf course and park offer different things: the course’s layout is described by its number of holes, par, and acreage; the park focuses on woods, protected habitats, recreation, and education.

A Culinary Occasion

The Bavarian food selection at Oktoberfest at Sugar Mountain includes bratwurst, knockwurst, sauerkraut, strudel, and soft pretzels. Individual food offerings may vary from year to year; check event dates before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Linville, Banner Elk, Beech Mountain, Newland

Return to the broader travel overview: Avery County.