Sugar Mountain Resort, Banner Elk

While the skiing here is nice and the slopes are good, they lack terrain and number of slopes for the sheer amount of people that do come here during holiday season. They can do better with their ticketing systems, rental equipment system and lodge facilities. Should you come during the busy holiday season, be ready for the lines and the crowds. Rent your gear from a separate shop down the mountain and arrive early for the chance at a parking spot. Overall, would recommend this spot. But try to come during a day that is not a holiday or at least prepare for the crowds by renting your gear elsewhere and by arriving early for a parking spot.

One of the best in NC. They work hard to make southern skiing a reality and I became a good skier at this hill. Always have a good time. Friendly crowd, friendly staff, and good runs. If you have to decide, you can’t go wrong with sugar. Crowds can be a bit much on weekends in peak season, but the new lifts are helping with that. Definitely ride the lifts to max capacity to keep things going. You can get down the entire mountain in under 5 minutes and the lift up is about 8 minutes.