Each summer and fall, Sugar Mountain Resort adapts its ski slopes to exhilarating downhill biking and scenic lift rides.
2023 dates are:
May 26-29 (Memorial Day Weekend, Fri-Mon)
June 30-October 1 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Labor Day Monday)
Monday, July 3 & Tuesday, July 4 (Summit Crawl & Fireworks)
October 7-8: Scenic Lift Rides Only (Oktoberfest)
Hours: 10 AM-6 PM
July 4th: Lifts run until 10 PM to enjoy fireworks at summit. No bikes after 5:45 PM.
Bike Park & Scenic Chairlift Rides
The Summit Express chairlift shuttles sightseers and mountain bikers from the base of Sugar Mountain to its 5,300’ peak – taking you up 1,200 in elevation! Bikers ride down the network of trails back to the lodge. Sightseers can hop off the lift to enjoy the view and ride the lift back down. Take a short trail at the top to reach the rock outcroppings that overlook Pisgah National Forest (pic above). Tip: Often the temperature decreases 5-10 degrees as you ascend, so have a jacket handy. Expect summer highs on the summit in the 60s and 70s.
The Sugar Mountain bike park features expert terrain and newly built beginner and intermediate downhill trails. Varying line option choices from the summit to the base include rollers, small dips, table tops, and other fun features. A trail access/lift ticket is required. Purchase tickets at the Snowsports School at the lodge. Bike rentals, gear rentals, bike wash and first-time tours available.
Tours & Lessons
Tours are available for those who have never ridden at Sugar Mountain Resort and need someone to show them around for a run or two with lift service, trail signage and map use. A one-hour lesson focuses on bike control through body positioning, braking, and cornering. The trails are demanding on your body and bike. Be prepared! Inquire at the Snowsports School building.
The Easy Street lift operates for beginner-level gravity skills trail – except for October dates. Helmets required – including full-face helmets for downhill expert trails.
2023 Lift Rates
- $18 for a one-time roundtrip sightseeing ride (all ages)
- $35 junior (11 and under) all-day ticket
- $45 adult (12 and older) all-day ticket
- $20 junior (11 and under) half-day ticket (10-2 or 2-6)
- $33 adult (12 and older) half-day ticket
- Get more Bike Park info on the Resort Website.
Address: 1009 Sugar Mountain Drive, Sugar Mountain, North Carolina 28604
Bike Events, Clinics & Races 2023
July 4, 2023: Summit Crawl & Fireworks
Summit Crawl at 9 AM. A spectacular firework show from Sugar’s 5,300-foot peak begins around 9:15 p.m. The Summit Express chairlift runs July 4 from 10:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. for mountain-top fireworks viewing. Live music at the base lodge from 6-9 p.m. and food and beverages are available. Read more.
July 14-16, 2023: Tween & Teen Gravity Mountain Bike Camp
Kids are going to have so much fun they will not want to go home. Three days of fun, friends, and developing and improving their gravity skills. For tweens and teens ages 11-16. Info: www.skisugar.com/bikepark/#gravity.
July 22, 2023: Ladies Gravity Mountain Bike Clinic
A day of fun, girlfriends, and developing and improving mountain bike gravity skills. Info: www.skisugar.com/bikepark/#ladies
July 28 -30, 2023: Downhill Southeast Race #6
The Downhill Southeast is the region’s premier downhill mountain bike race series. Join in on the action as racers from around the US do battle on Sugar’s classic downhill tracks. Bike Park & chairlift rides schedule changes are in effect during the Downhill Southeast Series. Info: www.downhillsoutheast.com
August 4-6, 2023: Teen & Tween Gravity Mountain Bike Camp
Kids are going to have so much fun they will not want to go home. Three days of fun, friends, and developing and improving their gravity skills. For tweens and teens ages 11-16. Info: www.skisugar.com/bikepark/#gravity.
August 26 & 27, 2023: Go Nuts North Carolina Regional Downhill
Go Nuts Racing is a USA Cycling regional Championship Series. Join in on the action as racers from around the US do battle on Sugar’s classic downhill tracks. The competition heats up with a standard downhill race Saturday and a grueling Enduro on Sunday. Info: www.gonutsbiking.com
For all the details about Sugar Mountain Resort’s summer fun visit SkiSugar.com or call 800-SUGAR-MT.
Places to Stay
Stay on the mountain this summer in a vacation rental or condo. See our Sugar Mountain Vacation Rentals.
More Things to Do
See our Sugar Summer Guide for many other nearby attractions and mountain activities to enjoy during your vacation with us. The resort is across the road from our popular Public Golf Course and Tennis Courts!