Kimberley Jochl doesn’t remember the details, exactly — she and her twin sister were just 2 years old — but she knows how her first time on skis went down. “We lived in western Massachusetts and were bundled up in big, warm coats and ski pants,” she says. “We had these red pom-pom hats that had a strap under the chin. My dad was a ski instructor and very athletic.”
Dive into winter adventure on Sugar Mountain! Ski powdery slopes, race down tubing lanes, and glide across the ice rink. Recharge in cozy rentals, enjoy festive events, and après-ski fun. Learn more about why winter is best on Sugar!
Equipped with borrowed skis, Jochl and her sister got their first ski lesson, and it shaped the course of her life. “He had us walk around in our snow-covered yard to be sure we felt comfortable and to get us used to having long boards strapped to our feet. Dad packed up some snow to build a little ramp,” she says. “At 2 years old, you can do anything. It was one of those fun childhood adventures that became how I live my life now — it’s all about skiing and snow and winter.”
Now as the vice president of Sugar Mountain Resort, Jochl recognizes that not everyone learns the ropes as a toddler. But she believes her guests’ first time down the slopes can be exhilarating at any age. To make the most of your time during a trip to Sugar Mountain, Jochl shares her top tips for preparing for a family ski trip:
Planning out the details for your family ski trip ensures it ends with smiles (and not tears!). photograph by bushphoto.com, Courtesy of Village of Sugar Mountain
Make a plan for your equipment: Of course, you can buy your family’s gear before you go. But Jochl recommends renting it once you arrive. “You don’t want to invest in everything for your first time,” she advises. “You can rent all you need right here.”
Sugar Mountain Resort has 125 acres of ski-ready terrain, so you can pick the runs that match your skill level. photograph by bushphoto.com, Courtesy of Village of Sugar Mountain
Be strategic in your arrival: “First-timers visitors with families get a lot more one-on-one attention when they come during the week instead of weekends. Things are a little looser, and typically there are no wait times.”
And arrive early. “Be here at eight o’clock,” Jochl advises. “People on vacation like to mosey and get here at 10 a.m. — but that’s when everybody else gets here. If it’s your first time, come when we open. You’ll be ahead of the crowds as you get your equipment and lift or slope tickets and get started.”
Surrounded by the Blue Ridge mountains, visitors are treated to postcard-worthy views as they sashay down the slopes. photograph by bushphoto.com, Courtesy of Village of Sugar Mountain
Check the weather: Sugar Mountain Resort’s website gives up-to-the-minute weather reports and slope conditions, plus an update on the number of open lifts and slopes. “When you look at the data on the website, you can cross-check it with our webcams,” Jochl says.
But don’t let the weather or slope conditions stop you from coming. “Weather preferences are so subjective. Some people like powder conditions. Some people like the slopes groomed like a corduroy carpet, which is what I love. Other people may look at the forecast and tell you it’s not optimal, but that might end up being your favorite day.”
Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or advanced skier, you can sign up for instructor-led lessons to learn new techniques and gain confidence before hitting the slopes by yourself. photograph by bushphoto.com, Courtesy of Village of Sugar Mountain
Schedule lessons for everybody in the family: The resort’s Sugar Bear ski school (offered to ages 5 to 10) and Polar Bear snowboard school (available for ages 7 to 14) offer half-day and full-day lessons. If you go the full-day route, the program includes children’s lift and slope ticket, rental equipment, lessons, and lunch. “It’s like sending the kids to camp, and then you and your partner can do an hour-long private lesson or an hour-and-a-half group lesson,” Jochl recommends.
Unless you’re a trained instructor, don’t teach your partner or kids to ski or snowboard. “That’s a no-no,” Jochl laughs. “Emotions get involved when you’re teaching friends and family; it’s better to have a teacher with an objective point of view.”
Beyond skiing and snowboarding, Sugar Mountain Resort visitors enjoy tubing, ice skating, and snowshoeing. photograph by bushphoto.com, Courtesy of Village of Sugar Mountain
Round out your ski trip: In addition to skiing and snowboarding, Sugar Mountain Ski Resort offers a 10,000-square-foot ice skating rink and 700-foot-long tubing lanes. When you’re hungry, swing by the resort’s cafeteria, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. “The Last Run Lounge is a nice restaurant that sells adult beverages,” says Jochl. “And if you’re in the ice skating and tubing area, you can stop by the Annex, which offers snacks, light meals, and all sorts of beverages.”
When it comes to planning accommodations, consider the slope-side rentals — “they’re ideal because you don’t have to drive anywhere or maneuver through parking lots,” Jochl says. Or check out Sugar Mountain rentals. With diverse options for various group sizes, your stay can be as cozy or as spacious as you like.
Once you find your “ski legs,” race your family members down the slopes. photograph by bushphoto.com, Courtesy of Village of Sugar Mountain
Relax and have fun: Once you get past the learning curve, the experience is exhilarating. “The freedom you feel when you ski makes all the prep work worthwhile,” Jochl says. “There’s not a care in the world when you’re flying down the slopes.”
Venture out to Elk River Evergreens for a choose-and-cut Christmas tree excursion. Photography courtesy of VILLAGE OF SUGAR MOUNTAIN
Sugar Mountain and the surrounding areas hold a wide appeal, even off the slopes. When you’re ready for a change of pace, check out the following:
This roller coaster in Banner Elk has all the trappings of a thrilling ride — three circular loops, waves, twists, and turns. But it gives its riders an unexpected element of control. Seated in individual carts that accommodate one adult or one adult plus a small child, riders can apply the brakes using two handles.
“It was three thrilling minutes,” Greensboro resident Kimberly Simpson says, who recently traveled to Banner Elk for a family getaway. “I rode with my 6-year-old son, which made the experience even better. He felt like we were flying, and I loved the different vantage points and feeling the wind in my hair.”
From stately behemoths to petite ornamental pines, you can find the ideal Fraser fir for your home. Photography courtesy of VILLAGE OF SUGAR MOUNTAIN
Some people commemorate a family vacation with an ornament. Others commemorate it with a Christmas tree. Since Gary Edwards’ and David Ellis’ first Fraser fir crop in 1975, Elk River Evergreens has grown thousands of trees to grace living rooms across the Southeast. Visit their choose-and-cut operation on an old apple orchard to select your favorite and take it home.
Warm up with cheese-topped burritos and a mountain of nachos at Puerto Nuevo Fresh Mex & Seafood Restaurant. Photography courtesy of VILLAGE OF SUGAR MOUNTAIN
“Banner Elk has a diverse and eclectic restaurant scene,” Jochl says. Fuel up for a day on the slopes with pizza and pasta from Bella’s. For Mexican specialties made from fresh ingredients, try Puerto Nuevo Fresh Mex & Seafood Restaurant. If you’re in the mood for a more upscale night out, “Stonewalls is a great steakhouse that is always delicious,” Jochl says.
Ready to get ready to hit the slopes? Whether you’re destined for the black diamond or the bunny slope, take a minute to plan out your Sugar Mountain adventure so that everyone in your crew has a good time. Click here to learn more.
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