HUGE news is coming from Sugar Mountain Resort today. There’s been rumors for months now of a potential high speed lift going in, and that has been confirmed today as Sugar sent out a press release and announced it on their website. Not only will it be a high speed lift, but it’s going to be a six person one, which will greatly help with lift line waits at the bottom. I think I speak for myself and many others who have been to Sugar many, many times over the years when I say how excited I am for this. Sugar has had it’s share of criticism over the years about the speed of their main lift. Heck, it’s been talked about on this site before. Beginning this season though, that won’t be an issue anymore.
This will come just one year after the construction of Gunther’s Way, the blue-black slope which opened in November and by all accounts was a huge hit. I can say from experience that it is a fantastic run.
Here’s the press release:
“Gunther’s Way” Wasn’t Enough
Expect to ride to Sugar’s 5,300 foot peak in five minutes next season. The installation of a Doppelmayr high speed, detachable, six passenger chairlift will begin early this spring and is expected to be completed in time for opening day of the 2015-16 winter season.
“The new six pack means added comfort for our customers, shorter lift lines and more time on the slopes,” explained Sugar Mountain Resort’s President, Gunther Jochl.
The existing Summit #1 lift will be refurbished and relocated to the bottom of Gunther’s Way providing access to the mountain’s peak. Summit #2 lift will be shortened to the upper mid-point for beginners and/or an alternate access route to Sugar’s north side servicing Lower Flying Mile, Easy Street, Easy Street Extension, Gunther’s Way, Little Nell, and Tiny Tim. The new lift system’s architecture will streamline traffic flow and increase capacity by 2,000 people per hour.
As a result of the improvements Sugar will not offer summer lift rides or host SugarBrew. However, expect both to be back on the schedule in 2016. The Sports Shop will open for the annual fourth of July sale on July 4th and 5th and Oktoberfest will be held the second weekend in October; October 10th and 11th.