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Sugar Mountain Resort
by Kendall Anderson Nelson
Like many other Atlanta natives, my first ski
experience took place on nearby Sugar Mountain
30 years ago and resonates with me to this day.
I was 8, and my parents were in their late 20s.
On a cold day in February the three of us, on a
whim, hopped in our Volkswagen van to make the
six-hour drive to western North Carolina’s
snow-clad mountains.
Dad, who was (and still is) young at heart,
spent the majority of our journey bragging of
his prowess on the slopes. He assured me that
skiing was a piece of cake and “not to worry,
I’ll show you how it’s done.” Naturally, I
couldn’t wait to learn from him, my dad, the
pro. After all, he’d skied once before.
Smug in my hot-pink ski suit, we made our way
to “Easy Street,” a beginner slope. Moments
later we clumsily unloaded from the chairlift
and descended ineptly – on our derrieres – the
entire way down! Easy Street…was not.
Fast-forward 20 years. I’ve learned a thing
or two about planning a ski trip, especially
when it involves family. Here’s the simple, sage
advice my grandfather (aka “Sugar Bear”) gave
me. Sugar Bear began skiing in his 40s and went
on to schuss down expert terrain at renowned ski
areas in his 70s!
First, he said, never give up the opportunity
to go on a ski vacation with your family. Your
kids, or you, may fall in love with skiing or
another amazing winter sport.
Second, don’t skimp on the ski apparel. Your
contentment on the slopes will directly
correspond to the fabrics on your body. Purchase
clothing made from materials that will keep you
snug and dry, such as nylon, polypropylene and
fleece.
And last but not least… no matter what…always
take a lesson.
Ten Easy Motivators
If you’re not completely sold on traveling
where it’s cold this winter, here are 10 more
easy motivators:
1. Good For Your Heart
In more ways than one, winter sports are good
for the heart. With the alarming statistics on
childhood obesity, now’s the time to turn off
the computer and give kids a chance to fall in
love with activities that are truly beneficial
for them. Snow sports encourage anaerobic and
aerobic exercise, which aids in strengthening
the heart, increasing flexibility, balance,
coordination and overall cardiovascular health.
If you take care of yourself and show an
interest in the outdoors, chances are your kids
will too.
2. Families Who Play Together,
Stay Together
Psychologists claim that families who frequently
participate in healthy, vigorous exercise or who
sit down together to eat – especially during
holidays – are happier. Moreover, a winter ski
vacation can do for a family what a trip to the
doctor does for the immune system. It’s an
instant cure for monotony and disharmony, and an
opportunity to create lifetime memories.
3. Accessibility
Atlanta is geographically desirable when it
comes to travel, and resorts across the country
know it. With the world’s busiest airport, we
can forego the woes of car travel and traverse
the continent within hours. This winter, Delta
Air Lines offers nonstop daily service to Salt
Lake City, Utah; Bozeman, Montana; and Colorado
Springs, Colorado, to name a few. If you prefer
to drive, Atlanta is within hours of these ski
areas: Cataloochee, North Carolina; SkiBeech,
North Carolina; and Sugar Mountain, North
Carolina.
4. Something For Everyone
While encouraging interest in winter sports is
the goal for most ski destinations, meeting the
needs of the whole family experience is what
truly matters. Surprising but true, non-skiers
can have just as much fun, if not more, than
skiers.
Wintergreen Resort
5. Snow Factor
Go east, young man! Due to high-tech,
state-of-the-art snowmaking systems, Atlanta
residents don’t necessarily have to go west to
see tons of snow. For instance, as long as it is
32 degrees at Virginia’s Wintergreen Resort, the
entire advanced terrain can be covered with six
inches of snow within 24 hours. This, in
addition to what Mother Nature provides,
guarantees an incredible ski experience.
6. Affordability
Catch good deals early and late in the season
and avoid peak times, such as holidays. (If
you’re a first-time skier, make sure the snow is
very good.) Also, many families forget to use
their points, miles and membership benefits when
booking a vacation. Ask your reservation
specialist if there are any applicable discounts
(e.g. military discounts) or Web specials. Ski
packages usually include a bonus such as a free
beginner lesson, free skiing on day of arrival,
or free shuttle. Be sure to take advantage of
these extras.
7. Excellent Guest Services
Hotel room DSL and designer coffees are passé.
New innovations aim to give parents peace of
mind while keeping the kids busy. For instance,
Steamboat Resort in Colorado is now providing
its childcare and ski school participants the “MountainWatch.”
This waterproof wristband uses radio frequencies
to track and communicate with others in a group.
Parents can swipe their wristbands on one of
many kiosks located throughout the resort and
know exactly where their kids are.
8. State-Certified Childcare
It’s nerve-racking to leave young children with
people we don’t know. Some of the top family
resorts recognize this concern and are becoming
state-certified. This means that resort
employees undergo background checks, have
previous childcare experience and have
additional childcare training, such as pediatric
CPR. Plus, facilities must adhere to their
state’s safety regulations. This gives parents
an additional comfort level.
9. High-Quality Ski Instruction
Adults and children can now learn from some of
the best instructors worldwide. Learning how to
balance, make the transition to the chairlift,
and to be a safe, responsible skier is something
you will never forget. Likewise, research shows
that people who participate in a beginner lesson
will stick with the sport longer than those who
don’t.
10. Après Ski
When the sun goes down, there’s more for
families to experience, including sleigh-ride
dinners, sunset horseback rides, singing karaoke
or dancing until dawn. What a special time to
connect and huddle with the family, or even
partake in that romantic slope-side dinner
you’ve been dreaming about. Then again, there’s
always night skiing!
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When selecting a family ski resort, choose one
that offers a variety of activities on and off
the slopes (indoors and outdoors), so regardless
of what the weather brings, your family can have
fun. A good way to distinguish a top-notch
family resort from a mediocre one is by the
level of customer service and centralized
resources that are offered, as well as the
qualifications of the staff. If you encounter a
hurried or impolite resort representative during
the planning process, let that be a sign to keep
on looking. Remember there are hundreds of great
ski resorts that want your business.