Story by Mike Doble – [email protected]
<Sugar’s base lodge and bottom slopes serve as the location for Oktoberfest – Photo by Jonathan Burton Photography
We ALL love Autumn Festivals, right? There’s something about the fall colors, crisp air, and crisper leaves crunching under your feet. October fests…or in Sugar’s case – Oktoberfest – offer all of the above and some German fare to boot. On top of all of that, if you’re a fan of the ski resorts of this region, then ANY excuse to visit a ski area is an added incentive.
I’ve tried to make Sugar’s Oktoberfest every year. With college football occasionally interfering, I’ve made three of the last four for at least a portion of the weekend. Last year we attended a football game in Columbia and left in time to drive up and get over to Oktoberfest late in the day. YEP, that’s how much we enjoy Autumn in the High Country AND this particular October festival.
THE LEAVES WILL BE AT OR NEAR PEAK AND THE WEATHER WILL BE GORGEOUS!
<Photo from the TOP of Sugar from last year’s Oktoberfest – Photo by SkiSoutheast.com
We’ve been blogging the NC Fall Foliage update for you guys lately and this weekend could just be the best to visit in terms of weather and beauty in and around the High Country. The leaves in the area are a little different this year, but nonetheless gorgeous. There are LOTS of rustic yellows and oranges and not as many of the brilliant reds and gold. However it is VERY PRETTY. The weather forecast for the area according to Meteorologist Kenny Griffin of www.HighCountryWeather.com will be AWESOME. How about mostly sunny skies and highs in the upper 50s to around 58°! Winds should be light around 5-10 mph which should make this very fall-like and nippy enough to wear a light jacket or sweater.
TONS OF REASONS TO COME! 
<Lots of dancing! Photo by SkiSoutheast.com
Head to Sugar, grab your beer stein; put on your lederhosen (if you have them or know what they are!) and definately bring your willingness to just have fun. There will be local folk dancing and the always entertaining Harbour Town Fest Band which is loud and proud to bring viewers all of the oom pa sounds they can handle.
The Bavarian Atmosphere is great and there will be cloggers, dancers, craft vendors and even some ski and snowboard related tents, etc.
Admission, parking and shuttle service are all free.
There are things setup for the kids and in addition to all of the fun, Sugar will have their chair lifts riding to the top of the mountain. You can ride all the up AND down if you like, OR you can get off at a few different spots along the way and walk down. I and my family always take the 20-25 minute ride to the top and then hop off and walk down. It’s an easy walk since gravity does all of the work and the views from up top are awe-inspiring. Be sure to bring your cameras because there WILL BE some Kodak moments!
The festival will be going from 10am through 5pm Saturday and Sunday, but for the biggest crowd, great eats and drink – the best time to come is probably from around 11-3pm. From what I understand the Oom Pah band will be playing from noon until around 4pm each day.
DON’T EAT TIL YOU GET THERE!
<Great Entertainment and Loads of Fun! Photo by Jonathan Burton Photography
Gunther, Kim and the entire Sugar Mountain family does a great job with providing phenomenal German food and drink. The Bavarian style eats include Bratwurst, Knockwurst, Sauerkraut, strudel and pretzels – and they will ALL be smelling up the place (in a GREAT WAY) and ready to eat from 11am each day. To assist the palate in washing all that down there will be an ample supply of Spaten beer that will generously flow each day until 5:00 pm.
For those unaware – including myself – Spaten Oktoberfest beer was crafted in 1872 and it is the world’s first Oktoberfest beer. Brewed for the greatest folk festival in the world, the Oktoberfest!
If you or the kids are not into Bavarian eats Sugar will also have good ole American hot dogs, hamburgers, soda, cotton candy, kettle corn, funnel cakes, candy apples, and other great stuff to munch on!
IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR SKI STUFF…
Sugar’s Ski Shop will offer 30% off all 2012 and older winter apparel and footwear. In addition to that – all Spyder Sample items will be 50-70% off. Sale prices are available ONLY during our two-day Oktoberfest from 10 am until 5 pm. All accessories including, but not limited to goggles, gloves, and hats, will be excluded from the 30% sale. New 2013 winter merchandise will also be available at regular retail. Commemorative Oktoberfest t-shirts and souvenir items can also be bought in the sports shop or under the tent on the main celebration deck.
COMING UP? NEED LODGING?
We HIGHLY RECOMMEND calling Ph: 828-898-9746 or TOLL FREE: 800-438-4555. You can also visit www.StaySugarMountain.com as they are offering up to 30% LODGING. If you’re headed this way you might as well SAVE! Do us a favor and mention SkiSoutheast.com or ResortCams.com sent you!
OktoberFest will be:
Saturday & Sunday
October 13-14, 2012
10:00am – 5:00pm
WHERE
Sugar Mountain Resort
Main Lodge
1009 Sugar Mountain Drive
Village of Sugar Mountain
North Carolina 28604
800-SUGAR MT(784-2768)
COST
Free!
PARKING
Free parking
including shuttle service
PETS
Pet’s are welcome to attend Oktoberfest. However, they are not allowed on the deck or inside the lodge. They must be on a leash at all times.
Some photos compliments of: Jonathan Burton Photography