I’m not sure if the sky could have been a more perfect shade of blue over the Velocity Challenge 2010 FIS World Cup Speed Skiing course on Saturday. Participants and spectators alike couldn’t have asked for a better to day with light winds and a bright sun. Racers from all over the world donned their space invaders helmets and polyurethane-coated suits to race down headwalls at warp speeds.

I caught up with Adam Earle, event organizer and owner of Peaks Media and Spin, after he had done his semi-finals morning run. I couldn’t help but ask, “How do you get into something like this?” I wondered if it was similar to luge or skeleton. Do these speed demons just get up one morning and decided today is the day to try hurling themselves down an icy track or off a mountain top?


Adam poses with the Canadian flag

In Adam’s case it was something like that. Already a racer, in 1984 he entered a contest called “So You Think You’re Fast?” Turns out he was and after that he was hooked. His friend Kenny Dale began the event at Sun Peaks in the 80’s then Adam took over 15 years ago.




The area in front of Sunburst was packed with spectators coming and going all day. This couple from Tasmania was cheering and ringing their Velocity cowbell

So the event has strong roots at this resort. What’s great about having the event here is Sun Peaks is the only North American venue to hold a World Cup speed skiing event. The main racing circuit is around venues in Europe so for the racers to be able to come here is unique opportunity. 

So why Sun Peaks? Adam attributes it to the fact we have the perfect hill for the race. Headwalls, normally an alpine mogul run, was smoothed to perfection by the grooming crew days in advance and then maintained carefully throughout the event. If you have ever been at the top of this run looking down you will have some sense of what these racers are doing.


A Racer guns it down Headwalls

Sun Peaks is also home to about ten speed skiers so the atmosphere here is healthy to support an event like this. Many of the volunteers are also very dedicated with many having up to a decade of experience with the race. Adam also said the community sponsors and support make it all possible for Sun Peaks to host this world class event.

On Saturday, Adam’s speed was 156 kilometers per hour, which according to him was not bad, but he could still go faster. The fastest speed reached at the contest was an amazing 174.11 km/h by Italy’s Ivan Origone. The fastest woman, Karine Dubouchet-Revol of France, hit just over 161 km/h. You can find complete results here.

 
The results board

While the premise is deceptively simple (top to bottom with speed measured at a certain point on the track) there are several things which set the racers apart. One is wax. If you took a walk over by the Sunburst Lodge it was easy to see how important this was to the racers. Many had their eight foot skis out and were applying wax with care and precision. A practiced hand would trace the bottom of the skis to feel if they were ready while their trained eyes would look at them sharply.

 







Another factor is equipment. Like many other sports the more money you sink into it the better your outcomes may be. Special skis are needed, along with customized suits with aerodynamic helmets and fairings on the calves which turn the racer into a human bullet when he takes the tuck position. Warped-looking ski poles have a bracing affect when they are wrapped around the torso. Amazingly, the only protection besides the helmet is provided by a thin back pad in case of a crash.
 

A racers profile shows how different their gear is from conventional racing suits

What about courage? According to Adam you need a healthy does of fear to compete successfully, but you also need be very confident in your skiing ability. Especially on the Sun Peaks course.

While most courses are concave, allowing the racer to see all the way to bottom, the Sun Peaks course is convex with two big rollers. This means the racers can only see about the first 50 meters and are then flying off into the unknown. So while it may not be the fastest course on the circuit, it is the most challenging one. Racers love it, as well as the community and the venue with Sunburst Lodge as their headquarters.


The two large rollers make an already interesting sport even more challenging

While all the precautions available are taken, the element of danger is certainly present at this event. We know how injured regular racers can get so imagine a bail at seemingly mach speeds. The consequences could be deadly. While I speaking with Adam the crowd gasped as I looked up to see one racer barely keep it together after a slip. Adam congratulated him on a great recovery at the bottom of the hill and the look in the racer’s eyes mirrored everyone’s relief.

On Sunday one racer wasn’t able to make such a recovery and went off the Headwalls course. The safety nets caught him and thankfully he was mostly uninjured save his hand. So after two successful races the course was shut down due to escalating winds. Because of the aerodynamic nature of the suits the racers are highly susceptible to winds gusts. Despite the early ending, racers and organizers were happy to take part in another sucessful Velocity Challenge.

While the world’s fastest racers were present, there were also many rookies and amateurs. Rick, of Kamloops, hadn’t raced in seven years and was just happy to be back out racing again. He was there to have a good time and beat his personal best. Local rookie racer Blade Cleaver walked away with $200 for being the fastest first timer with a speed of 151.82 km/h.

It goes to show anyone with an insatiable need for speed that this might be the sport for them.

While the weather was definitely spring-like this weekend, we received more snow last night and are expecting cooler tempertures and more systems throughout the week. Hopefully the March that came in like a lamb will go out like a lion.

Winter isn't over yet,

Brandi

After all the planning and anticipation the 2010 Winter Olympics have begun in Vancouver.  And as Alexandre Bilodeau said after winning Canada’s first gold medal of the games and the first ever at home, “The party’s just starting for Canada.”

And Sun Peaks is no exception. Masa’s Bar + Grill was packed for the opening ceremonies and people continue to gather and watch Canada’s best competing a mere four hours away. Bottom's Bar & Grill spontaneously started singing the national anthem after Bilodeau’s victory and on the slopes people are rocking their Canada gear. The atmosphere around here is definitely buzzing. To be honest, I forgot how easy it is to get so involved watching the Olympic Winter Games.

Masa's ladies show their Olympic spirit

Seeing the Canadian Boarder Cross guys doing so well in all their heats was so exciting to watch. Anything can happen in that sport! Congratulations to Alberta's Mike Robertson on bringing home the Silver. In the post race interview he seemed so calm and humble. He reminded of so many of the great riders I see here everyday; they are just out there to do their thing. You never know where that little grom on the chair ahead of you will end up one day. I wish all the Canadian athletes the best and I hope they know how much we are all behind them.

This week we also have a ton of US visitors as it’s President’s Week and our out-of-country staff will be cheering on their home nations, so in a truly Canadian style, it’s a multicultural event. Sun Peaks is encouraging everyone to wear their home country colours and cheer on their athletes.

Throughout the Olympics, the resort is holding its own 2010 Sun Peaks Games. Yesterday I went out to see how people were enjoying the 3 Peaks Biathlon. It’s one of many Olympic inspired events taking place, including skeleton in the tube park, curling, cross country skiing and others. We all know how life can be stressful at times so it was great to see the families out there enjoying their vacations and each other's company. It is true parents will do anything for their children… even crabwalk around some pylons and shoot Nerf guns.


Set to go at the bottom of Gentle Giant

Intense!

Keeping on the theme of athletic competition, on Valentine’s Day The Garden lit up the Rockstar Energy Terrain Park. Seventy competitors battled it out (but in a loving fashion of course).  Many of the regular competitors moved up from the junior to open categories showing stellar progression. The women’s competition was fierce and numbers were up from last year which is great to see.

Watching these competitors I really got a sense of how hard they work. The timed jams were intense and hiking the park repeatedly is no easy task. Sweaty but loving it, everybody gave it their all. Thanks for such a great show!

Gap!

Local Gordie took second in Advanced Open Board

Sgt Seaby kept the energy high and could be heard far across the mountain

Pluggin the website! 

The results after the final five board took their first run

In the Advanced Open Snowboard, Tyler Clark was first and walked away with Best Trick. Parker Blackstock placed first in Advanced Open Ski. Zuzy Rocka won first in Women's Snowboard and Kelsey Martin took the Women's Ski. Over five grand in prizes was awarded.

Just to let everyone know the comments section of the blog has been reactivated so I am extending last week's contest until February 23. Share your favourite runs to win a Sun Peaks prize pack. 

Go Team Canada!

Brandi

I hope everyone is enjoying the holidays and Santa was kind to everyone. My personal gift wish was delivered a few days early in the form of close to 15cms of fresh, white powder on top of an already good snow week!  It fell right in time for Christmas and was met by bluebird skies and mild temperatures making for excellent runs with family and friends. That snow has lasted us throughout the holiday week and more is forecast for Thursday and Friday!

Some of my favourite parts of the mountain have been opened, including the West Bowl T-Bar and Hidden Valley. Here are some pictures from the Christmas Eve day.

We are now close to 100 per cent winter mountain operations, with only the top section of the terrain park to be completed it the next couple weeks. The Park Crew has outdone themselves with Phase Two.  It has crazy jump lines and mega features. Check out the park update, http://www.sunpeaksresort.com/winter/terrainpark/updates.aspx or better yet strap on some gear and see for yourself.  

The resort has been buzzing with holiday activities. Kids could ski, skate and have breakfast with Santa. I enjoyed seeing the wide eyed looks from kids as they met the jolly guy in the flesh. Guests also gathered in the village for caroling and sleigh rides. The atmosphere around the resort has been amazing; from the lights and decorations to the attitudes and personalities of the people I meet.

It was exactly those amazing attitudes that made the best of a Christmas night with no power. Due to an unfortunate event outside the resort's control, many people were left with not-quite-cooked turkeys and only candlelight to dine by.  Staff all around the resort pulled together to help guests in anyway they could. The restaurants that were able to operate on back-up generator power fed an incredible amount of people.  Thanks to everyone who went above and beyond and sacrificed their own Christmas dinner to help others. It was really in the spirit of the season and it was wonderful to see smiles and hear Christmas wishes all around even under straining circumstances.  There are some great stories out there of people getting creative (think barbeques) or just by making do and enjoying what they had. While it wasn't the optimal circumstances, many people will have a memorable Christmas story to tell for years to come.

2009 was a standout year for me and 2010 looks even better! Thanks to all the people I have met in the last couple years and those who have always been there for me who helped make last year what is was. New Year's at Sun Peaks is a great opportunity to celebrate everything that has happened in the past year and look back on the memories you have created. At the same time, celebrate all the new memories you will make in the upcoming year and all the great days on the mountain we still have ahead of us this season.

Happy New Year!

Brandi

It’s been an exciting week here at the Peaks and the upcoming week doesn't seem too shabby either. We received a nice amount of the lovely white stuff last night and more is forecast for the next couple days. Conditions are getting better and better everyday, and while I'm usually off hunting powder in the trees, my attention was turned to our terrain park last weekend.

Over 70 competitors met in the fading light to compete in Sun Peaks' first park competition of the season, Block Party, on Saturday night. These park rats, hailing from as far away as Ontario as well as some home town heroes, did not disappoint the spectators who gathered in the chill of the evening to watch these kids hit it.

One competitor gives 'er off the last feature in the darkness.

As the music began to pump so did the energy. During 30 minute jam sessions competitors used every feature they could to show judges they deserved a share of the over three G's worth of prize money and gear up for grabs.

First up were the little guys, 12-years-old and under. It never ceases to amaze me how the little groms show no fear and charge the park. I love watching them pull crazy tricks and think of where they are going to be in five years. I also wonder if they make their parents nervous. But nervous or not, I’m sure there were some proud papas in the sidelines Saturday night.

Throughout the Junior, Women’s Open and Advanced Open Categories, came wave after wave of sick park lines. The pace was high to get everyone as many chances as they could. Everywhere you looked people were throwing down and sometimes taking some hard-earned spills.

The evening ended with giveaways from event sponsors thrown into the eager crowd who cheered loudly for the comp winners, especially for Sun Peaks and Kamloops local ladies Emma Whitman and Zuzy Karczewska who placed first in Women's Open Ski and Snowboard. Many locals did well and deserve many congrats, as well as Whistler local Gord Emery who placed first in Advanced Open Snowboard. Later the party continued for some in Bottoms with a celebratory pint or two for the thirsty competitors. They had earned it.

It was an awesome way to set the stoke for the rest of the park season. Today the park crew is reworking the novice park and beginning to build their masterpiece under the Sundance chair. Snowmaking ended last week and with the amount that has fallen from the sky the Park Crew has more snow to work with than ever. Combine that with Rockstar Energy’s official sponsorship this year, the Bluebird Fund’s donations and the creative genius of the Park Crew and you get one sick set-up. Updates for the park can be found at http://www.sunpeaksresort.com/winter/terrainpark/updates.aspx.

Members of the Park Crew work on their labour of love.

The plan is to have the lower half of the large park ready for people to play on by this Saturday. With the next Sun Peaks park competition, The Garden, in February, there is plenty of time to sharpen your skills. Sun Peaks will also be holding the 2nd Annual Shredidential Election ’10, followed by Chairman of the Board in April. So get out there and show us what you got!

 See you out there,

 Brandi