Another winter season is coming to a close. In one week the lifts will cease to turn and the runs will be still and empty.

Slowly the snow will melt away, leaving the bare earth underneath. The population will dwindle as friends part ways.

On the surface it can seem a bit depressing. But as with any ending, there is always a new beginning. Spring has always been a transitional time for me; a time to move again and probably start a new job. When the warmer weather comes it is always a good time to take stock, think of what you have accomplished and what your next step will be. 


You know it's spring at the Peaks when the colorful plastic flower start showing up!



Looking back, November seems so long ago. Our early season conditions were phenomenal. An early opening had everyone’s snow stoke over the top! The energy carried on over Christmas, with resort buzzing with guests and events. Consistent snowfalls made for great conditions and temperatures stayed comfortable. It was great to share time and runs with friends and family.

In the new year, we braved through a bit of a cold snap but the snow kept coming. As the world looked on the snowless coast with trepidation for the upcoming Winter Games our Mid Mountain and Alpine bases continually rose.

In February, we enjoyed the largest snowfall of the season, nearly breaking the 200cm mark for our alpine base. In March, we saw a couple storms accompanied with the beginning of spring conditions. Hoodies and sunscreen were out in full force.

So far, April has been a bit tame, but who knows what’s in store for us? Last season we saw about 20cm on closing day! I had so many stellar days up here. Even when I didn’t think it was going to be great, I’d always be surprised to find some of my favourite places untouched or have fun exploring a new spot I hadn’t rode before.

Me, enjoying the snowy trees mid-season

For a place that depends on the weather, I can say with certainty, we did pretty well. I know they can’t all be powder days but we enjoyed every one of them. Even this past Easter weekend brought some snow and strong winds, which can seem like bad thing, until you find where the wind has been stashing all the powder.

As for accomplishments, I reached some goals while missing others. I got to know a mountain I thought I knew well, even better. I met some great and fun people who I saw work hard everyday to make this resort the amazing place that it is. I learned new things and found a self-discipline I wasn’t sure I had. But I’m afraid the season will end before I’m able to reach the number of days on the mountain I was aiming for. It’s unfortunate but I still rocked more days in a season than ever before and it means I always have something to aim for in the future.

While guests and seasonal staff may see everything winding down, for many people here it’s time to get ready. Already snow has been cleared from the golf greens and preparations are under way to open on May 22. Soon polo shirts and golf carts will take over the valley.

The mountain will explode with millions of flower blossoms, painting the hills a hundred different shades. The lifts will begin turning again and hikers from all over the world will enjoy the trails that whind across the mountains. The trail crews will kick it into high gear to clear the runs for the upcoming winter.

Plus, the hill transfroms into one of North America’s best mountain biking parks. It will host world class events as well as introduce thousands of people to mountain biking for the first time. While it doesn’t draw as many people as winter operations the numbers continue to rise every year. Home to pros, you can check out Anthill’s “Follow Me” premier partially filmed here on April 24.

So really, nothing is ending; it’s just progressing along the natural cycle. Before you know it the leaves will be changing colour again and a familiar chill will invade the air to remind us fun days in the snow are right around the corner.

As tradition, another spring move is in the works for me. But this one involves a much larger distance than ever before. I’ve decided to follow winter to the Southern Hemisphere and see what the New Zealand alpine ranges have in store for me. I can’t wait to strap in on the other side of world and rip their high alpine bowls!

 
I'll miss the snowy woods of my backyard but I'm looking forward seeing what's outside my window at my next home

I plan to celebrate a successful season with everyone this weekend at the Dummy Downhill and 80's Day on Saturday and the Coor’s Light Slush Cup and Top to Bottoms Race on Sunday (our last day of winter operations). Thanks to everyone who helped make this winter a blast and I hope people have enjoyed reading this blog as much I have enjoyed writing it.

Have a great summer (I know I will).

Brandi

On Monday morning I went to meet two women who I have come to know by working with the Sun Guides this season. Chase and Laurie are extremely passionate about skiing and love to share their knowledge of Sun Peaks. I knew they were on to something when they mentioned they were starting a branch of the ski school called The Ski Sisters.

The idea was hatched after several years of combined guiding experience. Commonly they would run into women on the hill who were skiing alone and not really enjoying themselves because they couldn’t keep pace with their family or were intimidated by the sport.

“But after a couple of runs with us they would be having a blast,” said Laurie. The Ski Sisters knew they had found their calling to help women discover their confidence and passion for skiing. 



My plan was to meet up, take some photos and get some runs in on my board with them as we chatted about their program and its goals. But that wasn’t their plan – I was in for the full Ski Sister experience.

After suiting up with a pair of demos from Jardines (Thanks guys!), I was on my way. Honestly, I wasn’t feeling too excited at this point. I have only skied a couple times and these ladies were pros. We headed up the platter to see where my skills lied and before I knew I was laughing and smiling along with them.

The spirit of the progam is first you have get women to relax and have a good time; that’s when they start skiing well. Everyone is encouraged to go at their own pace. While both ladies are certified instructors and will slip instruction in as they go along the main focus is putting the miles on and getting women comfortable on their skis.

“The best is when they can go back to their husbands and their kids with a great ski story,” said Laurie. “Like, ‘Today we found some great glades or today I did my first black!’”



Laurie went on to say women are constantly surprised by what they are really capable of and feel so great about themselves and the sport when they improve.

“We will push their comfort zone but we won’t push their safety,” said Chase. “It’s all about trust.”

So as the day went on they challenged me to try new things, like use the sides of the runs and take small jumps.  As I improved they provided encouragement and tips to keep me going.

Next season they will begin taking appointments. Booked through the ski school, women can ski with them from 9:30am to 12:00pm, from 1:00pm to 3:30pm or go for a whole day. A half day will run $75 and a full day for $135. Three women will go out with one Ski Sister and must be over 18 years old. They can run in conjunction with other lessons or just on their own.

The chair rides were full of great stories, laughs and their goals to provide women with a valuable skiing experience. I was struck by how strongly they feel every woman can have a great time on the mountain, they just need the right opportunity.



After pushing myself farther than I ever had on skis we headed to my crowning achievement of the day. The Lonesome Fir Glades are an area I would rip down on my board but never considered I would be able to conquer on skis. But with Chase and Laurie’s help I made it through with a smile on my face and a sense I had challenged myself and won. It’s great to know this experience will be replicated with hundreds of women next season.

With just a couple of weeks left in this season, it’s time to start squeezing every ounce of fun out of your days at Sun Peaks (if you haven’t been doing this all season).  This Easter weekend is jam packed with events for all ages.

The Canadian Alpine Masters Championships runs at Sun Peaks from April 1 to 4. This FIS event is no April fool’s joke and will host competitors from all over.

For the kids our annual Easter egg hunt takes place on Sunday. Everyone is welcome to meet at the top of OSV at 11:00am to join the chocolate hunt.

The Bluebird Day Fund is holding an epic patio fundraiser on Sunday as well. The Super Sender Spring Bender at Bottoms Bar and Grill will feature patio beats and drinks, barbeque burgers, Ride and Endeavor board demos plus a silent auction.

At the same time the Sund’eh in the Park comp will go down in the Rockstar Energy Terrain Park. Presented by 378 Boardshop this event is totally free and everyone is welcome to participate. Over $2000 in prizes is up for grabs and all you have to do is throw your name in a draw. No crazy tricks required! But if you do happen to have a couple up your sleeve, Best Trick will go down on the Quad Kink at 1:30pm.

See you on the patio,

Brandi

Spring conditions are out in full force here. Blue skies, slushy snow and patio barbeques have become the standard for the last week or so.

The Friday Race Series held its wrap at Masa’s Bar + Grill last week and I was encouraged to see so many young racers who took part in the year’s events. Who knows where these little speed racers will end up? Sun Peaks has been known to turn out a few high performance models!

Elli Terwiel has gone along way from her home slopes of Sun Peaks. Named to the Canadian National Development Ski Team in 2007 she just finished racing in Lake Placid at the U.S. Nationals and was top 15 in the Nor-Am standings despite not competing in the speed events and 4th in the slalom standings. She will wrap up her season with the Canadian Championships in Nakiska this week.

“I’m feeling really good,” she said. “I’m quite ready and it will be a good way to end the year.”

It’s been an interesting year for Elli, full of challenges, new experiences and emotion. During a 2008 training session in Austria a bad fall left her with a torn ACL among other injuries. 

But she learned to walk again. And she learned to ski –fast, again. Over a year later she won the first Nor-Am victory of her career at Panorama in December of 2009.

“I’m such a competitive person so it was hard to have that year off,” said Terwiel. “But now I feel I’m right where I was before or even better. It made me appreciate everything so much more and really showed me I should keep doing what I love.

“I think it was a big part of my career to have that happen to me and to come back. It showed me how successful I have been and how successful I want to be.”

So in Vancouver last month she joined the rest of the nation in cheering on the athletes and took in everything she could as a forerunner for the Women’s Alpine and GS events.

“It was absolutely incredible,” she said. “It makes you realize how beautiful sport is at that high level.”


Elli forerunning in Vancouver

It also made her realize that when it comes down to it, the Olympics are just another race. She feels by taking part and seeing what went on behind the scenes has given her a huge advantage for 2014.

“The people who were relaxed and weren’t stiff were the ones who were winning,” she said. And Elli wasn’t there alone either. She got to share the experience with her parents, who were on a volunteer crew helping to prepare the course for the races.

“It was such an amazing thing,” she said. “How often do you get to experience the Olympics in your home country with your family?”

But Elli knows the road to 2014 won’t be easy. Her plan to get there is simply to do the work.

“I have to be sure I’m doing all the preparation I can, mentally and physically,” she said. Elli trains hard in the off season as well and works with a sports psychologist.

“It’s a pretty rough game and I’m going to play it well.”

Although she has traveled all over the Europe racing, she still feels Sun Peaks is one the most beautiful places in the world.

Since she began skiing this mountain in 1992 she has forged a strong bond with the community and the terrain.

“I have so many great memories there,” she said. “Like winning the Top to Bottom’s Race!”

Racing this mountain is definitely a family tradition. Her brother Justin is a race coach for the Sun Peaks Alpine Club and both her parents, George and Anne are ski instructors and masters racers.

Elli said she feels she wouldn’t be where she is today if it wasn’t for the huge support system at Sun Peaks.

“They have been instrumental in helping me. Thanks so much to the community.”

This weekend the Sun Peaks racing community will come together again for the TELUS Nancy Greene Corporate Challenge. Teams can register online with proceeds going to Sun Peaks Health Clinic, the Royal Inland Hospital’s Emergency Department and Junior Racing.

All the best Elli!

Brandi

Every part of skiing and snowboarding has to do with nature. The mountains we ride, the trees we love and the snow we crave are all dependent on a healthy environment.

Most people who come to resorts want to get back to the outdoors and appreciate what nature has to offer. It is ironic that our actions to come enjoy nature also can also have a detrimental impact on it. That’s why I believe that as skiers and riders we have a huge responsibility to go about our sports in the most environmentally aware manner. There are things we can all do as individuals and companies that will preserve our mountain playgrounds.


At Sun Peaks green is paramount

Sun Peaks takes this responsibility seriously. You may have heard we are an ISO 14001 certified company. I know this sounds a little obscure but it is truly significant. This is an international certification that is given to companies who have proven meet tough standards under a multitude of areas. Usually this certification is given to natural resources companies, governments or other entities of that nature. However, Sun Peaks was the first North American ski resort to attain their certification and is still only one of three. It involves setting policies and goals then implementing them. These implementations are closely checked and monitored with corrective action being taken when necessary. Then everything is constantly reviewed and updated. 

The process never stops. Every year the resort is audited internally and externally to make sure they are continuing to find ways to improve polices and operations. No department is left out and every employee from department heads to lifties is trained to adhere to all our environmental policies. They are also encouraged to bring forward their own ideas and speak out if they see a policy being less-than adhered to.

Hundreds and hundreds of man hours are put into our environmental policies every year. Keith Lyall, Sun Peaks Resort Golf Course Superintendent and head of our internal audits, puts well over 200 hours per year alone. Due to everyone’s hard work we were recertified in January of this year.

There are a ton of initiatives at Sun Peaks and our website breaks a lot of them down here.

From conception the resort has been planned to minimize environmental impact. The village is clustered together eliminating the need to drive once you arrive. Everywhere can be accessed by ski, board or foot. One of the largest generators of C02 at resorts, the grooming fleet, was replaced with the Pisten Bully groomers. These machines are much more fuel efficient and decrease our fuel consumption. Many resorts also power their lifts with diesel or nuclear power. Here, all our lifts are hydro powered.

Biodiesel did seem like a good option for our golf operations but Lyall said after he crunched the numbers, the carbon footprint produced getting the fuel to Sun Peaks was about five times more than we saved by using it. One of our long term goals is to be able to produce our own biodiesel here using waste from the resturants. 

Another long term goal is to be able to use the winter, spring and summer flow of water from the snowmaking system to produce hydro power. None of the water used at the resort is taken from McGillivary Creek which runs through the village and on down the mountains. On the slopes we use bioengineering, such as willows and hay to reduce erosion. The Sun Peaks Resort Corporation Waste Management System makes sure all materials that can possible be recycled are, including used oil, old tires and plastics.


McGillivary Creek

These policies also expand into our food and beverage department. The Sunburst Lodge restaurant no longer uses deep fryers meaning no grease waste and a healthier menu. This is by no means a complete list and the initiatives include the minuscule to the monumental.

“We have a lot of challenges at 4000 feet above sea level,” said Lyall. “It’s tough but we are working hard to do all we can. As a resort there are a lot of expectations. And with expectations comes pollution.”

But as much as this resort is doing we all have an individual responsibility as well. Think about how your actions as a snow enthusiast will impact the environment you depend on so much for your lifestyle. If you drive up from Kamloops a lot, try to carpool as much as possible. If you are traveling from far away or flying for your ski holidays, consider offsetting your carbon footprint. There is a great calculator here and organizations you can donate to.

I know this should go without saying, but don’t litter on the runs or in the village. At the end of every season all the staff participates in a huge Trash Bash bringing in 50 to 60 bags of garbage every spring. At our waste transfer station all types of materials can be recycled and waste can be taken care of properly. It's important to protect our wildlife.


Wilf and his puppy, Hoss, will take care of your recycling at the Waste Transfer Station

You can also support companies that try to keep it green. Before spending money at a resort research what they do to help the cause. Many snowboarding and ski companies are also coming out with new equipment that uses less harmful chemicals and materials, or outerwear that is made from recycled materials. I know everyone wants to look their best out there but before purchasing new gear, maybe ask yourself if you really need it.
 
You can also support organizations that are dedicated to stopping climate change, like Save our Snow. Founded by Alison Gannett, a world champion extreme skier, it has an outdoor sports perspective and its goal is to prove solutions to climate change can be cost affective and beneficial for everyone. Always research any company or nonprofit you are thinking about donating to. Also don’t forget to lobby your local politicians about your environmental concerns; they are in power to represent you.

There is no denying this was a mild winter for our area. I’m not saying this is a direct consequence of mankind’s actions on the environment but it should be enough to get everyone seriously thinking about it. It’s easy to ignore the mounting evidence we see around us everyday or what's reported in the media but it’s absolutely heartbreaking to think about a winter season without snow. As a collective group of snow lovers we should have no problem having our voices heard and our actions felt.

Ride, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle,

Brandi

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

How could I not start off talking about what was one of the greatest days in Canadian sport’s history? On Sunday the resort was basically at a complete standstill as everyone waited with pounding hearts for the outcome of the overtime period of the gold medal hockey game. Suddenly the tension was broken and the entire village erupted! The Canadian Men’s hockey team had won Olympic gold on home ice. What a way to end two weeks of outstanding achievements by our athletes. With a record setting gold metal tally we showed the world what Canadians are made of.

Here on the mountain other competitors were also out to prove their resilience last weekend. It was time for Helly Hansen’s Big Mountain Battle. I’d been looking forward to the event all year and was stoked when big, lovely snowflakes begin falling the previous day. But I was totally shocked in the next morning to learn 27cm had fallen and it still wasn’t letting up. My first instinct was to forget the competition and hit all my favourite powder spots until my legs gave out.

But in the end, I knew I had to try. Course maps were posted online the day before with checkpoints and hikes. I had a plan and I had a partner and I didn’t want to wait another year to give it a go. We signed in, received our Flaik GPS units which would track our every move on the mountain, and headed to the start gate.

One hundred and two people, the largest group Helly Hansen had this year, was ready to give it their all for a chance to win an all expenses paid trip to Aspen Snowmass. It was a Le Man’s start, and soon after plunging into the powder to race round the Mid Mountain Chapel it became apparent to me just how difficult the conditions were going to make this already challenging race.


Team Lombard was ready to go!


Teams discussing their action plans

The pros were out of there before I could even strap in, but even if you weren’t Mr. Hardcore it was a great race. Relying on how well you knew the trails and how hard you could push yourself was satisfying. Although it was a competition, everyone was friendly and just out there for the experience.  The best part for me was the waist deep powder turns after the Mid Burf hike.


Walking through the finish

After finding the finish, many soggy people gathered around pints and barbequed burgers in Memories restaurant to celebrate personal determination. Third place went to Team Jackson, with a time of 2 hours and 25 minutes and were rewarded with some gear. Second place winners, Captains of Compost walked away with two super cool GoPro HD digital headwear cameras for their time of 2 hours and 22 minutes. Two Sun Peaks’ locals, Brian and Ben (aka Team North and South) took first place, with a time of 2 hours and 17 minutes and can look forward to competing with all the other resort winners in Aspen at the end of the month. Good luck guys! Check out the top ten course and hike times here.

The winners with thier new Dakine luggage bags to haul their gear to Aspen Snowmass at the end of March

There were also mad giveaways with awesome prizes just for competing. There was Helly Hansen gear, roof racks, and t-shirts just to name a few items. A bonus was logging on to the flaik website to see all your race stats.  It was definitely a day I won’t forget for a long time and one that will inspire me to prepare harder for next year.

Here is video of last year’s race. If anyone has pics of footage of last weekend’s race let me know and I’ll post it here.

Also, just a heads up: If you see people walking around the resort this week dressed like they may be visiting from the future, don’t be alarmed. They are competitors in the Subaru Velocity Challenge FIS World Cup Speed Skiing and will be competing on Headwalls from March 4 to 7. If you think you rip, wait until you see theses guys!

Keep Riding,

Brandi 

Pow and bluebird, anyone? Conditions have been surreal these days. Wednesday morning residents awoke to 20cms and a gorgeous clear day. What more can you ask for? The sun stayed through the weekend and everyone seemed happy for the visit.

Nice shades!

The more time I spend here, the more I realize how deep the sense of community and character is present at Sun Peaks. And just like other communities, local artists are a way to tap into that unique culture.

Art becomes a reflection of a place and its people. And the beauty and character of Sun Peaks shines strongly through its local art. 

Lorel Sternig is a local clay artist and manager of Treeline Studios and Lone Wolf Gallery at Sun Peaks (locations owned by George and Anne Terwiel) . Displaying more than a dozen local's work as well as many other British Columbian's, visitors can truly get a sense of Sun Peaks' personality.

Lorel poses with her Raku pottery work

"It's not that there are that many artists living and working at Sun Peaks, but many have a village connection and have been inspired by the scenery and the buildings," she said. "Many have vacation homes here, live close by or have lived here and since moved on."

"It's that connection and that Sun Peaks memory that many of the people who come in here are looking to take home with them."

Treeline Studios keeps a rotating feel to the gallery. If you come in the winter you may see some of the same pieces as in the summer but there will always be something new.

The first time I visited Treeline I was happily surprised to see so many Sun Peaks and riding related artwork. One standout artist for me was Kendra Smith. Having lived in Sun Peaks for two winters, she got her start here creating paintings for her own walls. She has gone on to have her watercolors displayed in galleries across Canada. Cindy Hayden's glass snowflakes are made from recycled vintage chandeliers and capture sunlight beautifully. Photographer Robert Koopman's panoramas and use of shadow, blues and purples to show Sun Peaks scenery is gorgeous. One day, I hope to have some of his work in my home. Ray Hellman, a long time Sun Peaks resident, creates strained glass works full of color and pop. But this is by no means a complete list as there is so much local art to see there.

Hayden's creations capture light and paint prisims on the walls

Art can be found all over the resort. At the resort's newest building, The Kookburra Tree ceramic mural was designed by another artist but done by Lorel. Her studio is located by along Heffley Road and sees many visitors in the summer. During the winter months she said she enjoys managing the two locations and sharing art with visitors.

At Lone Wolf, several local artists' work is also available including paintings by Pat Taylor, jewelry by Monika McKenzie and candleholders by Jamie Tattersfield, who also head of mountain operations at the resort. 

Charlene Hall has owned and operated Fusion North, located in the Sun Peaks village, for nine years. She has been designing the jewelry she sells there for even longer. She works with sterling silver, fused glass, semi-precious stones and freshwater pearls to create custom pieces.

Charlene Hall in her store, Fusion North, displaying her hand created jewlery

"People from all over, Australia, Japan, Germany, come in and buy a new piece every time they visit Sun Peaks," she said, adding that it's a great feeling to know her art is being worn all over the world.

Her standout piece this year has been an Inukshuk made from pearl. People love it because although it reminds of them of 2010 Winter Games, it can be worn always without feeling touristy.

Whether you are a first timer at Sun Peaks or have been skiing here before the village was built, there is definitely a piece of local art that will speak to you. I'm grateful to all the artists in the area for sharing their gift. I find their talent and eye for the true nature of Sun Peaks inspiring.

Enjoy the sun,

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

According to Wiarton Willie, Canada’s most famous groundhog, we can look forward to another six weeks of winter! He awoke last week to see his shadow, so hopefully we can enjoy a couple more storms before its patio and goggle-tan time.

This month I was stoked to learn Sun Peaks was featured in the Local’s Laps section of my favourite Canadian Magazine, Snowboard Canada. In every edition one lap is showcased at a resort from the local’s perspective. The Winter 2010 magazine features our 5 Mile run, starting at the top of the Crystal Chair and winding down the mountain using Rice Bowl, The Other Way, and ending in the park.

Everyone has their favourite lap or run; the one you can hit every day and still have a ton of fun. You proudly show your out of town friends and can always count on it when you don’t feel super adventurous. 

Instead of sharing with you my favourite run, I thought I would combo up a couple to feature one of my favourite mornings. It is basically one big lap, starting at the Burfield Day Lodge or at my house nearby. Hop on the Burfield Quad and prepare for a long but relaxing chair ride. Then, if the snow is right, skate over and drop in anywhere between Kookamungas and Sunny Side. This area is full of tree trails and deep powder stashes. You can’t really go wrong. Keep your speed up as you to hit the Round A Bout cat track to get back to the Mid Burf loading station. A couple of those will get your blood pumping. Ride and repeat.

Head right from here and you won't be disappointed

 
Your personal playground


The Mid Burf loading station cuts the chair time in half and keeps you up top

When my tummy starts to give me little grumbles I know it’s time to move on. From Top of the World, take the 5 Mile then swing right onto Last Chance. Right at the top of the second mogul field sneak into the trees on your right. A super mellow gladed area is usually pretty untouched and mine for the taking. Pop out onto 5 Mile again and then take Homesteader (which has some fun hits on the sides) to the bottom the Sundance Express. At the top of Sundance if I’m feeling a need for speed, the Sundance run directly under the chair is super fun to rip down. Or if I’m not done with the trees Lonesome Fir Glades has a few choice lines. A hint is not to drop in too soon off Homesteader.


The trees between Last Chance and Spillway

At the top of Sundance again I make a break for Morrisey Mountain. Take Rambler and bear left at the fork with some speed onto the East Village Ski Way. Instead of taking Carpe Diem to the skier underpass, keep traversing over to the Orient Ridge area. It’s not widely used and has some great runs, like Ca M’a Fait Plaisir, and Fair Dinkum, which also take you right through the underpass to the bottom of the Morrisey Express.

Depending on how I’m feeling I might make a b-line for home or take my time and get in some Morrisey runs. This is the mountain I know the least and definitely demands more exploration. Many locals will tell you it is the best mountain out of the three because it is never crowded and gets less sun so the fresh snow lasts longer. Sooner or later, I’ll head straight off the chair and onto Back in Time. The first part is an easy sloped traverse into the wilderness.  You have no problem feeling secluded there. Then the vert begins with great snow along the sides I can slash all the way home. From the bottom I can walk to my house and grab some lunch or head back to the Burfield chair. Not a bad way to start your day.


My home run

What’s great is although I started and ended about 3 kilometers away from the village it was still basically ski in- ski out. The resort has been designed to provide almost 360 degrees of runs and terrain and has great flow from one mountain to the next. To view on the alpine trail map, click here.
 

This is also available as an interactive map on the website, just click on the link above

Even though this is an example of great morning, it comes nowhere close to hitting all my favourite spots, like Bluff Trees, The Other Way, Run Away Lane, and Cruiser and Blazer Glades just to name a few.  So don’t hold out on me! If you have a favourite route or run you would like to share for the chance to win a Sun Peaks prize pack, post it in the comments section or email me at marketingassistant@sunpeaksresort.com.

You can also share your photos in the Sun Peaks and Rockstar Energy JAY-peg Photo Contest. All season long you can submit your photos taken all over the resort for prizes and bragging rights. Some great, magazine-worthy photos have already been uploaded, so be sure to check them out and share your own. So far I’ve been amazed at the talents of both the photogs and the riders and skiers.

So keep on blazing your own favourite trails around Sun Peaks and take advantage the rest of this winter the groundhog has promised us. This week the 2010 Sun Peaks Games start on the same day as the Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver and run throughout the duration of the games. Everyone is welcome to come out and represent their country in the events ranging from hockey to the biathlon. On the weekend, for it’s sixth year, The Garden competition will held in the Rockstar Energy Terrain Park. Presented by Oronge Board Shop, there will sure be some talent wowing the crowds and walking away with cash and gear. 

Keep riding,

Brandi

A beautiful powder day started off the work week here on Monday. It was foggy at the top but it wasn’t stopping many people from getting out there to play in the snow.  After a couple powder and tree runs off the back of the Burfield, I headed over the East Village to enjoy the snow in a different way- on a sled.

My own snowmobiling experience has been pretty limited, but that doesn’t stop me from staring in envy at some of the machines I see loaded in the back of trucks around here.  They can take you places almost totally inaccessible by any other means and are the ultimate mode of winter transportation.

Sun Peaks Snowmobile Tours has been operating at Sun Peaks for over a decade. Its current owner and operator, Andy Mastusky, has been at the helm for three years. His goal is to offer “safe, good backcountry tours,” with the emphasis on safe.

Bruce, my guide for the two hours, explained these tours serve as introduction to snowmobiling. He takes hundreds of first timers out every season to experience the scenery and fun of touring. All ages, and especially families, are welcome. The mellow, groomed trails mean everyone can have a chance to experience the backcountry.

We headed off slowly climbing towards the 500 kilometers of trail accessible from Sun Peaks created mostly by B.C. Forestry Services.  It soon became apparent we would have first tracks all morning. The forest around us was heavy with fresh snow and I felt we were far away from any civilization. The fresh snow made the trails smooth and easy to ride.  We started on some wide trails and moved into windy, skinnier trails through the trees. Then we would come to clearings full of snow and burn around for a while before heading back to the trees. Bruce stopped occasionally to explain things about the terrain and how the tours operate.


I discovered first tracks are almost as satisfying on a sled

A Forestry marker along the trail surrounded by fluffy snow

We ran into these Forestry employees who had neat maps and GPS devices

The tours are tailored if people want to go faster or slower or to what kind of trails they like. Bruce encourages everyone to make requests and ask questions. One of the most popular tours is the wiener roast at McGillivary Lake Outpost. Guests get about an hour and half of sledding plus a chance to enjoy the outdoors around a bonfire. Seeing the snow ghosts on a full moon would definitely be a treat.


Huge portions of the trails are groomed by Andy's team every three days by this old gal

The McGilllivary Lake Cabin was our final destination. On the way there we passed a outlook to Little Shuswap Lake and the Trans Canada by Chase. The fog refused to budge to show me the view, but Bruce assured me it was gorgeous. I was also told there are great views of the backside of the resort from some trails. Then we came to perhaps my favourite part of the whole tour. It was the “go as fast as you like” bit. We sped along the huge firebreaks created to protect the resort just before the outpost. It was exhilarating to fly along the snow.


Perhaps not a powder machine but these guys get the job done

On the way to McGillivray Lake

Bruce poses with his machine outside the McGillivray Lake Cabin

After a little warm up at the cabin we headed back to P5. On our way, the sun finally broke out and the world brightened outside my helmet shield.  I had fully enjoyed my morning of sledding, thanks so much to Andy for inviting me and to Bruce for the great guiding. He even switched me machines when mine’s hand warmers weren’t working and helped me get my sled out after I got it stuck. What a gentleman! He said he loves his job and never tires of hearing how guests are amazed by the snow, terrain and scenery he gets to show them. And after my time out there I can see why.

And so another morning flew by, just as the season is. With the Winter Festival of Wine and Learn to Ski and Snowboard Days finished the Adaptive Snow Sports Festival is coming to Sun Peaks this weekend. We will host the Western Canadian and B.C. ParaAlpine Championships, among other events, so come on out if you want to see some great racing!

G'Day and Happy Australia Day!

Brandi