March 9, 2010 – Sun Peaks, BC – Here is an unsolicited letter from resort guest Janet from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Further proof why 93% of our guests recommend us to friends and colleagues. 

Our recent ten day vacation at Sun Peaks Resort has been a very enjoyable experience. Coming from the United States, we have many choices for ski resorts from Colorado to California, but we are now telling our friends that Sun Peaks is the best! The skiing, mountain views, and grooming were top notch, but it is the people who work there that made this a wonderful time.

Although all of the staff from guest services to the lift operators are courteous and pleasant, there are several staff members who really stand out to make our vacation a memorable one.

The first is Sun Guide, Thor Grundell. Thor is an excellent guide and public relations man for Sun Peaks. We skied with him every day. He loves showing people the skiing and mountains, but more importantly, he wants to get to know people and their stories. He has a genuine interest in people. He went out of his way to make sure that we had everything that we needed, and that we knew where to find everything during our stay at Sun Peaks. He also met up with us on one of his days off to ski with us and show us more of the mountain. He is a wonderful person to know at Sun Peaks.

The next three people are employed at Masa’s, where we seem to end up several times while we are on vacation, for both food and drink. Manager Bill Duncan, and bartenders Greg and Marty. All of the employees from Masa’s were wonderful people, and the food was top notch, but it was these three people who stood out in our eyes.

Bill is always a pleasure to talk with, and always greeted us with a smile and handshake when we walked in, as if he was our old friend. Greg took the initiative to learn our names and our favourite drinks to have waiting for us whenever we entered Masa’s. He may have only been “doing his job” as he says, but he did it very well. Marty was a truly entertaining and professional bartender who always had a story about Sun Peaks or about his native Australia. Whenever we’d come in during the day, both Greg and Marty wanted to hear all of the details about which runs we had taken and which ones we liked best, before entertaining us with their stories. Greg even went out boarding with us on his day off to make sure that we saw all of the mountain’s views. All three of these people kept us coming back several times during the day to warm up, and help us spend our vacation money. They made Masa’s a very warm and inviting place for us.

We have already thanked these people for what they have done for us, but want to make sure that you also know what they did for us, and why we will be coming back again next year. They went above and beyond what we normally see at all other ski areas, and made our ski vacation one of the most memorable times that we’ve had. If you have an employee recognition program, please move these people’s names to the top!

Thank you for allowing your people to provide us with a wonderful ski vacation at Sun Peaks!

For more guest testimonials, click here.

Sun Peaks Sports
Tel: 250-578-5455, located in the Village Day Lodge
Outerwear – 40% off
Helmets – 20%
Carrera Goggles – 30% off
RED Trace .5 helmets (kids) – 40% off

Southside Board Shop
Tel: 250-578-5577, located in the Coast Sundance Lodge
Outerwear – 50% off
Helmets – 30% off
Snowboards, Boots, and Bindings – 40% off
Demo snowboards – 50% off
Gloves - 40% off

T2R Ski Shop
Tel: 250-578-5577, located in the Delta Sun Peaks
Outerwear – 50% off
Helmets – 20% off
Carrera Goggles – 30% off
Gloves – 20% off

Helly Hansen
Tel: 250-578-5579, located in the Delta Sun Peaks
Outerwear – 40% off
Socks – 50% off
Toques – 50% off
Winter Street Wear – 20% off

Elevation Mountain Outfitters
Tel: 250-578-5555, located in the Delta Residences
Peak Performance Outerwear – 30% off

After skiing about two-thirds down the run, Ismael Devenes from Switzerland lost control and skied off-course on the Headwalls. The crowd of spectators gasped as Devenes wobbled, fell and skidded through the netting to the left side of the track. Fortunately, the netting slowed the momentum of his descent. A volunteer standing close to the track immediately skied over to Devenes to make sure he was okay. Devenes was able to sit up just a few seconds after he came to a stop. Just as quickly, members of the event's medical team were there to tend to him. He sustained a hand injury because of the fall.

“We have the best trauma workers on site so Ismael would be just fine,” reassured volunteer Pat Wellington.

The previous day, Klaus Schrottshammer from Austria almost suffered a similar fate but was able to perform an amazing recovery after skiing off-kilter for a split second. Skiing on one leg, Schrottshammer regained his balance and had no trouble skiing down the remainder of the track.

To view footage, click here. 

Three races were scheduled for the Velocity Challenge run on the last day of the event, but under the circumstances, the race had to be cut short after one successful run.

For the Velocity Challenge race, the fastest competitors in each category will be awarded $500 prize money from Peaks Media Inc, SPIN Newsmagazine and Headwalls Mechanical . This year, $200 will also be awarded to the fastest rookie competitor, sponsored by Sun Tower Electric. The Velocity Challenge speeds don't count towards World Cup points.

Sun Peaks' Blade Cleaver won the rookie title with 151.82 km/h, just 0.81 of a second ahead of his younger brother Cruize.

Karine Dubouchet-Revol from France was the fastest woman in the Women's Speed 1 category with a speed of 169.01 km/h.

Austrian skier Gunther Foidl was once again the top racer in the Men's Downhill category. His speed was 161.61 km/h.

Italy's Ivan Origone won the Men's Speed 1 Velocity Challenge race with a speed of 174.11 km/h.

The dinner and awards ceremony will be held tonight at the Sun Peaks Resort's Village Square at 5 p.m.

For the complete results, click here.

Thiago Lucena from São Paulo, Brazil was selected from over 50 entrants across the globe last fall, all whom submitted videos online to win the all-inclusive, three month stay at Sun Peaks Resort, located 4 hours north of Vancouver, BC.

With close to 60 centimetres of fresh powder in the last week, Thiago has been ripping up the slopes in the sunshine at the world class resort. But he’s doing a whole lot more than just skiing!

Since arriving on January 4, 2010, Thiago has been dogsledding, snowshoeing, snowbiking, ice skating, snowblading…the list goes on and on! In addition, the Snow Bum was a special guest for the 12th Annual Winter Festival of Wine in January, participated in the Sun Peaks Adaptive Snow Sports Festival, and took the Blazers Bus to Kamloops to check out a WHL hockey game.

“I don’t want to think about the fact that half my Snow Bum season is over, because I don’t want this experience to end,” said Thiago from the Crystal Chairlift in between powder runs. “I feel totally at home here, have met so many great people, and found some new ways to enjoy the mountains, whether it’s on a dogsled, snow blades or a snow bike!”

With his bright red jacket and yellow pants from Jardines, Thiago is easy to spot on the mountain and is constantly making friends with international guests who are enjoying the fantastic conditions at Sun Peaks. He has also become a bit of a celebrity in the local community and with so many new friends, Thiago is never skiing alone!

Thiago has lots of events to look forward to, including celebrating his 30th birthday on Canadian soil! Beyond that, is the upcoming 2010 Velocity Challenge – World Cup Speed Skiing event (March 4-7, 2010), the TELUS Nancy Greene Corporate Challenge (March 26-27, 2010) and of course, all of the other exciting activities available for guests at Sun Peaks such as snowmobiling, the Fondue Dinner and Evening Descent, and the First Trax Breakfast.

As Thiago puts it, “I’m living the dream!”

Follow along with Thiago’s adventures at Sun Peaks through his blog at www.snowbumcanada.com) or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/SnowbumCanada.

Nancy Greene’s career started in small town BC before going on to win gold and silver medals in the 1968 Olympics in Grenoble. After raising two sons and playing an instrumental role in the development of Whistler with husband Al Raine, Nancy and Al moved to Sun Peaks Resort where they have helped develop what is now BC’s second largest ski resort. In December 1999, Nancy was voted as Canada’s Female Athlete of the 20th Century, beside her counterpart Wayne Gretzky. Most recently, she was appointed to the Canadian Senate.

Nancy’s career has inspired generations of skiers. While she was known for her intensity in racing, it is Nancy’s ability to connect with people is perhaps her greatest attribute.

Following the 2010 Winter Olympics, and in between her weekly Senate duties, Nancy will return home to Sun Peaks to ski with resort guests and share her passion for skiing, the mountains, and life in general.

Congratulations Nancy!

You could win the grand prize of a Whistler Getaway for Two!

It can be a goofy photo, a fun pic, a family snapshot, or a contemplative scenic landscape. Just show us what inspires you as you enjoy Sun Peaks’s beautiful trails, and you’re in the running for the grand prize!

Then, help us select the winner!
In addition to submitting your photo, you’ll have a chance to vote for your favourite. The 15 photos that receive the most votes will be considered for the Whistler Getaway Grand Prize, as well as the 2nd and 3rd place prizes.
Everyone that enters a photo will automatically get the chance to win a weekly giveaway prize!

To upload a photo, or for more information, click here.

February 3, 2010 – Sun Peaks, BC – Adaptive Sports at Sun Peaks (ASSP) has been given a boost by two organizations in Kamloops to enhance their equipment supply for teaching those with a disability to ski.

ASSP was formed at Sun Peaks to provide people with a wide range of disabilities the opportunity to participate in sports and recreation programs alongside other able-bodied people. The program has also encouraged the surrounding community to step up and support disabled athletes in their quest to challenge extensive obstacles.

At the conclusion of the Sun Peaks Adaptive Snow Sports Festival on Saturday, January 30, the Kamloops North Rotary Club and the Kamloops Blazers Sports Society were on hand as ASSP unveiled their two new Mountain Man Sit Skis.

The Kamloops North Rotary Club recently awarded ASSP with a $5000.00 grant to support the purchase of a Mountain Man Sit Ski. Produced by Mountain Man Products in Boseman, Montana, the piece is a hand-built, full-feature dual ski, meaning it comes without having to purchase additional accessories. One of the skis will be a junior model, and one will be for adults.

The president of Kamloops North Rotary Club, Bob Schrader says they were pleased to support ASSP. “We felt this program is worthy of support and it fits our mandate as a Rotary Club to support the community and abroad.”

The second sit ski contribution came from the Kamloops Blazers Sports Society Legacy Fund. Executive Director Bob Smillie says they also donated $8,500 last year for the purchase of start-up equipment for ASSP. “The grant to Adaptive Sports at Sun Peaks recognizes the importance of the program and its unique contribution to the Region’s sport community, as well as the dedication of a small number of volunteers to such a worthy undertaking.”

“This is really exciting for us as a non-profit organization to have such support from the Kamloops community,” says Dick Taylor from ASSP. “These two sit skis will provide individuals who are confined to a wheelchair or who can’t stand or walk for long periods, the opportunity to feel the rush of gliding down the mountain in a sit ski.”

The Sun Peaks Adaptive Snow Sports Festival was held last week in conjunction with the British Columbia and Western Canadian Para-Alpine Downhill Championships.

The Awareness Week was about inspiration and overcoming the odds as Para-athletes gather to prove that having a disability won’t limit them from enjoying winter sports.

To begin the survey, click here.

Sun Peaks will not disclose your personal information for purposes other than those for which it was collected, except with your consent or as required or permitted by law. For more information on our privacy policy, click here.

Operating Dates: January 17, 2010, to March 30, 2010, weather permitting
Three Runs: $750 per person
Five Runs: $825 per person
Additional Runs: $80 per person per run
Notes: Tour is available daily based on a minimum of four participants

For reservations and information call 1-800-661-9170, or email reservations@wiegele.com.

For information on shuttle transportation to Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing click here.

WestJet will begin the Kamloops-Edmonton run on May 2, 2010, beginning with service three days a week, on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.

The new flight departs Edmonton at 4:30pm and arrives in Kamloops at 4:40pm. The flight back to Edmonton leaves Kamloops at 5:15pm.

“Things are getting better and better this winter… great snow, the Olympics, and now a new flight! It’s like Christmas!” says Christopher Nicolson, President of Tourism Sun Peaks. “There is a traditional linkage between Sun Peaks and Edmonton, and in years past, Tod Mountain hosted thousands of Edmonton skiers. This connection with a wide-bodied jet aircraft immediately opens up significant new opportunities for golf and ski in the region.”

WestJet began direct service between Vancouver and Kamloops on November 1, 2009 after the airline’s success with the Calgary-Kamloops connection, which began December 15, 2008.

And just when you thought the SnowPass program couldn’t get better, it got a whole lot easier. This year SnowPass registration is available online. Just visit www.snowpass.ca, complete the registration form, upload a photo, proof of age/grade, and pay the administration fee using your credit card. Your child’s very own Grade 4 & 5 Snow Pass will be mailed straight to your door.

SnowPass applications are open to anyone in grade 4 or 5 (or who was born in either 1999 or 2000). With over 150 different participating ski/snowboard areas – 95 in the East (Ontario to Newfoundland) and 58 in the West (Manitoba to BC, and Yukon Territory) - everyone can take advantage of this amazing deal. Your child will receive the SnowPass for the province/region where they live. For instance, if you live in Ontario, they will receive the Eastern SnowPass and if they live in British Columbia, they will receive the Western SnowPass. Your child’s grade 4 and 5 SnowPass Booklet is valid from December 1, 2009, to the end of the season.*

Learn more about the grade 4 and 5 SnowPass online at www.snowpass.ca. You can also pick up an application form from your child’s grade 4 or 5 elementary school teachers or at Sport Mart, Sport Chek, Sports Experts, and Intersport stores Canada-wide.

*Grade 4 & 5 SnowPass not valid at Sun Peaks Resort December 26-31, 2009.

September 28, 2009 – Sun Peaks, BC – New air access, hotels, and retail outlets await skiers and riders at Sun Peaks this winter as they escape the crowds and hassles of other destinations.

Air Access Improves
Beginning November 1, 2009, WestJet Airlines will expand its service to Kamloops and Sun Peaks with a Vancouver flight connection. The new service will have WestJet departing Kamloops at 10:45am each morning, arriving at Vancouver International Airport at 11:41am. For skiers heading to Sun Peaks, the flight leaves Vancouver at 12:30pm, arriving in Kamloops at 1:19pm.

The new WestJet schedule also changes the times of the Calgary-Kamloops flight to allow an easy connection for passengers departing from Toronto at 7:15am. The aircraft connects through Calgary at 10:05am and arrives in Kamloops at 10:12am, allowing skiers and snowboarders to be on the slopes of Sun Peaks that afternoon. The return flight departs at 2:00pm daily, and will arrive in Calgary at 3:57pm.

New for Winter 09-10, the Kamloops Airport terminal expansion will better handle the increased volume which comes with the additional WestJet flights into the region.

New Accommodation
Nestled in the heart of Sun Peaks, the Kookaburra Lodge, opening in Fall 2009, offers affordable, residential apartments ranging from 1 to 4 bedrooms, plus several commercial spaces on the ground floor of the building. The up-scale suites in the Kookaburra Lodge are designed with more space for overseas guests who plan to spend extended periods of time at Sun Peaks. The Lodge also hosts the second village tower, this one bearing tuned cast brass bells that ring on the hour throughout the day, and for important community events and occasions. For more information, visit www.kookaburralodge.ca.

New Village Restaurants and Retail Outlets
Opening in the Kookaburra Lodge in November 2009, Globe Café and Tapas Bar will serve cuisine inspired from different cultures around the world. Enjoy gourmet Panini’s, global tapas, international wines and unique cocktails.

A favourite hang-out for locals, the newly named 5 Forty Board Shop in the Fireside Lodge is expanding to include a Westbeach Outlet Store, featuring Westbeach products. The Shop is also expanding its menu to include Mexican inspired dishes and alcoholic beverages.

The Delta Sun Peaks Resort hotel is set to open two unique restaurants in the village for the upcoming winter. The M Room will feature a fine dining menu highlighting regional, fresh cuisine, while Morrisey’s Public House provides the village’s first Irish inspired pub offering, featuring new interpretations on past pub traditions as well as comfort food from the local region.

New Identity for an Expanded Festival
The Icewine Festival has been a staple at Sun Peaks Resort every January, and while this winter is no exception, the festival has been rebranded as the Winter Wine Festival. The expanded event will run January 16-24, 2010, and will highlight not only Icewines, but many different varietals from the Okanagan Valley. A perfect blend of wine, food and outdoor recreation, the Winter Wine Festival is a world class event set in the picturesque alpine village at Sun Peaks.

A Stronger Partnership
Sun Peaks is teaming up with Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing in Blue River to offer guests a day package with 3 or 5 runs of heli-skiing. Beginning January 17, 2010, the package includes return transportation to Blue River (Nancy Greene’s Cahilty Shuttle Service), powder skis or snowboards, lunch, and skiing.

New Activity
Grab a pair of snowshoes and a golf club and hit the powder for an afternoon of Snowshoe Golf! A true Made in Canada experience, Snowshoe Golf is a new winter activity at Sun Peaks. Great fun for all ages, no prior experience is required! Snowshoe Rentals, golf club rentals, a course map and coloured balls are all included.

Celebrating 2010 at Sun Peaks
As British Columbia’s second largest mountain resort, Sun Peaks has proven to be the perfect alternative to Whistler for people who are looking for no crowds, no hassles, and world class skiing. As the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games commence in February, celebrate the energy of the games by participating in Olympic-themed events or cheering on Canada’s athletes live in village restaurants and pubs. With connections to the Austrian Ski Team and Olympic Gold Medalist Nancy Greene, the spirit of the Olympics is front and centre at Sun Peaks.   

The new service will have WestJet departing Kamloops at 10:45am each morning, arriving at Vancouver International Airport at 11:41am. For golfers and skiers heading to Sun Peaks, the flight leaves Vancouver at 12:30pm, arriving in Kamloops at 1:19pm.

The new WestJet schedule also changes the times of the Calgary-Kamloops flight to allow an easy connection for passengers departing from Toronto at 7:15am. The aircraft connects through Calgary at 10:05am and arrives in Kamloops at 10:12am, allowing skiers and snowboarders to be on the slopes of Sun Peaks that afternoon. The return flight departs at 2:00pm daily, and will arrive in Calgary at 3:57pm.

The President of Tourism Sun Peaks, Christopher Nicolson, says air access is critical to Sun Peaks’ success. “The wide-bodied jet service provided by WestJet gives Sun Peaks an opportunity to target new market segments,” he says. “WestJet’s ridership has proven to bring incremental air traffic for both Kamloops and for Sun Peaks. The new Calgary times also allow for same day travel and skiing for Albertans and Ontarians.”

“Expanding service is a key goal identified by our Air Service Working Group strategy,” says Kamloops Airport Manager Fred Legace. “This is great for business, golf, and ski in our region.”

WestJet began servicing Kamloops and Sun Peaks Resort in December 2008 after extensive efforts between Tourism Sun Peaks, the City of Kamloops, Kamloops Airport Society, Tourism Kamloops and Venture Kamloops.

For further information please contact:

Christopher Nicolson
President
Tourism Sun Peaks
Direct: 250-319-1158
Email: tsppresident@sunpeaksresort.com