Top of the World
Elevation: 2,080m
Operations Update: Cougar sighting in the Controlled Recreation Area
Posted June 15, 2026
A juvenile cougar has recently been observed in the Mountain Operations area, Slopeside Annex and adjacent ski runs. As a young animal, it is still learning to establish its territory and hunting habits. At this time, it is not exhibiting unusual or aggressive behaviour toward people.
As with all wildlife encounters, staff and visitors are encouraged to remain aware of their surroundings and take appropriate precautions to reduce the potential for negative interactions.
Please notify Patrol/Dispatch of any sightings at 250.578.5521.
Note: Juvenile cougars can sometimes appear more erratic or curious than adult animals because they are still developing hunting skills and learning to navigate their environment. This behaviour alone does not necessarily indicate a problem animal, but it does warrant increased awareness and caution.
Personal safety
- Be alert when walking, hiking, biking or working outdoors, particularly during dawn, dusk and nighttime hours.
- Avoid wearing headphones at high volume when travelling through areas with limited visibility.
- Keep campsites clean and free of food attractants. Store food, garbage, and scented items securely.
- Travel in groups whenever possible.
If you encounter a cougar:
- Remain calm and do not run.
- Maintain eye contact and face the animal.
- Make yourself appear larger by raising your arms or opening your jacket.
- Speak firmly and back away slowly.
- If the cougar approaches, be prepared to defend yourself using sticks, rocks or other available objects.
- Report the sighting to local authorities if the animal displays bold or concerning behaviour.
Pets and domestic animals
- Keep dogs on a leash and under control at all times.
- Avoid walking dogs during dawn, dusk or after dark when cougar activity is more common.
- Do not allow pets to roam freely outdoors, especially overnight.
- Pick up small pets when moving through areas with dense vegetation or limited sightlines.
- Be particularly cautious if a leashed dog becomes agitated, fixated or reluctant to proceed, as animals may detect wildlife before people do.
Reporting wildlife
Most cougar sightings are simply observations of a naturally occurring predator moving through its habitat. However, sightings involving a cougar that:
- shows no fear of people;
- follows people or pets;
- lingers around homes or occupied areas; or
- displays aggressive behaviour
should be reported to local conservation or wildlife authorities immediately.
By remaining aware and taking simple precautions, we can help ensure the safety of people, pets and wildlife while minimizing unnecessary conflicts.
Please notify Patrol/Dispatch of any sightings at 250.578.5521.
To report potentially dangerous or aggressive wildlife in B.C., call the RAPP hotline at 1.877.952.7277. This 24/7 service connects you directly to the BC Conservation Officer Service to report incidents that may threaten public safety.
Lift-access pedal trails
High above the Bike Park, West Bowl XC (formerly named Altitude) is a lift-access loop that starts from the top of the Sunburst Express chairlift. You’ll climb through wildflower meadows, forests, and past the peak of Tod Mountain, before reaching tranquil Tod Lake. From there the trail descends back towards the chairlift, where you can connect with Level Up for a fun, flowy ride back to the village, completing 16km of beautiful alpine riding. Looking for a more advanced way down? Connect from West Bowl XC to Sugar and then Sweet One for a rip down some classic Sun Peaks tech.
Big Rock Ride, also lift-access, offers an undulating ride through sub-alpine forests before connecting back into the Bike Park at the top of Sundance Mountain.
Please note: a valid lift ticket or season pass is required to ride any of the Bike Park trails, including Altitude and Big Rock Ride.
Mt. Morrisey and Valley Trails
Outside the lift-access Bike Park, the Valley trail network offers a growing selection of free-to-use pedal-access trails to explore. The Morrisey/Valley pedal-access network is available for use free of charge.
On Mt. Morrisey, experience scenic views and lush cedar forest via a network of five new trails. Cedar Twist, a 6km singletrack climb trail, starts near the base of the Morrisey Express and provides access to the top of Morrisey. Be mindful of hikers while riding, as this is a shared-use trail. Once at the top, you can extend your ride on Sticky Fingers, an out-and-back trail near the peak of Mt. Morrisey. When you’re ready to head down, pick between Calypso Groove, El Diablo, or Stumpwheed for a thrilling descent.
Additional trails exist around Morrisey and elsewhere in the valley, including a mix of singletrack cross country style trails and doubletrack access roads. With trails to suit most levels of rider, they are a great option for an evening pedal or a family ride out to McGillivray Lake. This network is usually ready to ride in early to mid-June and closes when the snow arrives in late October.
Pedal-access trails are developed and maintained by the Sun Peaks Recreational Trail Association (SPRTA), a dedicated group of community trail builders. While the trails are free to use, membership support helps make them possible, funding ongoing trail building, maintenance and improvements throughout the Sun Peaks trail network.
Support local trails — SPRTA memberships start at $25 per year.
Mountain Bike Pedal Access Trail Status Update: June 13, 2026
The Sun Peaks Recreational Trail Association advises that all main mountain bike trails on Mt. Morrisey are now fully open for the season.
The only exception is About Time, which remains closed while wildfire fuel management work is underway in the area.
Guests are encouraged to check Trailforks before heading out for the latest trail conditions and status updates.
2026 Valley Trail Map
Trailforks Interactive Map and More!
Find trails and plan your next ride with Trailforks. Explore interactive maps, get trail and route recommendations, see updates from fellow riders, browse photos and videos, and track your mileage with GPS devices.
always flow: deeper
In the pursuit of creating flow, we’re often focused on pushing it to new heights. Speed and amplitude shape the priority of progression as we carve out our experiences.
But long before Brady Starr of Starr Trail Solutions and Sam Loxton of the Sun Peaks Recreational Trail Association began sketching blueprints for pedal-access trails on Mt. Morrisey, they had a different kind of flow in mind, one that pushed the riding experience to greater depths.