10 Locals Named to Sun Peaks Resort’s New Ambassador Team

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Sun Peaks, BC (February 2, 2024): Ten local skiers and riders are now officially representing Sun Peaks Resort as newly named Ambassadors. After a tremendous show of support with over 100 applications, these 10 athletes and community members will work closely with the resort through the 2023-24 winter ski season.

The Sun Peaks Ambassador Team program launched its inaugural season in November, in search of four athletes and six locals to enter a mutually beneficial relationship of supporting and celebrating local talent, while representing and showcasing Sun Peaks to the world. Athletes must be at a provincial or national competition level and Ambassadors must be active in the community and at a high skill level of skiing or riding.

“We were pleasantly overwhelmed by the positive response to the launch of the program this season,” says Sam Loxton, Sun Peaks Resort’s Marketing and Content Manager and program lead, “It was a fun and challenging process to review the applications and make our selection. We’re stoked to be partnering with these 10 individuals for 2023-24 and are looking forward to continuing the program in future years.”

The Winter 2023-24 Sun Peaks Ambassador Team members:

Athlete Stream

Katie Brayer, 20 – BC Snowboard Provincial Slopestyle Team, Sun Peaks Freestyle Club
Charlie Roberts, 18 – Freestyle BC Moguls Team
Gabi Dinn, 16 – Freestyle BC Park & Pipe Team / Team Canada – 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games
Nayte Brown, 17 – BC Snowboard Provincial Slopestyle Team, Sun Peaks Freestyle Club

Ambassador Stream

Zuzy Rocka, 32, snowboarder
Raine Celesta-Camille, 19, snowboarder
Marlie Marchewka, 36, snowboarder
Mikey Wheeler-Johnson, 39, snowboarder
Gabriella Cattaneo, 19, skier
Olson Advocaat, 17, skier

The Ambassador Team program is split into two streams – Athletes and Ambassadors. All team members receive a season’s pass and exposure through Sun Peaks Resort’s content creation and publishing. Athletes also receive a $2500 cash stipend and membership to Sun Peaks Alpine Fitness to support their competition endeavours. In return, Ambassadors are required to participate in Resort content production and assist in on-mountain hosting of special guests.

As a testament to the calibre of local athletes applying to the program, athlete ambassador, Gabi Dinn of Kamloops, recently returned from the 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games in Korea.  

“It was an amazing opportunity and experience,” says Dinn, “Being my first competition outside of Canada, it gave me a perspective on competing at the international level and the extra attention it attracts — becoming comfortable with all the cameras and additional pressure of representing Canada. It was a rare and special experience and I’m honoured to have attended.”

Dinn, along with fellow athlete ambassador Charlie Roberts, will be competing at this weekend’s Canada Cup hosted in Sun Peaks. The Canada Cup is a sanctioned event by Freestyle Canada which prepares athletes for international competition and provides access to FIS points. In November, Roberts competed at the FIS Open in Idre Fjäll, Sweden, placing in the top 10 in moguls.

Rounding out the contingent, Katie Brayer and Nayte Brown both placed first overall at the BC Snowboard Provincial Series Slopestyle events in Whistler Blackcomb in early January, with Brown also taking first in the U18 category at the same event in Big White later in the month.

The Resort is looking forward to launching the mountain bike equivalency of the Ambassador Team program in spring 2024. Stay tuned for details.

For more details on the Ambassador Team program and athlete bios visit:  www.SunPeaksResort.com/corporate-info/ambassador-team

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About Sun Peaks

Sun Peaks is a resort community in the heart of British Columbia and a welcoming destination for guests in search of a stress-free mountain experience. In winter, it boasts the second-largest ski area in Canada and is consistently recognized as one of the top ski resorts in North America. The European-style ski-in/ski-out, pedestrian village features locally owned and operated shops, restaurants, and lodging. In summer, Sun Peaks offers a wide range of activities including an 18-hole, par 72 Graham Cooke-designed golf course, lift-access downhill and cross-country mountain biking, hiking trails and a year-round lineup of events. Sun Peaks is recognized for its environmental policies and practices and was the first resort in North America and the only resort in Canada to earn the ISO 14001 designation for environmental management.

Contact:
Christina Antoniak
Director of Communication
Sun Peaks Resort LLP
P: 778-694-6565
E: cantoniak@sunpeaksresort.com