Sun Peaks shows support for B.C.’s First Nations snowboard team

Sun Peaks Resort has offered the First Nations Snowboard Team an opportunity to train at the mountain, allowing First Nations youth to bring social change into their community.

The First Nations Snowboard Team (FNST) trains each Sunday at Sun Peaks Resort with supportive sponsorship given by the resort. Sun Peaks provides season passes, equipment and repair support to six athletes from the Little Shuswap Indian Band and eight athletes from the Kamloops Indian Band. It’s the bands’ first year to join the team, starting as a recreational training at first, and aiming to race in the competitive field in a few years.

“I love Sun Peaks,” said Ryan Leonard, member of the FNST and recently certified CASI (Canadian Association of Snowboard Instructors) instructor. Leonard has been snowboarding at Sun Peaks for over eight years. “I want athletes to have fun and keep motivated.”

Anne Haight, director of sales and marketing for Sun Peaks Resort said they’re looking forward to supporting the team throughout the season, and hope to continue providing the team with long-term sponsorship.
“It’s a great program for First Nations youth,” said Haight. “It’s beneficial for both the resort and the First Nations Snowboard Team.”

Since 2004 the FNST in B.C. has been helping First Nations youth gain confidence through snowboarding. The team was founded by Squamish resident Aaron Marchant after the Aboriginal Youth Sport Legacy Fund was created. The team has trained at several resorts across B.C., including: Whistler Blackcomb, Grouse Mountain, Mt. Washington and Kimberley.

“The First Nations Snowboard Team’s mission is to improve the quality of life and empower Aboriginal youth across Canada by using snowboarding as a fundamental tool for excellence,” said Andrea Stelter, the FNST division manager from Little Shuswap Indian Band. “The team operates within itself, meaning we provide our experienced youth with an opportunity to receive their CASI training, they then become instructors for the program.”

Over 200 B.C. First Nations youth are training through the program, including 165 recreational athletes and 75 high performance athletes. All athletes must attend all training sessions and maintain over a C+ average in school. They must also make a commitment to stay away from drugs and alcohol. The athletes use custom-made snowboards, featuring traditional First Nations designs on the boards that are designed for extreme riding.

“We’re proud to say our training facility or our home base is Sun Peaks Resort,” said Stelter. “If it wasn’t for them and their support, there probably wouldn’t be a Little Shuswap Indian Band Division of the First Nations team.”

The team and its members will continue to achieve their goals representing their communities and Sun Peaks Resort with a positive attitude and strong influence on the First Nations and non-First Nations communities.