Sun Peaks Sports School is back for the summer with private lessons, programs and camps for all skill levels. 

Private lessons now have some variation, focusing on specific needs.

“We have separated out some of our lessons that are on blue terrain and black terrain so that it is more specific to what [riders are] looking for,” said assistant manager at Sun Peaks Sports School, Zoey Lopez. “There are some for if you’re more into tech, or more into flow…we have a few options since we found some people want something really specific.” 

Locals’ programs give kids, women and men a chance to grow their skills as well, with flexibility for the summer. 

“The women and the men now have the option to purchase just three of the full six [lessons]…that way they can still have time to go on vacation in the summer,” Lopez said, adding there are also drop-in sessions for added flexibility. 

Regardless of age, time commitment or skill level, the sports school has plenty of options for hitting the trails. Here are a few: 

Private lessons

Sun Peaks Sports School offers private lessons for all skill levels starting with the Discover Progression Park lessons, perfect for first timers and beginners. These four-hour lessons help with body positioning, stance and bike control. A helmet and knee pads are required.

For beginner and intermediate riders, the Flow Green Park lessons provide a space to continue building on the basics while exploring lift-accessed green trails. 

For intermediate and advanced riders, the Blue and Black Park private lessons offer a challenge with a continuation of skill building. 

For Blue Park lessons, riders choose between blue tech trails, and work on maneuvering through singletrack, roots and rocks, or blue flow trails, where riders work with berms and small jumps. 

For the Black Park lessons, riders choose between black tech trails, also maneuvering through singletrack, roots and rocks, but at higher speeds, or black flow trails, to work on berms, wood features and medium to large jumps.

A full face helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, gloves and chest and back protection are required for all Blue and Black lessons. 

Women’s and men’s nights

Both lessons are dedicated to an evening of riding, capped off with a complimentary Granville Island beverage after at Masa’s Bar + Grill. 

Lessons for women are Monday evenings from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., starting June 30 and going to Aug. 4. 

Men’s nights are Wednesday evenings from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., starting July 2 until Aug. 6.

For the kids 

Weekly kids programs return this year, offering local youth ages six to 12 the opportunity to improve their riding and gain confidence on two wheels. These sessions include two hours of coaching in six sessions, with a three-to-one student instructor ratio. 

For ages six to seven, sessions will take place Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. starting July 1 and going until Aug. 5. Ages eight to 12 will take on the trails on Tuesdays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., also beginning July 1 and going until Aug. 5. 

Rates for these lessons vary and while drop-in rates are available, registration is recommended. 

For folks 50 and up

A weekly, skill-based program for locals 50 years or older focuses on a specific skill theme and is tailored to individual development, with consistent attention to rider safety. Each lesson accommodates all skill levels and is taught by experienced instructors.

For those interested in the Green Park, lessons take place on Mondays starting June 30 and ending Aug. 4. Blue Park riders will meet up on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting July 1 and ending Aug. 7. 

Both groups go from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Rates and required equipment vary. Call the Sports School at 250-578-5474 for more information. 

Camps 

Cheryl Beattie, a Professional Mountain Bike Instructors Association certified coach, will lead women during a two-day camp focused on refining skills and building confidence on the trails July 5 and 6.  

This camp requires riders to be intermediate and able to jump on Blue Flow and able to ride Blue/Black Tech. Bikes must have disc brakes and full suspension and a full face helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, gloves and chest and back protection are required. 

Guided tours 

Guided cross-country tours take riders to McGillivray Lake and through the Altitude Trail. 

The 10-kilometre round-trip tour to McGillivray Lake is open to all skill levels as the trail is not technical nor demanding on bikes. It is a low-grade, steady climb out to the lake, and a quick descent on the return. This tour runs daily at 3:30 p.m. and takes around two hours. 

The Altitude Trail has technical rock and root sections, as well as short, sharp climbs, so is suited for intermediate and advanced riders. This tour is daily at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and takes around three hours. Participants will ride through wildflower meadows and rest at Tod Lake. 

For more information on various programs and lessons offered at Sun Peaks Sports School, visit sunpeaksresort.com or contact the sports school via phone at 250-578-5474 or through email sportschool@sunpeaksresort.com.