Frank Gish and Bradley Munro celebrated with Sun Peaks Mountain Man Award

Each year, Sun Peaks presents the Mountain Man Award to an individual who showed immense promise in volunteering to recognize their dedication to the community. 

This year, Sun Peaks Resort LLP’s director of events and partnerships Liz Wilkinson had the opportunity to award two individuals with this recognition. 

“It was great from our point of view, for our events team to be able to recognize two of our own volunteers this year… we were so touched that we were asked to give the award,” Wilkinson said.

Bradley Munro and Frank Gish were given the award, racking up 200 hours of volunteer service each, surpassing the 100 hours needed to receive the honour.

“That dedication that they showed, regardless of whether it was snowing or bitterly cold… they turned up day after day and just rolled up their sleeves and helped to do whatever they could with a smile on their face,” Wilkinson said.

Frank Gish

For Gish, receiving the Mountain Man Award was a meaningful recognition of the volunteer work he does beside a number of other folks in the community. 

“There are hundreds of volunteers that help with events here at Sun Peaks and many of those would have been equally deserving, but to be singled out with Brad for the award was humbling,” he said.

He gave a nod to the Sun Peaks Resort Events Team, which he said does a lot to make volunteering in Sun Peaks simple and enjoyable.

“I think most of us [volunteer] simply because we are proud of Sun Peaks and we want to show guests what a special place we have here,” he added.

Volunteering offers Gish both the chance to give back to the community and make connections, many of which are lasting. 

“Without a doubt the lifelong friends I have made with other Sun Hosts and guests over the past eight years has been a highlight,” he said. Guests who return and want to ski with him and enjoy the experience together brings such a rewarding feeling, he added. 

Alongside the relationships built, another highlight was volunteering with the TELUS Nancy Greene Alpine Classic, he said, noting these events are both beneficial to the community and incredibly organized. 

“I would suggest that anyone considering volunteering to give it a try, no matter what your strengths are, someone will find something for you to do,” Gish said.

Bradley Munro

Munro was initially inspired to start volunteering as a chance to meet new people, recognizing the tight knit community in Sun Peaks.

“Pretty much if you needed help with something, if you posted on Survivors [Facebook page], you have like three hands offering something anyways,” Munro said. 

One of the most enjoyable aspects of volunteering for Munro is that the experience changes every time. Whether it be the weather conditions, different layouts or various groups, the unpredictable nature keeps it interesting.

“You really never know from day to day what to expect,” Munro said.

While Munro said it can be easier in the summer, with winter volunteer duties  including long days and  cold weather, the quiet hours are some of the most special. 

“Some of the memorable moments would be early chairlift with the dawn just breaking and evening Stoke Series when we started setting up with jackets off and warm weather which changed into a temperature inversion where we had to call it early because everybody was too cold,” Munro said. 

The appreciation from kids and other community members means a lot to him and the kids always remember to say thank you by the time they come down the hill. 

The unpredictable nature of mountain living also offers volunteers a chance to spot beautiful sunsets, animal activities and more.

“One time we had a mother bear and cubs near the road during Foam Fest,” Munro recalled. “That was a fun time as I was called from crowd control to help with the bear monitoring.”

With ArtZone Sun Peaks, the Rotary Club of Sun Peaks, Sun Peaks Recreational Trail Association and Sun Peaks Bear Aware, there’s no lack of volunteer opportunities in Sun Peaks.

“Definitely get volunteering… If you were to move here or come here, yeah, volunteering is a great way to get involved.”