Locals and visitors all agree that Sun Peaks is intrinsically sociable. Even the most ardent seekers of solo-ski serenity find themselves engaged in conversations on chairlifts or amidst off-piste adventures, embraced by the convivial community spirit of the resort.
For those who specifically crave companionship on the carvers, there are social ski groups for every level that will help forge firm free-skiing friendships. Here are a few groups you can join so you never have to ski alone.
Sun Peaks Sports School
Starting with the Sun Peaks Sports School, there’s a curated array of lessons, camps and group programs for ski and snowboard. With levels ranging from basic beginners to advanced, all ages are encompassed from tots to the Nifty Fifty Super Group. There are also Ladies Clinics, Guided Gils Backcountry Tours, Spring Fling Camps and opportunities to become a certified ski instructor. Visit sunpeaksresort.com for a full list of lessons, camps and programs.
Sun Host Mountain Tour program
For more mountain mingling, there’s the Sun Host Mountain Tour program offering free group guiding from knowledgeable locals. It’s not just for newcomers seeking orientation around the 4270 acres of tantalizing terrain. It also gives locals the chance to meet and mix with like-level skiers and snowboarders from all over the world. Sporting bright orange jackets, the hospitable hosts meet daily at the orange signs near the Sunburst Chair at 9:15 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. As well as knowing every nuance of the terrain, they help immerse visitors and residents in the inclusive Sun Peaks lifestyle.
The Polar Bears, Grizzly Bears and Sun Peaks Antiques
Enterprising locals have set up many creative alternatives to help promote piste pals. The Polar Bears is a women’s weekly group, organized by a trio of locals. A large circle of women can be seen congregating every Wednesday around 9:30 a.m. in front of the Village Daylodge from January to April. Often topping 30 attendees, they break into smaller groups each led by an experienced “Mama Bear.” After chatter and challenges all over the mountain, they re-group at the Cahilty Creek Kitchen for lunch.
“We try to be as inclusive as possible and invite ladies to ski with us even if only at the resort for a short time,” Coordinator Nancy O’Donnell said. “We also include non-skiers to join us for lunch.”
O’Donnell, who qualified as a Level 1 certified ski instructor two years ago, said Polar Bears is about fun, inclusivity and connectivity. To join, email nancyodonnell56@gmail.com. In conjunction with the Sports School, the Polar Bears also offer a Tuesday morning instruction course of two-hour small-group improvement lessons with five and ten week options. Additionally, the Polar Bears offer a cross-country group which meets regularly.
Just as the Polar Bears set off to the Sundance or Sunburst Chairlifts each Wednesday, the complementary Grizzly Bear men’s group meets at the same spot. With not as many takers typically, they tend to ski all together and head to Bottom’s for beer and burgers after a few hours of piste and powder partnership. Just roll up around 9:45 a.m. near the Sun Hosts signs to join in. For older seniors, there’s the Sun Peaks Antiques – a Monday, Wednesday and Friday group which meets and lunches in The Annex at the tables beneath their logo wall sign near the cafeteria. Again, it’s a roll-up group, no need to register.
Nordic Newbies
While there aren’t any formal Nordic social societies, many people are looking for similar level classic or skate playmates. Ann Carter from Sun Peaks Nordic suggests starting with lessons to find fellows.
“They would be best to start with the 5 or 10 week locals’ lessons series and see how their abilities mesh, while improving technique and fitness,” she explained.
Classic and skate skier Julie Kimmel also highly recommends instruction.
“Taking the locals lessons is a fabulous idea, I can’t say enough about what I got out of those lessons.”
The weekly Nordic Challenges created by the Nordic Club are a sociable adjunct. Teams of five compete against each other to complete specific routes as well as ski as many kilometres as possible.
“This, in itself, leads to the creation of groups of Nordic skiers that get out together regularly,” Kimmel affirmed. “You don’t have to ski with your team to rack up the kilometres or complete the challenge route, but teams often do.”
The more the merrier
There’s plenty of space for more groups in Sun Peaks. Sydney Johnsen, who runs a small Friday off-piste club, recommends group skiing for mutual support, trust and shared encouragement. Johnsen, who is also a volunteer Sun Host, started by helping a friend to combat a reluctance to try non-groomed runs.
Now in its third season, Sydney’s Sweet Off Piste Adventures is committed to tackling new challenges in Sun Peaks’ winter playground.
“A few friends asked if they could join in next time and so a small group started meeting one morning a week to play,” she said. “I discovered that it wasn’t just about not knowing how to ski crud or powder but that they also didn’t know where to go or they worried about being safe.”
Finally, for much-needed après socializing after all these winter sports, there’s the Sun Peaks Social Club which has weekly wine gatherings, coffee mornings and a variety of special interest groups. To join, email sunpeakslocals360@gmail.com.
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