Whether on the chairlift or over lunch in the Annex, many older skiers find themselves warmly welcomed by the Sun Peaks Antiques. This friendly group of ardent ad hoc ambassadors for Sun Peaks is about to celebrate its 20th anniversary. If they have time, that is – during their 10th anniversary season, they were all so busy skiing, they missed it!
On April 2, 2004 the name Sun Peaks Antiques was chosen via a contest among a close-knit group of skiing friends from a list of 16 alternatives including The Downhill Relics, The Fossils and The Silver Sliders.
Around the slopes, the Antiques can be identified by their distinctive crest logo, sported on clothing and helmets, which was designed by artist and group member Flo Thompson.
“The first order for 100 crests was placed November 16, 2005, the second order for another 100 on March 15, 2011 and the third order for yet another 100 was made on March 21, 2019,” communications coordinator Sigi White told SPIN after a dive into the archives. “At that time we also initiated the implementation of peel-off decals, which are selling like hot cakes.”
The sew-on version is particularly handy to hide rips in outerwear and the decals help identify skis on crowded racks.
Wearing the Sun Peaks Antiques logo is a badge of honour for those who love skiing despite aches, pains and wrinkles, White said.
“Antiques on skis are just special, valuable and rare.”
But with many members well into their 80s, how do they do it? It’s all about like minded sport, camaraderie and looking out for each other, according to White who is 85.
“Some people have a hard time admitting they are getting old, but when they see us, they have hope and joy, since we do just that. We laugh a lot, we see the skier with two bionic knees and she is still up there, we give them a standing ovation when they show up again to ski some more.”
When she ventures into the West Bowl, she feels secure that Sun Peaks Antiques ski pals will ensure she comes out at the bottom.
The Antique’s hangout in the Annex is demarcated by the large logo picture – which was gifted to the group by Sun Peaks Resort LLP – alongside a delicately handcrafted quilt by Victoria Gray, which is decorated by historic Tod Mountain pins from members’ collections. A pair of old wooden skis commemorating Bill Thomson, one of the founding members, completes the montage.
“A person wanting to get in touch with us, should show up at The Annex and mingle, sit in the corner where the logo is and ask around anyone with gray, white or no hair and wears a logo,” White explained. “Even on the lift, if they see a logo on their helmets or skis or jackets, ask them.”
Once on the communications list, new recruits receive regular updates. There’s a one-time payment of $10 to join the Sun Peaks Antiques, but no annual dues.
“We have no executive, no meetings, no bank account, just me,” White said. “The ‘office’ is a couple of notebooks in my ski bag and a bunch of crests and decals.”
Other members assume various roles as necessary, such as booking facilities and arranging luncheons on the mountain.
“We are informal, but glued together with shared interests and health issues of aging, but we have fun. We love every day we are still out there, doing it. And some ashes are up there from those we shall never forget.”
With a current membership of around 120, including non-skiing spouses, the Sun Peaks Antiques has an international lineup with Brits, Americans, New Zealanders and Australians having joined after chairlift chats. Many have become regular visitors, creating lasting friendships and reciprocal travel across the globe. Each time the international members return, they get “big hugs, and a warm welcome,” White said.
Meeting Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, the Antiques are divided into like-skilled segments.
“Small groups sort themselves out as to the ‘hot shots’ still flying through the bushes, the ‘stop and start’ types that take photos, the medium fast racing types that do big lovely slalom curves and enjoy a fast cruise and the slower types that have bionic body parts and can’t get up if they fall over,” White explained. Everyone reconvenes at The Annex for lunch and a chat, which can be cut short on powder days. Avoiding weekends and holidays, the Antiques also ski whenever there is new snow.
Currently compiling a corkboard for news items, White intends to include notices about all their social activities which include regular cookie events, decadent dessert parties and an end of season gathering.
“On the last day, we sit somewhere up there, in the sun, share foods, smoked fish, libations and then we ski in a big long slalom down the Chief Shoulder,” White said. “Once we trundled out to Gil’s and it was a hoot to get all of them up from sitting down in the snow.”
When skiing is over for the season, the Sun Peaks Antiques celebrate in Kamloops with “the last supper” where money is raised each year for Sun Peaks projects.
“For some, sadly, it really is the last supper.” White lamented. Non-skiing members and spouses all attend this dinner, happy to just talk snow. Along with other helpful historians and archivists among the group, White has made photo albums detailing these fundraising events.
“On many occasions we filled a ski boot or pot with dollars,” she recounted. “We bought a wheel chair, a defibrillator, a first responder package and collected many thousands of dollars at our last supper.”
When member Nick Maika clocked up 85 ski days in 2015 – the year he turned 85 – he raised around $11,000 for Adaptive Sports Sun Peaks.
“He is now 93 and blind, but I still visit with him in the care home,” White said, who makes a point to visit all sick, frail or injured Antiques members and report updates to the group.
The fun doesn’t stop in April, though. Activities continue throughout the year including beach parties at Shuswap Lake and golf motor-home camping trips. There are regular birthday luncheons and White hosts a potluck every June.
“Last summer at the [potluck] we even had live music,” she said. “No one knew that this Sun Peaks Antiques skier was also a skilled musician with a wonderful singing voice.”
During hiking trips at Sun Peaks, White added to the photographic memoir with images of wild flowers and the latest building projects.
“Many that had to opt out from skiing still wish fervently to stay on the Sun Peaks Antiques list because they like to see the pictures and their hearts are still up there.”
Testament to the famed friendliness and longevity of their members, the Sun Peaks Antiques were featured in 2015 on CTV’s Canada AM show as well as in many subsequent print publications including Ski Canada, Canadian Geographic, Snow Magazine, Style Altitude and Silver Travel Advisor. They were also included in a Canadian Ski Council video and in a short film on YouTube called Keep on Skiing with Nancy Greene Raine.
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