Names carry stories. They root us to place, people and culture, reflecting the adventures and memories woven into our shared spaces. At Sun Peaks Resort, the second-largest ski area in Canada, this storytelling comes alive across hundreds of trails, runs, lifts and glades. Each name is a layer of history, humor and homage, making the mountain a living map of human connection and natural wonder.
Take a look at the trail map and the names jump out like invitations to adventure: Saddle Up, Roller Coaster, Bushwackers, Shiner, Pink Flamingos and Still Smokin’.
“Most trails owe their titles to the creativity and suggestions of the build crews,” Christina Antoniak, director of communications at Sun Peaks Resort LLP (SPR), told SPIN.
The result? A snow-covered playground where every trail name tells a tale.
“Trail names are part of the experience,” Colin Cannon, co-owner of Discover Sun Peaks Adventures said. Cannon guides snowshoe excursions and summer tours, blending his love of the outdoors with his gift for storytelling. “The names connect visitors to the land,” he added.
Their newest snowshoe trail, C&J’s Lookout, offers a panoramic view and, of course, a great story Cannon may share with you on a trek.
Some trail names nod to the challenge ahead: Blue Line, Rollers or Tighten Yer Boots leave little room for doubt. Others offer practical guidance, like the West Bowl, 5 Mile or Gentle Giant. On Mount Morrisey, creativity reigns with the Laundry Room series with Lint Trap, Tumble Dry, Static Cling and more. Legend has it these whimsical names may also pay tribute to a mystery local legend, their meaning folded neatly into the fabric of the resort’s history.
For Fatbikers, the cleverly named Phat Rabbit trail built by Shawn Melnechuk was born from a massive rabbit sighting and a well-placed steaming pile of droppings leading naturally to the black diamond spur named Black Rabbit, by Rick Boles.
Nordic skiers and snowshoers encounter trails named for songbirds like Chickadee, Nut Hatch, Whiskey Jack and Raven Return. Snowshoeing on the Valley Interpretive Trail leads to a snowy field of feeders where you can see those same birds.
Sun Peaks also celebrates its human history. Trails like Whyte’s Ride, Gil’s, Barn Burner, Phil’s Way and Siggy’s honor the builders and visionaries who shaped the resort. Subtle nods, like CC Riders, carry layered meanings, adding depth to the naming process. And at the pinnacle of recognition are the locations named for Nancy Greene Raine, the Olympic ski champion, coach and senator. Her name serves as a reminder of the greatness achieved here.
Language adds another layer to the story. Trails like Ausfahrt, German for exit, Chikimichi, Japanese for shortcut, Coquihalla, Coast Salish for a stingy place and Cześć, Polish for hello reflect the international community of both visitors, locals and Indigenous peoples. Spend a day exploring trails off the Orient Chairlift, and you’ll find yourself on a multicultural slope scavenger hunt.
Even the local wildlife finds its place on the map, with trails like Bear Cub, Moose Track, Lynx, Bobcat, Blue Grouse and Fox Trot. These names remind visitors of the animals who call these mountains home, ensuring nature remains central to the Sun Peaks story.
The names embody youthful exuberance, playfulness and pride. As local snowboarder Calvin Mijares puts it, “When I go back home, I want to look at a map and say, ‘I lived and worked there, and I snowboarded that run.’ Maybe I’ll even get to name it. That’d be cool.”
Whether it’s a nod to a legend, a practical marker or a playful pun, the names at SPR are more than mere labels. They’re proof of the human desire to leave a mark, to tell stories and to connect. Just like the skiers, snowboarders and adventurers carving their paths down the slopes, the names will endure, etched into the heart of this mountain playground.
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