Sun Peaks Independent News Volume 21 Issue 3

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IN THIS ISSUE

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editor@sunpeaksnews.com

213 - 1130 Sun Peaks Rd. Sun Peaks, B.C.

BRANDI SCHIER

Publisher brandi@sunpeaksnews.com

TEGWYN HUGHES

Community Editor tegwyn@sunpeaksnews.com

LOUISE HUDSON

Freelance journalist

LIZ MCDONALD

Community Journalist liz@sunpeaksnews.com

SONIA GARCÍA

Layout & Graphic Designer sonia@sunpeaksnews.com

04

ALLEGED TOOLCAT THEFT THWARTED BY BYLAW OFFICER AND RESORT SECURITY

Plus, local athletes' results from the Canada Winter Games.

06

ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS SEEING REGULAR USE

Visitors and residents alike are benefitting from the new chargers added on the east side of the Sun Peaks Centre skating rink.

07

NAYTE BROWN REFLECTS ON CANADA WINTER GAMES RESULTS

The competitive snowboarder competed in P.E.I. at this year's Winter Games and placed sixth in big air.

08

SUN PEAKS COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRE PROVIDED NALOXONE TRAINING

Having and knowing how to use naloxone when someone experiences drug poisoning saves lives, the health centre executive director told SPIN.

09

RACIN' JASON FALLS SHORT OF MENARDS SERIES TITLE

White credits new lifestyle changes for his heightened focus while racing in Daytona Beach, Florida.

10

TWO FEDERAL ACTS IMPACT HOMEOWNERS IN SUN PEAKS

SPIN breaks down the Underused Housing Tax Act and the Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act.

14

LOCAL DANCE ACADEMY HELPS RESIDENTS FINESSE THEIR FOOTWORK

The Sun Peaks Academy of Dance, now in its fifth year of operation, continues to expand its programs and bring in new instructors.

19

NO MAN'S LAND FILM FESTIVAL RAISES MONEY FOR WOMEN'S SHELTER IN KAMLOOPS

The festival aims to "un-define feminine" and highlight underrepresented people in outdoor adventure films.

21

T AEKWON-DO COMPETITORS BRING HOME MEDALS AFTER PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Local athletes prepare for national championships in May.

22

FORMER LOCAL TATE SOLOMONSON COMPETES FOR TEAM BC AT CANADA WINTER GAMES

The athlete hopes to inspire others to take alternate paths to their education.

ALLEGED TOOLCAT THEFT THWARTED BY BYLAW OFFICER AND RESORT SECURITY

A bylaw officer responded to an alleged break-in at the arena on Jan. 28 after a security camera alarm went off

By Liz McDonald

Two suspects allegedly broke into the arena in late January and started the municipality's toolcat, according to Omar Butt, Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality’s (SPMRM) director of public works.

According to a report filed by the bylaw officer who responded to the breakin, after midnight on Jan. 28, a security camera detected movement at the arena, which sent an alarm alert to SPMRM’s bylaw officer. The officer and Sun Peaks Resort security responded to the alarm — when they arrived, they say they found two males had started the machine and were trying to get it into gear and drive the vehicle. The two males fled the scene when security and the bylaw officer arrived.

A toolcat is a two-person work vehicle SPMRM used for snow removal, sanding, moving dirt and rearranging pieces of the arena rink.

Butt said the toolcat is typically parked in the driveway of the arena because SPMRM doesn’t have a public works shop. Before the attempted theft, he said there hadn't been a need to lock the toolcat up, but that will change now.

“We’re changing our procedures a little bit, making sure we lock things up and just trying to be as safe as possible, so that doesn’t happen again,” Butt explained.

Butt said he did not recognize either of the suspects caught on video.

“One guy was wearing a ball cap. One guy was wearing a toque. [They] looked fairly young, I would probably say between 20 and 30,” Butt explained.

Sun Peaks Fire Chief Dean Schiavon said describing the suspects or their clothing in detail would be difficult because an infrared camera recorded the alleged incident in the dark.

Schiavon wants to remind the community to keep their cars and valuables locked.

Kamloops RCMP provided a written statement about the attempted theft.

“Tk’emlúps Rural RCMP Detachment received a report of an attempted theft of a snow plow on the 3300-block of Village Place. Two people ran from the plow when a vehicle approached – they were described as male, one wearing a red ball cap and dark jacket. No damage was reported,” an email from Crystal Evelyn, Kamloops RCMP media relations officer, stated.

If anyone has information about the incident, please call the Kamloops RCMP at 250-828-3000 and use file 2023-3326

LOCAL ATHLETES SEE STRONG SHOWING AT CANADA WINTER GAMES

Snowboard, biathlon and alpine ski athletes from Sun Peaks competed in the 2023 Games in P.E.I.

By Liz McDonald

Sun Peaks youth showed their talent at the Canada Winter Games in P.E.I. recently, and one athlete even brought home a medal.

Tate Solomonson earned a silver medal in biathlon 12.5 km individual male and fifth place in single mixed relay mix. He also placed 17th in the biathlon 7.5 km sprint male and 21st in the biathlon 10 km pursuit male.

Nayte Brown of Sun Peaks Freestyle Snowboard Club came sixth in the snowboard big air male competition, eighth in slopestyle male, 12th in parallel giant slalom male and 13th in snowboardcross male.

Douglas Hunter of Sun Peaks Alpine Club (SPAC) placed 18th in alpine skiing slalom male and alpine skiing skicross male and 29th in alpine skiing super G male.

SPAC member Avery Tymchyna placed 28th in alpine skiing giant slalom male, 34th in alpine skiing super-G male and 35th in alpine skiing ski cross male.

Congratulations to these local athletes for representing Sun Peaks on a national stage!

Sun Peaks offers the perfect training ground for elite youth athletes who recently competed in the Canada Winter Games. Photo by Zuzy Rocka.

Our

NEW ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS BENEFIT STRATA OWNERS

Visitors and residents with electric vehicles benefit from public infrastructure

By Liz McDonald

Electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in Sun Peaks are providing important infrastructure for visitors and residents who don't have access to private charging on the mountain.

Shane Bourke, chief administrative officer for Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality (SPMRM) said that since the chargers were installed late last year, they’ve been used 80 different times by 43 different vehicles. The busiest period was the week of Jan. 30, which saw users plug in 17 times.

Charging stations have been a goal for the municipality since 2015. The two type-two EV charging stations are located on the east side of the Sun Peaks Centre skating rink.

Ryan Kononoff and his family have a home in Sun Peaks and used the public stations while visiting.

Kononoff said for people like him who own strata properties, there is a lot of chaos around charging in stratas. He said some EV drivers have paid to install electric chargers in their parking stall and pay for the electricity use themselves, tracking use through an excel file that connects to the charger. However, Kononoff pointed out that there is nothing stopping other people from using a charger that doesn’t belong to them.

“They did pay for the installation of [an EV charger], but there's no way for them to necessarily prevent someone from adjacent stalls using that same charger,” he said.

Tracking use from private charging stations also creates additional administrative overhead in strata properties, which is then charged back to all owners, according to Kononoff.

Kononoff sits on a strata council in Sun Peaks, and said how to handle electric vehicle charging as the number of EVs grows has been a frequent topic of conversation.

There are common outlets that people use to plug in their electric vehicles, meaning neighbours who don’t own EVs still have to pay for someone else’s electricity use through strata fees.

“People that don't drive electric cars pay strata fees, and it's like having a gas tank up there ... Everyone pays for [electricity but] not everyone pulls from it. It's an area of contention and chaos,” he said.

He went on to say that some people experience “range anxiety” around access to charging stations. Some EV drivers worry they won’t be able to get up to Sun Peaks and back home without an available charging station. While Kononoff doesn’t share the feeling himself, he believes there are likely people who choose to not drive their EVs to the mountain because of this fear.

Sun Peaks EV charging stations cost $1 per hour for the first four hours and $2 per hour for any subsequent use. The fees offset the cost of electricity use for the municipality and increase after four hours because there are only two stations for many users. The stations were funded by a federal grant in partnership with the Community Energy Association.

Kononoff thinks the fee for charging in Sun Peaks is reasonable.

“A buck an hour will cover [the municipality’s] electricity costs. And two bucks an hour after four hours will encourage people to use it on a short term basis, not on a long term basis. So I think that the way they've got it set up now is very, very reasonable.”

The current charging stations operate on a 30 amp breaker, which charges at a slower speed. However, according to Bourke, the municipality is waiting on 40 amp breakers due to a national shortage and they should arrive this spring.

Electric vehicle drivers don't always have their own charging stations at properties in the village. Photo by Kyle James.

NAYTE BROWN REFLECTS ON ENERGY-FILLED CANADA WINTER GAMES

“It took the stress out of having to do good — I just did it for the fun of it and got a pretty good placement,” Brown said.

Another style of boarding Brown isn’t used to competing is snowboardcross, which he’d only done once before the Canada Winter Games.

Brown has snowboarded since he was around three years old, when his parents started him in the sport. He began taking snowboarding to the next level when he was 10 and moved up to Sun Peaks with his family. He started with freestyle lessons, and his mom eventually founded SPFSC.

By Liz McDonald

Nayte Brown, a member of the Sun Peaks Freestyle Snowboard Club (SPFSC), recently competed in the Canada Winter Games in P.E.I. and says poor conditions didn’t stop him from having a blast on the slopes.

The 16-year-old came sixth in the snowboard big air male competition, eighth in slopestyle male, 12th in parallel giant slalom male and 13th in snowboardcross male. One of the top moments for Brown was competing in big air.

“The energy was crazy … Finals were at night under the lights, and there was a huge crowd of people that came [and cheered],” Brown said.

He noted that when preparing for slopestyle competition, he expected a steeper course, which impacted his results.

“Unfortunately, for slopestyle, the course was flatter than expected and there was a pretty big headwind. I couldn’t do the tricks that I had planned but still managed to put down a run,” Brown told SPIN.

He said he was happy with his rankings, and while it was frustrating to not be able to clear jumps and do the tricks he trained for in slopestyle, everyone else faced the same challenges.

While he gravitates towards slopestyle riding, Brown also had fun competing for the first time in parallel giant slalom.

As a youth athlete, Brown’s schedule is packed with sports, school and working. He told SPIN he rides every day as part of his schooling, as well as in the evening with friends on the Platter when the hill is closed. He trains on weekends and coaches snowboarding, while also working at Masa’s Bar + Grill twice a week.

Brown thanked his parents for funding his snowboarding career.

“[They’re] my biggest supporters. I’m very grateful for them and the opportunities they’ve given me,” he said, while also thanking his coach, teammates and sponsors.

Brown will soon compete at BC Winter Games in Greater Vernon in March.

Competitive snowboarder Nayte Brown successfully competed in P.E.I. for his first Canada Winter Games. Photo provided.

The 16-yearold from Sun Peaks performed well despite unexpected conditions and is now preparing for the BC Games

FREE NALOXONE TRAINING HELD AT THE HEALTH CENTRE IN EARLY MARCH

Sun Peaks Community Health Centre (SPCHC) hosted two free naloxone training sessions on Wednesday, March 8. Naloxone is a medication that temporarily reverses opioid poisoning, providing time for emergency services to arrive before a person dies. The training sessions are open to “everybody and anybody,” according to Laura Bantock, a registered nurse and the executive director for SPCHC.

By Liz McDonald

Training was held in the health centre’s education room to the far right of the new ambulance bay. The sessions included a presentation, information, hands-on training and naloxone kits provided by a registered nurse.

Bantock said the sessions were prompted after community leaders gathered to discuss “a worrying [opioid poisoning] trend in our region.”

According to BC Emergency Health Services data, Interior Health saw a 9 per cent increase in drug poisoning calls in 2022, despite a 5 per cent drop for the province overall.

Bantock explained she contacted Kamloops Mental Health and Substance Use (MHSU) to collaborate and provide naloxone training sessions for health centre employees and the general public. MHSU registered nurse Gaudenza Ramunno specializes in harm reduction and will be running the sessions..

Bantock said having these skills saves lives.

“It's important [people] have the ability to revive somebody who is suffering the effects of an opioid poisoning [so they can] confidently use this medication … and save a life,” Bantock explained.

In an emailed statement provided by MHSU and Ramunno, they said they “are deeply grateful to community members who get trained in how to recognize an overdose and the ways to respond, including the administration of naloxone.”

Ramunno wrote she was “excited” the community is “eager for more information and would be receptive to this education.

Every person has the right to the best possible health care and with harm reduction initiatives, we can connect people to services and treatment.”

If anyone experienced drug poisoning in Sun Peaks, the fire department would respond.

Sun Peaks Fire Chief Dean Schiavon said the team is trained to use naloxone for drug poisoning.

“We just did a refresher for administering naloxone, but typically we don't receive a lot of medical calls for overdoses … for [alcohol poisonings], it’s one or two per year. It’s so minimal that it’s hard to really report on,” Schiavon said.

With Sun Peaks growing, Schiavon said he supports harm reduction initiatives.

New legislation in B.C. decriminalized personal possession of small amounts of illicit substances for people aged 18 years and older this year.

B.C. enacted the legislation because of the toxic drug crisis in the province. In 2022 alone, B.C. had 2,272 suspected deaths from toxic illicit drugs, the second largest on record, only surpassed by the previous year’s deaths, according to a report by the Coroners Service.

Decriminalized substances include opioids, crack and powder cocaine, methamphetamine and MDMA. The exemption from the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act was granted to the province by Health Canada, started on Jan. 31, 2023 and is in effect until Jan. 31, 2026.

Under the legislation, anyone possessing up to 2.5 grams or less of the exempted substances won’t be charged, and their supply won’t be confiscated. They will be provided information regarding “health and social supports,” according to the B.C. government website.

B.C.’s Good Samaritan Act protects people who provide medical services to others experiencing a medical emergency so they won't be held responsible for injury or death.

Bantock said the naloxone training sessions were prompted after community leaders gathered to discuss “a worrying [opioid poisoning] trend in our region.” Photo provided.

Having and knowing how to use naloxone when someone experiences drug poisoning saves lives, says health centre executive director

LOCAL NASCAR DRIVER FALLS SHORT OF MENARDS SERIES TITLE

Jason White had a harrowing finish in the Menards Series this spring.

In the Automobile Racing Club of America Menards Series in Daytona Beach, Florida on Feb. 18, White went from 29th place out of 40 cars to first.

He stayed in the position for 17 laps before being overtaken in the last lap of the race and ultimately finishing in ninth place.

“[It was the] biggest race of my life and I ended up not winning ... it was another heartbreak,” White said.

When he was in the final lap, White needed to decide whether he should block the cars trying to overtake him. That decision could have led to a crash, hurting himself or others, he said.

“People have died in that corner at Daytona. I thought about it, but at 195 miles an hour the thoughts are quite quick, they’re more reactions. I made the decision to take it on the chin and bring the car home to race another day,” White said.

Despite the outcome, he has a positive outlook on the race and said that leading laps “on the biggest stage in motorsports” was an important, albeit bittersweet, milestone.

“I’ll have a sour taste in my mouth about that last quarter mile probably for the rest of my life,” he told SPIN.

After coming so close to a career-defining moment, White said he took a few minutes to get out of his car and face the cameras.

“I had tears. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to deal with in sports.”

Sun Peaks local Jason White credits new lifestyle changes for his heightened focus while racing in Daytona Beach, Florida last month

By Liz McDonald

The close outcome at Menards came on the heels of another difficult experience at the NASCAR Truck Series at Daytona. White finished in 21st place on Feb. 17 and said getting to the race was “a struggle” because of a fire in January at his team’s shop, Reaume Brothers Racing in North Carolina.

While his truck wasn’t damaged, the insurance company wouldn’t let them enter the shop, and his team couldn’t take his truck out to race. His team had to find another truck, lease it and get it ready to make the show on Feb. 17.

“The whole three weeks [after the fire] was just panic and a struggle to get there and it just continued once we got to Daytona. So that wasn’t a great showing,” White said.

While White struggled in these past two races, the sport helps him overcome and adapt to challenges that come his way.

“It’s not very often that a shop [catches fire], but things like that happen. You’ve got to overcome and adapt. The highs are so high. But the lows are so low.”

White credits his showing at Menards to recent lifestyle changes he’s made, including reducing his alcohol consumption, changing his diet and moving his body.

“I want to stay ready and focused for the next time, because [as a freelance racecar driver] you never know when the next time is coming,” White said.

TWO FEDERAL ACTS IMPACT HOMEOWNERS IN SUN PEAKS

which affects part-time residents who own property in Sun Peaks. As a result, those homeowners must file an Underused Housing Tax (UHT) 2900 form this tax season. The

number, which can take up to two months to receive. There is a minimum $5,000 fine for not filing. Non-resident Sun Peaks owners are eligible for a tax exemption if they meet specific qualifications but are still required to file.

Exemption qualifications include vacation properties in an eligible area used for at least 28 days of the year by the owner or the owner’s spouse or common-law partner, homes that are the primary residences of an owner or their spouse, common-law

Two federal

are

homeowners and homeownership in Sun Peaks. Photo by Kyle James.

The Underused Housing Tax Act and the Prohibition of the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act have ramifications for property owners in Sun Peaks

By Liz McDonald

partner or child attending school, or homes that meet qualifying occupancy periods for 180 days in a calendar year.

A qualifying occupany period is at least one month long and requires the occupant to be in the residence for the month. The occupant needs a written contract and deals at arm’s-length with the owner or their spouse or common-law partner. Someone who pays “fair” rent for the space but isn’t at arms length to the owner also qualifies.

The qualifying occupant can also be the owner, or their spouse or common-law partner, if they have a Canadian work permit. If the occupant has their Canadian citizenship or permanent residency and is the owner or their spouse, common-law partner, parent or child, they also qualify.

The CRA website has a complete list of the different tax exemptions.

Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality (SPMRM) Mayor Al Raine said he and the council have been in frequent conversations with the CRA to determine how the act will impact owners in Sun Peaks and whether COVID-19 travel restrictions would be taken into consideration. Some owners may have been unable to come to Sun Peaks for 28 days in 2022 due to travel restrictions, he explained.

“[For people impacted by travel restrictions] they basically say, ‘well, the rules are the rules,’ whether they make sense or not, and then they kind of fall back on the position.”

Raine estimated 70 to 80 per cent of homeowners in Sun Peaks will need to file a UHT 2900 — but if they meet requirements for exemptions, they won’t be taxed.

According to Raine, the CRA must clarify whether condo-hotels in the village are considered business or residential properties. However, the CRA did say to Raine that if homes are zoned as tourist accommodations and the owners pay residential property taxes, they are considered residential properties and thus impacted.

United States citizen and Sun Peaks owner Donna Kelleran has

owned a property in Sun Peaks since 2007. She wants to make sure owners know the financial impacts the tax could have, considering some haven’t been in Sun Peaks for 28 days over the last tax year.

While Kelleran is exempt because she has been in Sun Peaks for that time period in the last year, she isn’t sure how she’s expected to prove it. She also has friends who were affected by COVID-19 travel restrictions and won’t meet the 28-day requirement.

“We were not allowed here for almost a year and a half. We get up in August, and by January, we’re told [about this new law],” Kelleran said.

She added the government could have delayed the act for a year because of COVID-19 restrictions and said the requirements haven’t been communicated well.

The second legislation impacting residential ownership in Sun Peaks is the Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act. The act was enacted on Jan. 1, 2023, and will be enforced for two years.

According to a Dec. 2022 statement by Ahmed Hussen, the federal minister of housing and diversity and inclusion, the Act is designed so that “housing is owned by Canadians, and not by foreign investors.”

There are exemptions for properties outside of census metropolitan areas or census agglomerations. However, according to Raine, Sun Peaks is part of the census metropolitan area of Kamloops, meaning the village is affected by the ban despite the municipality advocating for an exemption.

Raine said Sun Peaks, Silver Star and Apex resorts are the only resorts in B.C. affected by the ban on non-Canadian ownership. He called this an “oversight” and said SPMRM will continue pressuring the federal government to provide an exemption for Sun Peaks.

The Mayor and council have released a statement and advice about both acts on SPMRM’s website.

MOUNTAIN TOURS SHOW THE BEST OF SUN PEAKS

“That was the best ski day I’ve ever had,” exclaimed a member of my group after I’d taken them around Sun Peaks’ black runs on a foggy February Monday.

This is the kind of positive response that makes a Sun Host's job a win-win experience. The huge team of around 60 volunteers helps skiers of every level up and down the slopes twice daily throughout the season.

Sporting bright orange jackets, we meet at the orange boards near the Sunburst Chairlift twice a day, welcoming newbies and returnees to the resort. Sharing personal knowledge of the 4,270-acre terrain, volunteers guide competent green, blue, blue-black and black-level groups on two-hour mountain tours.

Some skiers and snowboarders come just once, typically on their first day at the resort, to learn about the bewildering network of runs scattered around the horseshoe of three mountains. Others, like athletes who ski Sun Peaks annually, join in almost daily.

When members of the Ski Bees, an Ontario travelling ski club, visited in December, Debbie Martin was one of its newest recruits.

“In a one-week trip, I skied every day with the Sun Hosts. I loved every minute of it due to their local knowledge, generosity of spirit and easy companionship,” she said.

Like many people who fall in love with Sun Peaks, Martin is now planning to come back for a longer stay and maybe become a host herself one day.

Others have been provided with the chance to share their love for the region as Sun Hosts volunteers. With 24 seasons of experience in Sun Peaks, Dawn Matte and her husband Dan are two of the newest Sun Hosts.

“We know the mountain extremely well and also know a lot of the history. We first started coming here before Morrissey was developed,” said Matte, who travels to Sun Peaks from Seattle every winter.

“My favourite comment from guests is, ‘you Sun Hosts are all so nice and happy,’” she enthused. “My response is always, ‘how could we not be happy living in a place like this?’”

Matte sees her role as an ambassador, giving guests a road map of terrain suited to their ability to enhance their on-hill enjoyment as well as background history and information about local businesses.

Culinary recommendations are often a topic of chairlift conversation, especially après events.

Sun Hosts are pivotal to the positive experience of many Sun Peaks guests, providing local insight and that all-important personal touch. For the hosts themselves, volunteering serves as the ultimate way to give back and feel like a valuable part of the community while making new friends.

Many of the Sun Hosts help out at resort events, too, including Air Nation, the TELUS Nancy Greene Alpine Classic, the New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade and Demo Days.

Malcolm MacPhail, the coordinator for the Sun Hosts, said the organization’s good reputation serves it well when it comes to finding helpers.

“Volunteers for the Sun Host program come to us through word of mouth,” he said. “The most important attributes are friendliness and an ability to communicate and talk to everyone.”

Knowledge of the area and strong skiing skills are additional considerations for potential hosts. Those interested in becoming a Sun Host are encouraged to email sportschool@sunpeaksresort.com to learn more.

Louise Hudson hosts a group of guests in Crystal Bowl earlier in the season. Photo courtesy of Louise Hudson.

By Louise Hudson

Louise Hudson (right) and husband Simon Hudson (left) on their first-ever Sun Host day at Sun Peaks. Photo courtesy of Louise Hudson.

Sun Hosts volunteers welcome visitors to the mountain with smiles, stories and ‘generosity of spirit.’

LOCAL DANCE ACADEMY HELPS RESIDENTS FINESSE THEIR FOOTWORK

Since 2018, Karen Mallinson has been giving lightfooted locals the chance to dance.

At the Sun Peaks Academy of Dance, kids and adults are taught a variety of genres including ballet, jazz, and musical theatre.

Mallinson, a professional dancer who’s performed in North America and Europe, is originally from the U.K., where she qualified as a registered Royal Academy of Dance teacher.

expand

By Louise Hudson

She first moved to Canada in 2008 and taught dance in the Lower Mainland area for a decade before moving to Sun Peaks and launching the academy five years ago.

“When we decided to move to Sun Peaks I wanted to carry on teaching as dance has always been a huge part of my life,” she told SPIN. “I also wanted to bring dance to this wonderful mountain community and things have grown over the last five years.”

Since the pandemic pause, the Academy has expanded beyond its original six and eight-week sessions. The schedule now includes a September through June weekly youth program.

“As more young families have joined the community, student numbers have risen,” she explained.

Now, the academy holds two weekly youth classes for kids ages five through 10 as well as a weekly teen private class. Responding to the demand for activities for the under fives, Mallinson also launched a six-week preschooler program this winter but says youth classes still fill up quickly.

Classes for adult dancers are also proving popular, the most recent being a six-week adult jazz class. This winter the adult jazz teacher is Lucy Sopp, who is visiting from the U.K. With a degree in dance, Sopp is learning to ski while teaching various dance, singing and

musical theatre classes and workshops at the academy.

“[Sopp] reached out to me before she arrived in Sun Peaks to work here for the season,” Mallinson explained. “The students and I love having her around the academy.”

In order to offer a wider range of skills, Mallinson is always on the lookout for talented teachers and often hosts international guest teachers.

“I think everyone has something different to offer,” she explained. “It's great our dancers have the opportunity to learn from dancers and teachers all over the world.”

Last Christmas was a landmark for the academy when students got together to show off their skills at a performance for friends and family for the first time since the pandemic.

Dancers have also performed at the resort’s Canada Day celebrations in the past, with another recital scheduled for June.

Typically, classes follow the school calendar, finishing the third term of the school year at the end of June. But the academy will offer a few dance opportunities this summer including a preschool class and, depending on demand, an adult program.

The combination of music and dance is a “wonderful gift,” Mallinson said.

“Dance is for everyone — no matter where you're from or what you look like, dance brings us together,” she added.

Starting in September, the Academy of Dance will offer weekly youth classes, six and eight-week sessions for adults and preschoolers and different drop-in classes. More details can be found online at www.sunpeaksad.ca

The Sun Peaks Academy of Dance, now in its fifth year of operation, continues to

The Sun Peaks Dance Academy, operational since 2018, has lessons for learners of all ages in a variety of dance genres.

Photo courtesy of Karen Mallinson.

Photographer and digital artist Maria Davis has a long history of documenting Sun Peaks.

Photo provided by Maria Davis.

Maria Davis’s digital art usually portrays Sun Peaks, but a recent art exhibition at Vertical Cafe explored the Rocky Mountains

By Liz McDonald

LOCAL ARTIST EXPANDS EXHIBITION WORK CAPTURING B.C. LANDSCAPES

Local artist Maria Davis’s recent exhibition at Vertical Cafe was a foray into presenting digital landscape art depicting landscapes outside of Sun Peaks.

Davis typically produces art in a style called “painterly” that focuses on the natural landscapes of Sun Peaks, but in February, she displayed her work capturing the Rocky Mountains at Vertical Cafe as part of an ArtZone exhibit. She said the show was a success, and she sold two pieces.

Davis told SPIN the recent showing spoke to her desire for travel and combined her passion for photography with the playful nature of graphic design.

While she doesn’t plan on exhibiting work from other scenic parts of B.C., she’s open to the idea if people want to see more.

Born and raised in New Zealand, Davis grew up travelling and kept moving around after graduating high school.

“Travel photography pulled me in from a very young age,” Davis said. Her love for nature draws her to her work, and she explained her photography style is “instinctual.”

She enjoys shooting in the backcountry and frequently stops to take photos of her natural surroundings when she's hiking or skiing. She generally knows when she’s captured magic before uploading and editing the image into a painting-style landscape.

Davis has a long history with the village, beginning with jobs she worked on the mountain in the ’90s. She started working as an evening activities coordinator in the area when it was called Mount Tod and in other seasons worked as a snowmaker and trail builder for cross-country skiing.

She and her family moved back to Sun Peaks six years ago, and since then, she has had an impact working as a teacher’s aide, running social media for Sun Peaks Alpine Club, being a mom and producing photography and digital art.

Davis’s work can be found in homes and businesses throughout the village, on her website or at Lone Wolf Gallery. She recently started selling postcards with her artwork, as well.

IMPR-ESS-IVE!

by Barbara Olson © ClassiCanadian Crosswords

ACROSS

52 The lowdown on the layers?

54 "Don't know yet," on a TV guide

57 "... for all the ___ in China"

58 B.C. football pros

59 Place for a hasty autograph?

64 Colourful carp

65 Finger in a classic Austin Powers pose

66 Fairy tale opener

67 Opposite of WNW

68 Ermines, in summer

69 Pantywaist

70 Québec's Val-___-Lacs

First Things First - solution

DOWN

47 They can be read on some spines

48 "Stellar, dude!"

50 In your dreams?

51 Vous êtes ___ (words on a Montréal mall map)

53 Comic book "bam!"

54 Chef's measurements: Abbr.

55 Vancouver trade sch.

56 River seen from the Leaning Tower

60 Wanted-poster abbr.

61 Stephen Leacock Award winner's gift?

62 "Wheel of Fortune" request

57 Maker of bikes and hockey equipment

WEEKLY

Sunday to Monday

Spring retail sales are a perfect way to pick up gear at a discounted price. Several stores are offering deals from 40 to 70 per cent off. Wander around the village from now until April 10 to find your new favourite outerwear, boards, skis and more.

Mondays

Quiz nights at Masa's Bar + Grill at 8 p.m.

Thursdays

Open mic night at Morrisey's starts at 8 p.m.

Fridays

AA meetings at Sun Peaks Secondary Academy at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday

Free family-friendly mini golf, games and colouring are offered at Sun Peaks Centre, located beside the ice rink. The activity nights start at 5 p.m. and end at 8 p.m.

MARCH

March 18, 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Garden Party Rail Jam open to athletes who are comfortable riding park features. A DJ and local judges are on hand.

March 21, all day

Elleboard all-girls snowboard camp offers training for all levels of park riders from ages six to 40.

EVENTS

MARCH 17 - APRIL 21

March 21, 6 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. Snowshoe fondue takes guests under the stars along forested showshoe trails throughout the resort, followed by fondue.

March 22, all day

BC snowboard grom series sees kids ages 8 to 14 improve their skills in this national camp.

March 22, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Paint Night, hosted by JuggerBean Tattoo Parlour and Morrisey’s Public House, along with Kamloops Art Party, will teach folks how to paint koi fish.

March 24 to 25, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Hub International Nancy Greene Festival brings over 2,000 guests to compete in the 18th annual event. The festival is the largest Nancy Greene Ski League event in Canada.

March 30 to April 2, all day

Peak Pride’s four-day-long celebration of queer culture features many events, from drag bingo at Masa’s, to a play called Unicorns Reawakened, a rainbow skate event, pride parade, a drag show and dance party, yoga, a drag brunch and more.

Also running over the same four-day period is Sun Peaks Wine & Food Festival, featuring wine tastings, a paint and sip. night, axe throwing and cider, snowshoeing and mulled wine, and much more.

APRIL

April 1, 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.

Detox and reset at Sun Peaks Yoga involves gentle flow.

April 3, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Come learn how to support your high performance athlete by gaining knowledge in sports psychology, brain development and more at Cahilty Creek Kitchen & Taproom. The event is run by ProMentality.

April 4 to 10, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

JuggerBean Tattoo Parlour has staff appreciation days with flash tattoos to commemorate your time working on the mountain.

April 8 to 10, all day

The final weekend of winter operations at Sun Peaks Resort ushers in Wonder Weekend, including Retro Days where you can rock your vintage ski attire, the Slush Cup, Lift and a Lager and the Top to Bottoms run.

April 11, 7 p.m. to 9p.m.

ProMentality is hosting another session for guardians looking to help their elite athletes. This session is online via Zoom and includes sports psychology consulting and more.

April 15 to 16, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Join ArtZone for a fibre art workshop using paper, fabric and thread over two days at Sun Peaks Centre.

LOCAL TAEKWON-DO ATHLETES BRING HOME HARDWARE FROM PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Three athletes reached the podium in Burnaby as the May Canadian national championships approach

By Liz McDonald

Athletes from Sun Peaks’ Northern TaekwonDo Academy competed in the provincial championships in Burnaby on March 4 and brought home medals from gold to bronze.

In the first provincial championship since COVID-19, over 200 athletes throughout the province competed at Alpha Secondary School.

Tristan Stokon, age ten, earned silver in sparring and bronze in pattern, 12-year-old Ava Dye took home gold in sparring and coach Ryan Oevermann won bronze in pattern.

Oevermann, the academy’s chief instructor, said while he offered encouragement before the competition, preparation is the key to success.

“[Performing well is about] practice beforehand. When [students] go into competition under stress, the brain shuts off. But the body will do what it’s trained to do,” Oevermann told SPIN.

Oevermann is a fifth degree black belt who started in the sport in 1989. In 2019, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, a progressive brain disorder that causes uncontrollable movements, including shaking, a lack of balance and stiffness.

He said his legacy is to pass on his teaching to a new generation of kids and competing with his diagnosis is “a new adventure.”

“This is a new adventure for me, to compete with Parkinson’s. To place [bronze] was quite exciting,” Oevermann said.

Athletes at the gym have belt testing on March 16 and will spend the next two months preparing for the Canadian national Taekwon-Do championships in Vernon at the Kal Tire Centre.

Oevermann said he and other athletes from the Academy will prepare for the national level competition by resuming training twice a week for one hour sessions and adding in extra training as needed before the event.

Northern Taekwon-Do Academy trains athletes from recreational to competitive levels, and is open to youth and adults. All athletic abilities are welcome.

Coach Ryan Oevermann watches athletes as they competed in the provincial Taekwon-Do championship in Burnaby on March 4. Photo provided.

LOCAL BIATHLON ATHLETE BRINGS HOME SILVER IN CANADA GAMES

Former Sun Peaks and Kamloops local Tate Solomonson recently competed in biathlon at the Canada Winter Games as part of Team BC.

It’s his second time at the Canada Games. Last summer he competed in Olympic Canoeing in Niagara. Solomonson has big goals as an athlete and academic, in addition to being an inspiration to other emerging youth who want to balance sports and academics.

By Liz McDonald

Solomonson earned a silver medal in biathlon 12.5 km individual male and fifth place in single mixed relay mix. He also placed 17th in the biathlon 7.5 km sprint

male and 21st in the biathlon 10 km pursuit male. Solomonson spoke to SPIN shortly before the Canada Winter Games about his training, prospects and plans for the future. “Canada Games is a once in a lifetime [opportunity] ... I feel so honoured that I’m going to compete for the province,” Solomonson said before the Games.

Biathlon combines skiing and shooting, and the sport offers Solomonson a challenge.

“[Biathlon] is probably the hardest thing I've ever done. The sport [involves] massive aerobic capacity skiing at super high altitude. You’re out of breath. You’re cold. And then you have to calm down, relax and shoot,” he told SPIN.

The 18-year-old started biathlon at age 12 when he was an air cadet in Kamloops. At his first competition in Vernon, he learned about the Sovereign Lake Nordic Development Academy program that helps athletes balance their academic and athletic careers.

By the time he was 17, Solomonson joined the Sovereign Lake club and began competing in national competitions. He moved away from home to pursue his athletic career, and currently billets with a family in Coldstream.

His program allowed three hours a day for training and another three for school, combined with evening and weekend training. Solomonson extended his schooling to ensure he could take all of the science classes he wanted in order to later pursue an education in science and nursing at the University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO).

Solomonson will attend UBCO in the fall. The university partners with Sovereign Lake Nordic Development Academy, ensuring athletes can continue their sport throughout their post-secondary education.

“[The program is] completely one of a kind because it is the only partnership with a ski team,” Solomonson said.

The partnership accommodates athletes' competition schedules, allowing them to take classes online while away, for example.

“We’re pretty lucky to have that kind of support from the school,” he said.

Now that he’s graduated high school, Solomonson’s days are spent training and working at a ski shop.

Solomonson watched many of his friends drop athletic careers for their education and felt he didn’t have a role model for his academic and athletic dreams. He hopes to inspire other athletes to follow their passion and find ways to balance athletics and education.

“I hope that my story can encourage kids that you don't have to just go to school, graduate and go straight into university. I totally upset the normal path. I stayed in high school for six years, I moved away from home to do my sport … I hope that more kids can [follow this path], if that’s what they’re passionate about,” Solomonson said.

Tate Solomonson stands at the starting line before a race. Photo provided.

Tate Solomonson wants to inspire other athletes to take alternate paths to their education

ALPINE RESORT REALTY

EACH OFFICE IS INDEPENDENTLY OWNED & OPERATED

LOCATED AT SUN PEAKS SINCE 1995

OPEN DAILY AT THE KOOKABURRA LODGE

T: 250 578 8222

TF: 1 800 663 2838

E: info@sunpeaksrealty.com

4119 SUNDANCE DRIVE $3,399,000

This landscaped slope side mountain home offers the ultimate ski-in, ski-out convenience as one of the best locations on the mountain, Sundance Estates. Superior design and finishing with quality construction, with extensive use of stone, granite, hardwood and tile. This spectacular home radiates warmth and intimacy with the most incredible setting in Sun Peaks and presents and exceptional opportunity to own one of the very best in resort living. Some of the features include soaring windows, radiant in floor heat, HRV, games room, inviting hot tub, oversized double car garage. GST n/a.

$1,279,000

This is a welcoming 3 bedroom ski-in chalet with separate self-contained 2 bedroom legal suite on a large lot backing onto forested ski terrain. With an abundance of sunshine and mountain views, this 5 bedroom home plus loft presents solid revenue options and space for your family and friends to relax and enjoy the resort lifestyle. The main floor is an inviting open living space that features a cozy gas fireplace, vaulted ceiling, soaring windows and direct access to a spacious sunny deck where you can enjoy views to Mt Morrisey ski runs and the golf course.

$1,299,000

This extremely desirable ski-in, ski-out townhome boasts 3 bedrooms plus large ski room and 3.5 baths in a relaxed mountain neighborhood. Nestled in the ‘McGillivray Creek’ complex adjacent to both the Morrisey and Orient Ridge chairlifts as well as the Nordic trailhead. This bright end unit is warm and inviting with soaring windows and vaulted ceiling featuring rich wood cabinetry and finishing throughout, updated gas fireplace, large sundeck for entertaining and heated tile floors in the kitchen, entry and 3 baths. Furnished; GST n/a.

CAHILTY HOTEL & SUITES #113/#115 - $375,000 #445 - $274,900

Relax and leave all the details to the professional and friendly in house management team. Appreciate the excellent ski-in / ski-out access, and venture just steps from the door to activities such as biking, hiking, golf, alpine & Nordic skiing. Truly an attractive family get-away and great lifestyle investment! Amenities include a full service family restaurant, indoor & outdoor hot tubs, exercise room, ski storage and secure underground parking. GST Applies.

This true ski-in, ski-out 6 bedroom Alpine Chalet is located in the relaxed mountain neighborhood of Lookout Ridge. Rare RS-1A zoning for short term rentals makes this a desirable revenue producing property and also features a self-contained 2 bedroom legal suite with separate entrance & laundry, plus media/fitness room. The heart of the home is its open living area with towering fireplace which is flooded with great light passing through the massive windows that brings the great outdoors inside. A home designed to be cozy while still accommodating a houseful of guests. Fully furnished; GST appl.

THE RESIDENCES AT SUN PEAKS GRAND #1210B - $90,000 · #1210A - $95,000 #1305B- $159,500 · #1305B - $159,500 #1403D - $98,000

This quarter ownership offering at Sun Peaks offers affordable accommodation and potential rental returns when you are not using with only a fraction of the cost associated with ownership. The monthly condo fee includes everything...even the annual property taxes and resort association fee. Prime village location with true ski-in, ski-out access and full use of hotel amenities such as hot tubs, swimming pool, fitness center, restaurants, ski & bike valet, room service and more. GST applies.

#7 TRAPPERS LANDING $989,000

Welcome to Trapper’s Landing! This desirable 2 bedroom plus family room, 3.5 bath townhouse is located close to the Orient Ridge and Mt. Morrisey lift base stations and is only a short walk to the main village and all resort amenities. Simply ski-in, or ski-out your door or quickly access the expansive cross-country trail network close by. This mountain retreat is in excellent condition and offers the perfect amount of separation over three levels with private garage and extra storage space. Offered furnished, GST applies.

2504 EAGLE COURT $1,590,000

Live the lifestyle you've dreamed of! This slope side mountain retreat is centrally located in Sun Peaks, and offers highly sought-after ski-in access from Mt Morrisey, via Home Run / drop in through the trees - directly into your private back yard. Only a short walk to the Village and all recreational activities Sun Peaks has to offer, this home features 3 spacious bedrooms upstairs, private patio off the primary bedroom, recently upgraded kitchen, flooring, paint, private & inviting hot tub, vaulted tongue in groove ceiling, security syst. and more! Offered furnished; GST n/a.

#1 BRIDGE GATE

Custom townhome in duplex configuration in prestigious ski-in ski-out Bridge Gate location. Situated on the 15th fairway, the sense of space and unobstructed views will always remain. The main floor features an open living area with post and beams, soaring windows, massive rock fireplace, and gourmet kitchen complete with gas range and top end appliances. Superior finishing detail throughout is complimented by hardwood floors mixed with heated tile in bathrooms and entries. Offered furnished; GST n/a.

$1,950,000

5425 LOOKOUT RIDGE DRIVE $2,890,000

2203 SUNBURST DRIVE

#29 MCGILLIVRAY CREEK