9 - 7005 McGillivray Lake Dr: Listing Agent: Matt Town & Chris Town
1318A The Residences: Listing Agent: Nicola Gray
2409 Heffley Louis Creek Rd: Stunning 4 bed, 3 bath (including 2 bed suite) custom timber frame home on 5 acres. Only 10 mins to Sun
2417 Fairways Dr: Unparalleled mountain views. Pristine 6 bed, 4 bath home. Includes 2 bed legal suite w/ laundry. Separate garage w/ hydraulic vehicle lift. Offered furnished. $1,849,000 Listing Agent: Damon Newport 2388 Heffley Lake Rd: 10 mins from Sun Peaks, custom timber frame home on Heffley Lk. 1/2 acre lot, radiant & wood heat, hot tub, heated dbl car
4 Altitude: 3 bed, 3 bath, end-unit townhome with exceptional ski in/out access & stunning southern valley views. Fully furnished. Hot tub included. GST paid. $1,275,000
Listing Agent: Nicola Gray
2416 Fairways Dr: Exceptional level-entry, three storey chalet with 5 beds & 5 baths, including a 2-bed legal suite with laundry. 2-car garage. Fully furnished. GST paid. $1,799,900
Listing Agent: Nicola Gray
2502 Eagle Court: Ski-in 4-bed, 3-bath chalet with stunning views, expansive deck, 1 car garage & 1 bed private suite within 5 mins of Village amenities.
$1,599,900
Listing Agent: Quinn Rischmueller PREC*
Agent: Quinn Rischmueller PREC*
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BRANDI SCHIER
Publisher brandi@sunpeaksnews.com
ANAM RAHMAN
Partnerships Specialist anam@sunpeaksnews.com
HOLLIE FERGUSON
Community Editor editor@sunpeaksnews.com
NICOLE PERRY
Community Journalist nicole@sunpeaksnews.com
BRAD HARRISON
LOUISE HUDSON JUSTIN MOORE
Contributors
CHRIS PAYNE
Layout & Graphic Designer
IN THIS ISSUE
06
THIS MONTH AT COUNCIL
This month at council is a monthly version of This Week At Council, our bi-weekly newsletter recapping recent Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality Council meetings. Sign up for the newsletter at sunpeaksnews.com.
09
PUBLISHER'S NOTE
Reflecting on a life of dedication.
10
LEAVING BEHIND A LEGACY IN SKI TOURISM AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, SUN PEAKS MAYOR ALRAINE PASSES AWAY AT 83 YEARS OLD Al Raine was diagnosed with ALS in early 2024 and resigned as mayor Dec. 14, 2024 at midnight before passing peacefully surrounded by family.
15
AL RAINE AND NANCY GREEN RAINE ANNOUNCE MAYOR'S BULBAR ALS DIAGNOSIS
The couple feel grateful for the ‘wonderful time’ they had together.
16
AL RAINE THROUGH SPIN’S PAGES
With Al Raine’s words and work threaded through SPIN stories since 2002, we gathered a few clips with coverage of milestone moments in his mayoral journey.
18
HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS FOR SUN PEAKS BUSINESSES
Local businesses recap holiday shopping trends.
19
ANNUAL FILM FESTIVAL RETURNS TO SUN PEAKS
Back for a 5th year, the Sun Peaks Film Festival will feature movies from the Vancouver International Film Festival, as well as locally made films.
20
NEW YEAR, NEW SKILLS, NEW YOU Take up some new hobbies with these Sun Peaks staples.
21
CBD: COULD IT BE THE SKIER’S SECRET WEAPON FOR INJURY RECOVERY?
Flight Deck co-owner Sonya Nasilowski shares the benefits of CBD in recovery.
22
SNOW LIMO TOURS OFFER A UNIQUE MOUNTAIN PERSPECTIVE FOR NON-SKIERS
Not a skier? Not a problem. Snow Limo tours offer accessibility to some of Sun Peaks’ best views. 23
GUIDE SHARES LIFE-LONG PASSION FOR ICE FISHING ON FROZEN HEFFLEY LAKE
Campbell Bryk, Sun Peaks local and owner of Elevated Fishing Adventures, offers a glimpse into a day on the ice.
25
THE SHOULDER 2 SHOULDER RETREAT IS BACK IN SUN PEAKS, SUPPORTING HEALING FOR VETERANS
Adaptive Sports at Sun Peaks leads this retreat for ill and injured veterans and RCMP along with their support person or caregiver.
26
CONDITIONS REPORT: INSIDE THE SNOW Winter conditions in B.C.'s Interior.
27
THE PSIC BRINGS SKI INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS TO SUN PEAKS
One of many courses offered in Sun Peaks this winter includes a big mountain pathway program geared toward skiing and teaching in consequential terrain.
28
SPEED NATION NORAM SBX OPENS SUN PEAKS’ NEWEST COURSE
Speed Nation was the first event to be held on the Powder Ventures snow cross course, located just above the village base.
29
PUZZLES
Can you tackle this month’s crossword? Plus, a new Sudoku and the answers to last month’s puzzles.
30
EVENTS
Check out local and regional events happening soon.
THIS MONTH AT COUNCIL
This month at council is a monthly version of This Week At Council, our bi-weekly newsletter recapping recent Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality Council meetings.
By Nicole Perry
Budget discussion
Council had the opportunity to provide direction in the 2025 municipal budget, discussing the recommended eight per cent property tax increase to build reserves for the future, which council was not entirely in favour of.
After discussion, council suggested a five per cent increase instead.
There is no capital asset plan in place and it’s unknown how much money needs to be put away for infrastructure needs to keep up with population growth in Sun Peaks.
When looking at reserve management, they
discussed areas that may need more money set aside such as fire operations, considering the replacement of a truck to occur this year and road maintenance.
The 2025 focus is future planning with a capital asset plan and creation of a reserve policy. The 2025 budget included a six-and-a-half per cent tax increase, enabling for more money into restricted reserves for roads, fire apparatus and snow.
Council has been putting aside money to budget for a new fire truck in place of one that needs to be replaced this year, though what is in that reserve is still not enough to cover the purchase on its own. Staff has budgeted for the purchase of a used truck this year and discussed the need for money to be
held in reserve for fire operations as there will need to be future replacements as well.
There is also a planned 10 per cent increase to water and wastewater rates, with many projects identified over the next five years. Though eligible for development cost charge (DCC) funding, there is not enough in the DCC reserves to fund applicable amounts.
Staff reports
Nine proposals have been received for the BC Builds project. These will be assessed for eligibility before being sent to the evaluation team where they will be scored against the BC Builds criteria.
Regarding the Sun Peaks Daycare, Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality has entered into a service agreement with a childcare society from Kamloops. It will take over operations Feb. 1.
Council briefly touched on important topics, including continuing to build relationships with First Nations, lobbying for change with the Foreign Buyers Ban and continued advocacy with provincial ministries.
Staff made significant progress on updating the provincial short-term rental (STR) portal with proper addressing and STR business license data, and the granicus reporting system is now live. Complaints can be made online or by calling the complaint number at 778-910-4479.
Because of the around 58 unpaid STR fines, council is looking at options for ensuring collection through sending out second letters, continuing to issue fines and the potential need for a collection agency.
Acres
District
Elevated
Engel
Cahilty
Cahilty
Carmen
Creekside
Remembering Mayor Al Raine
Oct. 22, 1941 - Dec. 15, 2024
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: REFLECTING ON A LIFE OF DEDICATION
By Brandi Schier
One of my favourite stories Mayor Al Raine ever shared with me was how when he was a young boy growing up in Vancouver, he would walk for miles and then catch the bus just to go skiing on Grouse Mountain. I was in awe of how this young person, with nothing but a fierce passion for the sport, went on to accomplish everything he did in his life. The journalist in me always wanted to know more of the story of how one person could have such an immense impact in Alpine sport, in B.C. tourism and in local government, all while building and supporting his own family with love and loyalty, who also have accomplished so much in their own rights.
These personal gems were few and far between, as most of our chats centered around community issues. Whenever I learned something new, I’d store it away, slowly working to build a more complete understanding. As a young business owner and journalist in the village, I learned so much from him and always looked forward to our interactions.
Despite the critical eye SPIN’s journalism turns on Sun Peaks’ institutions, Al was a strong supporter of our work and the paper. He understood the importance of having informed and engaged residents and owners, and how our stories helped to build the
community’s foundation and living history. We didn’t always agree on every topic or how we handled every story, and I don’t think either of us would have been doing our jobs correctly if we did. But whenever he brought forward a criticism or concern it was always done with professionalism, respect and consideration. He always had time for a chat or interview, and generously shared his knowledge and perspectives on local issues and the complexities and history of our little mountain town. In a world where politicians increasingly seem to have adversarial relationships with the media, I greatly appreciated his understanding of our role and duty to the community.
While I appreciate the dozens of interviews he gave us over the decades, one of the last ones he did alongside his wife Nancy (see page 15), letting our readers know about his terminal diagnosis, stands out. Together, they offered a level of vulnerability and candidness not often encountered in the face of communicating such incredibly difficult news, and then went on to navigate the next few months with admirable grace and dignity.
The fact that Al worked almost right up to his death surprised probably no one who knew him, as sending his mayoral resignation was one of his last acts. Always prepared and looking ahead, his steadfast commitment to this community and his sustained vision of what it could become is an incredibly rare example of what a true lifetime commitment to a passion looks like.
When I emceed the Firefighters Gala in November, I reached out to ask Al if he would be ok if we marked his upcoming retirement with a few words. I was keenly aware this might be one of the last large community events he would attend and I wanted us to have the opportunity to let him know what his decades of dedication meant to everyone. But always incredibly humble and also to the book, he declined, saying as he hadn’t retired yet it wouldn’t be appropriate. While I couldn't help a bit of disappointment in his answer, I’d like to think he knew of our appreciation, and hope that many of us took the time to relay our gratitude in his remaining months for the impact he had.
We all have so much to thank him for, from our local health care and education facilities, to the chairlifts and world class tourism reputation we enjoy, and of course, for always doing his best to keep municipal taxes as low as possible! Several years ago, I remember seeing Al on one of the summer concert weekends, sitting on the grass, basking in the sun, listening to the music and seemingly extremely present, soaking in the energy from hundreds of people around enjoying the village and atmosphere. It felt like a rare moment to me, and I hope that wherever he is now, he’s similarly basking, seeing us continue to enjoy and benefit from the community he was so instrumental in creating.
LEAVING BEHIND A LEGACY IN SKI TOURISM AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, SUN PEAKS
MAYOR AL RAINE PASSES AWAY AT 83 YEARS OLD
Al Raine was diagnosed with ALS in spring of 2024, and resigned as mayor Dec. 14 at midnight before passing peacefully surrounded by family.
By Nicole Perry
From left to right: Len Hrycan, Rob O'Toole, Julie Kimmel, Al Raine and Kelly Dye, October 2022. SPIN file photo
After a lifetime of dedication to the ski industry in British Columbia and the communities formed within it, Sun Peaks’ first and only mayor, Al Raine, died Dec. 15 at the age of 83.
Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality (SPMRM) issued a statement on their website informing the community of his death, including a statement Raine authored.
“I have resigned as your mayor as of December 14th at midnight,” he wrote. “Not something that I had planned or something that I really wanted to do. However, as we all know one can’t control everything in life.”
“I have been lucky to have lived a full life with no regrets, with a supporting and wonderful wife, two healthy boys and a life full of adventures,” he added. “I would have been upset if I were 38 years old and diagnosed with ALS but at 83, the best years are behind me.”
His Bulbar ALS and adult-onset asthma made breathing steadily more difficult for him.
For the last eight months since the diagnosis, Raine continued his work on the SPMRM council and attended each meeting regularly. He acted as mayor from the beginning of the municipality in 2010 until 2024.
Al Raine’s legacy
Raine dedicated much of his life to developing ski areas in B.C., among notable achievements in alpine ski coaching.
Raised in Vancouver, he spent a few years in Europe and became team coach for the Royal Air Force Ski Team in Switzerland from 1964 to 1965 before making his return to Canada in the mid-60s where he first met his wife, Olympian Nancy Greene in Rossland, B.C.
Before becoming head coach and program director for the Canadian Alpine Ski Team in 1968, he had two other head coaching positions for the Ski Hawk Ski Club in Saint-Sauveur, Que. and the Southern Ontario Ski Zone.
He left coaching in 1973, moving full-time to Whistler, where his career in tourism development took off.
When appointed ski area coordinator of British Columbia in 1974, he developed a commercial alpine ski policy according to his resume to date, “encouraging considerable tourism investment in ski areas in British Columbia while protecting the public land and environmental interests.”
“The policy that Al had influenced within the province of British Columbia has allowed rural B.C. to attract ski areas, and those ski areas serve those communities,” chief executive officer of Canada West Ski Areas Association Christopher Nicolson said. “They're both economically important, but also socially important.”
In 1975, when Whistler was officially made a Resort Municipality, Raine became one of the first aldermen under former mayor Pat Carleton. With his joint roles, he became a liaison between the municipality and provincial government and helped to plan and coordinate the development of Whistler Village.
Raine was the first to propose developing Backcomb Mountain as a ski mountain in 1976 and led a negotiation regarding land use that led to the mountain’s opening in 1980.
In February 1982, he was named Freeman of the Resort Municipality of Whistler, recognizing his key contributions to developing Whistler Resort.
Throughout B.C., his projects while working as a consultant for the A.R. Resort Planning Group included carrying out studies for the B.C. heli-ski industry,
Kamloops North-Thompson MLA Peter Milobar, former Sun Peaks Health Association president John Hatchett and Sun Peaks’ mayor Al Raine officially open the Sun Peaks Health Centre. SPIN file photo
devising a master plan for Hudson Bay Mountain and evaluating areas such as Big White, Shames Creek, Tod Mountain (now Sun Peaks Resort) and Snow Basin in Utah for ski potential.
Based largely on his innovative coaching and results while with the national alpine ski team, he was inducted into the Canadian Ski Hall of Fame in 1988.
Raine relocated to Sun Peaks in the mid-1990s after Nippon Cable bought Tod Mountain and he and Nancy purchased property to develop Nancy Greene’s Cahilty Lodge.
Nicolson was there at the beginning, before Sun Peaks Resort was formed and the Tod Mountain marketing team consisted of two people, including himself.
Raine was hired to create and run the Sun Peaks Resort Association, now Tourism Sun Peaks (TSP), as executive director in 1994.
“He was inspirational and encouraging,” Nicolson said of Raine, working under his leadership in that position after his arrival. “Inspirational in that he had a vision and had a very good read on human nature, what our staff wanted, what was important to our community, which was emerging at the time, and what our guests wanted.”
Leading a team of young people, Raine allowed them to make mistakes and inspired them with a level of experience garnered from a lifestyle these folks hadn’t had the opportunity to live themselves yet.
“He coached a lot of people,” Nicolson added, not simply as a ski instructor but in the ways of the industry and helping people find their roles in Sun Peaks.
“Skiing and snowboarding isn't just skiing and snowboarding,” he said, touching on one aspect of his personal view of Raine’s legacy. “It's an activity that creates and builds life skills, confidence, troubleshooting, physical attributes as well as mental attributes. That activity has a huge benefit to a child growing up.”
“People have been talking to me about how Al impacted their life, and it's been absolutely incredible,” Al's wife Nancy said, sharing that young athletes he coached when they were in their teens still feel the guidance and direction he provided in their lives.
While running Cahilty Lodge, his personality shone through in how he taught his employees to grow and learn with the job.
When people would move on from their positions, Nancy said, “we were both thrilled to see them move on and take what they learned and keep on going with it. That was a big part of who he was.”
“He expected a lot out of you in terms of work,” Nicolson said. “But he also made it fun because he was so passionate about skiing and snowboarding.”
SPMRM councillor and owner of Vertical Cafe Rob O’Toole offered a similar sentiment, sharing that while working at Nancy Greene’s Cahilty Lodge in the mid-2000s, Raine would encourage him to bring his ski gear and take a break to hit the slopes during his shift.
While in Sun Peaks, Raine was elected chairman of TSP before his long-running mayorship.
Through all of this, Raine brought his vision to fruition in the community, one Nicolson sees as supporting families, businesses, education and more
based on what Al and Nancy had seen around the world and worked for in Whistler.
“They knew that for a resort to succeed, it needed to attract and retain people and businesses with energy that could exist through the dramatic ups and downs,” Nicolson explained.
Al and Nancy were recognized for ski tourism development, including being jointly named Citizens of the Year by the Whistler Chamber of Commerce in 1990, honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada in 2011 and presented with a lifetime leadership and achievement award at the 2024 Annual Summit of the BC Sports Hall of Fame.
Raine’s contributions to ski development in Canada also led to a Queen’s Golden Jubilee medal and he was recently granted a King Charles III Coronation Medal in September of 2024 for his dedicated leadership and tourism development roles in Sun Peaks.
“Mayor Raine’s dedication to his community and his tireless work ethic continued until his final days,” an online statement from Sun Peaks Resort LLP (SPR) read. “His vision and leadership extended far beyond Sun Peaks, inspiring countless individuals across the ski and tourism industries.”
Helping build Sun Peaks as not only a tourism destination but a nice place to live and raise a family is the legacy Nancy sees Al leaving behind.
“A community is really all about people, and Al was a good person,” she added. “He gave and he didn't find that a chore. He found that a pleasure.”
Al Raine at the opening of the Sun Peaks Plaza, October 2023. Photo via Facebook/Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality
A mentor in Sun Peaks
Having worked with Raine on municipal council for six years and feeling his support in his businesses endeavors, O’Toole sees Raine’s legacy in the people he’s influenced.
“People will ask, who's going to step into his shoes or fill his shoes? And well, the answer is nobody, right? But the beauty of it is, because he did so much to develop so many people as a collective group, I think we can carry on and do the things he did, not one of us can, but the larger group of us can.”
Describing him as a mentor in many areas, O’Toole said two important virtues Raine supplied were honesty and integrity, and added that his leadership was very focused on serving others.
Additionally, he shared that Raine was able to help him understand the concept of looking through someone else's lens, understanding the opposing side in a discussion or debate.
Beyond professional leadership, O’Toole said his mentorship crossed over into other life lessons.
“He was just a very passionate and compassionate human being,” he explained, “I'll probably feel that for decades to come, and hopefully pass it on to my kids too.”
As a business owner himself, Rob O’Toole referred to Al and Nancy as cheerleaders in the community, always checking in and seeing how his business was doing and encouraging the school, clinic and other public services.
“Even on busy days with big lineups at work, you would see him come by, and if he couldn't come in, he would just knock on the glass, catch your attention and give you one of his signature two thumbs up, and then and smile and and be on his way,” he said about Al. “Then he’d stop back later when things were quieter to have a conversation.”
With lived experience, Raine was able to impart knowledge on smart business moves, a great person to bounce ideas off of.
Having known him 27 years, O’Toole proposed that Raine was at his absolute best when he was championing causes for the community, something he took part in before the municipality was even incorporated and he was appointed mayor.
Describing Raine as tireless when it came to the community, he said while away on vacation, Raine would send a message saying he and Nancy had made time to “meet with the federal cabinet minister on any number of subjects that were important to the Sun Peaks community.”
Always seeing everything as a team effort, Nancy said Al was proud of the people here doing amazing work.
Al Raine as mayor and where SPMRM stands now
Raine’s impact on SPMRM will live on as council continues to move his ideas forward.
Before moving on from council, Raine said to the group on more than one occasion that he felt he was leaving staff and council in a good place according to O’Toole, knowing they were hardworking and handling new responsibilities well.
Not only did he share this sentiment with staff and council, but Nancy as well.
“The one thing he wanted more than anything else was to have the [provincial] government recognize the reconciliation agreement that's been agreed to by SPR, SPMRM and the three First Nations [the Adams Lake Band, Neskonlith Band and Skwlāx te Secwepemcúlecw],” she said, along with seeing the BC Builds housing project reach completion.
Raine was confident in the community achieving these main goals that held much of his focus in the last several months, as well as other unfinished business including a permanent K-12 school.
“It'll be, I think, a pretty exciting moment for all of us, when we start to see shovels, hopefully in the ground sometime this coming summer, summer 2025,” O’Toole said about the BC Builds project.
Since June, Raine had asked council to start a deputy mayor cycle, allowing each councillor an opportunity to chair meetings even as Raine held his position.
Counc. Kelly Dye did the quarter before O’Toole stepped in, and now Counc. Len Hrycan is taking on the role until March.
“There'll be a requirement to appoint an elections officer and call a byelection,” O’Toole said, adding that their focus has been on Raine’s celebration of life on Jan. 15, and next steps are not on the immediate horizon.
A member of staff will be appointed an elections officer when that time comes, typically the director of corporate services, Nicky Jonsson in this case. She would then start the process of setting a date and accepting nominations.
One of the recent memories O’Toole had of being on council with Al Raine was this past September, when himself, Counc. Julie Kimmel and chief administrative officer (CAO) Deanna Campbell attended the Union of BC Municipalities Convention with Mayor Raine.
“A community is really all about people, and Al was a good person. He gave and he didn't find that a chore. He found that a pleasure.”
“Mayors, CAOs, cabinet ministers from Victoria, from the provincial government, deputy ministers, people just had, I would characterize as this kind of genuine respect and admiration for him,” he said about the mayor.
“He was going so quick, moving from meeting to meeting and connecting with various individuals, doing everything he could to lobby for, in a positive way, any kind of growth or support that Sun Peaks was looking for.”
“It was a great privilege to have been mayor of Sun Peaks and work with your elected representatives,” Raine said in his final statement. “Sun Peaks has great potential, and it can be even better if we all look after our guests, count our blessings and continue to make visitors feel special.”
Through the lens of his wife
Describing Al’s best quality as the ability to connect with people one-on-one and communicate, Nancy said throughout their entire relationship they never fought. His support shone bright when he urged her to put her name forward for the Senate.
As a Canadian senator, Nancy would spend Monday to Thursday, 28 weeks a year in Ottawa.
“He was happy for me to do that, and I enjoyed it,” she said. “There wouldn't be very many guys that, especially when you're working together so closely, that’ll say go do something else for a while. But he did that, and so I shared Al with the community, and he shared me too.” Hearing the news of his diagnosis was shocking and difficult.
“We just hugged each other, and I told him I'm strong, and he said he knows I'm strong, and we'll get through this.”
In the end, she said she feels blessed, as well as grateful for the last eight months she was able to spend with him.
In every sense, she said they were a great partnership. “We loved playing tennis together, cycling, hiking, skiing, whatever,” she shared. “I've lost my best ski buddy.”
Al Raine’s memorial took place in Sun Peaks on Jan. 15, shortly after this newspaper went to print. In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations to the ALS Society of BC at projecthopealsbc.ca
Nancy Greene and Al Raine at Blackcomb Mountain in the 1980s. Photo courtesy Whistler Museum and Archives Society
AL RAINE AND NANCY GREENE RAINE ANNOUNCE MAYOR'S BULBAR ALS DIAGNOSIS
The couple feel grateful for the ‘wonderful time’ they had together.
By Nicole Perry
This interview is an excerpt from a story written and published May 23, 2024 following Al Raine’s announcement of his diagnosis with Bulbar ALS. It has been edited for length. Read the full story at sunpeaksnews.com.
In the spring of 2024, Mayor Al Raine was diagnosed with a form of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) called Bulbar ALS.
ALS varies from person to person depending on different variables such as where it begins to affect the body. The bulbar region of the brain is responsible for face and neck muscle control, which controls processes such as swallowing and speech.
A relatively rare form, Bulbar ALS only affects about 25 per cent of ALS patients.
“It starts in the throat, neck and head and it spreads from there as opposed to starting in the extremities,” Raine told SPIN.
The Bulbar ALS was confirmed after seeing a neurologist mid-March, Al’s wife Nancy Green Raine said.
Once the diagnosis was given, “it hit us pretty hard,” Nancy said.
“Obviously it is a big shock when a doctor tells you that you have ALS and there is no cure, your muscles
“I married the loves of my life, Nancy and skiing. We have shared so many happy moments together and a life in the mountains. We have healthy kids and grandkids. I have no regrets.”
will begin to deteriorate and death is the final outcome,” Al said. However, knowing he was aging before the diagnosis, he had already told his children and some friends to smile and be happy should anything happen to him.
“I feel very fortunate that we have this time,” Nancy said.
“I would rather wake up worrying about affordable housing, finding a way to fund infrastructure expansion or First Nation reconciliation solutions and not worry about what is coming next,” Al said about the impact the diagnosis had.
“I do consider myself very lucky, the average onset age for ALS is about 55 years old and some patients are still young adults,” he said. “It is easier to accept your fate at age 82 than age 42.”
The couple’s outlook on the situation is one of optimism and gratitude for the life they’ve gotten to live.
“At our age, we’ve got a great life behind us,” Nancy said. “We’ve just had a wonderful time together.”
“I married the loves of my life, Nancy and skiing,” Al said. “We have shared so many happy moments together and a life in the mountains. We have healthy kids and grandkids. I have no regrets.”
Al Raine and Nancy Greene Raine taking in the sights and sounds of the 50th Anniversary of the World Cup in Aspen in March 2017. Photo submitted
AL RAINE THROUGH SPIN’S PAGES
With Al Raine’s words and work threaded through SPIN stories since 2002, we gathered a few clips with coverage of milestone moments in his mayoral journey.
By SPIN
Mayor Al Raine addresses Sun Peaks, graduating class 2023. Photo by Liz McDonald
2010 - New mayor to address community plan and short-term rentals
Winning a landslide victory over his mayoral opponent, Al Raine was elected as the new mayor garnering 283 votes. Gerald Allgaier had 40 votes.
Raine said it’s very humbling to see strong support from the voting public, not just for himself but for all the candidates.
“People know this is an important time and setting up a municipality is not all that easy,” Raine commented on how the election turned out. “Obviously people were looking to those who have a proven track record of dedicating their time and who have the experience.”
On his agenda for this term, Raine was focused on short-term rentals and creating a community plan with public input.
2010 - Mayor calls Discovery Centre’s opening a Sun Peaks defining moment
Raine celebrated the opening of the Discovery Centre for Balanced Education.
“I challenge the (Sun Peaks Education Society) to make this the best school in B.C.” Raine said during his speech. “Community is really defined by the people and the efforts of the people. This is one of the defining moments of Sun Peaks as a community.”
2011 - Raine wins second term
Raine won a second term as mayor of Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality (SPMRM) with more than 95 per cent of the votes cast in his favour versus challenger Renate Kals.
Raine, who won on the platform of experience, leadership, commitment and track record noted throughout the campaign that “to be a great resort, we must be a great community.”
On the agenda for this term, Raine looked to gain funding for a community recreation centre and continue the work of his last term.
2014 - No votes to be taken for Sun Peaks elections
Due to lack of nominees for the 2014 elections, Sun Peaks residents did not turn out to the polls, something Raine wished was different.
“The perfect world would be a rotation of at least one position each time so that you could get some new people involved,” he said. “You could say the democratic process is best served when there are more people running, but if people are satisfied, then that’s fine too.”
“Obviously the community has some confidence in the present council, and that was one of the
motivations for others not to run at this time,” he added.
It was during this election that four year terms were put into place for Mayor and council.
The new, four-year-terms, may have been a factor in discouraging nominations, based on feedback Raine received.
“I do believe the four year terms were a factor, and I’ve spoken to a number of councillors in other jurisdictions, and people were concerned about the four years. There are people who aren’t running again (elsewhere) because the four years was seen as too much for them.
“The big push for four-year-terms was from urban areas, where the cost of elections can run into the millions of dollars.”
Raine also reiterated that he intended to step down from the role of mayor in the future.
“At this point, my intention is that this will be the last term for me,” he said.
During this term, Raine wanted to focus on succession planning and encouraging community members to learn more about municipal politics.
“There are a lot of people who could attend council meetings and get a pretty good feel for what’s going on in the municipality and make for a very good councillor or even mayor in the future.”
2018 - Al Raine announces final mayoral run
Raine announced his candidacy for a fourth and final term in the fall of 2018.
During his years as mayor, Raine used his experience as a councillor on Whistler’s first council from 1975 to 1982 to provide expertise as SPMRM grows.
“I had some very practical experience to give to the community,” he said. “It looked like it would be a positive thing to have the first mayor be the only person who’s been to a council meeting.”
While his intention was for the 2014 election to be his last, he was disappointed to see no one else came forward. He also wanted to see some important projects to their finish. When SPMRM was chosen to receive federal funding for the Sun Peaks Centre he knew he would run for one more term.
“I think four years from now we will be in a very good place.”
“I really have this vision: we must be more than a winter resort, we must be more than skiing. We must diversify the economy for people working here. They need a job and enough tourism or other business to have employees stay over summer months. No one can live here as a young family without it. It’s more simple to keep year round staff than retrain every six months.”
For Raine there were a number of projects taking top priority, including the Sun Peaks Housing Authority, the Sun Peaks Centre and the health centre.
“We have to make Sun Peaks a liveable place for people who are year round residents in addition to part-time residents. We must be one of the most livable communities in the province.”
As for what keeps him putting his name forward?
“I like the people,” he said with a smile. “Have I skied on better slopes? Absolutely. I’m drawn to the good snow, but we have some great people. How many other communities could raise the money we have for the health centre? We built a school out of donations…there are always people stepping up.”
2022 - Al Raine announces mayoral candidacy
Despite his previous plans to retire, Raine ran for another term citing a need for continuity. Only one member of council planned to seek reelection and the province decided not to reappoint a councillor representing Sun Peaks Resort LLP (SPR).
“Having four new councillors is probably not the best situation,” Raine said. “I’ve had a number of people approach me and say ‘we’re concerned it’s too big of a change.’”
Some community members encouraged current council member Rob O’Toole to run for mayor. However, he decided to seek reelection as a councillor. Raine said this announcement is part of what made him put his name in the hat for mayor again.
“It’s important [for the mayor] to have some background and experience,” Raine said. “I think there’s some very good candidates going to run for council, so it’s an opportunity to get some new blood into the council but still maintain the experience from the previous years.”
2024 - Sun Peaks
mayor Al Raine accepts a King
Charles III Coronation Medal
Raine was awarded a King Charles III Coronation Medal on Sept. 10, 2024.
Todd Stone, MLA for Kamloops-South Thompson honoured Raine with a speech and presented him with the medal.
Commemorating the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III as king, this medal honours those who have made a significant contribution to Canada or to a particular province, territory, region or community.
Instrumental in putting Sun Peaks on the map as a tourism destination, Stone called Raine a “pioneer in tourism and resort development.”
Raine contributed to the development of B.C. resort communities such as Whistler and was integral in developing the political landscape of Sun Peaks.
“I accepted the award on behalf of the Sun Peaks community and it will hang on the wall in the municipal office with thanks to all those who contribute day in and day out to make us a great community,” Raine told SPIN in an email.
As part of his acceptance of the award, he wanted to mention the Sun Peaks Education Society raising over $2 million over 14 years, and the support from initial council members for a school in Sun Peaks, SPR and Mr. Okubo’s vision of a major ski area, ski club volunteers, the Rotary Club, the Taekwon-do Club and the Health Association, who raised over $1 million to build the clinic in town and $500,000 to equip Sun Peaks Health Centre.
“We are a ‘can do’ community, full of positive people who are willing to contribute to make Sun Peaks the best mountain community anywhere,” he said. “I had the distinct pleasure of leading the orchestra.”
HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS FOR SUN PEAKS BUSINESSES
Local businesses recap holiday shopping trends.
By Louise Hudson
As November blanketed Sun Peaks in sparkling snow, the main street shops were busy decorating with glittering lights, wreaths, pine, ribbon and creative holiday displays.
Photogenic and festive, the ‘olde worlde’ retail area began to resemble a Christmas snow globe. Inside, store shelves and racks were loaded with holidaythemed treasures, handcrafted ornaments, cozy winter wear and unique gifts that speak to the warm traditions of the mountain village, creating an alluring holiday shopping experience.
But does this charm equate to sales? With e-retail soaring in popularity, are customers clicking cameras on Main Street but clicking “Buy” online?
Over the past 11 years in business, Sneaky Scallywags has attracted a loyal following from locals and regular visitors, and owner Jeff Martin said 2024 was one of the strongest years yet.
“We feel lucky as we receive many comments from customers waiting to buy until they are on the mountain. Our view is thank you for buying local, but the local businesses have to earn it.”
Martin attributes his success to offering unique products at normal prices.
“Buying online does affect us,” he acknowledged. “But most of our customers realize this approach benefits big companies outside Canada. We are having more and more conversations about supporting Canadian companies and we are about 90 per cent Canadian-sourced.”
His clientele is international as well as B.C.-based.
“Every day is different …it is really fun to interact with customers from different parts of the world.”
Kids always crave candy so when Martin was stocking up for December - always his busiest month - his first priority was to find the most popular stocking stuffers from his ten different candy suppliers.
“Our focus is hard-to-find retro, international candies, he pointed out. “Oddities like coal tic tacs, sour gummy boogers, a whole mixture of Japanese gummies and hi-chews.”
The store was packed with holiday and ski-themed clothing and a wide selection of toys, crafts, games and puzzles rounded out the offering. His products have year-round appeal, but for early 2025, when spending may be a bit of a stretch, watch out for sale rails.
“Our approach is to put products that we are almost out of on sale to allow those on a budget to find deals.”
At Rocky Mtn Chocolates, Geremy Guido noted a very good start to the season with purchases focused on holiday and hostess gifts.
“Our Christmas selection has been the most popular with customers and of course our caramel apples,” he said. “We are on par to last year for customers.”
Ideal for gifts and treats at all times of the year, the festive packaging added extra seasonal relevance to the range. Upcoming on the mouthwatering menu for 2025 is hot chocolate which will be made with Rocky Mtn Chocolate’s own blend.
Snowcat operator Scott Coleman has been developing his sign making business, ScotSKi over the past few years.
“I make personalized, new looking, CNC machine cut, engraved wood signs - ski run/bike trail signs - in addition to heavily distressed vintage looking
‘just fell off the post’ signs,” he described. “I also make other gifts that mountain lovers generally appreciate like etched glass whiskey tumblers, beer and coffee mugs, pet leash wall hangers and T-shirts.”
Based from home in Sun Peaks, he has been catering to the skier, boarder, biker and homeowner market with an ever-increasing range of products.
Running his business through Facebook and Instagram, he has savvily added QR codes to various business and ski club signs that he made. Dotted around the village, the codes when scanned give an automatic sign discount. Orders increased over the holiday period, he noted, with small gains in volume year-on-year since 2021.
“My engraved sign orders have been strong, along with some wholesale business I have been developing. After Christmas, orders generally slow down locally, but I still see orders from Facebook Marketplace ads.”
Coleman credits much of his growth to the support of the local community spreading the word about his custom creations.
Spending during the holiday was on the up at FreeFall ski shop this winter, according to owner Greg Sissons.
“[2024 was] better than previous years in terms of customer spend,” Sissons said. “It's been much the same trends as far as the type of products, just more of it.”
This is mostly general purchasing for personal use, he added, rather than gifts for others. Unlike businesses oriented towards the gift market, Sissons said January is the peak month for ski shops, February is next and December is third. While equipment is available online and also in city stores, Sissons recommended that skiers and riders buy their footwear in particular on the slopes.
“They should definitely buy their boots in-resort as there is an opportunity to have them adjusted while still in-resort,” he explained. “Some people have the misconception that things are more expensive to purchase in-resort, but this is not true as there are recommended prices for all goods.”
With more than 20 eateries in Sun Peaks, mountain menus often reflect the holiday season as well as introducing novelties for the New Year.
“We see most guests in both locations enjoying our seasonal holiday cocktails,” Owner of Capone’s and Cahilty Creek Kitchen, Yolanda Dye said.
“Capone’s has a delicious new holiday twist on our Espresso Martini, with eggnog added to the classic recipe - the Eggnogtini.”
And at Cahilty Creek, the Sleigh Ride Spritz was successful.
To kick off the holiday spirit, Dye’s staff got into the mood early, decking out the two venues in festive finery, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Their gift cards, valid for both locations, proved to be popular gifts and stocking stuffers.
With exceptional early season snow conditions drawing visitors to Sun Peaks, both restaurants recorded an uptick in advance bookings for their traditional Christmas dinner and the four-course feast for New Year’s Eve at Capone’s. Looking back over previous seasons, Dye is optimistic for 2025.
“Comparatively, we are still not at the 2019 business but we are trending upwards year over year.”
She has noticed ‘cautious spending’ from families and groups who are not dining out as much as they used to.
“We are seeing them only one-two times over a three-four night stay,” she said. “In speaking with them, it is due to cautionary budgets overall.”
A perfect holiday photo opportunity set up outside Freefall. Photo by Alicia Marie
ANNUAL FILM FESTIVAL RETURNS TO SUN PEAKS
Back for a 5th year, the Sun Peaks Film Festival will feature movies from the Vancouver International Film Festival, as well as locallymade films.
By Louise Hudson
Headlined by Warren Miller’s 75, the far-flung footage at this year’s Film Festival will transport attendees around Canada, the U.S., U.K., Bolivia, Guatemala, Peru, Argentina and Chile. Over the three day festival from Jan. 16 to Jan. 18, mountain movie buffs will watch 14 films from the Vancouver International Film Festival World Tour (VIMFF) at the Sun Peaks Centre.
Back by popular demand, the McSporties Locals’ Filmmakers’ Contest has been elevated to Saturday night spotlight, followed by the Warren Miller tribute and capped off with an after party for the audience, organizers, sponsors, filmmakers and actors to mix and mingle.
“It's hard to believe it's been five years of film festivals,” said ArtZone president, Marj Knive. “When we brought the Vancouver International Film Festival World Tour to Sun Peaks, it seemed we had the perfect place and audience to host the world's best mountain films, and provide an arts and culture event that had not been tried here before.”
Since the first festival in 2019, the venue has been changed three times to accommodate growing numbers.
“In 2024, we expanded into the Sun Peaks Centre Conference Room and sold out 150 seats on each of the three nights,” Knive said. “Our Locals’ Film Contest expanded by 500 per cent with five entries! The community turned out with huge support for their friends and the locals’ evening was bigger and better than ever.”
Last year's first prize winner was Noah Lara with his film Rush, starring Brock Hawes. A new aspect in 2024 was the Fans' Favourite Prize. This is awarded to the film that, on the night, gets the most electronic votes from the audience. Fans' Favourite 2024 was Project 10x10 by Dawn and Dan Matte. The duo are back this year with another Sun Peaks spectacular shot last season, featuring a star-studded cast of local ladies against the backdrop of Sun Peaks slopes. It was actually in the interval at last year’s festival, when fans were busy entering their electronic votes, that Dawn Matte mooted the idea for this film.
From there, the process went from planning, to script writing, casting/ conscripting and location scouting. After filming in February and March, many hours were spent editing and arranging music.
“It was a true labour of love,” Matte said. “I’ve toyed with video editing ever since you had to install a card into your PC in order to capture video from a video camera and then spit it out to a VHS tape. These days, the process is so much easier!”
Most of the movie-making process was pure fun and Matte said capturing the stunning landscape of Sun Peaks resort was straightforward.
“It’s hard to go wrong filming in such an awe-inspiring location.”
This year, Knive has been making it clearer to contestants that the criteria includes any films of any subject or location made by locals from Sun Peaks or Kamloops.
“It doesn't have to be about skiing or Sun Peaks to be eligible.”
Two of the 2024 judges are returning this year, with a third joining for the first time.
“McSporties is on deck with their full sponsorship and support, so who knows
what might come out of Matthias' back room,” Knive said. Another new sponsor is the Thompson-Nicola Film Commission. “We hope to build on this affiliation to attract more filmmakers and grow the capacity for filmmaking in Sun Peaks.”
On Friday, Jan. 17, Rob O’Toole from Vertical Café, is sponsoring an Indigenous film called Slides on the Mountain, about two young brothers from the Lill'wat Nation.
“Rob has done some research about the film and is really stoked to present it,” Knive said. The goal of the Film Festival is to bring the community together to promote positive values and active lifestyles.
“It gives our community the chance to enjoy some of the world's best mountain films, support ArtZone and support talented filmmakers. It also gives our rural community a chance to see unique outdoor films and content that illustrate experiences and cultures from all corners of the globe.”
Brock Hawes captured in the footage from Rush, Noah Lara’s winning entry for last year’s McSporties Local Film Makers’ Contest. Photo by Noah Lara
NEW YEAR, NEW SKILLS, NEW YOU
Take up some new hobbies with these Sun Peaks staples.
By Louise Hudson
A new year is a popular time to start fresh with new skills, ambitions and connections.
Every year new clubs and groups sprout up in Sun Peaks, promoting various sports, hobbies and activities. One of the newest is a Crochet Group, a spin off from the pre-existing Yarn Group. Since the early 2020s, crochet has gone through a revival, becoming one of the biggest trends in arts and crafts. Although there are copious online sites to get wannabee woolsmiths started, there’s nothing better than hands-on mentoring and group support.
So, what else is available in Sun Peaks to satisfy everyone’s New Year yearning for novelty and knowledge?
Start with Emma Hull‘s Vision Board Workshop on Jan. 22, harnessing creativity and visioning to set goals for 2025.
“This workshop is perfect for anyone looking for clarity, inspiration or a fresh perspective — whether they want to focus on their career, relationships, personal growth or health,” said Hull, who is the host of the Redo You podcast. “As a life coach, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful it is to start with a clear vision.”
Several participants from last year’s vision board workshop were inspired to take up triathlon training and are competing in a race this March.
Health and fitness
With health and fitness often topping New Year resolution lists, local registered dietician and Nordic instructor, Laura Kalina suggests starting with nutrition by focusing on a lowglycemic, nutrient-rich diet to help stabilize energy levels while supporting healthy weight. Other recommendations include increased hydration, herbal teas and delving into Kalina’s electronic cookbook: Low-Glycemic Meals in Minutes.
“Get moving,” is her second strand.
“Nordic skiing is one of the most effective totalbody workouts, building strength and endurance while immersing you in Sun Peaks’ natural beauty,” she explained. With three new trails this season, the total groomed and track-set Nordic trails is now over 37 kilometres. The Local Nordic Program, starting in January, is perfect for New Year Nordic newbies.
Yoga recently opened up at Sun Peaks Health Centre Community Room. Taught by Kayla Alfred, it is free for STEPS’ patients. For non-STEPS’ patients, there are drop-in rates at $20 per class, including use of a yoga mat and props, one week
passes and punch cards.
“I use therapeutic yoga techniques to help each person in my class feel great,” Alfred said. “There are seven classes per week available to non-STEPS clients, two focused on recovering from mountain sports, two focused on the hips, one meditation class and one for improving balance on and off the mountain.”
She can also teach private sessions Tuesday to Thursday.
Art and music
A one-stop shop for artsy activities is ArtZone Sun Peaks, which offers an ever-increasing array of groups, events and classes, including Debbie MilnerLively’s snow painting workshop on Feb. 1.
“We've got some other ideas in the pipeline –beginner sewing classes and another embroidery workshop to name a couple,” said ArtZone president, Marj Knive. “We are also holding arts jams at Morrisey's every Wednesday night 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. throughout the season.”
ArtZone collectives include fibre arts, painting and sketching, writers and readers, music, performing arts and photography and film.
Sun Peaks Strummers is a new local group for learning or improving skills on ukulele and acoustic guitar.
“We started playing in December last year with three players,” founding member, Diane Burns said. “None of us knew how to play the ukulele.”
Since then, the group has blossomed to include six ukulele players, a bass guitarist and occasional visitors.
“We usually get together once a week on Wednesday or Thursday afternoon, whatever day works best for everyone, for one and a half hours at my place,” Burns said.
The group went public at a Tuesday Local’s Wine Social, performing Christmas Carols and an Auld Lang Syne tribute for the late mayor of Sun Peaks, Al Raine.
“We welcome anyone who wants to learn the ukulele or guitar, or who just wants to play and have fun,” Burns said. “A ukulele is a very inexpensive musical instrument, easy to learn and to transport.”
Get social
If your intention is to socialize more this year, there are several new initiatives to get you off the couch in the evenings. Coffee House at Vertical Café is an industry night for local staff to bond over board and card games every Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., with discounted hot drinks and snacks. Masa’s Bar + Grill hosts Mario Kart Game Night on Mondays, a pool competition every Tuesday and a Musical Bingo on Wednesdays.
Morrisey’s Public House is expanding its weekly social schedule, starting the week off with Quizzy Rascal Trivia on Mondays. One of the newest additions to the winter schedule is the Tuesday Murder Mystery Night, when Blue Chest Games sets a different scene.
“In the game itself you play a character from a story that I have written,” Blue Chest’s founder, Justin Oborne told SPIN. “Your character is either a suspect or a murderer – as a suspect you must analyze the clues and interrogate your fellow players to solve the mystery, while as the murderer you must deceive your fellow players into believing you are innocent.”
For musicians and music lovers looking to increase play time this year, there’s Morrisey’s Jam Night on Thursdays and live bands every Saturday.
The Sun Peaks’ Locals’ Social Group is a great way to connect with other part-time and full-time residents. Events include a weekly Wine & Beer gathering on Tuesdays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at rotating village venues. There’s also a coffee meet-up on Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. at The Annex. Through this network, members can also join in regular card game sessions, arts and crafts activities, book clubs, volunteerism and weekly ski groups.
Following a successful launch last season, the Studio 50+ Dance Party Series is returning to Morrisey’s on Jan. 15 with a Country and Western theme. Think cowboy boots, stetsons, two step and line dancing! On Feb. 12, there’s a non-romantic Valentine’s Dance and the Spring Fling theme returns for March 19. The dancing (and pool table) is free at each event, with music starting at 7 p.m. Book a table for dinner and work off the calories on the dance floor. Costumes are strongly encouraged. Another opportunity to rummage through closets, scour the secondhand shops or harness your inner Dior is the Annual Ski Down in a Gown which will be held on March 20th this year. Plenty of time to get creative, try your hand at sewing, decorating helmets, glamming your gloves and finding whimsical ways to jazz up ski poles. With over 40 women joining the event, it’s another way to expand your social circles.
CBD: COULD IT BE THE SKIER’S SECRET WEAPON FOR
INJURY RECOVERY?
Flight Deck co-owner Sonya
Nasilowski shares the benefits of CBD in recovery.
By Louise Hudson
Injury recuperation, prevention and pain relief are subjects well known to many skiers and riders, especially those intent on notching up the most days per season and aiming for skiing longevity.
One of the products trending in the field of pain management and inflammation reduction is CBD.
But what exactly is CBD? It stands for Cannabidiol, a naturally occurring, nonpsychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant. There is no high, no altered perception and no intoxication. CBD has been widely studied for its potential to help with various conditions, including pain, inflammation, anxiety, depression, sleep disorders and seizures.
CBD is a big component of everyday business for the Sun Peaks’ cannabis store Flight Deck, according to co-owner Sonya Nasilowski, who has been a medical and recreational cannabis advocate for many years.
“I can see the benefits for my fellow skiers and snowboarders but also as a registered massage therapist, I have seen my patients thrive from certain products,” Nasilowski said. Whilst she cannot recommend drugs to her massage patients, she is able to share personal experiences and anecdotal success stories about CBD.
“We can’t make any direct claims about effectiveness and benefits. For many it’s ‘a miracle’ and for others there is little effect,” Nasilowski said. “Like most plant remedies there is much trial and error and they can vary with several factors.”
Conditions that could be alleviated by CBD include soft tissue injuries, sprains and strains, bruises, joint injuries and muscle soreness, among others. As well as
oral and topical forms, there are also CBD bath products which may help relax muscles and improve recovery after strenuous activities.
“Personally, I love soaking in a THC and CBD bath bomb after a day of skiing and, when used topically, you are never getting high - so a great option for anyone,” Nasilowski explained. “CBD is known to specifically help with inflammation by reducing levels of cytokines.”
Cytokines are proteins that control the immune system and help protect the body. While some cytokines cause inflammation, others work to reduce it.
But there’s a general lack of awareness and confusion about CBD, she added.
“As cannabis was kept underground for so many years, research has not caught up.”
Dosage is an important issue, as well as understanding the many different ways to take CBD.
“We recommend different products depending on the customer's needs,” Nasilowski explained. “For example, not everyone is comfortable dosing a liquid oil but they might find a pre-measured capsule easier.”
Of course, anyone who is unsure, has pre-existing medical conditions, or is taking prescription medications already should consult a healthcare professional.
Local resident Kelly Brown was advised by a naturopathic doctor to try a THC and CBD cream to help with pain and inflammation caused by osteoarthritis in his left knee.
“It worked great! When I eventually had a knee replacement, I found that just a CBD cream worked better than one blended with THC,” Brown said.
He also takes CBD oil daily to help with neuropathy in his toes.
“When I travel for extended periods of time outside of Canada and don’t have access to CBD oil, I find the neuropathy gets noticeably worse after a couple of weeks,” he said. “The CBD oil really helps keep the tingling and discomfort to a minimum.”
When he injured his knee and back in Portugal this year playing Padel, a squash/tennis hybrid sport trending across Europe, he was prescribed antiinflammatory and muscle relaxant drugs.
“They worked okay, but I was warned it’s not healthy to continue to use it for long periods of time,” he recalled. Back in Canada, he reverted to CBD cream which he found far more effective.
Flight Deck is Sun Peaks’ cannabis store. Photo by Flight Deck
SNOW LIMO TOURS OFFER A UNIQUE MOUNTAIN PERSPECTIVE FOR NON-SKIERS
Not a skier? Not a problem. Snow Limo tours offer accessibility to some of Sun Peaks’ best views.
By Justin Moore
Since its inception, Sun Peaks Resort has provided a gateway for many to embrace the winter lifestyle, offering a playground for generations of skiers and boarders to hit the slopes.
But for the population of those who don’t partake in the winter ritual, there’s another opportunity to see the mountain the same way thousands do every day.
Sun Peaks’ very own Snow Limo Tours offers just that incentive with three separate tour packages that take people across the mountain on a custom-engineered sit ski, an impressive apparatus that allows bundled up guests to sit while their guide navigates from the back of the chair.
“The [guests] all like it once they understand what it’s all about… getting people who don’t ski or board that opportunity to go up on the mountain and experience what other people are doing, without endangering themselves or having to put on ski gear,” said owner and operator Michael Pfeil.
The history of the sit ski is one rooted in accessibility and equal opportunity, a parallel which brought the tour program to Sun Peaks in 2012 starting as a fundraising opportunity for Adaptive Sports at Sun Peaks.
Now owned by Pfeil for several years, he enjoys ferrying new and repeat guests across the mountain. Pfeil hopes to book
over 300 tours this season.
“It’s a blast doing the tours. You never get disappointed,” Pfeil said.
It’s an experience that’s brought many non-skiers joy over the years. Pfeil recalled a time when a ski instructor friend asked if he could bring her mother along for a ride.
“She could never get her mom on the mountain,” Pfeil recounted. “I took her down… she was happy, she was crying and she remembered that until the day she died. Her daughter always mentions it.”
First time guests to Snow Limo Tours get to experience a half-hour tour, which begins on the Sunburst chair, followed by a run down 5 Mile.
Snow Limo’s hour-long tour sees two runs off the Sundance chair, as well as an hour and a half tour that incorporates the Crystal chair for a full mountain experience.
“People want to see the mountain. The top tour was introduced last year when they put the new Crystal chair in and it’s been a popular tour,” Pfeil said. “[Guests] get to see what their friends get to see.”
Snow Limo Tours owner Michael Pfeil hopes to guide over 300 tours this season. Photo by Justin Moore/Sun Peaks Independent News
GUIDE SHARES LIFE-LONG PASSION FOR ICE FISHING ON FROZEN HEFFLEY LAKE
Campbell Bryk, Sun Peaks local and owner of Elevated Fishing
Adventures,
offers a glimpse into a day on the ice.
By Justin Moore
As fresh snowfall continues to accumulate on the mountain, nearby at Heffley Lake, another quintessential winter experience is taking shape as ice begins to form across the water’s surface.
This is Campbell Bryk’s domain. Bryk, a life-long angler and a Sun Peaks local of 10 years, is a familiar sight on the frozen surface of Heffley Lake, taking guests on guided ice fishing tours as part of his Elevated Fishing Adventures outfit.
On the cusp of his ninth year as a guide, Bryk’s passion for ice fishing remains as strong as it did in his youth, fishing with family in his childhood province of Ontario.
“I’ve been fishing since before I can remember,” Bryk said. “It’s always been a big part of my family. The whole family gets out year-round. It’s always been a passion of mine.”
This passion followed him to Kamloops, as Bryk designed a business proposal for a guided fishing outfit for a school project in Thompson Rivers University's Tourism Management program. It was here that the first ideas for Elevated Fishing began to take shape, the presentation catching the eye of Tourism Sun Peaks, whose members urged Bryk to bring the business to reality.
Without much knowledge of the village, Bryk took the leap and moved to Sun Peaks the next winter and established the roots that Elevated Fishing Adventures is supported by today.
An
all-ages, allbackground winter experience
The premise of the guided ice fishing experience is simple, and thoroughly Canadian in presentation. Offering tours three days a week, Bryk drives his guests out to the frozen shore of Heffley Lake for a four-hour tour that’s offered in the morning or late afternoon.
The experience is designed to offer guests the full ice fishing experience, one that requires no prior experience or gear, as Bryk provides everything from a heated tent to hole drilling and a simple lesson on
fishing.
“I wanted to make an experience that was available to literally anyone. So if you're in Sun Peaks, then I can get you out ice fishing and give you a pretty good chance of catching fish,” Bryk said.
It’s an opportunity for Bryk to reframe the stereotypical Canadian story of ice fishing, sitting on a bucket in -30 C conditions. A silent day where nobody speaks so as to not scare the fish.
"It’s not about catching the biggest fish or the most fish. It’s about spending time with people and having a good time.”
“We put a speaker on and play music. You can yell as loud as you want. The fish can’t hear you,” Bryk joked. “It’s a heated ice fishing tent so there’s no temperature too cold. It can be -40 C outside and I’ll have 15 C above zero inside the tent. It’s very social. Everyone gets their own comfy chair.”
The guided adventure is another great way for people of all ages to try the sport of ice fishing. Bryk has welcomed people as young as nine months old to “a 97-year-old woman that comes out with me every single winter,” he said.
By the end of the tour, each guest has enough fish to enjoy a delicious meal, as the Rainbow Trout caught in Heffley Lake are cleaned, cut and prepared
by Bryk and delivered to guests later that evening with a recipe and instructions on how to cook their catch.
“That is a big part of the Canadian experience,” Bryk said. “Fresh fish from a lake that they caught themselves.”
Turning a lifelong passion into a shared experience
Once a full-time tour, for the past three years, Bryk has run Elevated Fishing Adventures in a part-time capacity, maintaining a full-time position with the Sun Peaks Fire Department. But as the years passed, his spark has never wavered from the experience of sharing ice fishing, especially with guests who have never seen snow or ice in their lives.
“It goes both ways. I love sharing with people but it’s also what they get to share with me. Even after I’ve done thousands and thousands and thousands of hours of ice fishing, I still get excited because people get excited about it.”
The tours receive many returning guests, with one family coming back as many as 16 times throughout Bryk’s time on the ice. For someone that carries a passion for the sport, Bryk enjoys the pleasure it brings others.
“Ice fishing isn’t necessarily about catching a fish,” he said. “It’s more about the experience. It’s very social, you’re having snacks, you’re having hot chocolate, you’re all talking to each other. It’s not about catching the biggest fish or the most fish. It’s about spending time with people and having a good time.”
The tent offers ice fishers warmth while recreating on the frozen lake.
Photo by Campbell Bryk/Elevated Fishing Adventures
THE SHOULDER 2 SHOULDER RETREAT IS BACK IN SUN PEAKS, SUPPORTING HEALING FOR VETERANS
Adaptive Sports at Sun Peaks leads this retreat for ill and injured veterans and RCMP along with their support person or caregiver.
By Nicole Perry
As the first stop for the Shoulder 2 Shoulder Retreat, Adaptive Sports at Sun Peaks (ASSP) led a four-day retreat with ski and snowboard lessons and more activities for ill or injured veterans and RCMP to heal with their support person.
Although the concept began four years ago, the Shoulder 2 Shoulder retreat’s name and structure developed last year.
There are two founders of the Shoulder 2 Shoulder Retreat, both veterans themselves.
In 2015, veteran James Cooney participated in the Soldier On program, which helps ill and injured veterans heal through sports.
“I attended a one week camp, and it basically reignited the passion,” he said. “I came back into the skiing industry because of that.”
This was following a dark time of life for him, dealing with PTSD and physical injuries, making it difficult to hold jobs.
He now works for Mt. Washington Resort Snow School part-time and is a training coordinator for Vancouver Island Society for Adaptive Snowsports.
Based on his own experience with snow therapy during Soldier On, which he said saved his life, he helped found the retreat program that would become Shoulder 2 Shoulder with BC Adaptive Snowsports (BCAS).
During the first run of the program when it was originally titled Moving Forward together in 2021, 22 participants showed up with their spouses.
Each retreat is now open to five veterans or ill and injured RCMP and their caretakers, often spouses, bringing this year’s number of participants across all areas up to 50.
For the first time last year, Shoulder 2 Shoulder was brought to three ski resorts including Sun Peaks.
“They went amazing,” Cooney said. “Hence why now we're running five camps.”
This year's stops will be Mt. Washington, Sun Peaks, Mt. Sima, Silver Star and Panorama, led by different volunteer veterans and instructors at each.
About the retreat
With funding from private donors and legions across B.C., BCAS is able to grant each participant a retreat without cost.
A potential benefit of the retreat, Cooney said it can ignite or reignite a passion for snowsports.
“Just this year, I certified one person as an instructor at Mount Washington that was in our program last year,” he said.
During winter, as the coldest and darkest time of year, Cooney proposes people are at their most depressed.
“We want to create a purpose of going outside in the winter time,” he said, highlighting the importance of sunshine and outdoor activity for mental health improvement.
“It's mentally healthy for all of us to participate in physical activity,” Katherine Campbell, executive director for ASSP said as well.
As the program is open to a support person or caregiver as well, that person is able to experience something new and fun with their partner, family member or friend.
“Maybe it's an activity that the two of them can do together moving forward,” Campbell added.
Organized by veterans, the Shoulder 2 Shoulder Retreat’s inclusion of the support person is based on personal observation of the everyday challenges these people face when their spouse, family member or friend is away for training or deployment.
Early in the program, Cooney said providing both parties with this experience was met with nothing but praise.
Shoulder 2 shoulder retreat, Sun Peaks
After a successful inaugural year, the Shoulder 2 Shoulder retreat run by ASSP in partnership with BCAS returned to Sun Peaks.
On Sunday, Jan. 5, participants arrived in the village, spending the rest of the week taking part in snow lessons.
About 15 instructors from ASSP volunteered to help out this year, Campbell said, with many returning from last year.
The retreat includes a meet-and-greet to acquaint the participants, ski and snowboard lessons accommodating each participant’s skill levels, an art therapy workshop led by ASSP vice president Dr. Nan Stephens and a wrap-up dinner at Morrisey’s Public House to cap off the week.
Some people on the ASSP team are veterans themselves.
“Being in the military is a life changing thing, and it's very different from our civilian day-to-day life,” Campbell said. “And so that's why programs like this are so important.”
ASSP’s instructors go through CADS training which looks at different disabilities including cognitive and visual impairments and physical injuries.
“Our instructors are trained to just be adaptive,” she explained, adding they can work with people suffering from PTSD with an ask, observe and teach approach during every lesson to identify potential triggers.
Last year, Campbell shared that an RCMP officer who had been on stress leave from work went through a life changing experience while attending the retreat and reaching the Top of the World off the Crystal Chairlift.
“He got off, and he just kept saying, ‘I can breathe. I can finally breathe. I can breathe.’”
ASSP hosts the first Shoulder 2 Shoulder retreat in Sun Peaks in 2024 for ill and injured veterans and RCMP.
Photo via Facebook/Adaptive Sports at Sun Peaks
CONDITIONS REPORT: INSIDE THE SNOW
Winter conditions in B.C.’s Interior.
By Brad Harrison
Always check the most recent forecast to ensure you have the most up-to-date and accurate information before heading out on the slopes.
The Interior of British Columbia has enjoyed excellent backcountry ski conditions so far this winter, particularly in November, with some of the best early-season conditions in recent memory. After a number of dodgy winters, with either a low snowpack or tricky avalanche conditions, this season feels like a bit of a reset. As of midDecember, the BC River Forecast Centre reported the provincial snow depth at 102 per cent of the average—a promising start to winter. The one caveat is the low-elevation snowpack has been sparse. This winter is about heading to higher elevations.
November’s steady storms helped establish a solid snowpack with few weak layers or crusts. By mid-December, treeline elevations held healthy snow depths and we regularly found a 100 to 150 centimetre snowpack in the North Thompson. These conditions set the stage for excellent winter recreation.
The snowfall slowed down around late December, and we are currently experiencing a bit of a dry spell. As we expected, the nearly perfect snowpack setup that we experienced in November and into early December is starting to show a few blemishes. With warm temperatures and sunny skies, we have been finding a zipper sun crust in some locations. We are also finding some upside-down powder, which is definitely not what we wanted or were experiencing early in the year.
Southern B.C. and Western Alberta received a significant amount of fresh snow in mid-December and early January. These storms may impact the avalanche danger as new snow and wind form reactive slabs. Sticking to conservative terrain during active storm periods and avoiding steep slopes with significant consequences is best. Be sure to be prudent when you start venturing out into more challenging terrain. Always check out Avalanche Canada Public Avalanche Bulletin and adapt your plans accordingly. One thing to consider is how long any weak layers found in December will persist. While not widespread, these layers can be locationspecific and very reactive.
Looking at the big picture, B.C.’s snowpack is near normal for this time of year, with some regional variation. By Jan. 1, the BC Automated Snow Weather Station network recorded the provincial average snowpack at 101 per cent of the long-term median. Typically, around 45 per cent of the total seasonal snowpack has accumulated by this point in
the winter.
Some regions, like the Central Coast, Northwest and Nechako, are seeing below-average snowpacks. Meanwhile, areas like the Liard and Boundary are above average. The North and South Thompson regions are around 100 per cent of normal, which is much better than last year. These differences highlight the importance of understanding local conditions and tailoring plans accordingly. If you are planning an unguided, multi-day trip to a backcountry lodge somewhere, review the BLBCA’s Self-Guided
Recommendations document. It’s a common-sense approach to safety practices that may help with decision-making when travelling in the backcountry. While the season is relatively young, this winter’s snowpack is shaping up to be refreshingly stable and predictable compared to recent years. With solid coverage, we are eager to keep heading out and enjoying B.C.’s inimitable backcountry.
As always, make sure you get out, ride safely and recreate responsibly.
The snowpack in B.C. is shaping up to be refreshingly stable and predictable compared to recent years.
Photo provided by Brad Harrison
THE PSIC BRINGS SKI INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS TO SUN PEAKS
One of many courses offered in Sun Peaks this winter includes a big mountain pathway program geared toward skiing and teaching in consequential terrain.
By Nicole Perry
Formed 19 months ago, the Professional Ski Instructors of Canada (PSIC) certifies ski instructors using an array of unique programs and will be bringing courses to Sun Peaks this winter.
For the last 85 years, the Canadian Ski Instructors’ Alliance (CSIA) has been certifying ski instructors with a standard of four levels of certification that the PSIC has adopted as well.
“We ski with people for three and four days, depending on the program, as their exam,” president of the PSIC Mark Sedgwick said. “So they get many, many attempts to show us their best, because that's more reflective of what they're doing out there in their profession when they're with their groups for all day or all week.”
About the PSIC
Up to 20 people now sit on an industry steering committee that has guided the PSIC’s programming. Formed from representatives of resorts across Canada, the committee is a way to work directly with resort employers, who know what’s needed in their employees.
A main value of the organization is a developmentfirst approach. There was a disconnect, according to Sedgwick, between how people are proving they’re at a standard to teach during exams versus out on the mountain while teaching.
“What we're doing is giving professionals tools to use day in and day out that they find practical and relevant,” he said, adding the PSIC helps participants understand the sport as well as the people.
A large piece of feedback received following last year’s programming was how valuable participants found this process, even if they weren’t successful, because they gained skills they can continue to grow on before a later shot at certification.
The PSIC has invested a substantial amount into online learning tools as well.
“Time on the hill is like beachfront real estate, it's precious time,” Sedgwick said.
With about an hour of online learning including videos and knowledge checks, participants are prepared before heading out onto the mountain for the courses.
“That was an overwhelming success last year,” he said. “Everyone loved that.”
Big mountain program and Sun Peaks
The PSIC’s programming stands out from other training organizations in a few ways, including its big mountain certification program designed to teach how to ski and instruct on challenging terrain.
Along with a regular alpine pathway program based on the CSIA levels one to four ski instructor certification, the PSIC has developed a big mountain program, from level two to level four, which will be brought to Sun Peaks throughout the winter.
Based on feedback from the steering committee, Sedgwick said that while instructors were taking people into consequential terrain among the massive
mountains in western Canada, there was no real training for that.
“We piloted that last year at Whistler,” he said. “We put about 50 people through the programs at level two and level three.”
The big mountain pathway was developed with the help of Derek Foose, founder of Whistler free ride club, and his senior trainers.
Sun Peaks is among a number of resorts that have signed up for this course this year, including Kicking Horse, Revelstoke, Castle, Panorama, Cypress and Mount Washington.
Among regular level one to three certification courses running throughout January, February and March for the first time this year, Sun Peaks will have a level two big mountain course on Feb. 24.
The PSIC will be in Sun Peaks this winter certifying ski instructors in alpine and big mountain teaching. Photo provided by the PSIC
SPEED NATION NORAM SBX OPENS SUN PEAKS’ NEWEST COURSE
Speed Nation was the first event to be held on the Powder Ventures snow cross course, located just above the village base.
By Nicole Perry
Making first use of the new Powder Ventures snow cross course, the Speed Nation NorAm Snowboard Cross (SBX) brought in hoards of athletes, Canadian and international, on the weekend of Jan. 3 to Jan. 5, 2025.
The competition was open to anyone internationally with International Ski Federation (FIS) numbers and a club representation, executive director for BC Snowboard Association Cathy Astofooroff said. The competition bracket was, however, made up of Canadian and American athletes.
Speed Nation NorAm SBX information and results
Part of the North American circuit, Astofooroff said events such as this serve as a bridge between national-level competitions and elite World Cup events, with competitors earning points toward higher level competitions.
Results from NorAm events are crucial in selections for national teams or qualification for international events such as the World Cup, and the NorAm tour points earned directly impact national rankings.
The Speed Nation NorAm SBX also gives the snowboard cross athletes opportunities to earn FIS points.
Friday, Jan. 3 was a training day followed by two full days of racing.
On the final day of competition, the Speed Nation NorAm SBX closed off with an awards ceremony at the village stage across from Morrisey’s Public House.
Standing on the podium for their wins during race day one’s male category was Mason Griffin from Canada with gold, Boden Gerry from the U.S. with silver and Jasper Matthe from Canada with bronze.
On race day two, the winners were, in order, Gerry, Griffin and Blake Broussard from the U.S.
In the women’s category, Madeline Lochte-Bono from the U.S. took gold on day one, followed by Brianna Schnorrbusch from the U.S. with silver and Hanna Percy from the U.S. with bronze.
Schnorrbusch secured first place on day two, followed by Madeline LochteBono and Virginia Boyd from the U.S. with third.
The next stops for Speed Nation will be Horseshoe on March 6-7 and Mont Sainte Anne on April 12-13 for the Canadian National Championships.
Powder Ventures snow cross course
After a significant amount of time and money was invested into Sun Peaks Resort LLP’s (SPR) brand new snow cross course, Speed Nation was the first event held at the location, breaking it in and proving its value as a competition course.
From her perspective, director of communications for SPR Christina Antoniak said she felt the event and ideal location of the course brought animation and energy to the village base.
People in line for the lifts at the base were able to look up at the course and hear the announcer’s voice reverberating through the village.
“Being able to come on beside the sidelines…where the athletes come across the finish line, that was really neat and so easy to access,” Antoniak added.
Spectators are able to saddle up to the sidelines of races held at this cross course when coming off of Sundowner and Homesteader, something she hopes people take advantage of in the future to fully cheer on the athletes at the axis of excitement.
Winners in the male catagoryof the Sun Peaks Speed Nation NorAm SBX event take to the podium on Jan. 5, 2025. Photos via Facebook/BC Snowboard
Prefix with -cep or -ceratops 62 Receiving a pension, maybe: Abbr.
63 Got in on the game
SUNDAYS
Sun Peaks Church has officially opened and will be holding a service every Sunday evening at 5 p.m. Everyone is welcome to join at the Annex.
The Thompson-Nicola Regional Library’s mobile library visits Sun Peaks School every Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
At Morrisey’s Public House, Sunday Fundays include a DJ set starting at 8 p.m.
MONDAYS
Mark your calendars for Quizzy Rascal Trivia Monday nights at Morrisey’s Public House, starting at 7 p.m. Each person pays $2 in cash for entry, in teams of up to six people. Table reservations are strongly encouraged, which you can do by emailing scraig@ sunpeaksgrand.com or calling 250-578-6062.
TUESDAYS
Locals’ Nights continue at Bottoms Bar and Grill. Tuesdays will give everyone a chance to dance as a DJ plays music and bar service runs until 1 a.m.
Every Tuesday at 6, there is guided meditation at the Kookaburra Lodge. Drop ins are welcome for $15 a session.
THURSDAYS
Bottoms Bar and Grill has karaoke every Thursday night. Make sure to show up early because the bar fills up fast with eager singers and spectators.
FRIDAYS
AA community addictions meetings run every Friday at Sun Peaks Secondary beside the Health Clinic, starting at 7:30 p.m.
SATURDAYS
At Morrisey’s Public House, there is live music at 8 p.m. every Saturday and you won’t want to miss the range of musicians playing all winter.
JAN. 16 - JAN. 18
ArtZone Sun Peaks is presenting the 5th Annual Sun Peaks Film Festival running all weekend at the Sun Peaks Centre. Thursday and Friday nights’ itinerary includes curated films from the Vancouver International Film Festival World Tour (VIMFF), bringing viewers stories of mountain adventure. Saturday night’s screening will show films from a local contest in partnership with McSporties, which is putting up a prize, along with $500 from ArtZone for the winner, and the double feature Warren Miller's 75 ! Doors open at 6:15 p.m. and films start at 7 p.m.
JAN. 18
Each month, including Jan. 18, a Catholic mass will be held at the Annex starting at 5 p.m.
JAN. 20
A unique soundscape experience will be held at the Sun Peaks Centre from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. With sound therapy and quantum healing frequencies, this soundcraft journey is designed to harmonize your mind, body and soul. Register online at lifecraft. thrivecart.com/soundcraft-sunpeaks/.
EVENTS
JAN. 17 - FEB. 12, 2025
JAN. 22
If you’ve been hoping to better yourself for the new year and want to lay out your goals in a fun and creative way, join Emma Hull at 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. for a vision board workshop. Open to anyone, join at Morrisey’s Public House for $45 after reserving your spot online.
Sip N Paints are back starting at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 22 at Bottoms Bar and Grill. Victoria Giles is hosting this watercolour paint night with half price bottles of wine. Reserve your spot by reaching out to hello@ victoriagileswatercolour.com.
JAN. 22, FEB. 5
An exclusive event hosted by Mantles Restaurant, a Harvest Table Wine Dinner is going to be held from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. These dinners, showcasing B.C. wineries paired with a three course dinner, are open for registration until 12 available spots are filled. On Jan. 22, Privato Vineyard & Winery in Kamloops will be running the show and Feb. 5 it will be hosted by Bench 1775 Winery. Registration is online at sunpeaksgrand.com under Grand Moments and costs $95 per person.
JAN. 24 - JAN. 25
The TELUS Nancy Greene Alpine Classic fundraising is returning for its 28th edition. On Friday, coaching and practice is available for four-person ski/snowboard teams which can be amongst the first to try out the new cross course. The event will be held on Saturday and will run all day with final registration at 8 a.m., followed by practices and races on the course and
ending with a celebration party in the Sun Peaks Grand Ballroom. Go to facebook.com/ SunPeaksAlpineClassic for more details as they become available.
JAN. 26
Celebrating Aussie culture in Sun Peaks, Australia Day this year includes a Sunburst pre-party at the Sunburst Bar and Eatery from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., a group ski down 5 Mile at 3 p.m. and an après party running at Masa’s Bar and Grill from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Dress in your finest Aussie attire for this all day event.
JAN. 27
Continuing the Sun Peaks Grand’s Master Class Mondays, there will be a lesson on preparing arroz con pollo led by Chef Melissa Vindas Montero. Enjoy the finished three-course meal including salad and cake paired with a glass of wine following your hard work. Registration is online at sunpeaksgrand.com under Grand Moments/Master Class Mondays and costs $80 per person, with capacity limited to twelve people. This event will run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Sun Peaks Grand Hotel.
FEB. 1
Debbie Milner-Lively is hosting an oil or acrylic painting workshop from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Nancy Greene’s Cahilty Lodge’s meeting room for all experience levels. Participants must bring supplies from the list online and will be taught about the importance of value and design while creating art from images of snow laden trees. The supply list and link to registration can be found at artzonesunpeaks. com where you can secure your spot at the cost of $110 plus taxes and fees.
Sun Peaks village celebrates annual film festival. Photo by Nicole Perry/Sun Peaks Independent News
FEB. 2
Avalanche Awareness and Snow Safety Day will be led by Helly Hansen and Sun Peaks Snow Safety at the Beacon Basin on the top of the Sunburst Express. This educational experience includes live demonstrations of companion rescue and avalanche rescue challenges with the chance to win prizes.
FEB. 3 - FEB. 7
The Professional Ski Association of Canada (PSIC) is coming to Sun Peaks for instructor training courses, including this level three training course running five days for those with level one and two training. Register online at snowreg.com before Jan. 31.
FEB. 4 - FEB. 9
The Sun Peaks Freestyle Canada Cup is a sanctioned Freestyle Canada event, bringing some action to Sun Peaks this February. A national competition circuit, Canada Cup events prepare athletes for the international
stage. Freestyle athletes from across Canada are invited to develop competitive skills while gaining critical national and international FIS points. More information can be found online at freestylecanada.ski.
FEB. 4, FEB. 8, FEB. 11
Morrisey’s Public House is hosting Murder Mystery nights for $30. You can secure your spot at the door or by contacting bluechestgames@gmail.com in advance. These events start at 7 p.m., with doors opening at 6:30 p.m., and the themes vary each night. On Feb. 4 and Feb. 11, participants will be part of an immersive experience titled “Death of a Patriarch” and the theme for Feb. 8 is “The Fall of Grace.”
FEB. 8 - FEB. 9
Sun Peaks Demo Days will be utilizing the ski through village with local shops setting up tents and booths right outside the outlets for you to demo the newest equipment from
top ski and snowboard brands. This will be running from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. all the way through the village stroll and slopeside. While you're out, make sure to check out 25 per cent off offerings at Elevation Bike, Ski and Board and Southside Board Shop, running all weekend long.
FEB. 10 - FEB. 12
For those currently uncertified as a ski instructor, this level one course brought to Sun Peaks by the PSIC is your chance to get a foot in the door. Register online at snowreg. com.
FEB. 12
The second studio 50 plus dance party is themed to align with Valentine’s Day, with a Love is in the Air Theme, as retro music from the 70s to the 90s is bumping. The night will go from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. with free entry.
Mark your calenders for Harvest Wine Dinners, every other week at Mantles Restaurant and Lounge. Photo by Aaron Macdonald/Sun Peaks Resort LLP
For the second year, the stoke series highlights the skills of local terrain park athletes in Sun Peaks. Photo by Nicole Perry/Sun Peaks Independent News
SUN PEAKS & AREA SINCE 1995!
57 Trail's Edge, Sun Peaks, BC
$999,000 GST N/A
2 Bed | 2.5 Bath, 1253 sq.ft., Zoned TA-1
Ski-in/out townhome w/ tandem garage. Centrally located w/ panoramic views of mountains & valley. Zoned for nightly rentals. Offered furnished.
2 Powder Ridge, Sun Peaks, BC
$1,100,000 +GST
3 Bed | 3 Bath, 1557 sq.ft., Zoned RM-3
Ski-in, ski-out townhome with private hot tub, backyard, sunny decks, and tandem garage. Stunning mountain views, luxury finishes, & offered fully furnished.
Alder Estates
Lots starting at $549,000 +GST
Discover the perfect blend of mountain living and outdoor adventures at Alder Estates! Adjacent to Sun Peaks Golf Course, these 16 lots offer prime skiing and biking access. With gentle topography, southern/westerly exposure, underground utilities, and stunning mountain views, this unique subdivision is zoned for short-term rentals. Ideal for investors or dream-home builders, don't miss out on this exceptional mountain retreat! Visit alder-estates.ca for more information.
1330 Burfield Drive, Sun Peaks, BC
$1,050,000
2 Bed | 3 Bath, 1680 sq.ft., Zoned R-1
Half duplex backing onto McGillivray Creek w/ extensive upgrades & landscaping. 1332 Burfield Dr. also for sale w/ a site-specific amendment for office-based business.
53 Settlers Crossing, Sun Peaks, BC
$769,000 +GST
2 Bed | 2 Bath, 934 sq.ft., Zoned TA-2
Top floor south-facing condo w/ amazing mountain views & easy access to the Orient chairlift. Inlcudes private ski locker plus large stoarge cage & underground parking.
205/211 Cahilty Lodge, Sun Peaks, BC
$439,900 +GST
2 Bed | 2 Bath, 820 sq.ft., Zoned CC-1
Ski-in/out Condo-Hotel unit w/ unlimited owner use. Hotel ammenities include indoor/outdoor hot tubs, gym, ski storage.& proffesional in-house managagement team.
4119 Sundance Drive, Sun Peaks, BC
$3,399,000 GST N/A
4 Bed | 5 Bath, 4059 sq.ft., Zoned RS-1
Ski-in, ski-out slopeside home w/ self-contained 2-bedroom legal suite. Soaring windows, radiant in-floor heat, HRV, hot tub, & oversized double car garage.