Volume 15 Issue 9 > SEPTEMBER 1 — SEPTEMBER 28
>> Upcycled wood artist’s pieces stand test of time
Water woes
AT HEFFLEY LAKE
A craft of neccesity by JEAN STRONG
>> Page 4
Changes
TO CAMPFIRE BYLAW >> Read more on Page 6
AUTUMN
Weather Forecast SEPT 1—7 Showers, then sunny, cool
SEPT 8—20 A few showers, cool
SEPT 21—28 Sunny, cool
When you drive past Michelle Maule’s Whitecroft home you would never know that just down the driveway is a fairytale-like oasis. Handmade mobiles and tribal masks hang over plush benches covered in sheepskin and strewn with colourful pillows. Felt appliques line the walls and handwoven baskets hang in a line from the ceiling. It’s cool out of the summer heat and it gives Maule and me a place to sit and talk about her artwork that surrounds us. She hasn’t always been a creator; she studied political science and english at Upper Cariboo College (now Thompson Rivers University) in Kamloops and the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. But she moved back to Whitecroft to ski Tod Mountain and open a bed and breakfast. Short on cash, through trial and error she taught herself to
make furniture needed for the B & B. Beds, tables, bars, chairs and more were carved out of timber from an old bridge in Pritchard, B.C. She learned hospitality wasn’t for her. “I don’t really like housekeeping and making beds and cooking,” Maule said. But guests passing through fell in love with her work, asking to buy pieces from the home and submitting requests for custom work. Now, nearly 30 years later, she has outfitted entire homes at Sun Peaks, created unique pieces for local businesses and sent her work north to Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing’s lodge in Blue River, B.C. “I had no idea (it would come this far),” Maule said. “I just started making furniture because I couldn’t afford to buy it and I had all this wood.” The pieces have character. Maule has to dry, grind, cut, sand and oil the wood, often a few times, to make her imagina-
Michelle Maule at home in one of her custom made rocking chairs. | PHOTO SPIN
tion come to life. “Every piece of wood is an individual and it tells you what to do with it,” she said. Custom rocking chairs are one of her favourites, she said. They can mix up to seven types of wood to create a piece unique to the person who will use it. Maule also likes to incorporate antlers and bone and use marbles to fill small holes. It adds even more character to the work. Mutations or burls on the tree are crafted into large bowls. Woodworking is her summer project, and when I visited it was clear she was in full swing with projects scattered around her large yard. But when the days are cooler and shorter she heads inside to weave baskets, create felt appliques and write short stories. It’s another case of teaching herself a craft. “My mother told me a long time ago you can learn how to do anything if you know how
to read.” Her baskets are woven from long ponderosa pine needles and feature antler and bone handles. The appliques are detailed and colourful featuring loons, herons and bears. One that portrays Sun Peaks features flowers planted under the Burfield chairlift from the phantom gardener, the famous red fox and the family of bears who are the namesake of Three Bears run on Sundance Mountain. Her newest project is a book of short stories, inspired by creative writing classes, which a friend wants to publish. She isn’t likely to slow down anytime soon, she said. Throughout the winter she can still be found racing in the Friday Race Series with her daughter and she spends six months of the year travelling the world. “I still think I have a lot of energy and it’s nice to be able to work from home.” Maule can be contacted at michellemaule700@gmail.com.
Vol 15 Issue 9 September 1 — September 28
sunpeaksnews.com
1
SUN PEAKS INDEPENDENT NEWS INC. PO Box 1043 Sun Peaks BC V0E 5N0
LOCAL NEWS Utilities purchase moves ahead
Phone: 250•578•0276 For comments, questions, concerns email: editor@sunpeaksnews.com Email your classifieds or ads to: editor@sunpeaksnews.com
by JEAN STRONG
www.sunpeaksnews.com @sunpeaksnews /sunpeaksnews sunpeaksnews @sunpeaksnews
#sunpeaksnews
A
fter the alternative approval process (AAP) period passed without issue last month the purchase of Sun Peaks Utilities Corp. Limited by Sun Peaks Mountain
Resort Municipality will move ahead. A quashing period ended on Aug. 25. The AAP was required to approve Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality to borrow up to $950,000 which will be repaid over 20 years. Bylaws required to borrow
funds and make the purchase have been sent to the province for approval. Chief administrative officer for the municipality, Rob Bremner, said lawyers are reviewing documents to move forward with the purchase. The purchase was triggered by required upgrades to the
water and wastewater systems. These costly expansions may be partially funded by grants if the utility is owned by a municipality, but not if it’s privately owned as it currently is. It would also allow for better borrowing rates and the enforcement of tariffs through municipal bylaws.
OUR TEAM
Heffley Lake Community Association advocates
EDITOR & PUBLISHER Brandi Schier
brandi@sunpeaksnews.com
by JEAN STRONG
GRAPHIC ARTIST Jen Schier
jen@sunpeaksnews.com
T
he Heffley Lake Community Association held their Annual General Meeting on Aug. 6 to review the past year of advocacy for
residents of the area. As of Aug. 15 there were 63 paid members, an increase of 13 from the previous year. Attendees listened to a presentation by Sun Peaks Fire Rescue captain Dean Schiavon on fire prevention and the use of AEDs (Automatic Exter-
nal Defibrillator). Presentations were also given on the declining number of birds nesting in the lake, water testing, water levels and considerate boat use. Mel Rothenburger, director of Area P in the Thompson Nicola Regional District, was
in attendance and said he planned to advocate for the issues of cellphone coverage, speeding on the highway between Heffley Creek and Sun Peaks and adding authority to enforce no-tow restrictions during floods.
REPORTER Jean Strong jean@sunpeaksnews.com
Halt on rental rezoning making some buyers cautious
WEEKEND REPORTER Aidan Grether aidan@sunpeaksnews.com
CONTRIBUTORS Mel Rothenburger Emily Perrins Kevin McGuire Meghan Kolodka Allen Best Maddy Butcher Each issue reaches thousands of readers and one copy is available FREE to residents and visitors. Anyone taking papers in bulk will be prosecuted. The opinions expressed in the articles do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher, owners or writers. This publication may not be reproduced in any form without prior written consent from the publisher.
ON THE COVER
Photo by SPIN
2
sunpeaksnews.com
by JEAN STRONG
A
moratorium by Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality (SPMRM) on rezoning properties to RS1-A, which allows nightly rentals, has some buyers looking to purchase investment rental properties using caution. The halt on new rezoning applications came on July 4 after council received complaints about issues with nightly rentals in neighbourhoods. It essentially places any property owners looking to rent out their residentially zoned home nightly for the upcoming winter in limbo, as council started requiring the short-term rental zoning in 2015. Since the rezoning process began around one and half years
Vol 15 Issue 9 September 1 — September 28
ago, many homes have been successfully rezoned. The municipal council also hired an independent contractor in January to assist with locating and cracking down on short-term rentals. A letter sent to council by Maureen and Bryan Walker described issues they’ve had in the Lookout Ridge area where they live full time. They stated homes meant for two to six people are regularly occupied by more than 10 which means guests are parking on streets and undeveloped lots. They also said the situation causes emotional stress on residents who expected to live in a quiet residential area instead of busier tourist area. They added the process of spot rezoning didn’t allow for real feedback from residents as many lots are undeveloped
so there is limited notification and objection. In response to this letter and similar complaints from others, no new applications will be accepted for the time being. SPRM chief administrative officer Rob Bremner said while the moratorium is in place homeowners are still able to rent their properties long term to seasonal workers or other residents. “The community is changing significantly. It’s way different than it was five years ago,” he said. He said if and when the moratorium is removed will depend on community feedback and welcomed residents to write in or attend a public meeting so councillors can hear from both sides. A public information session will be held on Sept. 16 at
Nancy Greene’s Cahilty Hotel on short-term rentals on both Burfield Dr. and throughout the community. Lark Frolek-Dale, owner of Remax Alpine Resort Realty Corp., said she has heard from new owners who are glad they didn’t purchase a home that wasn’t already zoned RS1-A. “It’s definitely a quality buyers are looking for. It has value,” she said. But she added this year she has seen more buyers looking to move here permanently for the lifestyle rather than to make money on a rental property. “There are a lot more buyers coming into the resort right now that don’t have the intention of renting. More people are moving here for the lifestyle,” she said. “More and more are buying residential homes for their personal use.”
4118 Sundance Drive, Sun Peaks, BC
250.578.7773 sunpeakscollection.com OPEN DAILY 9 TO 5 IN THE VILLAGE STROLL AT SUN PEAKS LAST AVAILABLE IN VILLAGEWALK
$689,900 gst applicable
$1,250,000
$1,499,999 4118 Sundance Drive, Sun Peaks, BC
4102 Sundance Drive, Sun Peaks, BC
13 VillageWalk, Sun Peaks, BC
True ski-in/out, level entry access. featuring an open floor plan including inviting outdoor areas, spacious family room with wet bar, quiet retreat options & 2 bedroom suite. Fully furnished.
Enjoy exceptional creekside privacy & tranquility with this ski-in/out mountain chalet. Includes bright, main floor revenue suite, double garage & dramatic 2 story corner windows in main living area.
New construction. Spacious 3 level townhouse, 3 bedrooms plus flex room & garage. Please refer to Disclosure Statement for specific offering details. E.&O.E, rendering is an artistic representation.
NEW PRICE
NEW CONSTRUCTION
$489,000
$459,000
$429,000 gst applicable
1335 Burfied Drive, Sun Peaks, BC
16 McGillivray Creek, Sun Peaks, BC
2 - 1305 Burfield Drive, Sun Peaks, BC
Charming 3 bedroom half duplex with private garage. Post & beam construction with rustic hardwood flooring & newly installed efficient, wood burning stove in the open living area.
This immaculate, level entry, 2 bedroom, 2.5 bath townhouse features convenient ski-in/ski-out access, hard wood flooring, quartz counter tops, new hot tub, backyard patio, sun deck & private garage.
New 3 bedroom, 2 and a half bath second and third floor condo. Please refer to the Disclosure Statement for specific offering details. E & OE, rendering is an artistic representation only.
2,3 & 4 bedroom ski-in, ski-out alpine townhomes and condos
COMING SOON $349,000
$254,900
24 Sun Mountain Villas, Sun Peaks, BC
5329 Lookout Ridge Drive, Sun Peaks, BC
3 level townhouse with private, 2 car garage and hot tub. Offered fully furnished, this 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom end unit features a bright, open living area with cozy gas fireplace and updated appliances.
This gently sloping building lot in Sun Peaks’ newest ski-through residential development boasts southern exposure. Suitable for a level entry style chalet with revenue suite & walk-out basement.
$129,900 gst applicable
$65,000
425 Cahilty Hotel & Suites, Sun Peaks, BC
1403 C The Residences, Sun Peaks, BC
Experience slopeside convenience & mountain views in this 2 level, condo with unlimited owner use & the benefits of a fully managed four season lodge. King size bed in loft, plus a pull out sofa.
Top floor 1/4 ownership offering in ‘The Residences at Sun Peaks Grand’ combines 4 diamond services and amenities in this elegant, fully furnished, ski-in/out, 1 bedroom, 1 bath apartment.
*This is not an offering for sale. An offering for sale may only be made after filing a Disclosure Statement under the Real Estate Development Marketing Act. E. & O. E.
WE HAVE BUYERS WAITING FOR LISTINGS
RECENTLY SOLD
IF YOU’VE BEEN THINKING OF SELLING, CONTACT OUR OFFICE FOR A FREE, NO OBLIGATION MARKET EVALUATION 250.578.7773
2466 Fairways Dr., Sun Peaks ................List Price: $895,000 2415 Fairways Dr., Sun Peaks ................ List Price:$729,900 16 Fairway Cottage, Sun Peaks ........... List Price: $599,900 4139 Douglas Court, Sun Peaks ........... List Price: $549,000 17 Woodhaven, Sun Peaks .................... List Price: $529,000
Our agents offer exemplary service and marketing for homes in every neighbourhood at:
1 Settler’s Crossing, Sun Peaks............. List Price: $385,000 17 Settler’s Crossing, Sun Peaks .......... List Price: $339,900 49 Settler’s Crossing, Sun Peaks .......... List Price: $319,000 2438 Fairways Drive, Sun Peaks.......... List Price: $229,900 5330 Lookout Ridge Dr., Sun Peaks .... List Price: $225,000
sothebysrealty.com sothebysrealty.ca wallstreetjournal.com newyorktimes.com, ft.com jamesedition.com mansionglobal.com juwai.com
local expertise, global connections .
plus dozens of exclusive websites and publications.
Sotheby’s International Realty Canada, Independently Owned and Operated. E.&O.E.: This information is from sources which we deem reliable, but must be verified by prospective purchasers and may be subject to change or withdrawal.
sunpeakscollection.com
Vol 15 Issue 9 September 1 — September 28
sunpeaksnews.com
3
LOCAL NEWS Conflict brews over Heffley Lake water levels by JEAN STRONG
A
s water dropped to record low levels on Heffley Lake this August, homeowners are preparing to spend thousands of dollars or go without potable water. Water was already five feet below seasonal averages when the Heffley Lake Community Association (HLCA) was informed the Heffley Irrigation District (HID) would be drawing it down an additional three feet. The HID has held the water license for more than 100 years and have the legal right to use the water as it’s needed to irrigate crops and for livestock. But taking the water from Heffley Lake, which was previously three reservoirs before a dam raised water levels to join two,
Water at Heffley Lake is the lowest since 1977. | PHOTO SPIN
creating Little and Big Heffley, will impact homeowners and the environment. Tor Schmid, a member of the HLCA, has been keeping data on the lake for 40 years. He said water is at its lowest since 1977 and the impact is “enormous.” The boat launch at the recreation site at the east end of the lake has been modified to block trailerable boats from entering the lake. It could stay that way until spring when water levels
rise again. The change was made to protect riparian habitat and to ensure boats that enter the lake aren’t trapped when the water lowers further. The launch could also be dangerous at such low levels as it drops off steeply. But it’s more than an annoyance for those who want to recreate on the water; homeowners who use lake water may have to redrill wells lower or freeze-proof existing water lines with heating
lines in the pipe or insulation. It’s an expensive project and it’s unclear when levels will return to normal. According to Schmid, some owners are closing their cottages for the winter and won’t return until they can access water again. For others who call the area home year round, the options are to lower water intakes or redrill wells if the lake falls below their reach. Even if intakes reach the lake more pipe will be exposed which requires protection through insulation, sand bags or heated lines installed in the pipe. The HLCA has been in close contact with the HID and the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources to ensure the impact is known, but they understand the HID is acting within their rights. “We draw unlicensed water
and need to be below (the lowest water level). That’s just a fact of life,” said Schmid. “They have a right to draw down too, they’re making a living and using it for irrigation and animals. “It impacts a lot of us but the law is on the side of the ranchers (HID).” However, they worry the HID may receive permission to draw another one and a half feet below their license, which would cause even more damage to the lake, docks, foreshore and nesting birds and animals. “That would be a disaster,” Schmid said. He said some bays would dry up completely and the lake would likely split back into two. “We want to be sure if they apply (to draw more water), the HLCA is registered as objecting. The impact on people here is astronomical.”
Max capacity bylaw amended by JEAN STRONG
S
hort-term rental owners should be careful not to rent over the maximum capacity outlined in the B.C. Building Act as a new bylaw amendment will give Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality (SPMRM) the ability to enforce the rule by pulling the business license of those who don’t comply. Under the act, and the amendment, maximum capacity is defined as two adults (aged 16 or over) per room, regardless of the number of beds, an arrangement which doesn’t comply to many short-term rentals which can contain several adult
sleeping areas in one room. The amendment has now passed its third reading and is in effect. A Cage, owner of the Top of the Mountain Accommodation and Management, submitted a letter to council against the change which was shared during a July 25 council meeting. He said since January 2015, Sun Peaks’ vacation homes have generated more than $1 million in gross sales for his property management company and more than 80 per cent of those bookings had more than two people per bedroom. He added that he thinks guests or property managers would lie about the number of
guests per room and the community would lose business. He also wrote that those who follow the bylaw would be at a disadvantage and lose business to those willing to lie about capacity. Cage explained that because townhomes and condos aren’t subjected to the same zoning requirements they won’t have to follow the bylaw like detached homes will. This could mean 10 people in a four bedroom townhouse but only six people in a home with 50 per cent more space, he said. He pointed to a recent booking of 16 people he had to turn down because of the changes. “We’ll do our best to be in compliance, if we turn them
down someone else will take them at another resort. “I really understand how hard council has worked to find a middle ground for everybody,” he said. “But I feel like they’re creating an unwinnable, unmanageable situation. When you create bylaws that can’t be followed you’re expecting people to disobey the law.” Rob Bremner, chief administrative officer (CAO) for SPMRM, said no changes to the amendment were made in response to the letter because the regulation isn’t directly from the municipality. According to Bremner, if the bylaw wasn’t amended they could still use the building code violation to respond to complaints but the
change will make it easier to deal with situations brought to their attention. Bremner also said it won’t be a case of the municipality knocking on doors to check capacity, but if there are problem properties receiving complaints it is another tool they can use. “Bylaw is report driven,” he said. “It’s just another tool for short-term rental issues that puts the onus on owners and managers to manage and deal with issues. The last thing we want to do is enforce it.” Bremner said in his five years as CAO there has been one capacity complaint and the majority of complaints are about parking and noise, for which responses are also report driven.
Hydro work nearly complete by JEAN STRONG
A
s of mid-August upgrades being completed by BC Hydro along Sun Peaks Road and Village Way were around 60 per cent complete. The current part of the project is expected to be finished in early fall before electrical equipment is installed. Marcel Jittler, managing
4
sunpeaksnews.com
partner of of Noremac, is one of many working on the project. His truck pumps concrete on top of the conduit after it is installed. Once a local of Whitecroft and Sun Peaks, he now lives in Kamloops but skis at the resort with his family often. He said being a part of the project and many others in the area is exciting and will help his business and others. “I consider Sun Peaks to be
Vol 15 Issue 9 September 1 — September 28
a bit of my hometown,” he said. “It’s awesome that more reliable power means more houses and buildings and more work for us.” Work is being done to improve reliability, capacity and flexibility of the BC Hydro systems by creating an underground duct bank. It will mean power outages don’t affect the entire community at once as the new system can be sectioned off.
A portion of the road between the Village Day Lodge and Fairways Dr. had a detour to allow two way traffic to pass. Previous sections along Creekside Way saw long wait times for one way traffic to pass. BC Hydro said the longer wait times were due to the road being too narrow for a two way detour. For the final phase of the project on Village Way from Creekside Way to Sun Peaks
Road alternating one way traffic has returned and wait times are expected to range from 10 to 15 minutes. Repaving of the roads dug up by crews will be completed in September. “We appreciate the inconvenience and would like to thank residents and visitors to Sun Peaks for their continued patience while this important improvement project is underway,” BC Hydro said in an email.
COMMUNITY COLUMNIST VIEWS Summer emphasized the importance of tourism to Area P MEL ROTHENBURGER TNRD REPORT director.mrothenburger@tnrd.ca
Mel Rothenburger is the TNRD Director for Electoral Area P, including Whitecroft and Heffley Creek. He was the mayor of Kamloops from 1999-2005 and a former newspaper editor.
There’s nothing like a sunny summer day and a leisurely drive in the country to make you appreciate what a beautiful part of the region we live in. On just such a day very recently, I visited three resorts in Electoral Area P — Knouff Lake Resort, Jandana Ranch and Pinantan Lake Resort — with Lorne Richardson, the marketing co-ordinator for the Lower North Thompson Tourism Society, of which Area P is a member. That’s as many as we could squeeze in on one day, but we’ll be visiting others over the next while. The three I just mentioned have a lot in common — beautiful locations, excellent facilities, and they’ve been family operated for many years.
The dock at Knouff Lake. | PHOTO SUBMITTED
(I have a historical connection to Knouff Lake, as James Vincent Knouff, after whom the lake is named, was one of my ancestors, but that’s a story for another day.) We were with a two-person video crew who were recording scenes — with the aid of a drone — for promotional material for Area P and other North Thompson resorts. Area P resorts have felt the effects of this year’s wildfires
as tourists read about them on the Internet and re-think their vacation plans but in general the resort operators say they’re getting through it okay. The fact that we’ve had a minimum of wildfire activity in Area P compared to other parts of the regional district and B.C. certainly helps. Tourism agencies such as the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) have been doing their best
to reassure vacationers that B.C. is still a great place to visit. TOTA, as it’s known, has worked with Destination BC to get the word out via media here at home and elsewhere. TOTA has also been collecting information about the economic impact of the wildfires on tourism businesses for presentation to the provincial government. The rumor mill has a way of taking over as misinformation spins off from legitimate news reports and distance warps facts. When rumors circulate that Kamloops itself is being threatened by the fires it’s easy to see how visitors can get the wrong idea. This summer has served to highlight the importance of tourism to Area P. Sun Peaks, though no longer within the boundaries of Area P since incorporating as a resort municipality, is sort of the centre of the donut when it comes to Area P tourism. Facilities such as nearby Knouff, Epona Rise Retreat Centre and the Hitch N Rail Resort complement Sun Peaks — and vice ver-
sa — and provide wonderful vacation experiences. At Jandana, we spoke with a fellow from southern England who was there with his family. As we watched his young daughter receive a riding lesson in the riding ring, he talked about their vacation plans. They’d been to eastern Canada on previous trips but this was their first time in the west and they were loving it. While they planned to visit the Coast as well, what they really wanted was a variety of outdoor activities. Jandana filled the bill perfectly on that day. After a few days in our area, they planned to head into the Okanagan. We were interested to hear him say that Canada isn’t all that well known in the U.K. as a tourism destination, which makes sense given the proximity to Europe. Which only means there’s tremendous potential for building the market for British tourists here. I look forward to visiting other accommodation operators and talking to them about how to enhance tourism marketing in our electoral area.
SPONSORED CONTENT Saving money on rising gas prices by KEVIN MCGUIRE SUN PEAKS PLUMBING & HEATING SUNPEAKSPLUMBINGANDHEATING.COM
kevinewhs@gmail.com
As of June 15, Sun Peaks Utility Co. Ltd. increased their gas prices from $9.6750/Gj to $13.8474, a 43 per cent increase in costs. Kevin McGuire of Sun Peaks Plumbing & Heating
has a way to keep propane costs low, even in the upcoming cold months. By installing a fireplace blower, more of the heat generated by a propane, gas or wood burning stove can be pushed into the house instead of being lost up the chimney. Additionally, the fan’s temperature activated switch cuts the amount of time the gas fireplaces are on for.
When the temperature activated switch detects a temperature of 120F, the fireplace blower fan will turn on. Once the fireplace’s wall thermostat is satisfied, at around 70F, the fireplace flames will turn off. However the blower fan will run for an additional 20 minutes using more of the generated heat that would be lost to the outdoors. By utilizing this heat more evenly throughout the house, cus-
tomers have saved up to 40 per cent on their gas bills. Sun Peaks resident Al Turner installed one of the systems last fall, and hasn’t looked back. “Up until this past winter, my gas bill was about $100 per month. I installed the fan in the fall, and it cut my winter bill to $60 per month, even through the few very cold weeks we had up here,” he said.
But there’s been noticeable change in more than just his gas bill. “You can really feel the heat in all of the room, not just the heat that radiates from the fireplace. The fan makes more of the heat usable, instead of lost out the chimney.” Turner said he expected a two year return on his initial investment. “I just wish I’d known about it sooner,” he said.
Vol 15 Issue 9 September 1 — September 28
sunpeaksnews.com
5
LOCAL NEWS Letters lost in translation >>Changes to mailboxes cause confusion
PUBLIC MEETINGS Council will be holding public information sessions on September 16th at Nancy Greene’s Cahilty Hotel & Suites as follows:
BURFIELD DRIVE – 2:00 PM
by JEAN STRONG
Council will be reviewing options regarding Rezoning for Short Term Nightly Rentals and Non-conforming suites.
C
hanges to Canada Post post office boxes at Sun Peaks have caused confusion for those trying to receive mail. In August, Canada Post sent a letter informing residents of changes regarding boxes in the community. Previously mailboxes had a P.O. box number and were rented by individuals or families. The new civic addressing system will be by home address and give each home in the area access to a box where they can pick up mail. The changes will mean those living in the community less than six months will not qualify for the community boxes but can rent a box at the Heffley Creek post office if desired.
New mailboxes have been installed at the entrance to Sun Peaks. | PHOTO SPIN
Those who live in suites are unable to receive keys to a box unless the suite is legal, which can be verified by the municipality. Homeowners who wish to pick up their new keys can do so at the post office at 1350 Dalhousie Dr. between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Businesses that currently have door-to-door service will stay the same while those who don’t can call and register for a compartment. If anyone is unable to make
it to Kamloops during business hours or has further questions they can contact Mike Taks in Canada Post delivery services at 250-753-3558 ext. 2001. Free redirection is being provided for one year to give residents time to ensure those who send them items can be notified of the change of address. In an email statement Canada Post said “Civic addressing helps Canada Post improve efficiency and accuracy of mail and parcel delivery to better serve our customers.”
SHORT TERM NIGHTLY RENTALS – 3:30 PM Council will be seeking input on the impact to the community, owners and neighbours regarding short-term nightly rental properties throughout the community.
Comments and submissions can be made via email: admin@sunpeaksmunicipality.ca
LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS >> Slowing Burfield Drive As Burfield Dr. undergoes a transition from parties to family barbecues, resident Joe Timms is calling for drivers to slow down on the road. Timms created an informal
>> New rules for campfires In the name of prevention, anyone wanting to have a campfire in Sun Peaks now has a more detailed set of rules to follow. Changes have been made to bylaw #7 that outline when and how campfires can be started. “We wanted to enable us to control how many (campfires)
online petition that received more than 50 responses. He said his children don’t live with him but from his home he can see kids playing in the street and often has to shout to warn them a vehicle is approaching. “Some are probably going over 50 kilometres an hour,” he said. “They are moving fast.” He said he has witnessed
close calls between between cars and people or animals and wanted to do what he could to avoid a tragedy. Now he knows he has local support, he plans to approach the council of Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality (SPMRM) to request lowering the limit from 50 to 30 kilometres an hour. Chief administrative officer of SPMRM, Rob
Bremner, said it’s a great idea but may prove difficult to enforce without a regular RCMP presence. “When they (RCMP) are here they focus on impaired driving, speeding and stop signs,” Bremner said. He added signs are not expensive and Timms would have to write an official letter to council for them to consider the change.
are being lit in the valley,” said Colin Cannon, Sun Peaks Fire Rescue (SPFR) Chief. “The goal is to give public concrete directions on how and when burning is allowed.” Now those who wish to burn must first receive a free permit from SPFR who will ensure there are no more than five campfires burning at one time. This will allow SPFR to learn how many people are actually having fires and make them aware of fires as they are burned. It will also give them a chance to deny the permit if
wildfire danger is rated at high or extreme or if poor venting in the valley will make smoke hang in the air. Also, fires are now only allowed to be burned in noncombustible containers, not on the ground. Cannon said even fires that are extinguished can smolder on the ground and get into root systems and cause large fires. Fires will not be allowed to be lit within five metres of a structure and must be extinguished by 10 p.m. “We don’t want to be a
downer but for the good and safety of everybody here at Sun Peaks we don’t want fires lit when nobody is around to watch them,” Cannon said. Propane pits were also added to the bylaw for the first time. They do not require a permit to operate but Cannon said they have to be approved by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). Cannon said the goal isn’t to ban campfires or fine people but to enforce with education and more defined standards to refer to.
• groceries • produce Meat & Produce • Baked Goods Oso Negro Coffee • Pharmacy/Personal Items
WE’RE OPEN DAILY For all your grocery needs See you at the Bluebird Market 11:30am to 6:30 p.m. Everyday beginning September 5th
Located on the ground floor of the Residences at Sun Peaks Grand
Phone:250-578-2414
WESTSYDE YDE VICE SERVICE Auto Repairs Diesel Repairs Air Conditioning Repairs Gov. Certified Inspection Facility
BILL & MIKE LINDSAY Ph: 250-579-5532 Fax: 250-579-5852 3475 Westsyde Rd., Kamloops, BC V2B 8C5
6
sunpeaksnews.com
Vol 15 Issue 9 September 1 — September 28
LOCAL NEWS Flooding disaster relief coming up short for property owner >> Family rushing to complete work before snowfall
by JEAN STRONG
I
n May, Clark Hooton awoke in the night to a large landslide heading towards his house. While it missed his family’s home and no one was injured, the property, including the driveway, was heavily damaged. Repairs have been estimated at $30,000 to $40,000, however
after submitting his application and having the damage evaluated twice, the Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) has stated he will only receive $3,960.75. The DFA was made available to those impacted by flooding for structural repair, cleanup and disinfection, and essential access. It’s set up to cover 80 per cent of the repair and the remainder is paid by the claimant. Hooton said that amount he is set to receive won’t come close to covering the amount of work needed to be completed “That won’t even cover (highway) flagging for a couple of days,” he said. He is in the process of gathering estimates so he can submit an official appeal. Quotes on the required work must be submitted by Sept. 11. The driveway was covered in mud and debris and a wooden
structure over a small culvert was blown away, which will need to be replaced by a bridge. Debris piled up to 12 feet high will also have to be removed from both sides of the road. Additional work is needed to protect his property during the next spring runoff and large amounts of downed timber must be removed as it’s a fire hazard While those costs are not eligible, the damage to the driveway is claimable with DFA. As summer turns to fall, Hooton is arranging machinery to start removing timber while working on the appeal process. “We’ve been relying on our neighbours (for access to our home),” he said. “I’m worried about next spring. If we don’t fix it now it will come down again and take the culvert out again. I can imagine what the flow will be like in the spring.”
Mud has dried and small plants are regrowing on Clark Hooton’s property. | PHOTO SPIN
NEWS BRIEFS >> PurpleAir measuring smoky skies Anyone curious about air quality at Sun Peaks can now check online to see what they
>> Plastic bags no longer recyclable Plastic bags and plastic wrap will have to be sorted from
are inhaling. An air quality sensor sold by the company PurpleAir has been installed near the Umbrella Cafe in the east village. The sensors use a laser to detect particles in the air and then assign a quality on the United States Environmental Protection
Agency’s (EPA) Air Quality Index (AQI). Each reading will fall into one of six categories of the AQI which are colour coded. Green is the best air quality while purple is very unhealthy and maroon is hazardous. Data from every sensor is displayed on a map at
purpleair.com. As smoke from wildfires around the province rolled into the area this summer many questioned local air quality. Unlike Kamloops, Sun Peaks had no public measurements until the sensor came online this August. In July and August Kamloops
recycling at the Sun Peaks Waste Transfer Station come Sept. 5. Bags from groceries, dry cleaning, produce, bread, bulk foods and frozen vegetables will have to be separated from other recycling and placed in
their own collection bin at Thompson Nicola Regional District (TNRD) transfer stations. The change is due to alterations to recycling recovery facilities in the province that make them unable to process
plastic bags. The TNRD encouraged residents to find ways to reuse the bags such as padding in packages or cleaning up after pets. Bags that can’t be reused or recycled can be disposed of in household garbage.
saw ratings two or three times higher than megacities like Beijing, China. The information is important to those curious about health risks, those who are taking part in outdoor sports or those with compromised health. Temperature and humidity is also listed on the site.
READ MORE COMMUNITY BRIEFS AT
sunpeaksnews.com
Vol 15 Issue 9 September 1 — September 28
sunpeaksnews.com
7
WRITERS ON THE RANGE What would the rural West do without volunteer firefighters? >> Small-town firefighters are often first responders to some of the biggest blazes
by MADDY BUTCHER Maddy Butcher is a contributor to Writers on the Range, the opinion service of High Country News. She writes in Mancos, Colorado.
I
f the universe wanted to challenge volunteer firefighters, it would arrange for a fire emergency right smack in the middle of a small town’s annual festival, when fire crews are busy helping run the parade and other events. In this case, lightning started a fire sometime between Saturday night and Sunday morning during Mancos Days, a July celebration in this town of 1,400 in southwestern Colorado. Five members of the 15-member Mancos Fire and Rescue crawled out of their beds and responded when the wildfire was reported at about 5:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 30. As if to test their mettle, smoke was coming from a hard-to-reach cranny of a canyon, with steep terrain full of scrub oak, cedars and pine at an elevation of 7,800 feet. The blaze was also close to homes and less than a mile from the harsh remnants of the devastating Weber Fire, which burned 10,000 acres and caused dozens of evacuations five years ago. Massive fires tend to dominate the headlines. But people often forget that even the biggest conflagration starts out as a flicker, and that the first sighting is often responded to, not by helicopters and Hotshots, but by local volunteers with day jobs. Before sunup in Mancos that Sunday, the crew headed east up Highway 160 in three Type 6 brush trucks, specially outfitted pickup trucks loaded with 200 gallons of water and many
8
sunpeaksnews.com
yards of hose. They continued as far as they could on private gravel roads, and got closer in an all-terrain vehicle driven by a local resident. Then they bushwhacked for 30 minutes to get to the fire, according to Mancos Assistant Fire Chief Ray Aspromonte, who was on the crew. Aspromonte, who works in town as a diesel mechanic, was joined by Gene Smith, a machinist in a local lumber mill; Tavis Anderson, a welder for a local construction company; David Franks, a park ranger at Mesa Verde National Park; and Drew Simmons, a planner for neighboring La Plata County. Of the approximately 30,000 fire departments nationwide, nearly two-thirds are run solely by volunteers, according to a 2017 study by the National Fire Protection Association, a Massachusetts nonprofit established in 1896. In communities with populations under 2,500, more than 90 percent of the fire departments are all-volunteer. By about 8 a.m., at the site of the fire, the crew had felled a burning tree and dug a perimeter around it. The plan was to monitor the blaze. Lacking much water, they hoped that the tiny but volatile fire would sputter out from lack of fuel and lack of wind. They’d carried in 15 gallons of water weighing 125 pounds, along with fire shelters, tools, first aid kits, and the chainsaw. They rested briefly before picking up hoes and Pulaskis to resume their work. Most members of this crew are married, with children, and have been responding to calls for years. They are a busy bunch, attending training sessions every Monday and han-
Vol 15 Issue 9 September 1 — September 28
dling calls almost every day. Last year, they handled 340 calls within a district that spans about 200 square miles. They were the first responders to the Weber Fire five years ago, and they stayed on it for 10 days. They responded to a nine-alarm fire at the Western Excelsior mill this spring and to a recent double-fatality caused by a motor vehicle accident. After a man and his son died on Highway 160, firefighter Franks realized the pair, along with the rest of their family, had been part of a tour he’d led earlier of the Cliff Palace at Mesa Verde. As the sun climbed, the crew began dissecting the dead tree to locate its hottest segments. They split the wood and doused the embers with water. They extinguished any persistent flames and relayed information on their radios. Sometime after noon, they gathered their equipment and headed back to the trucks. Meanwhile, at the Mancos Days festival, the Water Fights, an annual contest between local fire departments, were underway. Firefighting teams from the towns of Mancos, Dolores, Lewis-Arriola and Rico competed, and the Mancos women’s team triumphed. Though there’s only one woman in the fire department, other firefighters’ wives joined her to complete the team. The men’s team fell to Lewis-Arriola in the finals. It’s unlikely that many spectators knew about the volunteers who’d been up before dawn to fight a nearby fire. “I’m sure there are some who don’t care,” said Aspromonte, but “most people seem to think we do good.”
PLASTIC BAGS & PLASTIC WRAP SEPARATE FOR RECYCLING
X
ECO DEPOTS & TRANSFER STATIONS
MIXED RECYCLING
Plastic bags and plastic wrap can be recycled separately at Eco Depots and Transfer Stations
Keep plastic bags and plastic wrap out of mixed recycling
R. A. P. P.
Polluters achers and Report All Po cers 24 Hour Hotline Con
ser vation Offi
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL
Cellular Dia
l #7277
1.877.377.8673
Illegal dumping IS A CRIME Follow the TNRD Online
recyclenow@tnrd.ca
TNRD.CA
s k a e P Sun Spend sunday iN the mountains at the
9:30am–1:30pm June 18 to September 3
Buy fresh, local produce while enjoying the breathtaking scenery. Make it a day trip and hike the alpine, take in a round of golf or enjoy lunch on one of our sunny patios.
LIVE MUSIC
10:30am - 12:30pm SunPeaksResort.com
1-800-807-3257
GET OUT THERE Flying with the birds in Clearwater by JEAN STRONG
W
e are surrounded by natural beauty in B.C. We bike down mountains, hike back up, swim in clear lakes, raft down rivers and more. But it’s not often we see the landscape from above. Just an hour and a half drive from Sun Peaks, Willy Rens is providing the opportunity to do just that. This year he founded XSky Paragliding in Clearwater to share his passion with others. A paraglider with nearly 1,200 international flights since 1993, Rens and his wife moved to Canada in 2002 for “the wild outdoors.” “We like paragliding, love skiing and snow sports and everything that has to do with the mountains,” he said. Alex Prins and I met him in Birch Island, near Wells Gray Park and Clearwater. From our meeting place we could see the landing field ahead of us and behind us, nearly at the top of the moun-
tain, Rens pointed out where we would take off. There the valley was spread out beneath us. The North Thompson River meandered between green fields and the smoke-filled sky had transformed to blue with fluffy, white clouds. As Rens prepared the equipment for the flights, he said learning the sport wasn’t difficult with practice.
“A LOT OF PEOPLE COME UP WITH A MILLION REASONS FOR NOT DOING AMAZING THINGS IN THIS WORLD”
“If you love it and you have the vibe in you then you want to do it all the time.” Prins was up first in an attempt to overcome his fear of heights. His and Rens’ harnesses were connected to each other and to the paraglider as they went through a short orien-
tation before running towards the edge of the mountain and taking flight. A few cheers floated back as the wind lifted them out and over the valley. Rens said the reaction has been similar with every guest he takes out. “Everybody is really enthusiastic. They all love it and want more,” he said. When my turn came I was suddenly nervous, wondering if I could trust my life essentially to two carabiners. But before I knew it Rens said “Go!” and we were running. Mid-step we lifted off the ground, sat down in our harnesses and floated. As we flew over the forest a hawk glided beside us for a few minutes before Rens guided us across the valley. It was a true bird’s eye view; cars, homes and livestock appeared tiny as we flew over. Rens explained the smoke from wildfires has turned some potential customers off but he’s been having fun regardless. “After 24 years of flying most-
Rens’ passion is introducing others to this view over Clearwater.
ly solo I felt it was time to give back to the community and anyone else who wants to do it.” After around 20 minutes airborne we head down towards the landing field and our feet gently return to earth. I, like those before me, immediately want to go up again. Rens’ motto, “Be the bird,
PHOTO SPIN
anyone can do it,” rang very true after flying alongside birds and overcoming anxieties. “A lot of people come up with a million reasons for not doing amazing things in this world. It’s easy to do if you believe… it’s open for everybody,” Rens said. And we are already planning our next flight.
SHOP ONLINE 24/7
MOUNTAIN PASSES Last chance to save!
ALPINE SEASON PASSES
Save up to $350 on your winter season pass, only until October 9. Exclusive Perks: › 10% off food and beverage† at the newly renovated Sunburst and Bento’s Lodges › 10% off Tube Time and Bungee Trampoline › 50% off alpine lift tickets at Whistler Blackcomb › Up to 25% off alpine lift tickets at 40+ participating resorts › 20% off select ski and snowboard lessons all season › 10% off soft goods, rentals, and repairs at SPR LLP stores › One free Super Group or Sun Kids half day group lesson* › Free payment plan is available
COMBO SEASON PASSES
Add Nordic skiing to your pass and save up to $365 combined!
FALL
NTIL BUY U
!
OCT 9
PEAKS CARDS FOR SAVINGS + FLEXIBILITY
The best multi-day deal on 1 or 3 lift tickets. Then save 10 – 25% on additionally purchased tickets. Best pricing on Peak Cards is available until November 15.
NORDIC SEASON PASSES Save when you purchase before October 9! Fall buy ends October 9, 2017 at midnight. Advertising savings based on adult pass pricing. *Free lesson valid through February 28, 2018; blackouts apply. †On select items, restrictions apply.
Season Passholder’s SAVE 10%†
at the newly renovated lodges, opening November 2017!
SunPeaksResort.com/Passes Vol 15 Issue 9 September 1 — September 28
250.578.5474 sunpeaksnews.com
9
GET OUT THERE Remote single track in the South Chilcotins GET SOCIAL WITH US
Find us on Facebook
/sunpeaksnews
Getting locked and loaded at Warner Lake for an extreme ride.
by MEGHAN KOLADKA
A
lthough I’d done my best to prepare for the challenge, our bicycle ride through the breathtaking South Chilcotins was a test for both body and mind. Estimated at a 11 hour ride, I was nervous but knew the experience would be worth any discomfort. After hearing about a friend’s trip years previous, we were immediately sold on the idea of the ride itself, but the catalyst was really the chartered floatplane to the trailhead at a remote alpine lake. On the day of the flight, I woke up extra early so as to not break my morning routine of yoga and coffee. We triple checked our supplies over a hearty breakfast then headed towards Tyax Wilderness Lodge near Gold Bridge, B.C. where our journey would begin. After a brief scolding by the
10
sunpeaksnews.com
PHOTOS CEDAR LINE CREATIVE
pilot for arriving late, we were soon in the air taking in some of the most incredible scenery I’ve ever witnessed. The smoky skies quickly faded into the distance as we soared through the mountains toward our starting point of Warner Lake. We landed without a sound on the smooth, glassy water. On shore the butterflies were in full force as we counted ten tires, five frames and five packs. We were thrown right into it as we hammered through technical singletrack, over rocks and roots, through creeks, up pinch climbs and across rock slides, all the while making sure to take in the stunning views. Our remoteness was made abundantly clear within the first thirty minutes where we collectively managed a slow motion fall, rotor trouble and a twisted ankle. We stumbled upon Cathy at Tyax Adventures’ Trigger Lake Camp a few hours into the ride as if it were meant to be. Our
Vol 15 Issue 9 September 1 — September 28
bodies were feeling the first waves of fatigue so we truly appreciated her offer of fresh brewed coffee. She even noticed me limping and proceeded to tape and tensor my ankle, stabilizing my foot while simultaneously restoring my faith in humanity. Our journey continued and were soon delighted with
fast and flowy trails through birch-studded slopes reminiscent of Japanese mountains. There was an unspoken agreement not to rush and just enjoy being in this incredibly beautiful part of the province. Lucky for us being in grizzly territory, our wildlife viewings were restricted to more timid creatures such as the four giant
swans we encountered at Hummingbird Lake. We cruised into the afternoon, taking an unexpected detour resulting in a thirty minute hike-a-bike up a mountain in the blazing sun. Relief came shortly after at Spruce Lake where we were able to cool off in the refreshing water. Our bodies and minds were exhausted as we neared the end of our day. Of the 56 kilometres we rode, the last four were an individual test of wills. Dragging our dirt-covered, limping bodies into camp was one of the best feelings I have ever experienced, and that ice cold beer never tasted so good.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Ready to party again >> Snowbombing returns for 2018 by JEAN STRONG
P
ut on your party pants because Snowbombing Canada is returning to Sun Peaks for 2018. The European festival, which made its North American debut last April, is set to return to the mountain this spring.
The festival brought nearly 5,000 people to the resort for a week in a normally lower tourist time. Artists like Kaskade, Ludacris and Bob Moses entertained crowds and between sets attendees hit the slopes or participated in yoga classes and games. Pre-sale was activated on Aug. 29 and general ticket sales will begin in the fall.
Performing for concert goers on the final day of Snowbombing 2017. | FILE PHOTO
EVENT > listings SATURDAY TO MONDAY
FRIDAY TO SUNDAY
FRIDAY
SUNDAY
PEAKS PEDAL FEST
LAST WEEKEND OF OPERATIONS
BC ADAPTIVE SNOWSPORTS GOLF TOURNAMNET
ROTARY SCAVENGER HUNT
SEPTEMBER 2 - 4
Celebrate an epic biking season with a poker ride, kids’ derby, dual slalom and more.
SEPTEMBER 8 - 10
The season is extended for more riding with this bonus weekend of chairlift access to the mountain! Open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
SEPTEMBER 15
events@sunpeaksresort.com
guestservices@sunpeaksresort.com
The 3rd annual tournament will raise funds for BC Adaptive Snowsports. Sponsors will sponsor holes or an adaptive sports team. Register as a foursome or individual player.
SATURDAY
SATURDAY
ibcadaptive.com
GREEN ART FESTIVAL SUMMER FILM
NANCY GREENE’S LITTLE BIG GOLF CHALLENGE
SATURDAY & SUNDAY
SEPTEMBER 9
SEPTEMBER 2
As part of the Green Art Festival the movie Life Cycles will have a free screeening after dark in the village clocktower square. info@sunpeakstourism.com
A fun family event of nine holes of golf with games, dinner and a silent auction. From 2 to 9 p.m. Cost is $65 per couple. All proceeds are donated to the Sun Peaks Secondary Academy.
SEPTEMBER 3
YEAH BRU! GRASS DUAL SLALOM WORLD CUP Take part in the Bicycle Cafe’s 9th annual grass dual slalom race. This fun event costs $2, registration begins at 3 p.m. events@sunpeaksresort.com
MONDAY
SEPTEMBER 4
BC ENDURO SERIES
SUNDAY
The BC Enduro Series Final and Canadian National Enduro Series Final return to Sun Peaks this weekend. Trails open just for racers will see them climb up and race down for the fastest combined time. Spectators can purchase tickets to head up the chairlift to watch.
THE NORTH DACE DIRTY FEET MOUNTAIN RUN
SUNDAY
golfshopsuper@sunpeaksresort.com
SUNDAY
SEPTEMBER 16 & 17
SEPTEMBER 10
Runners will take to the trails to run 10 or 21 km. Nordic trails around Mt.Morrisey will provide beautiful views to participants. A 5km run/walk and kids race will also take place on the Nordic trails. info@dirtyfeet.ca
ted@bcenduro.com
The first ever Rotary Club of Sun Peaks scavenger hunt will lead participants through the village. Family teams or adult teams will complete puzzles, business stops, singing, agility challenges and more. Cash prizes to be won and all proceeds will be donated to the Sun Peaks Skate Park Foundation. Find the club on Facebook for more information. facebook.com/SunPeaksRotary
SATURDAY & SUNDAY
SEPTEMBER 23 & 24 REEBOK SPARTAN
Test your might in the Spartan Ultra Beast, Beast, Sprint or Junior and Youth races. Races go for up to 42 km with obstacles throughout. Spectators can pay $10 to go up the Sunburst Chairlift. Register the day off or online at spartanrace.ca westerncanada@spartanrace.com
SEPTEMBER 17
SATURDAY
The 7th annual Race to the Sun Hill Climb Road Race departs from Heffely Creek at 8 a.m. Around 70 racers will tackle the mountain to win cash and other prizes.
FREE MUSIC AT MORRISEY’S
RACE TO THE SUN
director@interiorgrasslandscycling.com
LIFT AND A LAGER
SEPTEMBER 17
From noon to 6 p.m. any hiking or biking lift ticket includes a beer at Masa’s Bar and Grill. There will also be a BBQ and DJ to help say goodbye to the summer.
SEPTEMBER 23
Pineapple Express, a trio from Revelstoke, stops in at Morrisey’s Public House from 8 to 10:30 p.m. The set will consist of covers and original songs. 250.578.6062
guestservices@sunpeaksresort.com
HOSTING A COMMUNITY EVENT? Add it to our online calendar sunpeaksnews.com/events Vol 15 Issue 9 September 1 — September 28
sunpeaksnews.com
11
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Fabric hugs for evacuees >> Local quilters donate creations
by JEAN STRONG
Q
uilts can give comfort in times of need. They are used by women’s shelters, hospitals, veterans and, in B.C. and Alberta, donated to those evacuated due to
natural disasters. The Sun Peaks Quilters Guild is doing their part to help those evacuated due to this summer’s wildfires by donating handmade quilts. The group gave seven quilts to the Red Cross to be distributed to those directly affected by the fires. Pat Miller, a member of the guild, said it would’ve taken around two years of work to make them all. She said they feel ecstatic to help evacuees and contribute to a provincial issue. “Quilters start making them because they want one for themselves,” Millar said. “Then for their family and friends, then they have to start donat-
ing them… We can give them a fabric hug.” It isn’t the first time they have given back through their passion. In the past they have donated quilts to people in the community struggling with illness, retiring or facing challenges. It’s a way to make a difference and bring happiness to others while indulging in a hobby. “It justifies buying more fabric,” Miller said with a laugh. Anyone who is interested is welcome to join for a meeting, she added. It is open to all types and abilities of quilters. The guild meets the second Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Cahilty Lodge.
Members of the guild post with a quilt they created. | PHOTO SUPPLIED
2017—18 Sun Peaks Visitors’ Guide On resort December 1st! 15,000 copies Go-to dining, accommodation, services and activities guide Booking Deadline Oct. 30th Email sales@sunpeaksnews.com or call 250-578-0276
12
sunpeaksnews.com
Vol 15 Issue 9 September 1 — September 28
IN PHOTOS
A Night of Bowie paid tribute on the Saturday night of Retro Concert Weekend. - Photo SPIN
Crowds took in the annual Retro Concert Weekend from Aug. 11 to 13. - Photo SPIN
Sun Peaks Fire Rescue raised $4,500 for muscular dystrophy at their first Annual Fire Truck Pull. - Photo SPIN
The Northern Taekwon-do Academy took part in a seminar with Grand Master Ung Kim Lan IX degree from Germany. - Photo Submitted
The Ollerup Denmark Gymnastic Elite Team put on a high flying show for crowds on Aug. 26. - Photo SPIN
Sun Peaks’ patrollers get ready to pull in the first Annual Fire Truck Pull. - Photo SPIN
Teams competed in the Sun Peaks Ball Hockey Tournament on Aug. 19. - Photo Submitted
SEND US YOUR PHOTOS TO BE EMAIL PHOTOS TO FEATURED IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF SUN PEAKS INDEPENDENT NEWS EDITOR@SUNPEAKSNEWS.COM
Trooper thanks the crowd for a great show at the last Summer Concert Series performance of the year. - Photo SPIN
OR
Trooper landed for good time, not a long time, at Sun Peaks on Aug. 26. - Photo SPIN
ON INSTAGRAM? #SUNPEAKSNEWS POST YOUR PHOTOS USING
@SUNPEAKSNEWS
Vol 15 Issue 9 September 1 — September 28
sunpeaksnews.com
13
MOUNTAIN NEWS Mountain Town News by BY ALLEN BEST ALLEN.BEST@COMCAST.NET MOUNTAINTOWNNEWS.NE
UnVail adds Deer Valley but what will be the end game? PARK CITY, Utah – The new and still-unnamed ski industry consortium that might be called UnVail added Deer Valley to its stable last week. From California’s Mammoth Mountain to Vermont’s Stratton, it has 13 ski areas under its tent. This includes six formerly owned by Intrawest. Vail Resorts has 16 across three countries. Deer Valley will put the UnVail—a formal name has not been disclosed—cheek-and-jowl to Vail Resorts at the Park City Mountain Resort. What comes of this consolidation at Park City and elsewhere is unknown. In Park City, local nerves seemed to be allayed by assurances that no major changes were planned. Bill Malone, local Chamber director, told The Park Record Deer Valley’s top-notch product is “probably a lot of what they were paying for, in addition to bricks and mortar. So I wouldn’t anticipate much change.” Changes will come, though. Most speculation has focused on the ski pass and brand that UnVail will create to compete with the Epic Pass and brand created by Vail Resorts. “Looming season-pass showdown among Colorado’s ski-industry heavyweights,” the Denver Post said in reporting the story. UnVail is a consortium of the
Crown family of Chicago, owners of the Aspen Skiing Co, and KSL Capital Partners. Jim Crown is the active member of the family in Aspen, although the business name is more formally called the family of Henry Crown. The Crown family bought half of the Aspen Skiing Co. in 1985 and the rest in 1993. The family has diversified holdings, including a large chunk of military contractor General Dynamics and stakes in the New York Yankees and Chicago Bulls. KSL was created in the early 1990s by Mike Shannon, who had been president of Vail Resorts, and his top lieutenant, Larry Lichliter, along with Wall Street figure Henry Kravis. It stayed out of the ski business, instead pursuing golf and other resort properties, until relatively recently. It is based in the Denver-Boulder metroplex, as is Vail Resorts. The UnVail now has 10 ski hills altogether (counting Alpine and Squaw Valley as separate but joined-at-the-hip resorts). The effort is being led by David Perry, formerly No. 2 at the Aspen Skiing Co. Vail Resorts has been driving changes, but most of the themes are relatively old. Discounted ski passes had existed for decades before Winter Park adopted the idea in the late 1990s. Under Adam Aron, Vail Resorts began discounting ski pass prices at its then four ski areas in Colorado. Rob Katz, taking the corporate reins in 2006, has expanded the chain and continued the vertical integration begun by Aron. From the van you ride from the airport to the shop where you
WANT TO ADVERTISE A CLASSIFIED AD?
14
sunpeaksnews.com
Vol 15 Issue 9 September 1 — September 28
rent your boots, Vail is very likely to be your helping hand— and the recipient of your credit card. That includes property in Aspen. Wall Street likes what Vail has done. Since 1997, when it went public, the stock price has increased from $16 a share to $218 as of Aug. 28. Rick Kahl, editor of Ski Area Management magazine, told The Denver Post that the winner in this new competition will be skiers and snowboarders. How UnVail plans to compete, however, remains in doubt. But he sees the season passes as the key. The Epic Pass offers unlimited skiing at any Vail Resorts’ property. The Mountain Collective Pass put together by Aspen Skiing with a growing family of independent resorts offers two days at 16 top-flight ski hills. “Whatever they come up with, I expect it will be fairly simple,” Kahl said. The answer, he added, will be forthcoming probably in late February or early March, when UnVail rolls out its season passes for the 20182019 season. The solar eclipse of 2017: a fine time was had by all JACKSON, Wyo. — Sometimes no news is the big news. That seems to be the case with the eclipse of 2017. Crowds from Ketchum, Idaho, to Jackson, Wyo., were exceptional for late August. But gas stations still had gas, grocery stores still had food, and if roads were clogged after the darkness ended, nobody was complaining. Giddiness, not grouchi-
Submit online at sunpeaksnews.com/ classified or call 250.578.0276
ness prevailed. There was elation, not emergencies. “People have been literally jumping for joy when they get here,” said Janine Jolley, whose family hosted 280 reservations at the Fox Creek Campground near Victor, Idaho. On the other side of the Teton Range in Jackson Hole, traffic surpassed all records for those days in August. Still, it was something less than might have been expected. “Quiet weekend” is how the Jackson Hole News&Guide described the Sunday preceding the big day. Then came the eclipse at 10:16 a.m. It got more quiet yet. Even emergency calls stopped for about 90 minutes. “The call volume just dropped,” said Rich Ochs, Teton County emergency management co-ordinator. “It was just silent. Everybody was watching a pretty amazing event all at the same time.” On Rendezvous Mountain, at the top of the tram at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, two veteran eclipse chasers decided it was high time to get married. Tony Crocker and Liz O’Mara had met on an eclipse-themed website. He has viewed 11 eclipses around the world and she 9. Together, they’ve viewed 5 eclipses. But this one was special. “It’s the most beautiful eclipse I’ve ever seen,” she told the News&Guide. Weather forecasters had warned against going to mountain tops to see the eclipse, because of the greater likelihood of clouds. But sunny skies prevailed. The sharp drop in temperatures that had been predicted did occur, between -12 and -9 degrees, according to the News&Guide. “It was a mixture between excitement and anxiety,” said Martha Clarkson, who had driven
from Crested Butte, Colo., to be in the center line of totality. “It’s like a sunset,” she added. “The colors just raced across, and they filled the whole sky.” In Jackson, where the late-August population normally runs about 50,000 between locals and visitors, the eclipse probably pushed the population to around 75,000. That’s about what town and county officials had planned for. At nearby Grand Teton National Park, park rangers reported smooth operations despite major crowds that exceeded expectations. The only negative was a half-dozen tipped over portable toilets. In Idaho, planners in Ketchum had expected a somewhat bigger crowd than was experienced, but that’s OK, too, said Jeff Bacon, director of the chamber in Ketchum and Sun Valley. “To a certain extent I felt we were over-prepared, but that’s not a bad thing,” he told the Idaho Mountain Express. That was the same view in Idaho’s Teton Valley, on the west side of the range. Brian McDermott, director of the Teton Regional Economic Coalition, said some businesses in Driggs and Victor may have over-invested, because the total number of visitors could not be predicted with certainty. “But we hit a homerun on the overall goal of creating a positive experience for residents and visitors alike,” he told the Teton Valley News. Starting from Vail, Colo., Rob Schilling drove to Alpine, Wyo., just south of Idaho’s Teton Valley. Two days later, back in Colorado, he met an old friend near Steamboat Springs. They were all smiles and high-fives. They had both missed Woodstock, but they saw the Eclipse of 2017.
BOOK YOUR CLASSIFIED ADS ONLINE AT
SUNPEAKSNEWS.COM/ CLASSIFIED
SODOKU Edited by Margie E. Burke
ONLINE CLASSIFIEDS ADS ARE PLACED DAILY
SOLVE THIS CROSSWORD Edited by Margie E. Burke
CROSSWORD ANSWERS V15I8
Answers can be found in the next issue of SPIN FOR RENT 2 bedroom condo Settler’s Crossing. Summer months only. Now until mid Nov. ’17. $900/mnth Call Gord 778-808-2779.
EMPLOYMENT
General labourer Construction. Sun Peaks/ Heffley Lake. Part time/ Full time. Immediately - Nov 15, 2017 +$18 / hour. www.northrockhomes.ca. Call/ Text #1 604-626-7100 The Coast Sundance Lodge is hiring Room Attendants. Come join our awesome team! Experience an asset, but not required. Please send resume and cover letter to hr.sundance@coasthotels. com. Sun Peaks Lodge is hiring for the winter 17/18. Housekeeping Supervisor (winter or year round), Housekeeper (winter or year round). Night Audit. Breakfast Server. Breakfast Cook. Please send resume to info@sunpeakslodge.com
SODOKU ANSWERS V15I8
ACCOMMODATION WANTED
Quiet retired German Couple are looking to rent a one bedroom / studio for the winter season (Nov-Apr or Jan-Apr). Non-smoking, No pets, No parties. Please email german.couple@online.de.
GENERAL
Searching for safe and comfortable boarding situation for one very well mannered and easy going horse in Heffley Creek area. Very experienced (not to be confused with closed minded and difficult!) horsewoman living in Whitecroft tired of traveling to Barnhartvale to ride. My achievements are long listed and you might even find me an asset to have around. Mostly I enjoy the trails but do enjoy schooling my horse as well. Contact 778-468-8313 or loriskrip@gmail.com.
Do you enjoy our puzzles? Too easy? Too hard?
Let us know! Send your thoughts to: editor@sunpeaksnews.com
OVER 5,000 COPIES DISTRIBUTED
or phone 250.578.0276
Pick up locations downtown, Sahali, Aberdeen and the North Shore
Local advertising starting at $110 per month SUNPEAKSNEWS.COM/ ADVERTISE
SERVICES
Trina Marshman Home Financing Advisor
Kamloops/Sun Peaks Mortgage Specialist with Scotiabank Primary/residential/switches/refinance
250.819.0013 trina.marshman@scotiabank.com Vol 15 Issue 9 September 1 — September 28
sunpeaksnews.com
15
BUSINESS LISTINGS
Online at
local.sunpeaksnews.com
SERVICES SUN PEAKS PLUMBING, HEATING, ELECTRICAL & GAS FITTING
I want to protect my family.
Installations, renovations & maintenance Energy efficiency upgrade specialists
Life insurance • Critical illness insurance • TFSAs
Fireplaces, hot water tanks, furnaces, boilers Water filtration and softener systems Lighting System Upgrades
We only employ licensed electricians, gas fitters & plumbers as per Provincial & Federal codes & requirements and in accordance with The Safety Act of Canada
CALL 250-572-1671
sunpeaksplumbingandheating.com
I can help with your goals. Let’s talk about Money for Life.
Wendy Cooluris
Tel: 250-374-5308 ext 240 Cell: 250-320-8311 wendy.cooluris@sunlife.com www.sunlife.ca/wendy.cooluris
Life’s brighter under the sun
Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada is a member of the Sun Life Financial group of companies. © Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, 2017.
Your Fireplace Experts Professional Service & Repairs Fireplace Replacement Specialists 1200 Battle Street, Kamloops 250-372-3424 www.fireplacecentre.com
Pain / alignment concerns with hiking, running & skiing
250.314.1203 progressivestep.ca
RESTAURANTS LOCATED IN THE HEARTHSTONE LODGE
h sc u R
Grether Contracting Serving Sun Peaks Since 1992 Kitchen & Bath Renovations Damage Restoration Drywall & Painting Concrete Repairs Building Maintenance & Consulting
CALL ANDRÉ "FIRST" 250-371-1753 • andregrether@gmail.com
ENTERPRISES LTD.
free delivery
free delivery
BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION
250.578.7272
GET FULLY SATISFIED—GET MOUNTAIN HIGH
Tim 75 l l a C 0-93 2 3 250
SUMMER HOURS sunday - thursday 11am to 10pm friday - saturday 11am to 11pm
Pizza by the Slice Take n Bake Pizzas $ 00 6. Lunch Specials Salads & Meat Pies
gluten free
BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION
n Home Improvements n No job too small n Repairs n 25 years experience n Property Checks & n Renovations Maintenance
RUSCHENTERPRISESLTD@GMAIL.COM
ROBERTS CONSTRUCTION PAUL ROBERTS CUSTOM BUILDER | PROJECT MANAGER NEW HOMES | ADDITIONS
PHONE: 250 371 4880 16
sunpeaksnews.com
Vol 15 Issue 9 September 1 — September 28
Excavating Ltd. •
Excavating & Snow Clearing
•
Landscape Rock/Granite
•
1”—4”, 4”—12”, 5”—18”, Sand, Pitrun
•
1” Crush
Greg: 250 371 7800 • gzieb@telus.net
Looking for services in Sun Peaks? Check out our new
Online Business Directory local.sunpeaksnews.com
>> SPORTS Rugby player returns after international games
Avery with her team in Ireland. | PHOTO SUPPLIED
by JEAN STRONG
A
fter a whirlwind 10 day trip to Ireland to play rugby, Maddie Avery of Sun Peaks isn’t taking any breaks. Now settling in at McGill University in Montreal to study for a Bachelor of Science and Physiology, she’s taking part in a training camp and exhibition game before trying out for the varsity team. “It’s a lot of rugby! It definitely doesn’t stop, it’s every weekend,” she said. “But I think it’s worth it.” On Aug. 21 Avery landed back on Canadian soil after her trip with two other B.C. representatives. They played five games against provincial Irish and French teams losing only once, to a French team. They also trained for up to two hours every day in addition to an intense summer of fitness and team training. Playing and watching the games taught them about techniques and tactics used in different parts of the world. “The French team had an amazing attack line,” Avery said. “We grew a lot as a team and the New Zealand team’s forwards are amazing.” In addition to the games, the team attended the training
camp of the Canadian women’s rugby team and their game the next day against New Zealand. Avery said it was a great chance to meet the players and ask them questions. Before leaving Canada,
the three players asked for donations to support their trip costs and raised around $1,000 each. “We really appreciated everyone who donated and helped us out,” she said.
FIND US ON TWITTER
@sunpeaksnews Vol 15 Issue 9 September 1 — September 28
sunpeaksnews.com
17
>> SPORTS Enduro returns September 16 DISTRIBUTED EVERY 4TH FRIDAY Classifieds cut off date for next issue (Vol. 15 Issue 10)
Monday Sept. 25 Regular display advertisements cut off date for next issue (Vol. 15 Issue 10) Olympic and World Cup champion Catharine Prendel at the 2016 Canadian Nationals in Sun Peaks. | FILE PHOTO
by JEAN STRONG
C
hampions will be named in Sun Peaks on Sept. 17 as the BC Enduro Series final returns to the resort. The event will also double as the final for the Canadian National Enduro Series.
It’s only the second year of the national series, which was created as a stepping stone to the Enduro World Series circuit. The mountain will be used as a private race course for a number of races with five stages in the finale of the competition that includes a climb from the bottom to the summit of Tod Mountain.
STEAKHOUSE AT SUN PEAKS LODGE E
“Enjoy your evening with great steaks and daily specials in a casual family atmosphere.”
Ph: 250 578 7878 Reservations Recommended
E
Visitevening SunPeaksLodge.com “Enjoy your with great steaks to view our menu and daily specials in a casual family atmosphere.”
Ph: 250 578 7878
Reservations Recommended Visit SunPeaksLodge.com to view our menu
18
sunpeaksnews.com
Vol 15 Issue 9 September 1 — September 28
Races can take between five and seven hours to complete, last year’s course was over 21 kilometres long. On Sept. 16 racers will take to the mountain to practise and celebrate with beers at Masa’s Bar + Grill before the competition begins at 6:45 a.m. on Sept. 17. Family, friends, and specta-
tors of racers and spectators can purchase lift tickets to cheer on racers and watch the event on the mountain. Enduro racing, which started in France in 2003, is long distance racing that includes climbs that are not timed and descents that are. The fastest combined time after a number of stages wins.
Friday Sept. 22 Online classifieds ads are placed daily at: SunPeaksNews.com
>> SPORTS New filmed perspective of Bike Park by EMILY PERRINS
T
here’s no “action” call. There are no runners fetching coffee. There’s certainly no glamour. But there’s a raw energy and some serious creative talent present when a mountain biking video is produced. Add to this, a large amount of planning and organization, and then, take away all natural lighting and shut down mountain operations. This was the added challenge taken on by a local film crew after-hours in the Bike Park last month. With the aid of high powered lighting, a smoke machine and plenty of caffeine, the crew shot pro rider, Brendan Howey, biking down berms, jump lines, steep descents and the road gap across 5 Mile over four nights. The finished product is titled, ‘Dark & Dirt’, and was produced by Lone Wolf Productions, the brainchild of local filmmaker, Matt Brooks. The goal of the film, Brooks said, was “to create a new perspective on Sun Peaks Resort.” He acknowledged that creating something unique at Sun Peaks can be a challenge with it having been so heavily photographed and filmed for years. “By shooting at night and trying to create stunning imagery we, in a way, created a whole new world to work with. A kind of alternate existence.” Certainly, the three-and-ahalf-minute film breaks away from traditional Sun Peaks downhill biking videos. The night time fog adds an ethereal element, while the elaborate lighting set up amidst an oth-
>> Lone Wolf Productions releases ‘Dark & Dirt’ Hitting berms under the darkness of night. | PHOTO RIFF STILLS AND LONE WOLF PRODUCTIONS
erwise enveloping darkness helps centre the viewer’s attention on Howey’s smooth riding. Aided by great editing and a killer backing track by DLZ, the footage helps showcase the flowy and more newly-worked sections of trail in the Bike Park. The light and dark contrast creates silhouettes and mysterious shadows and makes the nighttime a scenery of its own, which is not only visually stunning but also unique to see in a mountain biking video. It was also a unique experience for Howey, a Commencal-sponsored rider from Sechelt, who was introduced to the project after working with Brooks on another film last year.
“I’ve only ridden at night maybe once or twice, and never filmed at night, so it was definitely different for me,” he said. With this different creative approach, came different challenges in production. “We had to take into account how to positively portray the resort even though many landmarks would no longer be visible, consider first aid emergencies, assess our fire risks, organize lighting, which all required battery power, and have a constant source of power for our fog machine and other equipment,” said Brooks. “There were a lot of pieces to the puzzle.” Ultimately though, the drawnout pre-production period, each painstakingly executed shot
and the 4 a.m. finishes all paid off in this “labour of love.” It all came down to the crew. “Working with Howey was a dream. He’s a really hard worker,” Brooks said. Howey expressed his own enthusiasm for the project. “I found the shoot was probably more work than I imagined, but the whole crew being motivated made it really enjoyable.” The stunning footage and refreshing approach of ‘Dark & Dirt’ certainly achieved its goal of portraying mountain biking at Sun Peaks in a new and creative way and is an inspiring watch. The film was released earlier this month and is available to view on Youtube.
Race to the Sun grows for 7th year by JEAN STRONG
T
hree groups of bikers will take to Heffley Louis Creek Road and climb the 34.5 kilometres between Heffley Creek and Sun Peaks as part of the Race to the Sun on Sept. 17. It’s the seventh time racers
have competed for best time up the hill and this year $4,500 of prize money is on the line. Race director Peter Bartel said the top man and woman will win $1,000 each and the rest will be distributed to the top 10. Other prizes and gift cards are also available. Masters will set off at 9 a.m., followed by Intermediates at 9:30 a.m. and the Elite Group
at 10:00 a.m. Bartel said Elite racers usually make it to the top first, passing the other categories for a time around one hour and fifteen minutes from the Heffley Creek Hall to the finish line at the Cahilty Lodge. Bartel said while Kamloops isn’t as friendly to road bikes, this race has had no issues and uses signs and race marshals
to ensure bikers are kept safe from traffic on the highway. Around 70 racers from B.C. and Alberta are expected, up from 53 racers last year. “A lot of clubs are realizing hill climbs are very popular,” Bartel said. Members of Cycling B.C. pay $35 to race and non members can race for an additional $10. Vol 15 Issue 9 September 1 — September 28
sunpeaksnews.com
19
Serving Sun Peaks and area since 1995
ALPINE RESORT REALTY
OPEN DAILY - LOCATED IN THE KOOKABURRA LODGE T: 250 578 8222 TF: 1 800 663 2838 E: info@sunpeaksrealty.com
EACH OFFICE IS INDEPENDENTLY OWNED & OPERATED
NEW LISTING
4108 SUNDANCE DRIVE | 1,479,000
2433 FAIRWAYS DRIVE | $948,000
The architect got it right from street appeal to interior design. Prestigious Sundance Estates 4 bedroom home plus 2 bedroom suite with separate entrance, main floor with an open design, large great room, floor to ceiling rock fireplace, custom kitchen and dining room, all complimented by great window packages and French doors to patios side and back. Spec levels and finishing details are exemplary. Upper floor is master bedroom with 6 piece ensuite, walk-in closet and office/den. The property is fully landscaped with private back yard and oversized garage. Offered largely furnished, GST paid.
This attractive mountain home is in mint condition with refinished hardwood floors, new paint and lighting, features 3 spacious bedrooms, plus games room and loft. Open living area with vaulted ceiling, floor to ceiling rock fireplace, soaring windows, beautiful kitchen with eating bar and stainless steel appliances, large 2 car garage and workshop. Enjoy the massive sundeck with stunning views, professional landscaping, a private yard backing onto forested ski terrain with you own ski trail in and large back deck with private hot tub. Separate self-contained 1 bedroom legal suite with one year lease in place. Conveniently located close to the village, ski lifts and golf course. GST is not applicable.
The Kookaburra Lodge sets a new accommodation benchmark at Sun Peaks Resort with concrete construction, hard wearing yet luxurious finishes and high clearance underground parking. This centrally located intimate one bedroom condo with open design is well appointed with full kitchen and granite countertops, electric fireplace, steam shower, in suite laundry, ski and snowboard storage and comes fully furnished. Enjoy this great ski-in, ski-out location in the village with convenient access to restaurants and shopping. GST is applicable.
2427 FAIRWAYS DRIVE | $214,900
2577 MOUNTAINVIEW DRIVE | $ 189,900
5429 LOOKOUT RIDGE PLACE | $240,000
Gently sloping view lot backing onto forested ski terrain at the base of Mt. Morrisey with direct ski in access. Fully serviced lot with stunning mountain views and easy access with just a short walk to the village & chairlift. The Sun Peaks Golf Course is located across the street and the proposed West Morrisey chairlift is just steps away. Design your custom mountain home at your convenience, since there is no time line or pressure to build. Zoning also allows a 2 bedroom legal suite. Sun Peaks is BC Interiorʼs largest all season resort and is a growing mountain resort municipality.
This is one of Sun Peaksʼ largest residential building lots conveniently located at the base of Mt. Morrisey with great ski-in access and stunning mountain views. This quiet cul-de-sac location is very private backing onto forested ski terrain and offers a great family friendly environment. With no time limit to build out you can relax & take time to plan your perfect mountain getaway. Mountain View Drive has design guidelines in place and the residential zoning allows for a two bedroom revenue suite. Underground services are installed to the lot line and GST is not applicable.
This large lot located at 5429 Lookout Ridge offers fabulous panoramic mountain and valley views. The property is situated in the exclusive neighbourhood of Lookout Ridge! Convenient to all of the village amenities, this residential subdivision is surrounded by a 18 hole golf course & fabulous ski runs – what more could you ask for? Lookout Ridge is the first single-family subdivision in Sun Peaks Resortʼs East Village. These lots are south and west-facing which provide fantastic sun exposure and the subdivision features ski-in, ski-out convenience with a new skier overpass that was constructed solely to service Lookout Ridge. Zoning also allows for a secondary residence to be built.
NEW LISTING
NEW LISTING
NEW LISTING
3 MCGILLIVRAY CREEK | $619,000 Ski-in / ski-out, customized 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom end unit townhouse featuring a generous window package with vaulted ceiling, tile flooring throughout and heated on main floor and all bathrooms, a custom gourmet kitchen with numerous built-ins and recessed lighting. Two master bedrooms with ensuites and a bonus room upstairs. The extra-large sundeck off the main floor is set among the trees with views of Tod Mountain. Downstairs features a spacious family room/bunk room with separate entrance and patio with convenient access to green space and valley trail, private garage with additional storage space and extra surface parking, offered largely furnished with GST paid.
PT NW 1/4 – WEST SHORE HUFF LAKE | $389,000 Picturesque 52 acres along the west shore of Huff Lake with over 2500 feet of waterfront. The views up and down the valley and overlooking the lake are stunning where nature and wildlife surround you. Explore the possibilities and enjoy the beautiful scenery this acreage offers with natural grass meadows and mature trees. Several nice building sites with hydro and telephone close by or it could be the perfect place for someone looking to be off-grid. You will appreciate the peace and quiet this area offers and you are only 30 minutes to Kamloops or 35 minutes to Sun Peaks Resort. This would make a great recreational or year round location for someone who is seeking privacy and enjoys the outdoors.
SOLD 234/236 CAHILTY HOTEL & SUITES
| $119,900
Imagine yourself at Sun Peaks this season...affordable slope side condo in Nancy Greeneʼs Cahilty Hotel & Suites with south facing views Mt. Morrisey and all the comforts of home. Featuring a full kitchen with cozy fireplace and sleeps 6 comfortably with two full bathrooms. Unrestricted and unlimited owner use gives you the flexibility for your own personal enjoyment plus includes the convenience of a professional in-house management team looking after rentals when youʼre not there. Revenue to offset expenses always helps... what are you waiting for? Offered fully furnished; GST applicable.
7372 CAHILTY CRESENT | $164,900 This is a fantastic building lot situated on the the upper road in Whitecroft Village, with mountain and valley views. This family friendly community of Whitecroft is just 5 minutes from Sun Peaks Resort, 5 minutes to pristine Heffley Lake and 35 minutes to Kamloops. The sloping 1.58 acre lot is partially cleared and requires minimal site preparation for your single family home or duplex. This growing community is close to crown land, lakes and hiking/biking trails with community water system, fire protection, high speed internet, cable, hydro and telephone services available.
202 KOOKABURRA LODGE | $250,000
422 HEARTHSTONE LODGE | $32,900 Well-appointed fourth floor studio apartment features cozy fireplace, deluxe murphy bed, and pull-out sofa, comfortably sleeping 4. View of main mountain between Sundance Lodge and the Grand. Central village location and ski-in, ski-out. Amenities include ski room, exercise room, and 2 hot tubs. Ownerʼs use is a generous 180 days per year with professional in-house management agreement with Bear Country. GST applies.
6071 LAKE BAY ROAD | $1,075,000 Find solitude in this beautiful 4 bedroom, 4 bath custom lakefront home with spacious family room & games room. The open kitchen, dining room & living room features a beautiful wood burning rock fireplace & opens up to your sundeck overlooking the lake. This year round home is situated on .74 acres with 103ʼ of low-bank waterfront & your own private docks. There is a large 2 car garage with extra storage and a detached 2 bedroom vintage guest cabin in the back yard.
WWW.SUNPEAKSREALTY.COM 20
sunpeaksnews.com
Vol 15 Issue 9 September 1 — September 28