Top of the World
Elevation: 2,080m
Updated June 19, 2021.
Originally posted June 16, 2021.
It’s on! On Friday, June 18, at 10:00am we fired up the chairlift for opening day of the Sun Peaks Bike Park. With new and improved trails, the return of longer operating hours, and daily operations all the way through to the end of September, it’s going to be our biggest summer yet!
After a Covid altered season last year we are stoked for the return of twilight operations in 2021. That’s right, the Bike Park will be open 10:00am to 7:00pm, seven days a week this summer! We’ll let you do the math, but that’s A LOT of laps you can squeeze into each day. New this year, we’re also extending daily operations all the way until our closing day on September 26 so we can serve up even more prime fall riding. This gives us the second longest lift-access bike season in BC!
There is light at the end of the tunnel, but this summer we're keeping many of the same COVID-19 operating procedures from previous seasons in place to help make sure everyone has a safe and enjoyable experience. This includes limiting the number of lift tickets sold each day. If you’re planning a trip to come shred it’s important to lock in your tickets via our online store prior to arrival to avoid disappointment. With the high levels of stoke surrounding biking this season we anticipate that some days, especially weekends and holidays, will sell out in advance. As a bonus, if you buy early you can snag big discounts on tickets (up to 25% off!), especially mid-week.
As well as purchasing your tickets early, please review our COVID-19 Safety Practices before your visit, remember to bring a mask/face covering for the lift line, look for and follow signage while in resort, and be mindful of instructions from our staff. By working together we’ll ensure everyone can have another awesome summer on the trails.
We promised new trails in the intro and new trails you shall have! The most exciting development this year is the return of Lifetime Outdoors to build a brand-new top section of Bermalade. This new section promises to be just as fun as the wildly popular original, while extending the trail up to the top of the chair. While they’re here, they have also re-worked an older section at the bottom of Bermalade, re-shaping some pieces of a previous trail that still remained there to help that lower section better match the riding experience higher up. Look for the new top of Bermalade to open a little later in the season.
Alongside the Bermalade extension, there are two other new intermediate trails slated to open this summer. Sour Patch Skids slots in between Gummy Bear and Mach, and will provide an easier taste of more technical riding than the existing blue trails in the Bike Park. Sweater Vest, a new machine-built flow trail, opens up another fun option for riders to enjoy on their way to Spicy Taco. Both of these trails are almost complete and will open once that part of the mountain has a chance to dry out a bit more.
You’ll also notice a couple of changes to trail classifications in the Bike Park in 2021. The spicy, former-blue, tech trail Mach is now a black, Sweet One has stepped down from a double black to a single black, and the lower sections of Steam Shovel have been re-classified as double black to better indicate the riding ability needed to tackle the bigger features it contains. Remember, trails throughout the Bike Park are constantly changing due to weather, wear, and trail work, so take things easy on your first few laps to familiarize yourself with the trails again and get up to speed with any changes.
Our Trail Crew have been hard at work on maintenance to make sure all your favourites are in top shape for the start of the season. Mother Nature has been kind this year, with a favourable snow melt, so we already have plenty of our trails open. Key favourites like Bermalade, Canada Line, and Steam Shovel are good to go, and the crew has got them looking amazing. Of course, we haven’t forgotten the steep and rowdy classics either, with plenty of love given to them too.
The full list of current trail openings is updated live on the Trail Map & Status page on our website, which you can check out here.
With the easing of restrictions, the Sun Peaks Sports School is once again able to offer a robust line up of bike lessons, camps, and tours this season. A huge highlight of the summer for us here in Sun Peaks are Dylan Sherrard’s annual Summer Shred Pro Camps. After a one-year hiatus in 2020, these camps are back with two five-day options during summer 2021. The coolest part of these camps? Alongside Dylan, your little shredders get to spend a whole week riding with and learning from legends of the sport like Matt Hunter, Matt Miles, and Brett Tippie.
Women’s Bike Night, another popular program, is also back, with the addition of a weekend option too. Alongside that we have regular ride nights for men, teens, and kids, plus lesson options suitable to all ages and skill levels. Basically, no matter who you are or how good you are on a bike, we have a program that can make you even better. You can check out the full line up of programs offered by our Sports School here.
For more information on the Bike Park or Sun Peaks in general, you can explore SunPeaksResort.com or hit us up on Instagram or Facebook. Otherwise, there’s not much left to say other than go grab your bike and we’ll see you soon.
We’re stoked. You’re stoked. Let’s do this!
- The Sun Peaks Bike Park Team