Top of the World
Elevation: 2,080m
Posted on November 1, 2018
The autumn leaves have dropped and so have the temperatures, getting us excited for another snowy season of skiing and snowboarding! We’re counting down the days until the chairlifts open on Saturday, November 17 and we’re stoked to welcome you for the first turns of the season.
There’s plenty of exciting changes happening both on and off the mountain this winter in Sun Peaks. Here’s the lowdown on what’s new for the 2018/19 season:
New Chairlift - Orient Quad
We’ve been posting updates all summer, but in case you haven’t heard we’re getting a new chairlift! Work on the Orient, located opposite the Morrisey chairlift, is in full swing and is on track for a targeted opening just before Christmas. Both terminals are now nearing completion, with the installation of the lift towers by helicopter the next major step. We’re super excited for this new addition and have been releasing regular construction updates during the project, which you can read here and here.
You can also check out the location of the Orient on our new 2018/19 trail map here.
New Runs
With the new chairlift comes new runs! Two new runs will be opening in the Orient Ridge area of the resort: Main Village Connector and Hasta La Vista. Main Village Connector will provide a beginner friendly green route from the top of Orient back to the village via Rambler, making it easier for guests of all levels to ski and snowboard between Mt. Morrisey, the East Village, Orient Ridge, and Sundance. Hasta La Vista, named to carry on the international flavour in this zone of terrain, follows the lift line of the new chair. Tell your friends “catch ya later!” before showing off your best turns down this fun new blue run.
The addition of these new runs brings our alpine trail count up to 137 for winter 2018/19.
New Chairs on the Sundance Express
We’ve increased the capacity of the Sundance Express chairlift by 30% with the addition of new carriers to the lift line. You’ll be able to lap the cruisy groomers and glades of Sundance mountain, as well as the Rockstar Energy Terrain Park, even faster this season.
New Glading Work
Over the summer our Slopes Crew has been busy! Along with our usual summer grooming efforts, the crew performed additional glading work in the forest between Blazer and Runaway Lane, Blazer and Cruiser, Bluff and Sting, and Bluff and Cariboo. This work will improve the ski experience for those who like to hunt for deep powder stashes amongst the trees.
New Grooming Cats
We’ve added two new cats to our grooming fleet this year, replacing some of our older models. Our new PistenBully 400 4F will improve the efficiency of the fleet, as well as help reduce our environmental footprint with a more fuel efficient and lower emission engine.
Park fans will rejoice at the addition of second PistenBully 400 ParkPro to the team, which will help ensure that the features in the Rockstar Energy Terrain Park are in perfect shape all season long.
New Renovations at the Sun Peaks Grand Hotel and Conference Centre
Sun Peaks Resort’s premier property has been upgraded this season, with all 221 guestrooms receiving a complete makeover. The new look combines quiet luxury and an updated contemporary attitude, balanced with a rustic nod to Sun Peaks’ mountain surroundings. The renovations will be complete by the end of 2018 and you can read more about the project here.
New Ways to Get Around
Après is about to get a lot easier this winter with the launch of two new evening transportation options!
We’re expanding our complimentary in-resort shuttle service, with a new evening schedule running 4:30pm to 10:00pm, daily from December 14 – March 31. This compliments our day time service which runs from December 1 - April 14. The new evening shuttle is a great option to get home safely after dinner or a night on the town, as well as providing a welcome rest to weary legs after a day on the slopes. A more detailed schedule for the evening shuttle will be available on our website soon.
Also new to the community this season is Sun Peaks Taxi. Sun Peaks Taxi, an independently owned and operated business, will be running two vehicles this winter, available 24 hours a day to help transport you throughout Sun Peaks and beyond.
New Food and Wine Festival
Winter sports, delicious food, and wine is a favourite combination of ours and we’re thrilled to host a brand-new food and wine festival this December. Savour the Sun, presented by Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country, takes place December 7 to 9 and serves up three decadent events over one weekend. Taste exclusive, never released bottles from Oliver Osoyoos wine makers, sample mouth watering menus prepared by our Executive Chef and culinary team, enjoy live jazz and sparking wines, and more, all set in our unique slopeside venues. It’s the perfect excuse to take advantage of our great early season snow conditions!
Buy your tickets online today.
Other New Events
In addition to Savour the Sun, we’ve got more new events on the calendar this season. From March 1 to 3, we’ll be welcoming Peak Pride to Sun Peaks for the first time. With plenty of vibrant activities for all to partake in Peak Pride is a celebration the entire resort will enjoy. We’re also looking to expand our line up of events in the Rockstar Energy Terrain Park, with a new rail jam in the works for early December. Stay tuned to our events calendar for details on all of our winter events.
New Menus and More for On-Mountain Dining
The Sun Peaks culinary team have cooked up some new menu options to explore at our on-mountain dining establishments this winter. The mid-mountain Sunburst Bar + Eatery will be serving up a new selection of flatbread pizzas and BBQ wraps, while chili has been added to the offerings in The Annex and the Umbrella Café. Happy Hour at Masa’s Bar + Grill has also been extended, running from 3:30 to 6:00pm daily for your slopeside après fix.
Aside from the changes on the food side, we’re happy to announce that we’ve replaced plastic straws with paper versions in all Sun Peaks Resort LLP operated food and beverage outlets. We’re also introducing 100% recyclable and compostable packaging options for pre-prepared menu items from The Annex and the Sunburst Bar + Eatery. These changes are part of Sun Peaks Resort’s commitment to conducting our operations in an environmentally responsible manner.
New Options for Powder Junkies
The Sun Peaks Sports School has tweaked the line up of off-piste camps for winter 2018/19, making it easier for you to get out and enjoy our famous champagne powder. Regular one day options of our Beyond the Groomers camp, Guided Gil’s tour, and Introduction to Backcountry program are available weekly throughout the season, so get out there and explore everything our 4,270 acres of terrain has to offer.
New Staff Accommodation
To meet the needs of our expanding Sun Peaks team a new staff accommodation building is currently under construction. Black Bear Lodge is located adjacent to our current staff housing buildings and will include 84 beds in dorm style accommodation, along with a common area. Black Bear Lodge is on track for completion in early 2019.
New Real Estate Developments
Several new real estate developments are currently underway in Sun Peaks, as part of the continued growth of the village in conjunction with the resort’s Master Development Plan. Construction has already started on Peaks West, a two- and three-bedroom condo, townhouse, and commercial development beside the Sun Peaks Fire Hall. The recently announced Elevation development will take advantage of Sun Peaks’ newest chairlift to provide ski-in, ski-out living perched above the soaring views of the 16th fairway on the golf course.
With so many exciting changes in store for winter 2018/19 it’s shaping up to be another amazing season here in Sun Peaks. Opening Day is November 17 – see you there!