File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By James Peters

Back to the Mountain

Sun Peaks officials look to locals as summer recreation offerings begin to open

Jun 10, 2020 | 3:21 PM

SUN PEAKS, B.C. — Sun Peaks Resort is planning a slow restart of recreational opportunities on the mountain – and breathing a sigh of relief that months-long pandemic restrictions didn’t come down before the winter.

In a news release, the resort says its golf course will reopen to members starting this Saturday (June 13), with the general public allowed starting June 26.

The Sun Peaks Bike Park and hiking trails in the area will open to passholders on June 26 and to the public on June 29.

Resort officials say ticket sales will take place primarily online, and guests coming to the mountain won’t find the in-person ticket counter open.

Chief Marketing Officer Aidan Kelly says this summer “will look a little different,” but notes the public has been getting used to a different experience almost everywhere they go.

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“We’re just excited to be able to open again and to welcome people up into the mountains,” Kelly told CFJC Today. “Outdoor recreation is one of the things that has been encouraged and one of the safest things that can still happen during these challenging times. Sun Peaks can play a big role in that — specifically for the local and regional communities.”

The local area becomes more crucial for the tourism-dependant Sun Peaks during summer months. While international visitors are the resort’s lifeblood during the winter, they are far less prevalent after the snow melts. Canada’s borders have been closed to international tourism for months.

Kelly notes this is an opportunity for the resort to buttress its support from Kamloops and surrounding area.

“A lot of people don’t always fully understand or appreciate what they have right in their own backyards. I think this entire situation, for a lot of people around the world, [is causing people] to explore their backyards with a little bit more diligence,” mused Kelly. “That’s going to bring some more local traffic up to Sun Peaks this year and open people’s eyes to what we have to offer. That could pay dividends for the longer term.”

Kelly remains optimistic about both the short-term and long-term futures of the resort, even in the face of a new normal.

“Our key infrastructure projects, things like the chairlifts and some planning for the future in terms of capital, all of that stuff is still continuing to proceed and the outlook still looks very bright for Sun Peaks on the road ahead,” said Kelly.

“We’re well-positioned to continue the growth trajectory that we’ve been on and bounce back pretty strong whenever the world returns to whatever the new normal is. The old normal probably doesn’t exist anymore, but the new normal – we’re ready to embrace it with open arms.”