Double-roped fence at Sun Peaks Resort. (Image Credit: Sun Peaks Resort)

By Victor Kaisar

Ski Safety

‘Make good choices’: Sun Peaks Resort warning people to stay inbounds after recent major searches

Dec 16, 2024 | 10:46 AM

SUN PEAKS B.C. — Sun Peaks Resort is warning skiers and snowboarders to stay inbounds on the slopes for their own safety.

The warning comes after six people were reported missing near the new West Bowl chairlift since Nov. 30, five of whom were found alive.

“A few of the runs up there are pretty tight to the ski area boundary but it is double roped,” Sun Peaks Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Aaron Macdonald told CFJC Today. “It is very obvious that it it out of bounds with signage as well.”

“The West Bowl chair area is not a fully advanced area. It’s intermediate to advanced area with some great terrain that is groomed with well marked runs. People just need to be more conscious of staying in bounds.”

Macdonald wants people to “make good choices” if they’re recreating close to the ski area boundary anywhere at Sun Peaks. He says people who venture out of bounds may find themselves in an unpatrolled area with no cell service that is difficult to get out of.

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“People are still choosing to ignore some of the signs and dipping under the rope,” Macdonald added.

“There is that allure of the area and the great snow conditions, but it is outside of our boundaries which puts people at risk. That is when KSAR [Kamloops Search and Rescue] needs to come up and do a few rescues. It’s really unfortunate.”

KSAR Search Manager Cassidy Simpson echoed those same warnings, saying these rescue calls are avoidable.

“Make a point of knowing where the boundary lines are in the resort you’re playing at,” Simpson said, noting Sun Peaks “is easy to underestimate.”

“It’s not an aggressive looking mountain when you’re on it,” he added. “It’s a beautiful, beautiful mountain and it just takes you by surprise when all of a sudden you’re like ‘oh, this does’nt fit and I can’t move through this very well.”

Macdonald also told CFJC Today that Sun Peaks will do what it can to get the word out to people to prevent future mishaps.

“We’re looking at different opportunities and guest messaging and pre-arrival emails and whatever else we can do to get the word out but at the end of the day, the responsibility leans on the guest,” he said. “Especially where there is signage and fence posts and rope and all that out there.”

“We have other areas that are right on the edge of the boundary as well so for this one to [see these many rescue operations] is a bit interesting to say the least but it might be the draw of the new chair up there.”

You can find more on backcountry safety at Sun Peaks Resort here.