Sun Peaks, Nov 14/23 (Image Credit: Sun Peaks Resort)

By Dylana Kneeshaw / Michael Reeve

2023/24 SKI SEASON

First chairs to spin Saturday at Sun Peaks

Nov 17, 2023 | 6:00 PM

SUN PEAKS, B.C. — Sun Peaks is set to open Saturday (Nov. 17), making it the first ski hill in the province to open for this winter season.

Snow machines are blowing, but the mountain doesn’t have a full snowpack, so terrain will be limited.

The resort is confident more snow will fall eventually and while Sun Peaks waits for another snow dump, two of the hill’s chairlifts will begin turning this weekend, along with the platter and the carpet lift.

The Sunburst Express and Elevation chairlifts will begin at 9:00 a.m., with only the Cahilty and 5-Mile runs open for skiing and boarding.

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The entire Nordic operation will remain closed at this time. However, all of the usual resort services, including rentals, ski school and restaurants will be open.

“It’s early season, for sure, but we’re just stoked to be opening,” says Sun Peaks Resort Marketing Director Aaron Macdonald. “We need to get a solid 30-to-50-centimetre base, just so we can pack it down and get the snowcats active. But as soon as that happens, we’re just going to start opening up more trails and lifts, as well.”

Judging by early ticket sales online, and what the resort has seen in the past, Sun Peaks expects upwards of 1,000 visitors will come to the mountain this weekend to ski, snowboard, shop and check out the village.

“There’s still stuff to do for kids and families and all that up here. But it is early season, I can’t stress that enough, and in light of that we’re doing 50 per cent off lift tickets as well.”

Lift tickets are 50 per cent off between November 18 and 24, and to prevent overcrowding on the open terrain, the amount of tickets available each day is currently limited.

As the recreation side ramps up, it also means stores in the village will get a swell of people coming in to buy or rent gear. Derek MacGowan is the owner of Jardine’s in Sun Peaks and says his shop is stocked up to handle any influx of visitors.

“In the height of season, we probably will easily have a couple hundred (rentals), 200-to-300 pairs of skis out on the hill at that point in time. I mean, those are your peak Christmas times and things like that,” he explains.

Those in the village say the start of the winter season brings new energy. Between vacationing visitors and staff who may have never been to Sun Peaks or Canada before.

“It’s always a lot of excitement. There’ll be lineups to get on the chairlift early, even with the way snow conditions are,” says MacGowan, “and you get this huge influx of all the new employees that are coming up to the hill from all over the world and they’re exploring and checking things out. It’s always super positive and lots of fun. Everybody kind of gets ramped up for the season.”

Lifts, supplies and staff are in place, and the mountain is ready for Saturday — other than wanting for a bit more snow.