Sun Peaks Independent News Volume 18 Issue 12

NOVEMBER 20 - DECEMBER 18, 2020 Volume 18 Issue 12

ORIGINAL CRYSTAL CHAIRLIFT RETIRED AFTER 40 YEARS

Page 5

MORE WINTER STORIES INSIDE!

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Volume 18 Issue 12 November 20 - December 18 1

LOCAL News New skate shop sets sights on building community JEAN STRONG

A new skate and snowboard shop in Kamloops is hoping to build community and fill the void left by Oronge Boardshop, a local staple which closed earlier this year.

The Truth Skate & Snow, which first opened in Chilliwack B.C. in 2011, opened in Kamloops Oct. 1.

Joel Hersey opened the store with the support of his business partners, Jason Flynn and Edward Millard.

He helped open the first location in Chilliwack after years of working in the industry and between the three partners they have more than 50 years of experience combined.

Hersey said he moved to Kamloops with his family a few years ago and immediately felt at home.

He travelled between Chilliwack and Kamloops for work, always staying involved in the skate and snowboard community in the Interior.

“There is a real serious deep [skate] history in Kamloops and I’m very fortunate to be part of it,” he said.

He explained there was always an idea in the back of his head to open a location closer to his new home, but having solid relationships with Koach and Kuany from Oronge he never wanted to take business from them.

“I would never open a store and jeopardize the business of one of my friends...definitely over the time that I lived here the thought of the life of owning a store here, staying up here...I really like Kamloops, the perfect idea for life crossed my mind multiple times as I lived here, that if Koach and Kuany weren’t here that I have the ability to do a store.

“I was at a tradeshow in Vancouver when we found out they were closing their doors...and from that moment it was on.”

The location they selected had previously been a coffee shop so the Kamloops location of Truth is also home to Sun Perks Coffee.

Hersey said they designed it with the idea of creating a home for the community where customers can come and get a drink and watch skate videos without any pressure to purchase gear.

The first month of coffee sales

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were donated to the Kamloops Skateboard Association and the Sun Peaks Freestyle Club.

“We’re really excited about the community and the possibility of integrating ourselves into it,” he said.

As far as that involvement goes Hersey walks the walk. He’s taught local kids how to skateboard and supported the Bluebird Day Fund and freestyle club.

They also have big plans to get involved with events, especially park events, on the mountain.

He said they hope to host a few open jams that focus less on judges and placement and more on including all riders.

The motivation to give back and contribute to the community stems from not having those opportunities when he grew up, he said.

As one of the only snowboarders at a small maritime hill, Hersey didn’t have the selection of products Truth offers, nor the chance to get involved with other riders.

“I was one of two snowboarders on a mountain that went to go buy a lift ticket and they said ‘Hold on let me go get Larry the ski patrol and

he’ll take you down for a couple runs and make sure you don’t kill anybody,’” he explained. “Now snowboarding is probably 50 per cent of the revenue of the mountain.

“I never had that shit when I was a kid, I never had events, I never had anybody teaching me, I never had anybody go out of their way. All I had was people there to sell me a snowboard, pocket a few hundred dollars and walk away...I just think that communities need outlets like this.”

The shop offers different clothing, footwear, skateboards, snowboards and other soft goods and accessories. They also have a website, thetruthskate.com, for online shopping.

“I believe if you grow up from a kid in the snowboard skateboard community every single person has that allure at some point of it would be so cool to own a skate shop.

“Koach and Kuany over 25 years built a really phenomenal community...I think that if in any way shape or form we can fill that void and do as good a job as we can I think the community will be stoked.”

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Upcoming ski season a La Niña year

Reporter

JARRETT HOFMANN

jarrett@sunpeaksnews.com

SKIERS AND SNOWBOARDERS HAVE THANKED MOTHER NATURE FOR THE FIRST SNOWFALLS OF THE SEASON, BUT WHAT IS THE FORECAST FOR THE REST OF THE WINTER? JARRETT HOFMANN

High mountain regions of B.C. and eastern Alberta got their first significant snowfall of the season around Thanksgiving weekend, dropping up to 15cm of snow in areas according to Environment Canada, and sparking excitement in skiers and snowboarders across Western Canada.

Along with the first signs of ski

2

season, we checked out the recently released 2020-21 winter forecasts

by Accuweather and the Farmers Almanac to give you the latest on what to expect this ski season.

Brett Anderson, senior meteorologist with Accuweather, has spent 10 years trying to predict winter weather patterns, and said La Niña will be playing an important role in this season’s increased precipitation amounts and lower than average temperatures.

“La Niña is an abnormally cooler sea surface temperature along the equatorial Pacific Ocean which

Volume 18 Issue 12 November 20 - December 18

impacts the strength and position of the jet stream that stretches across the northern Pacific Ocean and North America,” Anderson said.

“Because of La Niña, there will be two distinct storm tracks which will deliver numerous [winter] storms into southern B.C.,” he added.

The storm tracks will bring higher than normal rainfall along the coast whereas higher elevations in the coastal and southeastern B.C. mountain ranges will see above average amounts of snowfall.

The Farmers Almanac echoed similar predictions with slight

alterations, calling this season “The Winter of the Great Divide: Wet, white, and wild in the West, everything crazy in the East.”

According to the Farmers Almanac, eastern B.C. will see below average temperatures whereas the coastal part of the province will be on par.

As far as precipitation amounts, above average amounts are expected in western B.C. due to incoming storms from the Pacific.

“If you are a fan of snow, head to the mountains for great skiing,” the Almanac stated.

Reporter JOEL BARDE

joel@sunpeaksnews.com

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The opinions expressed in the articles do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher, owners or writers. This publication may not be reproduced in any form without prior written consent from the publisher.

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On Thursday, December 10, 2020, we will host the 13th Annual Sotheby’s International Realty Canada’s Benefit Art Auction which supports Sun Peaks Secondary Academy.

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Sotheby’s International Realty Canada, Independently Owned and Operated. E.&O.E.: This information is from sources which we deem reliable, but must be verified by prospective purchasers and may be subject to change or withdrawal.

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Volume 18 Issue 12 November 20 - December 18 3

LOCAL News

Sun Peaks Resort releases day ticket booking system and on-mountain protocol PUBLIC ASKED TO WEAR FACE COVERINGS AND BOOK DAY TICKETS EARLY JOEL BARDE

Sun Peaks Resort LLP (SPR) has released more information on how the resort will safely operate this season, and an online system that allows the public to book day tickets in advance.

The resort is encouraging guests to purchase day tickets as soon as possible, and said they expect holidays and weekends to sell out.

SPR will require a face covering in lift lines, on chairlifts, and while not seated at outdoor dining facilities.

Guests are also being asked to wear face coverings while indoors at SPR facilities.

Tickets will be available for pickup at four contactless ticket kiosks that will be set up at the Village Day Lodge.

The tickets will also be available for pickup at ticket windows at the Village Day Lodge, Sun Peaks Nordic Centre at Mt. Morrisey and the base of the Burfield and Morrisey chairlifts.

The resort has also released information regarding refunds.

On its website, SPR stated

if a “documented and verifiable government travel restriction and/or quarantine requirement prevents a guest from being able to travel to Sun Peaks, guests with day tickets will receive a full refund.”

Individuals cases where guests are unable to ride due to COVID-19 related illness will be evaluated on an individual basis.

“If the ski area is open, but an individual cannot travel due to COVID-19 related illness, we will evaluate these circumstances on a case by case basis,” read SPR’s website.

The resort is also prohibiting the indoor storage of belongings this season. It is asking the public to leave items safely secured in their vehicles.

Some products will also be unavailable this winter such as Tube Time and the Bungee Trampoline.

Childminding will not be offered and the Village Carpet will now operate from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. only.

New RFID scanners are seen at the bottom of the Burfield Chairlift. Photo SPIN

On the village walk

sneakyscallywags.ca 4

Volume 18 Issue 12 November 20 - December 18

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LOCAL News

Photo Sun Peaks Resort

New Crystal chairlift ready for opening weekend JEAN STRONG

The new Crystal chairlift opened to riders on opening day, Nov. 21, after the original lift was retired after 40 years of ferrying skiers and riders to the top of the mountain.

The new fixed grip quad increases uphill capacity by 20 per cent and a new end station at the Top of The World offers access to more terrain than the previous lift.

On June 27, 2019 Sun Peaks Resort LLP (SPR) announced their plan to replace the lift and work began in the summer of 2019 with clearing trees and installing bases for lift towers.

Work continued in earnest this summer despite the

COVID-19 pandemic and in October SPR announced the carriers had been attached to the line, a milestone for the project.

“We were able to keep our foot on the gas with a lot of good internal work, but also with strong partnerships we have in the industry with contractors, lift manufacturers and that type of thing,” said Aidan Kelly, chief marketing officer of SPR. “It will definitely improve the experience, in terms of those improvements, the most basic one is it’s not a 40-yearold relic anymore,” said Kelly.

“The brand new alignment is one of the things that I’m kind of interested in, I think it’s going to change the ski experience at Sun Peaks a little bit and it’s going to make us think about some

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things going forward. WIth that new alignment at the top of the World, alongside the Burfield [chairlift], you’ve got a lot more terrain options coming off the Crystal chair than you had with the old Crystal chair. I think that the whole mountain is going to ski a little bit differently.”

This fall SPR also provided an answer to a question that had echoed through the village since the 2019 announcement: how can people get their hands on a retired chair for themselves?

Ballots were available for purchase for $5 to enter for a chance to purchase one of 80 chairs. Over $18,000 was raised for local charities through the ballots. Those whose names were drawn could buy their piece of Sun Peaks history for $350.

Gratitude.

To our Sun Peaks friends & family, Thank you! Your enthusiasm for our Crystal chair ballots has raised $18,000 for charity, reminding us yet again that we live in the greatest community in BC. We are topping up your generous support, bringing the total raised to $20,000, and will be making charitable donations to help programs supporting our local area.

We look forward to seeing you all on the mountain in the coming weeks. To learn about our operating plan for winter 2020-21 please visit SunPeaksResort.com.

Volume 18 Issue 12 November 20 - December 18 5

LOCAL News Busy in the backcountry NORA HUGHES

Winter is fast approaching and provincial experts say outdoor recreationalists need to prepare for a busy season in the backcountry, citing issues surrounding crowds and safety. With the La Niña forecast offering colder weather and more snow, stoke is high for the impending ski season, which will be further complicated by COVID-19 restrictions.

Gilles Valade, executive director of Avalanche Canada, said he anticipated an unusually busy, record-breaking winter season with concerns about beginners venturing into the backcountry.

Last spring, Avalanche Canada cut their forecasting season short in an attempt to keep backcountry users safe. With many of its contributing sources put on hold during the province’s state of emergency, the organization was not able to gather the data needed to accurately forecast. The goal was to discourage unnecessary travel and risk taking in the backcountry to reduce the risk of straining the country’s healthcare system.

Looking to the upcoming winter, their message has shifted to getting outdoors but safely.

Many ski resorts have implemented protocols to keep guests and staff safe. New rules include limiting the number of participants allowed per day using reservation systems or limited sales. Some ski areas, such as Sun Peaks Resort, limited the amount of season passes sold this year and cut down on daily lift ticket quantities to manage visitation levels.

Such capacity limits, as well as travel restrictions, are expected to turn people to the backcountry to get their fix of skiing, just as people turned to outdoor recreation this past summer.

For Avalanche Canada, COVID-19 has added another level of complexity to an already difficult

job. However, the messaging from the organization remained the same.

“As usual, our messaging is always you can’t go into the backcountry if you haven’t had avalanche training,” said Valade.

One such backcountry beginner is Kamloops resident Lloyd Bjorklund, who said he’s excited to get into the backcountry with his splitboard this season for the first time.

Bjorklund is a season pass holder at Sun Peaks but plans to split his time between the mountain and earning his turns in the backcountry.

He said his motivations are partially influenced by COVID-19 but also by a group of friends who have been going on backcountry adventures for a few years.

Bjorklund said he has been curious about what the backcountry has to offer over resort riding and felt this is the time to start.

“I’m excited about going in the backcountry this year and unplugging from the everyday stressors of life. Getting back to the simplicity of just a human being exploring the mountains with just some close friends and Mother Nature.”

Bjorklund said he plans to be prepared to travel in the backcountry by getting educated and booked his AST- 1 course for December. He has also been following a weekly webinar series from Avalanche Canada focused on aspects of avalanche safety for different user groups.

He is exactly the kind of participant who is driving an increased appetite in avalanche safety courses in the region.

Brad Harrison of Colwest Alpine Adventures said he has seen solid enrollment in his AST courses for the upcoming season.

“There are two courses sold out, and two are three quarters sold out.”

Harrison runs the courses in the Kamloops region, focusing on understanding, recognizing and

Backcountry skiers travelling in the Coquihalla summit recreation area. Photo Nora Hughes

avoiding avalanche terrain. It’s the minimum recommendation for beginner backcountry tourers to prepare themselves for the hazards that come with travelling in avalanche terrain.

Harrison recommended everyone practise companion rescue on their first day out and urged people to travel with partners who are also educated on avalanche safety.

“Don’t assume [they’re educated], because they’re the ones who are going to be saving you.

“You can have fun and still be safe.”

Valade from Avalanche Canada echoed the importance of these courses as essential for safe backcountry usage.

“We’re talking an avalanche skills training course. They’re two days minimum, and that is the minimum certification you should get before you venture into the backcountry.”

In addition, he said proper avalanche safety gear is required and the user must know how to use it in the event of an avalanche.

He cited another concern about safety this winter, similar to situations faced by B.C.’s search and rescue groups this summer.

“The other thing we’re concerned about is people accessing the backcountry through ski resorts, slack-country or side-country,” he said. “What’s going to happen is a lot of people

SUN PEAKS’ SOURCE FOR

are going to buy this new gear, and the easiest way to try it is to sneak out on the backside of a ski hill or out of bounds. As soon as you leave a controlled area, it’s avalanche terrain… doesn’t matter if you’re in the middle of nowhere or just outside of a ski resort, it’s exactly the same thing.”

Jon Heshka, an associate professor at Thompson Rivers University who specializes in adventure liability and wilderness risk management and has trained and coordinated with search and rescue operations in B.C., also predicted a busy winter season.

Search and rescue in B.C. is undertaken by volunteer groups.

“Increased exposure to risk, for rescuers, is now amongst all of the other precautions that they have to consider,” said Heshka.

This summer, such groups saw an increase in incidents in popular areas like Squamish, B.C., and it’s assumed this influx of outdoor recreation will continue into the winter months. What is most concerning, in Heshka’s opinion, is the lack of conversation regarding risk levels.

“People in the spring got it. And then we kind of forgot about that.

People are engaging in high-risk activities. We have to go back to where we were in April, in May,” Heshka stated.

“Because people can’t go abroad for trips, people will recreate locally. People who already ski, they’ll ski. People who

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can’t go to Hawaii or California, they might take up skiing. There’s where we’re going to see our spike.”

Provincial health experts have expressed going outside is beneficial during the pandemic and Heshka agreed.

“Anything that gets people outside mentally, physically, emotionally, is good, but it comes at a cost.”

He said with an increased presence in the backcountry this winter, it’s vital recreationists keep in mind that it’s not just about individuals getting hurt but putting others at risk who come after you, such as search and rescue volunteers and other recreationalists.

“It’s not about taking no risks; it’s about taking fewer risks.”

Avalanche Canada focuses their resources on vital daily avalanche forecasting and education, but stressed it’s up to the community to take initiative to keep themselves and others safe in avalanche terrain.

“You need the training, you need equipment, you need to know how to use it, and you need to have seen the forecast and know what’s going on. Just because it’s closer doesn’t mean it’s safer,” said Valade.

To book an AST course this season, visit Colwest Alpine Adventures’ website for a full list of 2020-21 dates in the Kamloops region.

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Volume 18 Issue 12 November 20 - December 18

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GET OUT There

Sun Peaks can expect a 12 per cent reduction in its winter season by 2050 if current trends persist NEW REPORT CALLS FOR URGENT ACTION, SAYS MANY NORTH AMERICAN RESORTS WILL NOT OPERATE AT ALL IF WORLD CONTINUES AT CURRENT PACE

JOEL BARDE

A new report paints a fairly bleak future for B.C. ski resorts unless significant action is undertaken to avoid a worst-case global warming scenario, predicting Sun Peaks Resort LLP could lose 12 per cent of its average season by the 2050s.

The report summarizes new research on the impact of climate change and was put together by Protect Our Winters Canada (POW Canada), a growing climate-change advocacy organization that aims to deepen the skiing public’s understanding of global warming and its many impacts.

The report, titled Losing Our Cool: The Future of Snowsports in a Warmer World, anchors its troubling findings through the careers of Olympic Gold medalists Nancy Greene Raine (gold 1968) and Ashleigh McIvor (gold in 2010).

The average global surface temperature has risen by about 1 degree celsius since the 1880s, a slow and gradual increase that scientists attribute to increased emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into our atmosphere. The warming trend is expected to continue going forward.

Just how much this affects resorts depends on many factors, including their elevation, latitude and how effective

greenhouse gas reductions are.

“Even with massive advancement and investment in snowmaking...Sun Peaks is projected to lose 12 per cent of their current season by the 2050s and nearly a quarter of their season by the 2080s if the world continues to emit carbon at a high intensity,” stated the report.

The report also stated impacts will be even worse at lower elevation resorts, with many Ontario ski hills expected to have seasons of less than 20 days in the 2080s, even with a significant investment in snowmaking.

Daniel Scott, executive director at the Interdisciplinary Centre on Climate Change at the University of Waterloo, said Sun Peaks will likely be more “climate resilient” than other resorts in Canada, and that from a purely economic standpoint, this could benefit it.

“What I try to tell resorts like [Sun Peaks] is that there’s a possibility that you gain market share, because you lose competitors,” said Scott.

“Even though your season is shorter, you might get more skier visits, because some of your competitors may be really slammed.”

Scott added that while a 12 per cent loss in ski days seems high, some resorts, such as Austria’s Kitzbuhel and those in California stand to lose far more of their season.

“There’s gonna be a lot of regional markets, where you’re

gonna have like a couple places left standing by later in the century,” said Scott.

David Erb, executive director of POW Canada, said the report’s authors chose to ground the findings in the stories of Raine and McIvor because they are “ingrained in ski culture” and it helps to illustrate the challenges posed by climate change.

“She’s a prominent Canadian that is totally a household name,” said Erb. “Her gold medal in ‘68 was very significant.”

Erb added discussing the significant impacts that climate change is having on skil hills is a powerful way to motivate change.

“Historically, climate change organizations have shown pictures of polar bears stranded on icebergs and forest fires in Brazil,” said Erb. “And those things are important and motivate certain people, but we also know that they don’t motivate enough people.

“I think that connecting people’s passion and and showing them how climates can impact these places and experiences they love can bring new people into the climate movement.”

With many countries, including Canada, having already committed to targets they haven’t been able to reach, Scott said it’s imperative that Canada redouble its efforts to hit the targets set out in the Paris Agreement, which would reduce the country’s emissions to 30 per cent below 2005 levels.

He would also like to see Canada ratchet up its commitments.

“Even if we delivered on everything that’s in the panCanadian framework, our

pledges are not enough to do our part to keep the world to plus two,” said Erb. You can read POW Canada’s report at www.protectourwinters. ca/save-the-stoke.

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Volume 18 Issue 12 November 20 - December 18 7

LOCAL News

New fitness centre open JEAN STRONG

This fall Sun Peaks resident Jase Petersen opened the doors and welcomed the first customers to his dream business.

Sun Peaks Alpine Fitness, based in the newly constructed Sun Peaks Centre, opened in early September. Opening the gym has been a long term goal of Petersen’s since he got involved with a previous fitness facility in the village.

“The past three years since operating the previous facility I’ve listened to what people were looking for and that really is the drive behind the build and what I’ve put together,” Petersen said. “Obviously you can’t cater for everybody but I feel like I’ve really honed in on a little bit of everything for everybody.”

Some of the equipment includes a variety of cardio and weight machines, spin bikes, a stretch of turf for a sled, racks, free weights and a power lifting station.

“I’ve really made sure that it’s well encompassed,” he said.

In addition to the gym offerings, Petersen is gathering a team of specialists to provide other services.

“I’ve got a strong stance on mental health, my own struggles have [helped me find] my passion with healthy bodies and healthy minds,” he said. “I’ve deliberately built a treatment room so we can include physio, massage and counselling.

Basically being a one stop shop.”

Personal trainers will also be made available and in the future Petersen said he plans to add more coaches.

Jase Petersen in the new gym. Photo SPIN

He said he hopes the combination of mental health and physical fitness will be a perfect balance for community members, especially young athletes who train and play hard on the mountain. Petersen said he’d like to feature programs for kids, like he has in the past, and he now has the opportunity to offer more.

“We have such a big, younger population into the sports that coming and learning gym work is just going to benefit them as they get older. And if you can instill that training regime into them as a complement to what they’re doing

on the mountain it’s something that will last,” he said. “They’re all doing these high risk activities; the stronger they can be the easier it is coming back from injuries.”

But whether participants are first time gym-goers or avid attendees, Petersen said he wants the space to be welcoming.

“My whole drive is very much I want to be welcoming to those that have never trained before...people can be intimidated to go into a gym and that’s not what I want this place to be,” he said. “I want to be supporting confidence and strength

both mentally and physically.”

Complications from the pandemic meant much of the physical labour fell to him to complete, ultimately making it even more gratifying.

“I’ve done most of the installation myself. This has all been my dream and my creation...this is mine, I built this.”

Opening during the pandemic also mean altered operations, such as booking a two hour time slot for open gym to restrict numbers, increased sanitation, providing individuals with sweat towels and water bottles and any other guidelines implemented

by the government.

Petersen offers loyalty, seasonal and drop in packages which include options such as classes, open gym time or a mix, with prices determined by the length of the contract.

“I’ve been here for a long time and am very community driven and that’s what facility I want.”

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Volume 18 Issue 12 November 20 - December 18

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COMMUNITY Flight Deck Cannabis ready for take off AFTER TWO YEARS SUN PEAKS’ FIRST CANNABIS RETAIL SHOP IS NEARLY READY TO OPEN

JEAN STRONG

Thanks to four Sun Peaks residents who dreamt big, Sun Peaks’ first cannabis retail store opened Nov. 16.

Friends and volunteer colleagues Melissa and Kyle Vike and Sonya and Pat Nasilowski first partnered two years ago to begin the tumultuous process of opening the store in Sun Peaks.

After countless applications, long waiting periods, drumming up community support and finding the perfect location, the couples have put the finishing touches on the business.

In addition to opening the business all four partners have other careers and each couple welcomed their first child last year.

The business partners opened the doors of Flight Deck Cannabis in midNovember after completing extensive renovations and receiving final approval from the province and municipality.

“I think we all saw that this is a new, or newly legal, industry and we had the opportunity to be on the ground floor,” Sonya said. “It has definitely posed some challenges but I think overall the community was so supportive of us and the municipality already had bylaws in place for when cannabis was going to be legalized. So compared to a lot of other municipalities we maybe had it easy.”

Sonya explained they also haven’t faced the same apprehension from residents as cannabis retail businesses have in other communities.

“Part of that is coming from a small community and everybody knowing us. I think

Kyle and Melissa Vike and Sonya and Pat Nasilowski on opening day of their new business. Photo Dom Koric

that a lot of the fear for some people about having cannabis in the community is [stopped because] we’re volunteers with Rotary, we’re volunteer firefighters. We’re parents too so we have high levels of ethics and values, people recognize that.”

The group has put energy into deciding what the customer experience should be, landing on a space that is welcoming and modern.

“We definitely want to be really customer focused,” Sonya said. “We want the customer experience to be really positive.

I noticed when I go into a lot of the other stores they’re not really asking specific questions and you don’t even really know where to start because there are so many new products. I’m

somebody with experience with cannabis and I already feel overwhelmed.”

She said with a wide variety of customers, from tourists purchasing cannabis for the first time to the experienced user, they want to provide education that gives each customer a good experience.

“We’re going to be offering everything that we can.”

Some products include flower, concentrates such as cannabis distillate, resin or shatter, edibles such as beverages, cookies, chocolate and mints, topicals, as well as pre-rolled joints to appeal to tourists.

High end accessories will also be a focus.

“We’re going to have things like gold rollies, intricate glass bongs, so some art pieces. It’s

kind of the most fun part of the process, just looking at all the amazing glass artists.

“We’re also going to focus on bringing in Canadian products because all the cannabis that we’re receiving is Canadian so we also want to focus on bringing in Canadian accessories, things that are eco-friendly like reusable glass blunts instead of using papers.”

Most of all, Sonya said, they want the community to know their focus is on safety.

“We’re going to be following every regulation, our building is going to be really secure and we want to put the safety of our employees and our customers first. So that beyond customer service our number one priority is safety.”

When customers first visit

the store this winter they will be greeted with well thought out displays alongside a variety of aviation decor, pieces that are a nod both to the name and partner Kyle’s personal background working with planes.

“It’s a bit of play on words as well,” she said. “Flying, getting high. It works on both sides. The flight deck is also where you get briefed before you take off.”

Follow along on Instagram, @flightdeckcannabis or www. flightdecksunpeaks.com when their website is live.

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Alpine Images Photography Let us capture your Sun Peaks Memories with a photoshoot in our magical winter wonderland. for more information and to book please contact us at

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Volume 18 Issue 12 November 20 - December 18 9

GET OUT There Clearwater River links elite kayakers with grassroots paddle culture “THE CLEARWATER RIVER IS A CULMINATION OF AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF CHUTES, WATERFALLS, AND RAPIDS AND IS ONE OF THE GREAT RIVERS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA. IT’S ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING AND DYNAMIC TRIBUTARIES OF THE ENTIRE FRASER RIVER SYSTEM” JARRETT HOFMANN

Clearwater, B.C. is home to one of the highest quality, big volume, free flowing, protected, and longest undammed whitewater rivers in North America, and maybe even the world, according to Doug Trotter, who has operated Interior Whitewater Expeditions (IWE) in Clearwater for over 50 years, and who was part of the original whitewater kayaking scene in the region.

“The Clearwater River is an anomaly,” he said. “We hire a lot of international guides and that’s a good measuring stick of what’s going on because they’ll raft the Clearwater River in the summer and usually head south in the winter and raft in Colombia or Australia or wherever and I have heard this 20 or 30 times; (the Clearwater River) is one of the great rivers.”

The torch of the legendary Clearwater kayaking scene has been passed on many times over the years and is now in the hands of Kenneth Mckay and his group of friends which includes international competitive boater Peirce Huser, and TRU adventure guide alumni Travis Aback, Jared Day, and Lauren Turcott. They dubbed themselves Team Melon.

Mckay is a Clearwater local who has been whitewater kayaking and rafting for over 10 years. He was first introduced to the sport after getting a job as a bus driver for IWE when he was 18 years old.

Before then, Mckay was always nervous around the Clearwater River because he said he was brought up like other locals to be scared of the river.

“In reality it’s actually a very good river to learn and to train on. There’s not a lot of rocks and a lot of the wood gets washed away (by the high volume of water). So there’s no hazard in that way, it’s warm water, and kind of friendly I guess you’d say,” Mckay explained.

PROGRESSION At IWE he found himself surrounded by a group of world class kayakers, raft guides and avid expedition boaters.

They taught him to paddle in a straight

line and roll his kayak on the flat, warm waters of Dutch Lake in case he flipped while paddling on moving water, a typical progression for rookie whitewater boaters.

Once Mckay learned the essentials, he said his co-workers “threw him to the wolves” and started progressing Mckay’s skills on the Clearwater River where he began moving through the different classes of rapids, which range from one to six.

Class six whitewater is essentially unrunnable.

“If you go down you’re probably not going to make it,” Mckay explained.

“An example of a class six on the Clearwater River would be Helmcken Falls, or the Kettle rapid at high (volume). Basically rapids are rated on the technicality and consequence of a rapid. A class five is very technical and has high consequences in there that could cause bodily harm or death.

You need good skills to paddle class five,” said Mckay.

Subsequent classes scale down, each one becoming less technical and less consequential than the last.

Classes four and three require specific moves to avoid dangerous life and limb threatening hazards, while paddlers on classes one and two can pretty much paddle wherever they want.

Mckay has come a long way since sitting in a kayak for the first time and has worked his way through all five paddleable classes of rapids. With the support of Clearwater’s kayaking community he’s been able to greatly grow his skills and confidence and is now seen as a key member of the community.

Along the way Mckay met up-andcomer paddler Huser, who has been working hard building a reputation this season, getting first descents, paddling technical creeks, and styling big volume rapids.

Huser, a 20-year-old natural resource science student at Thompson Rivers University (TRU), got his start in a whitewater kayak when he was only nine years old. He was introduced to the sport by his parents who taught him to roll his kayak in a backyard pool.

“Ever since that I kind of caught the bug. From 10 to like 16 years old I would probably go (kayaking) every weekend

Peirce Huser and Jared Day simultaneously surfing the pink mountain wave on the Clearwater River. Photo by Travis Aback

and on the odd weeknight in the spring, summer and fall. I’d go with my dad and we’d go to rivers like the Adams, the Clearwater, and the Thompson,” he remembered.

When he was 17 years old Huser ran the class five rapid Bailey’s Chute for the first time, one of the most challenging rapids on the river at 50 cubic metres a second (CMS). This summer he returned and ran it at 250 CMS, the highest it has ever been run at.

Huser’s specialty is freestyle boating, a discipline of whitewater boating that he has practised for the majority of his kayaking career. It features kayakers surfing a wave on the river and doing tricks, explained Huser.

“We play on and surf this little feature called Pink Mountain on the Clearwater River,” Huser said, referring to a spot beside a large granite cliff with a pink hue. “It’s kind of like a little river wave .

We surf that wave with our kayaks and do a variety of different tricks, whether it be a little spin or you get to throw a cartwheel, maybe get the bow of your kayak in the water and throw some ends.

You can even do a front flip loop kind of thing.”

In 2016 Huser landed a spot on the

Junior Canadian Freestyle national team, that same year he went on to compete in the Freestyle World Championships.

In 2019 he moved onto the senior team and went to Spain where he placed 30th in the world.

“Out of all the Canadian boaters I came second (in the world championships), which is pretty good so that’s my little claim to fame right now,” Huser said.

Now, after competing in the world championships, Huser is still active in the sport. He is regularly pushing the limits closer to home and is more active than ever in the Clearwater kayaking scene.

LEADERSHIP Mckay and Huser now spend more than 150 days a year in their boats with friends of Team Melon.

Mckay’s house on the Clearwater river is a hub for the local paddling community.

He referred to it as a “kayakers’ hostel” with an open door policy where Melon teammates rent rooms for cheap and where other kayakers can pitch tents.

This makes it easier for other passionate boaters to focus on progressing their skills and pursuing their passion. The close proximity of the house to the river makes it convenient to run quick after

work laps, considering it’s possible to take their boats out of the river and walk straight into Mckay’s backyard.

Team Melon’s motivation boils down to four key values: partnerships, exploration, progression and leadership.

Mckay explained his motivation for exploration and leadership came from IWE co-worker and mentor Adrian Kiernan, who was one of Mckay’s first paddling partners and strongly influenced him. Mckay would typically follow Kiernan’s lead while learning the intricacies of paddling.

On top of a mentor, Kiernan soon became one of Mckay’s best friends.

They travelled the world together, visiting different whitewater kayaking and rafting destinations along the way.

Sadly, Kiernan lost his life while on a kayaking expedition in Nepal in 2018, leaving a gaping hole in the Clearwater kayaking community.

“Ever since losing him I’ve become more of a leader and a driver in lots of these kayak trips and expeditions, the same way he was for me,” said Mckay. “That’s kind of what I strive for really. I want to try and do for the next generation what he and so many others did for me.”

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Volume 18 Issue 12 November 20 - December 18

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GET OUT There Huser is also passionate about exploration, eyeing up first descents of technical rapids that sometimes take multiple days to scope, hike in to and descend with Mckay and Day. EXPLORATION Their most recent mission was on the Azure River in early September, a class five river set deep in the backcountry of Wells Gray Provincial Park, which spills into Azure Lake and eventually into the mouth of the Clearwater River. They left late in the afternoon with their kayaks and started the 10 kilometre bushwack through thick tufts of devil’s club at what they called an absurdly slow pace.

“The first day we only made it a kilometre and a half and then set up camp,” remembered Huser. “The next day we got seven hours into it and maybe made it another kilometre and a half because the bush was ungodly thick and we were carrying really heavy kayaks, upwards of 80 pounds.”.

They made it one kilometre from McAndrews Lake which marks the halfway point of their approach when one member of their crew hyperextended their knee, prompting an evacuation.

“At about 3 p.m. we decided to turn around and try and get him out before dark...I tied one of my leashes to (him) to take some of the weight off his knee and we began the slow trek back down and made it to the vehicle just before dark. It was a little demoralizing at that point because we were even further behind schedule,” said Huser.

That night, they reorganized, restocked food and rechecked logistics.

In the morning they trekked back five hours to their kayaks and the remaining two kilometres to McAndrews Lake.

On the third day the team woke up early and crushed the remaining five kilometres to the river head.

“We finally got to the river around 2 p.m. and getting there was pretty surreal. I kept having devil’s club flash before my eyes and dreamt about it that night, it was messing with my head a little bit,” Huser said, laughing it off.

The three finally got on the river, which marked the beginning of the fourth-ever descent of the Azure, as Day and Mckay nabbed the third descent the previous year. That afternoon they kayaked ten significant rapids and waterfalls ranging from 10 to 30 feet high.

“It was really cool, we were able to run every one of those,” Huser said.

The next objective was to paddle the remaining 23 kilometres of the river meet the jet boat they had scheduled, which would transport them 50 kilometres across Azure and Clearwater lakes, to the mouth of the Clearwater River.

“That next day was pretty challenging, I ran this sick 20 foot waterfall and it hasn’t even been done before. I ran it pretty clean and a first descent in there doesn’t hurt.”

Jared Day before putting in to the lower two kilometres of the Murtle River. Photo

by Kenneth Mckay

One hundred feet past that waterfall, the river presented a horizon line hosting a double drop, totalling 70 feet of waterfall. Huser said it had a runnable line and has never been done before, but the team decided to opt out and portage around the feature as they weren’t able to mitigate enough of the risks considering the time crunch and remoteness of the river.

The final feature on the Azure was a canyon with a class six rapid which was totally unrunnable, so once again they had to hike their heavy gear around the steep section, thrashing through more thick vegetation..

“The devil’s club was a couple inches thick in diameter and there was so much of it. Everyone’s colour showed a little bit and some tempers flared,” reflected Huser.

That afternoon they paddled the rest of the river into Azure Lake, where they camped and waited for the jet boat to arrive the next morning.

“I love this style because I can feel like a modern day adventurer living from my kayak and travelling down unique rivers that are only experienced by (few) kayakers. It’s a place where I can forget about normal life and just kick it with close friends doing what we love while keeping life simple,” said Huser.

“Sometimes I wonder if it’s all worth it, but it definitely was. The whitewater was super high quality and the river was world class. If it had road access people would be paddling that all the time, it was such a high calibre.”

PARTNERSHIPS In addition to regular exploration, Huser has caught the eye of both local

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and international businesses.

Huser is an ambassador for Pink Mountain Imports, a staple in the Clearwater kayaking scene created

by Maison and Riley Cavaliere. The Kamloops-based online gear retailer is named after the pink granite cliff on the Clearwater River. They sell whitewater kayaking gear and accessories while also focusing on promoting accessibility in the kayaking industry.

“We don’t require our ambassadors to send 100 foot waterfalls and post pictures of it. We’d much rather see them supporting the community and pushing the sport of kayaking, not the sport of sending. If they’re doing that, that’s unbelievable and of course we will give them all the support (we can),” Maison explained.

When asked about pushing himself and the sport on behalf of his sponsors , Huser said he’s cautious, but excited.

“It’s important to ask myself the right questions before I drop into something, that’s really important to me. I make sure I want to run it for the right reasons. Like would you drop a waterfall just because you have a certain sticker on your boat or because the camera is rolling? (I also ask myself) what can go wrong?

“I get really excited when I see a rapid that looks like it has potential. If (my) headspace is calm and cool, and I’m not so nervous while looking at it, I’ll feel like it’s the right time and place to run a rapid. I won’t hesitate to do it, because I’m not going to lie to you, there’s a certain rush and joy that comes with it, but the right time and having the right people around is key.”

The vision for Pink Mountain Imports isn’t all about the gear, added Riley.

Clearwater whitewater paddlers pictured at the base of Helmcken Falls before completing the Murtle/Clearwater River mission. Photo by Kenneth Mckay

“We want to move beyond just selling items and material things to people and maybe go to festivals or host events and (introduce) more women into the sport by making it more accessible for everyone. Like one part of that is we try and not mark up our gear so much so that when people look at it, they’re like, ‘oh wow, that’s a good price.’”

The mission aligns with Team Melon’s usual vibe, which is welcoming and encourages people to get out there.

Other than getting first and second descents, Mckay and the rest of Team Melon’s time is spent getting out with groups of old friends and new boaters to show them runs.

“It’s always nice to have some new people along, that always raises the stoke,” said Mckay.

One of Mckay’s favourite kayaking traditions has stood nearly a decade. He gets a large group together and does the Murtle waterfall mission, a class five rapid that flows into the Clearwater River. It’s a 75 kilometre paddling trip that eventually ends in Mckay’s backyard, which they did most recently at the end of August.

“That mission finishes on a spot called The Flower Pots. What we’ll do at the end of those missions is get up on those flower pots, which are basalt lava rock islands in the middle of the river that are cone shaped because the river slowly erodes the base. They have a bunch of lichen, moss, and trees growing off the top, and we’ll watch the spring salmon jump up the last drop of the Gatlin Gorge. It’s a really cool hang.”

The Murtle mission starts at the base of Helmcken Falls with a 30 foot waterfall called Lee Falls, which can be

seen from the popular lookout.

“We rappel in with our boats, paddle across the river, hike up to the base of Helmcken Falls, and put in to the top of the 30 foot waterfall above a class three boulder garden section. Once through that we get on to the Clearwater River and go to the end of Gatlin Gorge where the flower pots are,” explained Mckay Although the paddling season in Clearwater slows down as the weather gets colder and the snow starts to fall, Team Melon has their sights aimed on a secret first descent for next season that they would not disclose to SPIN just yet.

In the meantime, McKay will be strapping on his skis to stay fit for paddling over the winter.

“The best thing for keeping the stoke is to get away from it for a bit, I find. It can be a long season if you’re boating every weekend. Sometimes you need a break, mostly on the mental side of things.”

Those interested in getting into the Clearwater kayaking scene, can look no further than Pink Mountain Imports for gearing up, contact IWE for rafting trips next season, and take part in the Clearwater Kayaking Festival in summer 2021. Information on the festival can be found on their event page on facebook.

To keep up with Team Melon and the rest of the Clearwater kayaking scene, follow their individual accounts on Instagram. Pierce Huser can be found @peirce_huser, Kenneth Mckay @kennethmckay44, Jared Day @jaredgmday, Travis Aback @ travaback, IWE @interior_whitewater_ rafting, and Pink Mountain Imports @pinkmountainimports.

Volume 18 Issue 12 November 20 - December 18 11

EVENTS Annual art auction moves online WALK THROUGH GALLERY TO ACCOMPANY ONLINE AUCTION

We Need You More Than Ever!

JEAN STRONG

This year’s annual Sotheby’s International Realty Benefit Art Auction has changed due to the pandemic, but will still take place with a modified event.

The annual event raises money for the Sun Peaks Education Society (SPES), which operates the Sun Peaks Secondary Academy.

Rather than an evening of food and drink, ArtZone Sun Peaks and Sotheby’s have planned an online auction paired with a walk through gallery in the newly constructed Sun Peaks Centre.

“That will be 35 pieces of art that ArtZone members donate,” said ArtZone president Marj Knive. “People will walk in one door and walk around the art pieces and walk back out the other door in single file and socially distanced.”

Winter EVENTS

The auction portion of the event will take place virtually from Dec. 4 to 10 with the walk through gallery on Dec. 10 from 3 to 8 p.m.

To include local students, for whom the money raised will support, select students have been asked to create videos to accompany the auction.

The videos will show why the students like attending school on the mountain as well as provide information about the artists and their creations.

“It’s just vital to keep the school going so we really hope that people far and wide, you don’t even need a ticket this year, you can be anywhere and still support the auction and the school,” said Knive.

Sotheby’s managing broker Gianpiero Furfaro said he felt good about the changes the groups made to keep the event alive during the pandemic.

The realty company has stepped up to cover costs associated with moving

the event online to ensure donations go straight to the school.

He said SPES is especially important to support as it’s a way to help shape young minds.

“As a kid, this is a dream for me, I would’ve loved to have gone to Sun Peaks’ schools.

“The main goal has always been and always will be to continue to support the school and ensure the kids receive the kind of education we would like them to have.”

Knive encouraged attendees of the walk through gallery to support other local businesses that night by making a night of it with those inside their bubbles and making reservations at a local restaurant.

“That night in one of the local restaurants have a glass of wine and support them and do your bidding. We want to support the school and we want to support the local businesses.”

For more information visit the ArtZone website.

13 t h A n n u a l

Sotheby’s International Realty

Benefit

ART Auction

in partnership with ArtZone Sun Peaks Artwork Viewing at The Grand Hall of Sun Peak Sports Centre - Walk-through

Thursday, December 10, 2020 – 3:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Bidding Opens Online December 4, 2020 No tickets to buy, just register online with the QR Code. Easily scan with your cellphone camera. Having difficulties? Drop in the Sotheby’s office for assistance.

ArtZone Sun Peaks Arts Society

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Exhibitions of local artists at Vertical Café Guest Services and Tourism Sun Peaks FREE

A digital film festival featuring films on adventure sports, the environment, mountain culture and more vimff.org/FallSeriesArtZoneSunPeaksArtsSociety TICKETS $15

Level up your nordic skiing with an early season camp glenn_bond@me.com $239

3 to 8pm

Online auction and in person walk through gallery to support the Sun Peaks Education Society www.artzonesunpeaks.com/ events NO TICKET NECESSARY

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Volume 18 Issue 12 November 20 - December 18

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ARTS Studio upgrades for stained glass artist JEAN STRONG

An artistic Sun Peaks duo, who have made a name for themselves with unique stained glass creations, levelled up over the summer. In 2017 the couple started attending Market Days in Sun Peaks and have since expanded in both the number of markets they attend and their products.

Marlie Marchewka, one half of Designs by M&J with her partner Joey Riegler, said despite the impact of COVID-19 on the summer market scene they had a strong season and are still working on big plans.

The provincial announcement that artisan stalls would be allowed at farmers’ markets came last minute, making Marchewka work hard to ensure they had enough products to attend.

“It ended up working out great, I made enough items that I thought could get me through the markets without overstocking myself if something were to happen. I had to dance this thin line to balance it.”

The pieces are now also being sold in Kamloops at Far & Wide, a downtown retail store featuring local and handmade products, in Sun Peaks at Alpine Images and are soon to be sold in other stores in B.C. and Ontario.

As the business grows the couple have had to make more space to create. Last fall they purchased a home in Whitecroft and began renovations; one of the focuses this summer was creating a dedicated studio space.

“A year ago I was working out of a small two bedroom basement suite. When I first started glass I was working out of a kitchen, not knowing that this whole moment would snowball into what it did.

Then I graduated to our spare

Marlie and Joey of M&J Designs pose in their studio in Whitecroft, B.C.

bedroom...I could never ever imagine that we would have our own space to solely dedicate to glass.”

Marchewka said the space is a huge milestone.

“I love coming into work everyday, I love my studio...it’s beautiful. I get a lot of natural light in here which is so great, it’s incredibly inspiring.”

She said the move to Whitecroft has surprised her by giving her new inspiration, especially experiencing four distinct seasons more so than she did living on the mountain.

After starting out making

icicles and mountains, she’s expanded to bears, which she said have become very popular, as well as maple leaves and moon phases.

“I just love making pieces not just to make pieces and throw them together. I plan everything out from start to finish, how the glass is positioned, what stones I’m going to incorporate…I also just like designing pretty pieces, things that I’d like to hang in my home and things that I’m inspired by. It’s cool that other people appreciate them as much as I do.”

Looking ahead, work is

underway on a website which will allow them to sell pieces online.

“This year has been such a pivotal moment for us personally and the business. It’s been nothing but awesome but scary too. All of this is off the back of the renovation of our studio, without the new studio I don’t think we’d be here where we are right now.”

They’re also looking at ways to grow and improve the pieces they make. Marchewka said she has a long list of new items to create and they plan to incorporate more woodworking again once

they can build a workshop.

“It’s going to be exciting to see once we start our website what’s going to happen. I think it’s more important now than ever for people to be inspired and to create.”

Designs by M&J can be found on Instagram at @designs.m.j and Facebook at Designs by M&J.

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Volume 18 Issue 12 November 20 - December 18 13

SERVICES Be Fuddled Across 1 Sonny's honey, once 5 Dix x cent 10 High times in England?

14 Idée ___ (obsession) 15 Caribbean percussion instruments 17 Meadows 18 One holding a chicken appy?

19 Type of bank acct.

21 What a dog is perpetually on the wrong side of, per Ogden Nash 22 Carry-___ (hand luggage) 23 Scott Joplin tune for happy puppies?

28 Hanoi's country 29 Admiral's rear 32 Rule-breaking, as some verbs: Abbr.

33 Folder for unwanted email 36 Vancouver poet laureate Evelyn ___ 37 Hand-flapping nut job?

41 Go from ___ B 42 "It's not ___" ("I can hack it") 43 Montreal Expos div., once 45 Hands-on Japanese healing 48 Hair stylist for an Anne Shirley portrayer 50 Shania on the lam?

53 "The Lord of the Rings" beast 56 "Well, jeepers" 57 Suffix with Caesar 58 Vigil for the dead in a vegetable patch?

62 Armed Forces Sgt. and Cpl. 65 Got even with 66 "Keen!"

67 Keys not found on typewriters 68 Rulers before Lenin 69 Doesn't just wonder about Down 1 Org. for Lions and Tiger-Cats 2 Hotfoot it, old-style 3 Frustrate to no end 4 Add another dash to the dish

by Barbara Olson © ClassiCanadian Crosswords 1

2

3

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14

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18 19

23

6

8

25

26

33 37

43

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48 51

52 57

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65 67

44

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9 16

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7

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5 Counsellor's deg.

6 "Lord, is ___?" (Last Supper question) 7 Assist, before "hand" 8 ___ lamb (meat order) 9 Rib prodders 10 Singer's syllable 11 Its symbol is € 12 "You got that right!"

13 Rus. regions on pre-'90s maps 16 Do an exterminator's job 20 Starbucks 20-ouncer 23 Brutus's 1006 24 Combat for ace Billy Bishop, e.g.

25 Git through yer head?

26 Digital publications 27 Yiddish moola 30 Native American rituals to end droughts 31 Cells' centres 34 ___-pitch softball 35 ___ Bubba bubble gum 38 What "les yeux" do 39 None, with "a one"

69

40 "It's ___" ("See you then") 44 Seaside soarer 46 Baked pudding, in Jewish cuisine 47 A party to the con job 49 Start to a bratty request 51 ___ the custom (traditionally) 52 "___ maroon!" (Bugs Bunny comment about the hunter parodied in this puzzle) 53 Tyrannical boss 54 Former politician Bob, and others 55 Broadcast media watchdog: Abbr.

59 Word preceding "Boot" or "Kapital" 60 Flooey lead-in 61 Broadbent and Fast, for two 63 Yellow-ribbon tree of song 64 Peter, Paul and Mary titles: Abbr.

64

A MESSAGE from Sun Peaks’ Independent News Publisher and Managing Editor, BRANDI SCHIER

As the only local news source, Sun Peaks Independent News has been an integral part of residents’ lives for over 17 years and it’s been our honour to grow alongside this community. Our mission is to share stories and information to help the resort community of Sun Peaks flourish.

WE CAN’T DO THIS WITHOUT YOU. We need your support to keep providing local news to the Sun Peaks region — and keep it open and free of charge for everyone.

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Greg: 250 371 7800 • gzieb@telus.net www.ziebartexcavating.com

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Volume 18 Issue 12 November 20 - December 18

You can’t get closer to the lifts than the Coast Sundance Lodge! We offer the best ski-in, ski-out accommodation in all of Sun Peaks, featuring a range of spacious suites and lofts, all of which come with kitchens or kitchenettes, so you can stock up with all the provisions you’ll need. Most of our rooms have beautiful, unobstructed views of the mountain and village. And should you find time to stay connected, you’ll have access to complimentary Wi-Fi.

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250 578 0200 | coasthotels.com

SUNPEAKSNEWS.COM @SunPeaksNews

SUNPEAKSNEWS.COM @SunPeaksNews

Volume 18 Issue 12 November 20 - December 18 15

Serving Sun Peaks and area since 1995

ALPINE RESORT REALTY

EACH OFFICE IS INDEPENDENTLY OWNED & OPERATED

OPEN DAILY - LOCATED IN THE KOOKABURRA LODGE T: 250 578 8222 TF: 1 800 663 2838 E: info@sunpeaksrealty.com

COMMERCIAL SPACE

4217 BELLA VISTA DRIVE | $3,595,000 Enter the front doors to the impressive Great Room - showcasing the panoramic vista of Sun Peaks Resort! Massive floor-to-ceiling windows and fireplace set the stage for entertaining.

Unique materials were hand-selected, including massive beams and reclaimed barnwood.

Beautifully planned four bedroom custom timber frame home captures your imagination.

Gourmet kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances, abundant custom cabinetry, stone center island with informal dining space allows access to an expansive all-season heated sundeck with private hot tub.

102 KOOKABURRA LODGE | $239,000 Convenience and accessibility! This 327 square foot space has high traffic exposure and good storefront visibility with direct outside access. The Kookaburra Lodge is a ski-in, skiout, four storey concrete building with residential condos above and commercial/retail on the ground floor including restaurant, spa and Municipal offices. Great location in the heart of Sun Peaks with year-round community and school. Monthly strata fee is $274.86.

#9 VILLAGE WALK | $1,195,000 This luxury townhome offers a fun mountain getaway for the family. The lower level features a welcoming spacious entry, rec room, laundry, private patio with hot tub and forest views. Garage boasts plenty of storage space and was upgraded with custom built in cabinetry and ski tuning workbench. More than 2400 sq. ft of living space on 3 levels, with quartz countertops, beautiful wood floors, gas stove and over 12 ft ceilings. Zoning allows for short term rentals. GST n/a.

40 ACRES

HOTEL CONDOS | starting at $49,900

5064 HEFFLEY-LOUIS CREEK ROAD | $790,000 Gorgeous country setting with 4 bdrm. log home overlooking the beautiful Louis Creek valley.

Peace & tranquillity with breathtaking wraparound views! A walk in the back-yard leads to a private wooded forest and year-round Cahilty Creek, backing onto crown land. The main level living area is the heart of the home, which is flooded with great light passing through massive windows that bring the outdoors inside. The open floor plan with vaulted ceiling & rustic rock fireplace is perfect for family gatherings. Only 20 min to Sun Peaks/50 min to Kamloops.

• • • • • •

#308 FIRESIDE LODGE | $344,900 Location is everything! Close to all resort shopping and amenities - Ski-in and Ski-out from this bright one bedroom condo which features an open floor plan, cozy fireplace and covered deck overlooking the village. Property amenities include outdoor hot tub, heated underground parking, elevator, shared on floor laundry, ski and bike storage, and the convenience of in building restaurants and commercial outlets. Unlimited owner use, with short term rental allowed. Offered furnished; GST n/a.

Enjoy the warm hospitality and peace of mind with professional in house management!

Located in the heart of Sun Peaks Village Hassle free ski-in, ski-out access Underground parking Variety of room configurations & owner use arrangements.

Call one of our Real Estate Professionals today!

2215 SUNBURST DRIVE |

$1,179,000

Imagine your very own ski run that passes directly along the side of this home! An airy open layout allows for seamless transitions from the living space to the kitchen and spacious dining area that will accommodate large family gatherings. Custom built post & beam 6 bedroom home includes a self-contained suite and is just far enough away from the hustle and bustle to offer a peaceful retreat. Entire house has been re-zoned to allow for short term rentals. Offered furnished with hot tub. GST applies.

1323 BURFIELD DRIVE |

$539,000

This 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, half duplex in the mountain community of Sun Peaks is a great family home with single car garage, low maintenance landscaped yard, storage shed and ski-in access off Mt. Morrisey. The covered entry strikes a welcoming note with an airy open layout on the main floor for seamless transitions from the living space to the kitchen and dining area.

The second level features two bedrooms plus spacious master bedroom with ensuite, walk-in closet and jet tub, and direct access to the private back yard.

Additional parking and storage available.

2569 MOUNTAINVIEW DRIVE | $299,000 Conveniently located at the base of Mt. Morrisey with excellent ski-in access and stunning mountain views. Quiet cul-de-sac location backs onto forested ski terrain and offers a great family friendly environment. No time limit to build out and design guidelines in place. Residential zoning allows for a two-bedroom legal revenue suite. Services are to the lot line and the property has been partially excavated with building plans included. The $5,000 performance deposit is included in the purchase price and will be assigned to the new Owner. GST n/a.

COMMERCIAL SPACE

#107 KOOKABURRA LODGE |

2431 FAIRWAYS DRIVE | $1,319,000 SKI IN AND WALKING DISTANCE TO THE VILLAGE! From the floor to ceiling rock fireplace in the living room, the custom hardwood cabinetry, granite countertops, deluxe appliances, tasteful mix of hardwood, stone and tile flooring - all is high end. Large master bedroom features vaulted ceilings, private deck, fireplace, 5 piece ensuite with large soaker tub, shower, separate vanities and large walk in closet. House your toys in the large single garage of over 30 feet in length with additional storage mezzanine. Offered furnished with hot tub; GST n/a.

$559,000

High traffic corner exposure and great storefront visibility and patio area that offers the opportunity for significant growth, as Sun Peaks continues to improve and expand its development. Concrete structure for strength, acoustic and fire qualities with sprinkler system in place. Great location adjacent to the village with year round community and school. Existing lease in place. 1076 sq.ft. Monthly strata fee $690.63.

#108 FIRESIDE LODGE | $319,000 One bedroom, one-bathroom condo that sleeps 5 comfortably and is conveniently located in the Fireside Lodge. Great ski-in, ski-out access and is close to all resort amenities. This ground floor condo features higher ceilings, a full kitchen, private owner storage, cozy gas fireplace and private patio with mountain view. Unlimited owner use and zoning allows for short term rentals and the ability to self-manage, providing excellent rental potential. New fridge, paint, lighting and countertops in kitchen and bathroom. GST is applicable.

SUNPEAKSREALTY.COM 16

Volume 18 Issue 12 November 20 - December 18

SUNPEAKSNEWS.COM @SunPeaksNews