April 17, 2008 | Tips from Us >
Sun Peaks Resort, Skiing & Snowboarding
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I’m a rubbish and panicky skier. But I really wanted to be better and knew I needed to practice during my visit to Sun Peaks Resort in late March. So imagine my glee at hearing that the very family- and new-skiier-friendly Sun Peaks Resort offers a green (easy) run at the top of all their major runs. Families or friends of varying ski abilities can trundle up in the lifts together, ski parts together if they wish and meet down the bottom. No need to part ways for the day and meet up only Apres Drinks! Black diamond folks can go one way, and scaredy cats like me can go another! Excellent!
But I did have to put it to the test, of course… We took the Sundance Express lift up to the top of one set of runs, and while I was nervous, I threw myself into the challenge. But rather than make a tough, tentative attempt down an icy and busy route with boarders and skiers hurtling past me, my Sun Peaks ski was such a great experience! A few of us took the nice and easy Homesteader run to start - and what a pleasure it was.
Like many of Sun Peaks’ green runs this was a wide, unpopulated, gorgeous run with great, powdery snow, and held just enough of a challenge for us real beginners as well as some more flat areas to glide on. It was a good long route, too, and for once I was able look up at the gorgeous view of the mountains and take in the whole experience, while also thoroughly enjoying the experience. The other skiers who did pass me were really cheerful as well, not like some resorts where everyone whizzes past you, slicing and dicing.
From what I heard from some of my other colleagues, they also really enjoyed the Sun Peaks’ downhill experience on those more challenging blue and black runs. I’ve skied at Whistler and Big White and while those are also both great resorts, I can honestly say that Sun Peaks offered a truly enjoyable ski experience for the absolute beginner in me. I felt great pride at making it down a big run, when I normally would have been stuck on the really baby hills!