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| Spring Skiing at Sunburst Lodge Sun Peaks |
Put on your SMITH snow-centric sunnies and get into the après - it’s spring time here in Sun Peaks with thoughts turning to piste picnics and patio parties.
Unless you actually like a goggle tan, it’s time to ski in lighter-weight eye gear and SMITH Optics has introduced two new snow-centric sunglass models among its 2022 collection of sport performance eyewear. And they cross over to summer sports such as golf, tennis, padel (my new obsession) and all watersports.
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| Bobcat on left, Embark on right by SMITH Optics |
A few tips for optimal Spring Skiing:
Don’t rush out (unless it’s a powder day) – wait until the snow softens in the sunshine. Figure out which are the sunny slopes and which are in the shade – follow the sun. Finish early if the afternoons are slushy – or, at Sun Peaks, ski over to Morrisey Mountain which stays in the shade most of the day. If skiing off piste, wait until it starts to thaw on the top to form spring snow otherwise known as corn.
It’s very unpredictable in a Canadian spring - each day might start a bit chilly, well below zero, but by lunchtime and mid pm could be into the plus temperatures. March is a pretty snowy month, too, so it’s not all pure sunshine and bluebird skies. Heated layers, boot heaters, heated gloves or mitts can all help as they can be switched on and off at will, adapting to the conditions to keep you cosy rather than having bulky layers that can become too hot.
My latest trials on the trails have been with Ororo and their range of heated gloves are great for those who like the flexibility of fingers - and they also make heated mitts. Ororo’s heated socks are exceptionally good and also affordable – especially right now as there’s 30% discount on all their products. And these are useful, too, for al fresco après, keeping you balmy when quaffing cocktails as sun goes down.
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| Ororo’s heated socks with tiny battery pack that goes in a pocket above the top of the boot |
Because of the risk of overnight freeze of the previous afternoon’s sun-melted slush, morning and evening walks can be slippery in spring. That’s where spikes come in – for example, MICROspikes by Kahtoola. These can be easily slipped onto any outdoor hiking shoe or boot and have twelve hardened stainless steel spikes per foot linked by welded chains to a stretchy rubbery band which goes around the toe, sides, and heel of the footwear. Great, too, for early morning or late night walks.
Other Spring Skiing Staples:
- Wear a helmet with good vents for example the SMITH Vida in white
- Bring your sunscreen and SPF lipbalm in order to reapply regularly
- Hone your spring skiing skills with lessons, camps and programs with the Sun Peaks Sports School
- Free skiing with the Sun Hosts to find out the best spring strategy for the slopes
Patio Posing:
The Patio at Morrisey’s Pub can sit 56 people, warmed by four fire pits, three heat lamps and blankets on demand. “We have one of the best patios in the village in my opinion,” says manager, Scotty Craig. “The vibe is 'relax with friends with great cocktails and amazing food'. We have the best wings on the mountain and the fish tacos are unreal!” He particularly recommends the Chocolate Avalanche Martini and the range of 10 beers on tap. Open from 3pm Wednesday-Sunday, you can ski in following the village signs and ski out through main street. There’s a full outdoor menu, with highlights like the Saturday Supper beef roast. Thursday is $5 Neighborhood Beer and, starting at 7:30 inside the pub, it’s Open Mic Night. There’s also $5 Fridays and more live music on Saturday nights starting at 8pm with beer and cocktail features.
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| The Patio at Morrisey’s Pub |
A great addition to the Spring Ski Resort wardrobe is this Chelsea Boot by Asportuguesas. It's fab for both indoor and outdoor wear with its comfy upper and thick corrugated sole, 3cm above the snow. Made in Portugal, the top is wool and the sole is waterproof cork, one of Portugal’s major exports. You can order online and there's 10 % off for signing up to their newsletter.
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| Chelsea Boot by Asportuguesas |
Other hillside hotspot hang outs around Sun Peaks village include Masa’s and Bottoms Bar & Grill right at the foot of the ski slopes and the gorgeous Garden Patio at Vertical Café with its perfect sunset views. Check out my article on "The Little Café That Could" at: https://sunpeaksnews.com/the-little-cafe-that-could-vertical-cafe-crew-overcome-unprecedented-times-with-a-smile/
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| Masa’s |
Bordering the Gentle Giant run is the patio at Cahilty Creek Kitchen & Taproom where events such as last weekend’s Cider Saturday take place. The Pop-Up Cider Tasting was courtesy of WoodWard Cider Co. from Kamloops.
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| The Pop-Up Cider Tasting on the patio at Cahilty Creek Kitchen & Taproom |
Spring Events at Sun Peaks:
Art exhibits courtesy of ArtZone at Sun Peaks Grand Hotel & Conference Centre, Vertical Café, Tourism Sun Peaks, Sotheby’s International Realty Canada, and Guest Services.
Free Family Activities Fridays and Saturdays 5-8pm at the Sun Peaks Centre Great Hall.
Film Festival March 10-12: ArtZone hosts the 2022 Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival (VIMFF) at the Sun Peaks Grand Hotel and Conference Centre, with two extra Sun Peaks’ contributions. Kicking it off is local photographer Roger Mirka’s film recounting his volunteer work with Game Rangers International at the Kafue Elephant Release Facility in Zambia. Followed by McSporties, which is sponsoring the Sun Peaks premiere of “Tales from Cascadia”.
The Telus Nancy Greene 3 Mountain Tour on March 12: a self-guided mountain tour with photo opps for costumed teams, barbecue at Masa's Bar + Grill outdoor patio, and a silent auction that night. Money raised goes to the Sun Peaks Education Society (SPES) and the Royal Inland Hospital Foundation.
The Hub International Nancy Greene Festival March 25-26: the 17th annual gathering of the Nancy Greene Ski League and the biggest in Canada. As well as 600 kids competing, it brings around 2000 guests to the resort to spectate, celebrate and enjoy all the festival fun. Race events include a speed trap, dual GS, jump contest, skier X style kombi course, and moguls, with Nancy Greene herself on hand to cheer the racers, sign helmets, and hand out awards at the 4pm ceremony by the Village Clock Tower each day. For more information, please contact the Sun Peaks Alpine Club at hubngfestival@gmail.com or visit Sun Peaks Racers.
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| Alchemy of RIDE Pop Up Tent |
Alchemy of RIDE Pop Up Tent Event March 26 and 27 noon-6pm at the Sun Peaks Grand Hotel Ballroom Foyer. This is the second AOR visit to Sun Peaks this winter – see my SPIN article: https://sunpeaksnews.com/paint-the-pistes-alchemy-of-ride-returns-this-month/ This time around, artist and designer Lynne Harrison will be bringing her full collection of bike gear for men and women, as well as other sports lines suitable for gym, running, golf, surfing – and, of course, her sensational winter wear for ski, snowboard, Nordic. For Spring, you’ll need a windproof, waterproof outer, so consider a technical Alchemy of RIDE jacket. A riot of spring colours, they have zippered side vents which provide ventilation. You can also get base layers and neck buffs to match, all of which continue into other spring and early summer sports.
The Canadian Adaptive Snowsports' (CADS) Annual Ski & Snowboard Festival March 28-April 1: students, instructors, friends, and family from across Canada gather for a week of adaptive skiing and snowboarding improvement lessons for all levels; race training; instructor certification; camaraderie, games, on-snow activities and après.
For more details on these events and others, go to:
https://www.sunpeaksresort.com/events-things-to-do/events#05-03-2022--05-06-2022
