Axing Santa at Sun Peaks Ski Resort

Sun Peaks’ Rel-axe-ing new sport!

Axing Santa - aka Christopher Dodd - at Cleavage Axe Company

This has got to be the most untraditional Christmas activity! While others are learning how to make festive wreaths, gingerbread houses, and handmade ornaments, Sun Peaks residents and visitors are grasping the intricacies of throwing axes. Apparently 10 minutes instruction with your Axe Coach and you may be able to stick a bullseye. Reassuringly, the Axe Coaches are always on hand to maintain “a fun, thrilling and competitive Axe-perience not to be forgotten.” Wouldn’t want any axe-idents! 

The Plaid Bar at The Cleavage Axe Co.

Ax-ing lyrical, co-owner and operator James Szantho says it’s all about the thrill of the axe sinking into the wood. “It’s unusual and different for most people,” he says. “There are a number of ski mountains that have successful throwing locations there and we were looking to add a good year round activity to the mountain.” Launched in June this year, The Cleavage Axe Co has lots of forward bookings, with even Christmas Day shaping up to be busy.

The creative company has combined this non-traditional but highly popular après ski attraction with a holiday staple to host their 1st Annual Ugly Sweater Party on December 18. With two hours of axe throwing and prizes for the ugliest sweater, there’s also an axe throwing tournament. 

For the Ugly Sweater Party, the maximum of 40 is expected. “At our last Halloween event we had people traveling from as far as Salmon Arm, so we are thinking it will be quite the mix,” says James, who expects a blend of locals, resort workers and visitors. “We run a tournament and several games for prizes during the night, good music and good times in a very fun competitive environment. The way we run the tournaments is random as well, bringing separate groups together for a one-of-a-kind night.” That is unless you get addicted and sign up for the regular league. 

Look out for Christopher Dodd (pictured above wearing his Santa regalia at a recent Axe Throwing League meet) as he may wear it again for the Dec 18 event.

Santa at Sun Peaks, photo courtesy of Tennille Southcombe, of SnowLife Tours

More Traditional Activities with Santa

Dashing through the snow on a toboggan sleigh is more like the kind of Christmas caper we’re used to. In Sun Peaks this year, Santa will be sledding for the afternoon on Dec 22 at the toboggan hill. And on Dec 23 Santa will be out on the slopes, although, at his advanced age, sticking to the 5 Mile green run. 

Skiing with Santa at Sun Peaks Resort

Sun Peaks Holiday Artisan Market

Last weekend the holiday season was kicked off with the ski in/ski out Artisan Market at Sun Peaks. One of the regular vendors is Canyon Ridge Studio, a Kamloops-based designer/manufacturer of live edge wood and resin.“We make serving and charcuterie boards, coasters, clocks, cribbage boards and all types of tables,” says co-owner Tamara Hill. “We love to be able to make custom projects for our clients. It allows us to be able to bring their dreams to life.” The table pictured above was custom made for a new home in Sun Peaks last year and is a glamorous centerpiece to their dining area. With husband and business partner, Triston, Tamara is a regular visitor to Sun Peaks during the winter season, especially over the holidays. “We have long visited the Christmas Artisan Market, and we were so glad to be able to be a part of it this year as vendors,” she says. “We try to visit the mountain at least a few times during the Christmas season. There is nothing prettier that all the lights in the village. We love to check out all the shops and get some Christmas shopping done. Plus, we can’t pass up an opportunity to go snowshoeing on the mountain.” 

 About a decade ago, Natalie Sky set up her own photography and, later, polymer jewelry making business. "I started my photography journey 10 years ago, and it's grown me in so many ways,” says Natalie. “My photography business has brought me so many amazing people. It has taught me resilience, passion for my craft, and the art of bringing people joy. One of my favorite moments with clients is seeing their faces light up and realizing how amazing they are and what I see through my lens.” Red Earth, the jewelry side of her business, was added when COVID brought an abrupt end to the wedding photography industry and she had to get creative. Her colourful jewelry was on display at the Sun Peaks Artisan Market and I have to admit I couldn’t resist buying some earrings. 

We had a great chat about all of her projects, and I asked her what she thinks about Sun Peaks at Christmas. “Before moving to Sun Peaks, I always joked about being a bad Canadian because I didn't like winter but that all changed after moving here,” Natalie says. “Being in Sun Peaks is like living in a fantasy world. It is always, throughout every season, stunning here. There is always something to do even when the lifts are closed. The Christmas season is always so magical because of the lights, the fluffy snow and the happy people. I picked up snowboarding last year and have been loving it. It's one of the best things to do during Christmas season, along with walking the village at night with all the lights and hustle and bustle.” 

Photo by Natalie Sky; Christmas bauble by Fern 
& Frond

Sparkling with Christmas atmosphere, the Sun Peaks Centre hosted dozens of local craftsmen and vendors, all showcasing their whimsical work in a diverse range of textiles, art, jewelry, candles, holiday and home decor, innovative drinks, seafood, and sweets. Other artisans this year included Kyle James Photography, Artwear Jewelry, and Zuzy Rocha. Great chance to nab holiday gifts, all locally designed and made. And, unlike other similar events elsewhere, admission is free at this annual event. 

If you missed it, check out the roster online (here’s the link: https://www.sunpeaksresort.com/events-things-to-do/events/artisan-market) and buy direct from their websites. Many of the artisans, photographers and artists will also do custom orders. 

The annual Sun Peaks Artisan Market

Christmas Carols at Sun Peaks

Tennille Southcombe and friends joining in the annual
Carolling in the Village With Nancy Greene

Sun Peaks singers join skiing legend, Nancy Greene every year in a carolling Christmas tradition on December 23 and 24. Meeting at the Village Day Lodge at 6:30pm, the group wends its way through the village to sing Christmas carols under lamplight returning to the Clock Tower Square from 7:00pm. “I bring lots of song sheets and lead the singing,” says Nancy. “We sing classic carols but it’s very low key, no costumes, but some people wear Santa hats, bells, etc.” With at least 25 years of history, this event attracts all age groups, many regulars and some newbies each time. 

Marj Knive, a musician, textile artist and organizer for ArtZone Sun Peaks, is a regular at the event and says it’s a really fun and festive thing to do on Christmas Eve with the whole family. Join in this year so you can actually ‘Go Tell It On The Mountain’. 

Carolling in the Village with Nancy Greene - photo courtesy of Marj Knive

Don’t miss the opportunity, too, to ski with Olympian Nancy Greene. Three days a week, Nancy takes groups on guided tours of her beautiful home terrain. She’ll wow you with her skiing prowess, knowledge of every single inch of the slopes, as well as her storytelling about everything Sun Peaks. A former Canadian Senator, Nancy was voted Canada’s Female Athlete of the 20th Century. 

Christmas lights in Sun Peaks - courtesy of Sun Peaks Resort

Ringing in the Holidays

Performing Christmas classics, the Bells of Note Handbell Choir is putting on a free concert at the Sun Peaks Grand on Dec 23. Clad in red Christmassy attire, the Kamloops ringers will be joined this year by one of the hotel’s Christmas Elves who happens to be a handbeller too. “We’ve been invited to the Sun Peaks Grand to ring a pre Christmas program for at least the last 10 years,” says coordinator June Routledge. “Our ringers LOVE to make this event an annual mission.” The program will include a variety of Christmas numbers on handbells and chimes with performances at 2pm and 3pm in the Grand’s deluxe lower lobby. “Our audiences are quite often international guests of Sun Peaks Grand (Australia, England, Germany), and other locals who drop in to enjoy Christmas handbell music,” June explains. “They listen from above in the upper lobby or on the stairs or as they are passing through either lobby. We involve our audiences in singing along or demonstrating bell techniques or answering questions they may have about handbells or ringing handbells.” 

Skiing too much to Cook?
Lots of options in Sun Peaks to take the burden of baking and basting off your hands while you enjoy the slopes to the max this Christmas. Check out the Dec 24 and 25 menus at Capone’s, for example, where Italian flavours add flair to the festive food. 

Capone’s Christmas Menu

Already full for this Dec 25, sister restaurant Cahilty Creek Kitchen & Taproom will host your traditional Christmas dinner for you next winter - so get your advance bookings for 2023 in soon! New Year’s Eve, however, is first come/first served seating so plan for that instead this year. As well as a mouthwatering prime rib NYE special, they offer the regular menu up to 9pm. The vibe ramps up after dinner with a live music dance party from 9:30-12:15. 

Christmas Packages

Sun Peaks Cargo will pick up your Christmas food, drink and gift shopping from Kamloops. Whether you’re on vacation or a resident with little time and less inclination to drive down to the valley, this online service with door-to-door delivery is for you. Book in advance, though, so they can deliver by Dec 23 or Dec 30. 

Liftie Giftie: Photo courtesy of Dawn Matte

Lifty Gifts

“Santa” comes in all sorts of guises at Sun Peaks, sometimes just looking like a regular skiing family. Having spent countless Christmases at Sun Peaks over several decades, Dawn and Dan Matte have developed a tradition of making up around 30 gift bags filled with candy canes and chocolates to take to all the lifties on Dec 25. “They do such a great job for us and it’s nice to be able to give them a little gift when they are out there working all day,” says Dawn. An added incentive to get everyone up early on Christmas morning and fit in a tour of all the Sun Peaks lifts before tucking into the turkey later that day. 

Christmas tree on Mt Morrisey at Sun Peaks
Photo by Deb King

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from the Hudsons
Pictured skiing West Bowl pow at Sun Peaks