A trail expansion at Sun Peaks Bike Park includes new summertime access for mountain bikers to the Sundance Mountain.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Sun Peaks Bike Park
February 23, 2022 - 12:00 PM
Mountain bikers can ride all three mountains at Sun Peaks after a $1.5 million investment helped open six new trails at the bike park.
An upcoming retrofit of the Sundance chairlift adds access to 19 kilometres of new trails, bringing downhill access to both Tod and Sundance mountains.
New builds bring the total trail network at Sun Peaks Resort to more than 83 kilometres.
Sundance Mountain will feature six machine-built trails, including a new signature jump trail built and designed by renowned Landmark Trail Works of Kamloops, according to a news release from the resort.
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“We have always talked about our local bike park getting a track that compliments the high-speed jumping style and flow that Kamloops is famous for,” Ron Penney of Landmark Trail Works said in the release.
“This trail our crew built is predictable, forgiving, and a straight ripper. It’s a great choice to just relax and play around on a bike. When people learn to trust it, it will truly take their riding to a new level. We love where this is heading and we’re fired up to be a part of it.”
Along with Landmark's trail for advanced riders, a second black diamond trail, two intermediate trails and a novice trail were built by Lifetime Outdoor Inc., with a top-to-bottom novice trail built by the Sun Peaks trail crew.
“Being part of the team to build the Sundance expansion is a huge responsibility,” Jeff Cook of Lifetime Outdoor Inc. said. “Nowhere in B.C. is there blank canvas like this, with lift access, high quality dirt, slope angle, and unique terrain perfect for a bike park just waiting to be built. It had to have something for everyone — progressive and creative. This expansion had to be our best work yet. It’s a total game changer.”
The $1.5 million combined investment comes in part from the resort and Sun Peaks community, as a development plan to increase resort capacity.
A development initiative from the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association allocated $200,000 of that funding, which comes from the provincial Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport.
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The resort hasn't forgotten about cross country riders that may prefer to pedal up the mountain terrain, rather than hop on a chair lift.
Nearly $300,000 from a provincial community infrastructure funding program and $150,000 from Tourism Sun Peaks helped expand the Mount Morrisey trail network by 12 kilometres.
A mix of machine and hand-built trails on the southern mountain will include a six kilometre multi-purpose climbing trail, a four kilometre downhill trail and a two kilometre viewpoint trail, which will allow access for hikers.
Sun Peaks Bike Park is expected to open on June 17, with operation through to Sept. 25.
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