SUN PEAKS - Organizers of large scale events are finding plenty of snow in Sun Peaks where this month’s events are full steam ahead. Southern B.C. communities have felt the warm pacific weather systems, but the interior mountains like Sun Peaks are still accumulating snow thanks to higher elevations. This provides the ultimate venue for large scale competitions and events such as Ski For Light Canada and the 4th Annual Bluebird Banked Slalom this week and 2015 Special Olympics B.C. Winter Games next week.

Ski For Light Canada, a Nordic event that pairs visually impaired cross country skiers with sighted guides for a week of skiing, training sessions and social events, is wrapping up this week after utilizing Sun Peaks’ expansive Nordic trail network. A first time venue for the international event, organizers have been pleased with the condition of trails and resort amenities.

Volunteers and organizers have been hard at work shaping mounds of snow into berm corners on the famous ‘Hully Gully’ race course for the upcoming 4th Annual Bluebird Banked Slalom on Sunday, Feb. 15. This grassroots event continues to grow every winter and is expected to bring even more slalom participants this year due to favourable course conditions. The event was created by the local non-profit Bluebird Day Fund (BDF) and is open to both skiers and snowboarders. Registration information is available at www.sunpeaksresort.com/banked-slalom.

Next week, Sun Peaks will welcome over 180 athletes to the mountain during the 2015 Special Olympics BC (SOBC) Winter Games on Friday, Feb. 20 and Saturday, Feb. 21. Participants are from across the province and Yukon and will be competing in alpine skiing, Nordic skiing and snowshoeing. Sun Peaks is hosting the event in partnership with the City of Kamloops, together bringing over 600 athletes to the region.

“With the 2015 Canada Winter Games happening to our north in Prince George, we are pleased be offering fantastic competition conditions for the SOBC Winter Games here at Sun Peaks,” says Aidan Kelly, director of sales and marketing for Sun Peaks Resort Corporation. “For several reasons, including our geographic location and summer grooming efforts, we can consistently be relied on for great snow and race conditions throughout the winter.”

“Sun Peaks has been so accommodating of the 2015 SOBC Winter Games, and they’ll be a terrific host for our alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing races. The high-quality venues will allow great competitions and great experiences for the Games athletes and families,” says 2015 SOBC Winter Games Chair Pat Davis.

According to SOBC, having all three snow sports at the same venue site will allow for the most compact SOBC Winter Games to date. Spectators will easily be able to view the athletes and cheer on their hometown heroes from various event locations around the resort.

Alpine ski races will take place on Sundance ski run on Sundance Mountain and will be visible from the mountain base and Village Day Lodge as well as from on the mountain. The Sun Peaks Nordic Centre will be the home of the Nordic races, which is located near the base of the Morrisey chairlift and P5  parking lot. Snowshoe races will take place behind the Sports Centre located near the top of the village and P4 parking lot.

SOBC Schedule of Events

Friday, February 20
9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. – Snowshoeing
9:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Nordic Skiing
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Alpine Skiing

Saturday, February 21
9 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. – Snowshoeing
9:15 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. – Nordic Skiing
10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Alpine Skiing
1:15 p.m. – Alpine Ski Awards
1:45 p.m. – Snowshoe Awards
1:45 p.m. – Nordic Ski Awards

News from © iNFOnews, 2015