Sun Peaks Snippets
This summer, Sun Peaks is changing the game. Mountain bikers who challenge (or aspire to challenge) the bike park are about to experience developments that will forever change the dynamic of biking in Sun Peaks. Historically, steep, rowdy and technical riding was the name of the game on these mountains. In recent years, it’s evolved into so much more than that and on June 17th, the evolution continues. The Sun Peaks Bike Park is expanding to an entirely new mountain this summer, opening a second chairlift for downhill mountain biking along with 19km of new downhill trails!
Trail Anatomy and the Builders that Brought Their A Game
A total of six new trails are ready to ride on Sundance this summer. Each trail is unique and specifically designed to slide into Sun Peak’s downhill trail progression chart. Industry leading trail builders, Landmark Trail Works built a new top-to-bottom black (advanced) signature jump trail, while Lifetime Outdoor spearheaded the construction of a second black trail, two blue (intermediate) trails, and a green (novice) trail. Sun Peak's own trail crew rounded out the expansion building a top-to-bottom green (novice) trail.
The Evolution Continues: New Network of Trails on Mt. Morrisey
Funding of $297,875 from the province’s Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program (CERIP) and a contribution of $150,000 from Tourism Sun Peaks have made possible the new 12km of machine and hand-built trails opening this summer on Mt. Morrisey. Sun Peaks Recreational Trail Association (SPRTA) is a local, non-profit, volunteer organization that aims to cultivate a culture of community, healthy living, and environmentalism through developing and maintaining recreational, free to access trails in Sun Peaks. They led the initiative that will provide bikers with 12km of new, free to use, cross country and enduro style pedal access trails on Morrisey this summer. A single-track climb trail to the top of Morrisey and a top-to-bottom intermediate downhill trail (multi-purpose with hikers) are included in this development that also contributes to a larger, multi-year plan to grow and expand the mountain biking experience in Sun Peaks.
The Man Behind the Vision: A Message from Barney
Barney Mouat is Sun Peaks Resort’s Outside Operations Director, and in the early years of the bike park was part of the original trail crew. Barney’s passion for mountain biking helped fuel the vision for this expansion and he’s played an integral role in making it a reality. He's been in Sun Peaks, propelling the development of the bike park since the first trails were carved into Mt. Tod 22 years ago. 
“It’s going to be unreal! We've already got world-class trails and adding two other mountains (Sundance and Morrisey) into the mix offers a huge selection of riding options. Sundance chair will provide a beauty of a line up of machine built freeride trails that have been missing from our menu. Not many other destinations offer two chairs for lift accessed bike parks. We’re putting more on the table for all types of riders. Feeding off the energy of the community and guests and seeing the residents, locals and independent businesses rally behind this has been a great experience. Riders are going to be stoked to see what has been happening.”
