10 Locals Named To Sun Peaks Resort’s New Ambassador Team

Ten local skiers and riders are now officially representing Sun Peaks Resort as newly named Ambassadors. After a tremendous show of support with over 100 applications, these 10 athletes and community members will work closely with the resort though the 2023-24 winter ski season.

The Sun Peaks Ambassador Team program launched its inaugural season in November, in search of four athletes and six locals to enter a mutually beneficial relationship of supporting and celebrating local talent, while representing and showcasing Sun Peaks to the world. Athletes must be at a provincial or national competition level and Ambassadors must be active in the community and at a high skill level of skiing or riding.

“We were pleasantly overwhelmed by the positive response to the launch of the program this season,” says Sam Loxton, Sun Peaks Resort’s Marketing and Content Manager and program lead, “It was a fun and challenging process to review the applications and make our selection. We’re stoked to be partnering with these 10 individuals for 2023-24 and are looking forward to continuing the program in future years.”

The Winter 2023-24 Sun Peaks Ambassador Team members:

Athlete Stream

• Katie Brayer, 20 – BC Snowboard Provincial Slopestyle Team, Sun Peaks Freestyle Club
• Charlie Roberts, 18 – Freestyle BC Moguls Team
• Gabi Dinn, 16 – Freestyle BC Park & Pipe Team / Team Canada – 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games
• Nayte Brown, 17 – BC Snowboard Provincial Slopestyle Team, Sun Peaks Freestyle Club

Ambassador Stream

• Zuzy Rocka, 32, snowboarder
• Raine Celesta-Camille, 19, snowboarder
• Marlie Marchewka, 36, snowboarder
• Mikey Wheeler-Johnson, 39, snowboarder
• Gabriella Cattaneo, 19, skier
• Olson Advocaat, 17, skier

The Ambassador Team program is split into two streams – Athletes and Ambassadors. All team members receive a season’s pass and exposure through Sun Peaks Resort’s content creation and publishing. Athletes also receive a $2500 cash stipend and membership to Sun Peaks Alpine Fitness to support their competition endeavors. In return, Ambassadors are required to participate in Resort content production and assist in on-mountain hosting of special guests.

As a testament to the caliber of local athletes applying to the program, athlete ambassador, Gabi Dinn of Kamloops, recently returned from the 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games in Korea.  

“It was an amazing opportunity and experience,” says Dinn, “Being my first competition outside of Canada, it gave me a perspective on competing at the international level and the extra attention it attracts — becoming comfortable with all the cameras and additional pressure of representing Canada. It was a rare and special experience and I’m honored to have attended.”

Dinn, along with fellow athlete ambassador Charlie Roberts, will be competing at this weekend’s Canada Cup hosted in Sun Peaks. The Canada Cup is a sanctioned event by Freestyle Canada which prepares athletes for international competition and provides access to FIS points. In November, Roberts competed at the FIS Open in Idre Fjäll, Sweden, placing in the top 10 in moguls.

Rounding out the contingent, Katie Brayer and Nayte Brown both placed first overall at the BC Snowboard Provincial Series Slopestyle events in Whistler Blackcomb in early January, with Brown also taking first in the U18 category at the same event in Big White later in the month.

The Resort is looking forward to launching the mountain bike equivalency of the Ambassador Team program in Spring 2024. Stay tuned for details.