Dec. 23, 2011 - Issue #845: Headstones
Fall Lines: Sun peaks, Kingsbury and freeskiing
» The original lift at Sun Peaks resort / Sun Peaks
On the outskirts of Kamloops BC, 50 years ago, Tod Mountain Ski Resort opened its doors and got its lifts rolling. New owners took over the show 30 years later and renamed it Sun Peaks Resort. Now a mega resort with Canadian senator and ski queen, Nancy Greene, waving the flag, Sun Peaks boasts a massive ski-to-your-door village with 11 lifts whisking snow enthusiasts up to the runs. It’s become so popular that the Austrian ski team calls it a home-away-from-home. The Austrians even financed a lift and snowmaking equipment so that they can train extensively in Canada prior to World Cup races at Lake Louise held during late November. On December 31 Sun Peaks will be celebrating its birthday by launching a massive state of the art fireworks display. I wonder if it will light up the slopes enough to get in a run or two.
Kingsbury still king
Last weekend, Canada’s Mikael Kingsbury continued his hot start to the World Cup mogul ski season. After winning the previous week’s mogul event in Finland, Kingsbury headed to France and promptly won himself a gold medal for Christmas. Mikael can now head home to Quebec to celebrate the holiday season prior to returning to the tour in mid-January. On the women’s side, Spruce Grove's Chelsea Henitiuk did not fare quite as well, finishing a distant 17th.
Snowing across the Rockies
Luckily our mountains are west of here and at a much higher elevation, because, unlike Edmonton, Rocky Mountain resorts have been getting a steady dose of snow. From my past experience, I'd say Marmot Basin needs at least a base of at least 60 cm—a yardstick which was surpassed weeks ago, allowing the snow guns to be put to rest. Similarly, Sunshine, Lake Louise and Castle Mountain have overcome slow starts and are now more than ready for the holiday season. Early season weather forecasts called for a bitterly cold winter, which has yet to materialize, but there is a lot of winter left so we’ll just have to keep our fingers crossed!
From January 4 – 9, the Canadian Freeskiing Championships will take place at Revelstoke Mountain Resort. Unlike World Cup events with gates and timers, freeski competitors pick their own lines and try to impress the judges with their style and creativity, as well as fluidity, control and technique. The biggest award of the event is the coveted Sickbird Belt Buckle, which is given to the skier with the biggest wow factor in either a run or single trick. This may be Canada’s only stop on the tour so if you want to check it out, this is your only chance without having to drive to Colorado or Utah.
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