Sun Peaks building a permanent ski and snowboard cross course

Sun Peaks Resort is set to join an exclusive list of ski hills in Canada to boast a permanent ski and snowboard cross course as construction got underway earlier this week.

“A permanent course will significantly reduce our reliance on early-season snow, snow-making resources and snowcat operating time and allow us to open the course earlier in the season,” says Aaron Macdonald, chief marketing and communications officer for Sun Peaks Resort.

“Finding a local company to partner with was the best-case scenario and we’re proud to be working with Jason White and his team at Powder Ventures Excavations on this exciting project for the resort.”

Construction on the course is expected to be completed this summer at a value of $100,000 according to the resort.

“We’ll have less worries about the weather cooperating (to build the course with man-made snow) and our event participants will have a new course for this year’s event in January,” said Nancy Greene Raine.

“This means so much for the community and athlete development in Sun Peaks and the province.”

Construction of the Powder Ventures Ski and Snowboard Cross Course will also allow the resort to bid for large events while knowing they have a reliable site.

“Setting the standard with this level of investment in course builds will be an important contribution to the momentum of the sport’s evolution,” Ashleigh McIvor, Canadian freestyle skier and 2010 Olympic champion.

“A permanent course that is ready to go as soon as the snow flies and can be enjoyed by the whole family, lap after lap, all season long, is key in getting children interested in freestyle skiing and ski cross by exposing them to the sport early, in an unhurried, low-pressure environment.”

Construction is anticipated to last for two to three weeks with upwards of 1000 cubic metres of dirt being hauled in and a grand opening is scheduled to occur in the winter when the course is ready for the public.