Millions of people look forward to the return of the snow every year. They yearn for untouched powder, no lines at the lifts, and as many bluebird days as the weather gods will permit.

Snow sports have become an incredibly large culture spanning continents and cultures. Whether you’re skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, backcountry touring, snowmobiling, snowshoeing or winter hiking, it’s important for everyone who ventures into these mountains to do so safely and respectfully.

AdventureSmart is a Canadian national prevention program providing education for all who participate in outdoor recreational activities. While encouraging folks to get outside, enjoy the outdoors and exercise, they aim to reduce the number and severity of search and rescue incidents in Canada through education and outreach.
And, hey, learning about the outdoors - what can go wrong, how to avoid those situations and what to do if you find yourself in one - is important. Learning new skills, like how to fend for yourself in the wilderness is an empowering feeling. Plus, it can be fun! Listen to podcasts, read books, take a course. There are tons of resources out there!

If you’re going out into the backcountry, official Avalanche Training is imperative. There are a ton of companies that offer it, so shop around to find one you like. Some other important things to remember are: check the weather conditions, tell someone where you’re going, always have a buddy and make sure you have the right equipment.

AdventureSmart strongly advocates for learning everything you need before leaving on your trip, and we couldn’t agree more. To be a responsible traveler we must do what we can to help prevent accidents and tragedies. It can start as simple as not pushing yourself past your limits. Here are AdventureSmart’s “Know Before You Go” tips to get you started:

Dress appropriately from your head to your toes. Layering up is always a good idea and remember that some materials are better for the cold than others (for example, wool will keep you warm and has a natural ability to repel water, whereas cotton absorbs water and takes a long time to dry).

Don’t rely on cell-service, your bars will be limited when you’re out in the mountains

Avoid wildlife: we want to enjoy wildlife from a respectful distance, not get in the way of their livelihood. Read up on the animals in the area and learn what you’ll need to do if you cross paths.

Know your limits: don’t push yourself with terrain you’re not comfortable in yet to avoid injuries and exhaustion.

Take a course: Sun Peaks offers classes open to anyone from Tree Well & All Mountain Safety to Backcountry Touring and Avalanche Skills Training 1. We highly recommend taking courses like these to make these epic experiences safer and more fun for everyone.

As temperatures rise, snow melts, and the snow gear is nudged to the back of the closet, Sun Peaks opens up to the hot embrace of summer in the interior of BC. Bikers, hikers, and trailrunners will find extensive trail systems and hot patios with cold beers. Whether you’re riding Super Nugget on Sunshine or hiking the Tod Lake Adventure, summer at Sun Peaks has a lot in store.

With the summers, however, come other important aspects that we need to be cautious of, such as alpine bear safety and fire safety.

Bear Safety

You know the saying - a fed bear is a dead bear. If we get lazy when we’re camping and leave our mess out after we’ve gone to bed, this gives bears a chance to become habituated to us and our food. Sadly, when a bear gets too comfortable around humans they are often euthanized to prevent more dangerous situations. We must do our due diligence to both minimize the chance of encountering wild life, and be prepared for what might happen if we do run into one.

Think about it while you’re planning and packing for your trip, then take the appropriate precautions. There are lots of informative and entertaining podcasts by people who discuss wildlife attacks and share what we should, and shouldn’t, do if we ever encounter a bear. We encourage everyone to do their research to be responsible and informed travelers.

Remember to pack smartly and bring a garbage bag. Be prepared to do a bear hang if there aren’t any caches around.

Here’s how Sun Peaks remind tourists and locals alike to be Bear Aware:

Pack out what you pack in: Do not throw any food or waste products out. Garbage and recycling receptacles are conveniently located at the top and bottom of the Sunburst chairlift and throughout the village.

Make noise: Call, sing, clap or talk loudly especially near streams and in areas of low visibility.

Be alert: Watch for bears or their scat and tracks, any strange smells or disturbed vegetation. Be aware of wind direction and speed. Extra caution is warranted when the wind is facing you.

Stay together: Hike and bike in groups and don’t let children wander. Larger groups (4 or more) are less likely to have a negative bear encounter.

Watch your pets: Keep your dog on a leash at all times. Dogs can provoke defensive bear behaviour.

Use officially marked trails: Travel during daylight hours. Bears are most active at dawn and dusk.

If you do encounter a bear, remain calm and think ahead. The more prepared you are, the more defenses you have. Below, we’ve summed up the important points for you:

Do not run: Bears can easily outrun humans. By running you may trigger an attack. Pick up small children and when possible stay in a group. Back away slowly and speak softly.

Give the bear space: Back away slowly and talk in a soft voice. Do not approach the bear or make eye contact.

Leave the area or make a wide detour: If you cannot leave, wait until the bear moves out of the way and ensure that the bear has an escape route.

If the bear rears up on its hind legs: It is curious and trying to see you or catch your scent better. It is not a sign of aggression. Back away slowly and talk softly.

Watch for aggressive behaviours: A bear may display aggression by swinging its head from side to side; making vocalizations such as huffs, snorts, whoops, or moans; displaying teeth or claws; jaw popping; swatting at the ground; staring with eye contact; panting; or laying its ears back. These behaviours usually indicate that the bear is stressed, acting defensively, and asking for more space. Attacks rarely follow, but this is a warning to leave the area.

Sun Peaks runs a comprehensive system of eco-initiatives through the resort based on the four elements: earth, air, water and fire. Wildfires are an increasingly dangerous reality in the BC’s Interior so, being a popular remote destination, it is important for Sun Peaks to prepare for the fire season.

Sun Peaks Resort has supported the Sun Peaks volunteer fire department since it’s beginning, continually prioritizing their training. They also have a gravity fed snowmaking system which provides supplementary water supply for firefighting. This snowmaking system has also been found to dampen the slopes enough to prevent or slow fire spread.

When you’re hiking and camping in the backcountry during the summer you must adhere to all fire bans and guidelines. Pack-it-in, pack-it-out. Dispose of your garbage properly, especially when smoking.