The land that makes up Sun Peaks is located 45 minutes northeast of Kamloops, nestled at the end of a valley and surrounded by three mountains: Tod, Sundance, and Morrisey. It boasts Canada’s second largest terrain for skiing and snowboarding, drawing flocks of people from all around the world seeking the beauty and thrill that lies here. This amazing pocket of terrain is included in the vast traditional territory of Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, members of the Interior-Salish Secwepemc (pronounced suh-Wep-muhc) speaking peoples of British Columbia.

Historically, the Tk’emlúps people were semi-nomadic, traveling throughout their territory to follow the abundant resources. In the winters, when the nights are long and cold, they were temporarily still, living with families and friends in villages of pit houses. Throughout much of the rest of the year, they moved across the land after the abundant resources. From generations of knowledge passed down, they know how to harvest, fish, hunt, and forage in a way that didn’t abuse the natural environment of their traditional territory, but respected and ensured its survival.

Q1: What language did the Tk’emlúps people speak?

Through thousands of years of learning from and subsisting off of the land, they cultivated a unique and self-sufficient culture. They provided for themselves by fishing, gathering, hunting, and foraging, and their intricate knowledge of the plants, foods, and medicines around them. This complex system of knowledge was passed down the generations through oral histories, songs, dances, and encoded in their very language.

Q2: Traditionally, what type of subsistence did Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc practice?

Today, the community operates within an intricate governing system based on traditional knowledge and cultural laws and protocols. The Tk’emlúps people lead a strong and active Indigenous government with a purpose to foster understanding among community members and the wider public, while affirming their longstanding cultural identity and advocating for self-empowerment. You may remember Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc as the community that used ground penetrating radar to determine the existence of hundreds of unmarked graves at the Kamloops Indian Residential School in 2021. This ongoing history requires deep intergenerational and cross-cultural healing.

Among many other initiatives and programs, language revitalization is an important goal. The Tk’emlúps government encourages the community to speak their language, Secwepemctsín, daily, passing it on to the next generation. Within Secwepemctsin, as with many Indigenous languages, lies the knowledge of generations, including history, environment and spirituality. Language revitalization is crucial in the healing process, as languages are inseparable from culture. Check out their accessible and welcoming website to learn more about the people of Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, learn some Secwepemctsín, and to see upcoming events.

Q3: Which of the following phrases best describes why Indigenous language revitalization is so important?

Regenerative travel is a new approach to tourism that goes beyond sustainable or responsible travel. While sustainable travel aims to minimize the negative impacts of tourism on the environment and local communities, regenerative travel takes it a step further by actively contributing to the restoration and well-being of those environments and communities. The idea is to leave a destination in a better condition than before you visited. 

The key principles of regenerative travel include:

Restoration and Conservation: Actively engaging in activities that contribute to the restoration and conservation of ecosystems and natural habitats. This could involve participating in habitat restoration projects, behaving appropriately to avoid negative interactions with local wildlife, and practicing leave no trace principles.

Community Empowerment: Prioritizing the well-being and empowerment of local communities. This includes supporting local businesses, respecting local cultures, and actively participating in community development projects that enhance social and economic conditions.

Cultural Preservation: Respecting and preserving the cultural and indigenous heritage of the destination. Travelers are encouraged to learn about local first nations, traditions, language, culture and history, while avoiding activities that may negatively impact cultural integrity.

Sustainable Practices: Adopting and promoting sustainable practices in transportation, accommodation, and other travel-related activities. This includes choosing eco-friendly transportation options, staying in accommodations with environmentally friendly initiatives, and minimizing waste generation.

Educational Experiences: Engaging in educational and immersive experiences that promote a deeper understanding of the destination’s natural and cultural aspects. This could involve guided tours, workshops, or activities that educate travelers about the importance of conservation and responsible tourism, such as this quiz ;).

Carbon Offsetting and Positive Contributions: Actively seeking ways to offset the carbon footprint associated with travel by investing in carbon offset programs. Additionally, regenerative travelers may look for opportunities to make positive contributions to the local environment, such as participating in community-led restoration or supporting sustainable agriculture projects.

Collaboration with Local Initiatives: Collaborating with local organizations and initiatives that support regenerative practices. This could involve volunteering time or resources to support projects that align with regenerative travel principles.

Mindful Consumption: Being mindful of the resources consumed during travel, such as water and energy, and making efforts to minimize waste. Choosing products and services that prioritize sustainability and environmental responsibility is also part of regenerative travel.

Regenerative travel aims to create a positive impact on both the traveler and the destination, fostering a sense of responsibility, connection, and contribution to the well-being of the places visited. It represents a holistic approach to tourism that seeks to regenerate ecosystems, empower communities, and enhance overall sustainability.

Why is educating yourself about the community you are visiting important?

Educating yourself about the destination in regenerative travel is crucial. It fosters cultural respect, minimizes negative impact, supports local economies, and enables participation in community initiatives. Informed travelers make responsible choices, reduce environmental impact, and enhance the quality of experiences. Cross-cultural understanding is promoted, encouraging sustainable practices and empowering local communities. Overall, destination knowledge is a key element in creating a positive and regenerative impact on both travelers and the places they visit.

Q1: What is the primary distinction between regenerative travel and sustainable travel?

Winter: Adventure Smart & Avalanche Training

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.

Q1: What is the main purpose of the AdventureSmart program?

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.

Q2: You’re about to experience your first day backcountry snowboarding. To get to this day, you’ve done the following:

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.

Q3: Which of the following is not a “Know Before You Go” tip?

Summer: Bear Aware and Leave No Trace. 

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.

Q5: What action is recommended to minimize the chance of encountering a bear while backcountry hiking or biking?

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.

Q6: What should you do if you encounter a bear that rears up on its hind legs?

Fire Safety

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.

Q9: What is one way Sun Peaks Resort contributes to wildfire prevention?

The people of Sun Peaks understand the connection between enjoying the thrill of snow sports and protecting the environment. With more drastic climate change and environmental destruction, we have as much terrain to play on. Advocating for and implementing environmental initiatives are vital in ensuring these mountains can be enjoyed for generations to come.

Sun Peaks has a comprehensive environmental policy covering all areas of the resort. They “are committed to conducting [their] operations in an environmentally responsible manner, by protecting the land and its flora, fauna, and natural processes.” They might be the second largest terrain in Canada, but they were the first ski mountain resort in North America to be certified under ISO 14001, one of the world’s leading Environmental Management System (EMS) standards.

With a systematic approach to the establishment of environmental policies and objectives, ISO 14001 is an EMS developed by the International Organization of Standardization. This system covers everything from allocation of resources, to training, assigning roles, and adjusting procedures as necessary. They operate under a “Plan, Do, Check, Act” framework of continual improvement. This means that since Sun Peaks is now certified, they must follow this framework to continually monitor their environmental initiatives and implement any necessary improvements.

Q1: What significant environmental milestone has Sun Peaks achieved as part of their sustainability efforts?

S/M is a women’s size 6-9 and a men’s size 4-7,

L is a women’s size 10-13 and a men’s size 8-12.

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