The Sun Peaks Bike Park will return to its rich history of hosting large scale downhill racing events with the Canadian National Downhill Championships from July 10 to 13, 2014. It has been a road of progression over the past two summers with a very successful 2012 BC Cup, followed by an equally successful 2013 Canada Cup. The weekend includes the national winner-take-all-event and also a stop on the BC Cup Series.
Around 400 riders are expected to register for both races, including some of the top competitors from across Canada. It’s also a great spectator event as guests can watch some of the most challenging sections of the race and will also be treated a free Global FMX Freestyle Motocross Show on Saturday, July 12 from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm in Bento’s Parking Lot.
Known as an extremely fast course, the Sun Peaks Bike Park trail crew has been preparing the notorious trails for the influx of Canada’s fastest riders. The upper chute of ‘DH’ has been rebuilt and repaired on the steepest sections. The ‘Holy Rollers’ section will see the existing creek gap replaced with a roller feature to better handle the high speeds over the creek. The course finishes on the infamous ‘Arm Pump’ which has brand new berms and new small drops for increased flow and technicality.
The trail crew has also been busy preparing for Opening Day on Friday, June 27. Significant work has been completed on the newly rebuilt Biker Cross and work has begun on the classic berms on ‘Route 66’. Reopened last year, bikers can look forward to the seasonal opening of ‘Sugar’ and stay tuned for updates on ‘Sweet One’ which has been closed in recent seasons due to logging in the area.
Cross Country Mountain Biking has become one of the fastest growing sports at Sun Peaks. In response, a new XC map outlining extensive trail networks around the resort has been created. The XC biking network on Mt. Morrisey and to McGillivray Lake offers a variety of experiences ranging from leisurely valley rides to summit ascents and everything in between. Utilizing the expansive cross country ski network, the bike trails vary from wider double-track and access roads, to more technical single track wilderness trails. These trails are free of charge to access and the new map with recommended routes is available from Guest Services and Elevation Bike, Ski & Board. New guided XC bike tours are also available to assist guests in exploring the trail network and XC bike rentals are available. New electric motors for bikes are also available for those wanting extra help on inclines.
As the high alpine dries, the trail crew will move higher and begin work on the new lift accessed alpine cross country trails set to open later this summer. An all new intermediate lift-accessed alpine XC trail ‘Altitude’, will lead bikers to Tod Lake nestled in Sun Peaks’ high backcountry before linking up with the existing ‘Big Rock Ride’. Riders can then choose a route back to the village or continue onto the Mt. Morrisey XC trail network. An additional route will be created on ‘Big Rock Ride’ from the top of Sundance Mountain down to the village. Also new this season, the valley trail network will be expanded to create a family-friendly, low elevation loop on the valley floor.
Guests and locals can look forward to continued development of lift-accessed XC and All Mountain trails in the future, including refining the connections between all areas. Much like the Sun Peaks’ winter experience, bikers will be able to explore trails encompassing a full 360º around the village, utilizing all three peaks. Sun Peaks is known for its advanced downhill riding and is now moving towards a world class mountain biking experience for all ages, ability levels and riding types.
For more information go to www.SunPeaksResort.com/BikePark and www.SunPeaksResort.com/DH-National-Champs.
