Snowboard Canada Scenes: Kamloops

Scenes: Kamloops
Snowboard Canada, Winter 2008
The dry and desert-like plains of Kamloops, B.C. are a stark contrast to the Rocky Mountains to the east and the Coast Mountains to the west. Unlike the dazzling peaks of its siblings, the mountains of the Southern Interior are a little older and a little wiser.

Luckily, this in no way reflects the populace. Since the Europeans portaged their way over the Rockies and into modern-day BC, Kamloops has been a bona-fide Wild West kinda town. The first Europeans settlers were a typically gnarly bunch of rough and tumble fur traders and they brought the do-or-die attitude of the fur trade with them.

Yep, people have been trying to strike it rich in Kamloops since the day the modern city was founded in the early 1800s. Gold-rush fever struck first, only to be followed by holy-crap-let’s-build-a-railroad-and-get-rich-doing-it fever. If Jesse James had been looking for gold instead of armed train robberies, he probably would have dug Kamloops.

Like its rugged past, the snowboard scene here is based on taking advantage of the area’s stacked natural resources – famously dry and light Interior powder, untracked lines that last all day and a bevy of urban rails for the local outlaws to capitalize on.

Longtime pro Chris Dufficy hails from this region and still gets stoked on coming back whenever he can. “There’s a very strong snowboard scene in Kamloops,” he says. “A lot of people and stores—including Oronge Boardshop, B&B, and No1—are dedicated to the sport and more important the longevity of it. Kamloops produces riders of all calibres, but most of all a well-rounded type of rider.”

Oronge Boardshop co-owner Kent Thiessen has been running his shop with business partner Dave Kwan for 13 years. They, along with snowboard shop B&B down the street, feed the habit of most riders in the area. The snowboard scene is really progressing, he says, thanks to the growth of urban riding and influences such as the beefed-up park at local mountain Sun Peaks Resort. It’s all tied together by the local riders and generally good vibes in the town.

“I have never met more energetic, active, and friendly people,” he says. “Kamloops only has a population of around 80,000, so it’s more of a small town scene. “Everyone knows everyone, so there’s a lot of high fives thrown around.”

The main attraction for riders here is Sun Peaks Resort, located about 45 minutes north of the city. Featuring three distinct peaks and central village, it’s a resort that is often off the radar for scene-seeking hipsters. This is pretty much fine by the local riders, who value Sun Peaks’ super-relaxed, no-bull vibe and the miles of untracked powder that lasts for days instead of hours.

“The scene and general vibe of Sun Peaks is so chill and relaxed, everyone is there for the same reason, to have a good time and go shred—I love it,” says Marlie Marchewka, local rider and one of the newest riders on the Oronge shop team.

“Attitude is checked at the door,” says Corey Wiwchar, new media coordinator for Sun Peaks Resort, and local rider for 13 years. “Here, stoking your friends out when they’re throwing down is just as important as having a solid day.”

The scene’s relaxed atmosphere is helped by the fact that Sun Peaks is the kind of mountain where if you know the spots and know where to find the snow, it’s pretty much yours for the day. This means powder days aren’t synonymous with panic and riders can rest easy knowing their spot will stay relatively fresh.

“One of the best things about Sun Peaks is that I can always find a secret stash somewhere,” says Blair Harper, another Oronge team rider. “We’re also really close to some wicked sledding.”

Sun Peaks may not be the gnarliest place to ride in BC, says Thiessen, but it definitely has a lot of assets.

“I ride Sun Peaks two to three days a week and am super stoked on the hill,” he says. “It rides super fast with high speed rollers, jibs all over the mountain and gladed tree lines that rip. You don’t get the super gnar here, but the park has grown to a sweet amount of features and there are jump lines for all skill levels.  My go-to at the hill is the tree lines off the Burfield chair and ‘Back In Time’ – it’s sick.”

The other mountain the locals ride is Harper Mountain, just outside the city of Kamloops. It’s small, but it’s super close to the city and is the place many people start out as kids. Kamloops is also centrally located in BC, so road trips to other resorts or backcountry access aren’t that far away. Big White, Whistler or even the mountains of the Kootenays are all pretty close.

But it’s the ease of the Kamloops-Sun Peaks lifestyle that keeps people like Wiwchar and Thiessen stoked on the scene.

“I think what keeps me here in Kamloops is the fact that I can do what I want here,” he says. “I don’t have to drive for two hours to get to the mountain, and I don’t have to shell out $1400 for a seasons pass. Getting to the mountain to ride all the time, anytime, is my reality.”

In the off-season, Kamloops’s famous dry, undulating terrain makes it a major mountain biking zone. The downhill mountain bike scene is big here and besides all the smooth terrain to freeride around the town, Sun Peaks hosts one of the province’s best bike parks as well. The skateboard scene here also got a major boost a few years ago with the opening of the Kamloops Skatepark, a 2000-square foot plaza-style park Dufficy calls “amazing” and one of the best reasons to visit Sun Peaks in the summer.

Kamloops and Sun Peaks may not have the fame and glory of a certain resort further south, but no one here is worried about fame or glory here – it’s about enjoying the mountain for all its secret stashes, relaxing in the low-key atmosphere and hitting up Bottom’s after a particularly epic day. As local rider Mac Lefebvre says, “it’s just about everyone out having a good time.”

DOs:
“Make sure you hit Bottoms at Sun Peaks for après. In town, Thirsty Thursdays at Hero’s, the college pub, rocks out hard!  Our new skate park kills it as well and you can’t forget hittin’ a local junior b hockey game with bevies to cheer on the storm!”  — Kent Thiessen.

“Come to Kamloops to golf and skateboard in the summertime.” – Chris Dufficy

“Come during spring—you get the best shred and golf in B.C. on the same day.” – Mac Lefebvre

“Enjoy a nice cold beer in Bottoms at the end of each day. Just make sure you don’t ring the bell unless you’ve got some debts to pay or you’re definitely having a good time.” – Marlie Marchewka

“Hit Oronge Boardshop before doing anything, its a perfect place to find out the dos and don’ts for any first timers.” – Liam Ellicot

Don’ts:
“Bring a big city attitude with ya because you won’t feel the local love and friendliness that Kamloops offers.” – Kent Thiessen

“Never stay at the ‘Davy Crockett Motel’!” – Mac Lefebvre

“Come thinking you’re going to drop some big bombs because you won’t find them here—but do bring your A-game because there some definite no namers that will kick your ass.” – Blair Harper.

“DON’T be surprised by the fact that lift lines are relatively non-existent, and you’re going to be riding powder well into the afternoon.” – Corey Wiwchar

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