Sun Peaks, British Columbia — Perhaps the biggest new chairlift in Canada for the 2024-25 season is happening at the country’s second-largest ski area.
This offseason, Sun Peaks Resort has added a new Dopplemayr detachable high-speed quad chairlift. To understand the importance of this chairlift, it’s best to go back in time.
From 1992 to 2020, the West Bowl was serviced by a T-bar. While it provided for some powder stashes, lapping this terrain was difficult due to the small carrying capacity and strain for people going up the surface lift compared to a chairlift. It closed in 2020 due to the need for too many costly repairs, and it was hike-to for a couple of winters.
In 2023, Sun Peaks announced that they were installing a new chairlift in the West Bowl. Initial construction began during the 2023 offseason, and the lift was installed this past spring, summer, and fall. It’s going through its final testing and appears ready for opening weekend.
The West Bowl Express has an uphill carrying capacity of 1800 people per hour, with the potential to increase it to 2,400 people if there’s sufficient demand in the future. The chairlift has a ride time of 5.5 minutes and is 800 meters (2625 feet) longer than its predecessor. The top terminal’s elevation of 2,093 meters makes it the highest lift at Sun Peaks. The $12 million CAD ($8,597,460 USD) chairlift will give skiers and riders a high-alpine experience for basically all ability levels.
A key feature will be the covered carrier parking rail. Located next to the bottom terminal, the chairs will be put onto the rail at the end of each day, helping to reduce the rime buildup.
“This project is a game-changer for the resort and our guests. Our goal as we move forward has always been to enhance the on-mountain experience,” said Darcy Alexander, the CEO of Sun Peaks Resort. “With the new West Bowl Express, we’re not just replacing an old lift—we’re expanding the possibilities for skiers and riders of all levels.”
The new chairlift, which has a much larger length than its T-bar predecessor, means that Sun Peaks is enhancing access to terrain in the West Bowl. Accessible terrain from the West Bowl lift has increased from 54 to 169 acres. Three new runs have also been added: Gateway, Saddle Up, and Whyte’s Ride. One of these new runs, Whyte’s Ride, honors Donald Whyte, who rode on horseback to discover the ski resort he would soon help build. For beginners, 5 Mile has been extended to the top of West Bowl. A pop-up terrain park is also planned on the skier’s left of the Long Draw trail.
The new West Bowl Chairlift is expected to open on Sun Peaks’ opening day, November 23rd. Sun Peaks plans to run the list daily from 9:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.
Image/Video Credits: Sun Peaks Resort
