Sun Peaks Resort welcomes the World’s best with new mountain bike courses

For the second consecutive year, Sun Peaks Resort is hosting the UCI World Masters Mountain Bike Championships September 1-4, 2006. Over 250 athletes age 30 and over will be racing for the World Champion title, in both cross country and downhill. Eighteen countries are registered to date.

Extensive upgrades have taken place at Sun Peaks this summer to welcome the 2006 UCI World Masters event.“The riders will be treated to two different courses than were used for last year's event,” explains Technical Directory Henry Pejril. “The cross country course has been relocated to the old Nationals Course, which has been a rider favorite for the past 6 years of racing at Sun Peaks. A lot of work had to be done to re-route a number of the Bike Park trails to new overpasses that cross over the XC course to prevent rider conflicts. Although there was quite a bit of expense involved in these changes, it provides Sun Peaks with a cross country course that can be used for many years to come without any major impacts on the downhill bike park traffic.”

The cross country course offers long climbs to spread out riders, excellent technical single-track to test the riders skills. A bonus for spectators, the new course offers many easily accessible viewpoints to watch the action. A good portion of the race can also be observed right from the main village.

The downhill course has also undergone widespread revisions as a result of the work involved in the installation of the new chairlift at Sun Peaks. The course has been re-routed along the chairlift line for most of the upper half of the course. The new trails have been designed for sustainability and ease of maintenance, as well vastly improved first aid access. The new sections are steeper and more open that the previous course which should decrease overall times by at least 30 seconds over last year’s race.

The bottom section is re-routed through single-track above the driving range and then will finish on a more open course to allow for good spectator visuals as the racers make the last sprint to the finish. Both the cross country and the downhill courses will use the same finish area that will add to the race excitement.

As a result of hosting a world-class event, Sun Peaks gains a downhill course that is challenging, exhilarating yet easy to maintain and will appeal to the majority of BC riders long after the World Championships have concluded.

No tickets are necessary to watch the races. The finals for the Downhill Masters World Championships begin Saturday September 2nd at 1pm. The Cross Country World Masters Championships kicks off at 8am, with various age groups running throughout the day.

In addition to the UCI World Masters Championships the Sun Peaks Big Mountain Air Dirt Jump will take place Sunday September 3rd outside Bento’s Day Lodge. Some of the best pro riders from across North America will be going big, beginning at 6pm. After the show BC/DC, the AC/DC tribute band, takes to the stage in the Beer Garden for some awesome live music at 7pm. Tickets to BC/DC are $20.

Visitors to Sun Peaks over Labour Day weekend can also take in the Neptune Mountain of Flavours event that includes wine and cheese tastings, the Mountain of Beer festival, chef demonstrations and family events.

All other summer activities are still in full swing including the Sun Peaks Farmers Market Sundays from 10-2pm, lift-served hiking and sightseeing, the Mountain Bike Park and golfing on the full 18-hole golf course. For other information about Sun Peaks Resort, the events listed above or to book accommodations please visit www.sunpeaksresort.com or call 1-800-807-3257.