New chairlift opens: improves access to East Village

Outdoor enthusiasts at Sun Peaks — both tourists and residents alike — are applauding the official opening of a new quad chairlift, the first of several large-scale developments at the resort municipality.

The new $4-million Orient lift opened on Dec. 24, 2018, improving ski-in/ski-out access for property owners in the East Village. This significant investment is a result of the continued growth of Sun Peaks as the East Village continues to expand.

In addition to the lift, other investments include a collection of luxury townhomes and condos, a guest room makeover at the Sun Peaks Grand and Conference Centre, and a significant upgrade and expansion to the Sun Peaks Sports Centre — all designed to enhance and elevate the resort experience and property values in the community.

These investments are directly impacting the real estate market at Sun Peaks; the community is experiencing a 34 per cent increase in property sales, as more and more Canadians choose to invest in recreational property.

The Orient Chairlift

The new lift runs from the base of the Umbrella Café, up and over the road to the East Village Ski Way.

The Orient improves access to some incredible terrain that has been tucked away for years, including family-friendly blue runs and some hidden pockets of glade skiing.

In addition, there will be two new runs this season from the Orient. The Main Village Connector is a beginner, green run from the top of the new quad back to the village along Rambler. Hasta La Vista follows the lift line of the new chair.

By the numbers

Base elevation:      1,277 m

Top elevation:      1,525 m

Capacity per hour: approximately 1,000 people

Hours of operation:        8:30 am to 3:30 pm