Sunshine is classic. It’s an oldy a goody and and everything in-betweeny. Though the name is a bit misleading, this is only because they get a lot of snow.
Last winter, we pulled up into a snow-covered parking lot, being softly covered in flakes the size of snowballs. We checked in and left our bags at a desk. They will be transported to the Sunshine Inn on the mountain where we will spend the night and be assured fresh tracks in the morning. A nice ride up the gondola brought us to a mountain that has maintained its natural feel and warm vibe since it began. Large open bowls and nice steep pitches hidden in the trees provide a lot of variety for experts. The Goat’s Eye beckons and does not disappoint. There’s just a lot of snow and a lot of terrain minus very many rocks or obstacles.
Delirium Dive was a favorite. We basically revolved around that run and found fresh lines every time. Nice and steep, you actually do dive right in and then get flung into a soft gladded landing that was hip deep (for me anyway) with powder.
And after a day of exploring, the best thing is staying up on the mountain. As the other skiers disappear from the Après ski bar, that is a perfect replica of an Austrian or Swiss ski bar, you can just relish in the fact that you don’t have to go anywhere. The hotel next to the bar is super nice and cozy and the crème de la crème is the hot tub. We got a pitcher of beer from the bar complete with paper cups to bring hot tub side and basically met half the hotel and staff as new friend after new friend joined us for a hot outdoor dip.
The next morning, waking up to even more snow, we knew the powder was all ours. While the non-guests have to ride the gondola once the lifts open, we head for the top of the mountain.
There’s just something very natural about Sunshine. It’s an unselfconscious mountain that doesn’t need to flash 8 person high-speed quads at you to convince you that it’s worthy. The locals and fans know the terrain like nobody’s business and we followed some teenage boys to find some hidden gems in the trees. The atmosphere is friendly, the lifties are happy, why wouldn’t they be, and the peace and quiet you feel high up above civilization’s roads, parking lots and other earthly distractions enhances a feeling of romantic remoteness.
After a day or two or more tucked into the top of the mountain, you can ride down the best ski-out around. Several kilometers of winding snow road take you to the parking lot. On the way down, don’t be surprised to turn the corner and spot a deer. You can ride the side of the path and take jumps the kids have perfected for some added fun. You can tuck the steep parts and race your friends. It seems silly, but doesn’t everyone love a ski out that goes on forever? And not the kind a la Whistler where you’re just trying to stay alive and not pelted by beginners, but one where you wrap back and forth down the switchbacks in the forest. The ski out gently eases you out of your remoteness induced ski coma and back into the real world of hustle and bustle.
Sunshine makes skiing an experience. One that remembers that just being in the wilderness, away from it all, in the dead of winter, surrounded by peaks and snow is what makes skiing so therapeutic and downright awesome.
