The snow bum has landed.

After some speculation his flight might be cancelled due to weather, Sun Peaks' first official snow bum arrived at Kamloops Airport Monday with a bonus — fresh snow and plenty of it.

Thiago (pronounced chi-ahgo) Lucerno of Sao Paulo, Brazil competed with 50 video contestants in the resort's I Want To Be The Snow Bum challenge. He was selected in December from 20 finalists from around the world.

For the next three months he'll be the happiest man on the hill with all his expenses paid in return for telling the world — or at least part of it with social media such as Facebook and YouTube — about Sun Peaks.

"It's exciting," said the 29-year-old freelance videographer. "I never expected to be a celebrity."

He never expected to be skiing in B.C. in the midst of Brazil's antipodean summer, either.

"It will be fun — the longest season of my life — sharing all the adventure with the whole world.

"In December, I had to work for a few weeks. It was hard to concentrate. I was already preparing, wondering and thinking of how it would be."

At the airport Lucerno happily donned a Sun Peaks toque and jacket to pose for local media awaiting his arrival. A few weeks ago he didn't know what a toque was.

Sen. Nancy Greene-Raine and husband Al Raine gave him a warm greeting. He was also presented with two new pairs of skis by Christopher Nicolson, Tourism Sun Peaks president, and Dolson's. Lee Morris of Tourism Kamloops handed him a welcome bag full of enticements, such as Blazers tickets, to draw him into town during his stay.

Lucerno's humour and charm in his video submission helped him win the contest. He was shown wandering around Sao Paulo in search of non-existent snow. Brazil is no place for an avid skier, he concluded. While Brazilians do ski in Chile and Argentina, their experiences are generally shortlived holidays.

His videography skills and media savviness helped as well.

"It's like the best job in the world — share your experiences with other people. Meet new people and make new friends.

Lucerno arrived after spending New Year's in Vancouver with his girlfriend. She and his family will be visiting him through the season. He was set to tour the resort Monday before hitting the slopes today. He may even try snowboarding.

"I've snowboarded just a couple of times in my life, but I'm going to try snowboarding as well. Whatever I do, I will have a great time."