Sun Peaks

The Sun Peaks ski resort is aptly named when one considers it receives over 2,000 hours of sun each year. British Columbia has several ski venues that provide ideal conditions, and this resort does that while being the second-largest ski area in Canada. A centrally located village nestles between four peaks that offer a variety of terrain that casual skiers and snowboarders will love.

Motorists will use the Trans-Canadian Highway 1 to reach Kamloops, British Columbia. Highway 5 takes drivers north to the access road for the year-round resort. Kamloops' airfield can handle local flights, but the closest International Airport that visitors will use is Kelowna.

The Right Conditions for Family Fun

The Sun Peaks ski area did not open as the second-largest winter venue in Canada but has grown through expansion over the years. Lodging accommodations abound in the valley between the peaks, with various rooms available to meet any budget or needs. That includes "top of the world" lodging with 80 units.

Two dozen businesses provide guests with drinks, food, and apres-ski at the Sun Peaks ski area. These locations are scattered, with most located somewhere near the village. Traditional dishes, unique chef recipes, and grab-and-go meals keep the whole family fueled (including those with special dietary restrictions). There are nearly as many retail outlets as eateries at the resort that offer the latest gear, apparel, accessories, groceries, adult beverages, pharmacy, and photography.

Elevation Bike, Ski & Board Shop provides rentals for those who arrive without gear. It has a demo center that allows customers to try things before they buy, and the staff can match equipment to age, skill, and interest. The Fall Line Tuning and Repair Centre uses state-of-the-art equipment to get everyone's gear ready for the slopes. That tuning equipment, along with experienced staff, makes a stop here short so everyone can get back to downhill fun at the Sun Peaks ski area.

What Does Canada's Second-Largest Mean?

The Sun Peaks ski resort offers 4,270 acres of snow-covered terrain for guests to explore. A base elevation of 4,116 feet at the village and the summit of Mount Tod at 7,060 feet contribute to the venue's 2,894-foot skiable vertical drop. An annual average snowfall of 237 inches provides plenty of powder to carve, even when the sun shines as much as it does here.

Guests at the Sun Peaks ski area can access over 21 miles of groomed and track set trails and almost 12 miles of backcountry trails for Nordic exploration. A 10-acre terrain park provides plenty of room and features that let skiers and snowboarders get off the ground or land tricks. The downhill skiing and riding draw most visitors to the four peaks (Morrisey, Orient, Sundance, and Tod) that visitors enjoy at Sun Peaks.

With 138 trails (including 19 glades), the winter venue offers something for all skill levels. Ratings here include green/beginner (10-percent), blue/intermediate (58-percent), and either black diamond or double black diamond ratings for the remaining runs that challenge advanced ski bums or experts. Thirteen lifts create an uphill capacity of 14,000 guests an hour at Sun Peaks.