Sun Peaks has been a destination for those in the know for years. Though she doesn’t have a big name reputation, she deserves one. Like a soap opera actress about to get her big break into features any day now, Sun Peaks can outperform her higher profile peers in many ways and her attributes are starting to really make waves. Often attracting a lot of snow, this mountain thrives not only on the white stuff’s quantity but also quality. Its location produces a snow that would please any connoisseur. Soft, gentle and light, it’s a great place to move from groomer aficionado to powder hound.
The home of skiing legend Nancy Green, Sun Peaks loves to turn people into great skiers. Very family friendly, they offer day care until the kids turn 18 months and then they should be ready to tackle the terrain as toddlers.
With a beautiful village and fantastic base lodge, this mountain is nestled into the interior of British Columbia. Located less than an hour from Kamloops, it’s not much farther from Kelowna and about four hours from Vancouver.
There are a lot of options on the mountain for all levels but within Sun Peaks’ vault of goodies there are some real hidden gems. Powder stashes meander down steep runs and take you through some fantastic glades. There are some nice steeps to get you going and soft landings to bounce you to the bottom. With a lot of open areas that get great snow cover and have very few obstacles, you won’t have to try too hard to find runs you love that wont destroy your skis or risk your life.
Embracing the inherent romance of winter in the wilderness, Sun Peaks village has hot tubs and sleigh rides, live music and an ice wine festival. Little shops and hot chocolate locals dot the base area that you can ski right up to and take five.
In the spring, the base lodge doubles as a party patio. You can have some beers and watch your friends descend the mountain right in front of you. The patio really gets going in Spring and is one of my all time favorites.
There’s something very relaxing about Sun Peaks. You can get in some killer runs on some incredible terrain without feeling like you had to put up a fight to get it. Big open spaces, a welcoming village, and a very smart set-up for a ski hill, make this place worthy of great props.
