As Whistler Blackcomb prepares to host the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, British Columbia’s largest ski resort is attracting a lot of attention. But when it comes to planning a winter getaway, more and more Western Washingtonians are choosing instead to go farther east to BC’s second-largest ski resort, Sun Peaks. While the two megaresorts have much in common—including great snow, a ski-in/ski-out village and first-class amenities—Sun Peaks offers smaller crowds, lower prices and three mountains (Tod Mountain, Sundance Mountain and Mount Morrisey) to Whistler Blackcomb’s two. Add to this Sun Peak’s growing list of winter activities and events, and it’s easy to understand why so many people make the five-and-a-half-hour drive from Seattle.
Following is our guide to activities and events at Sun Peaks for the ski season in progress. Use it to help plan an unforgettable winter adventure for the whole family.
Winter Activities These activities can be enjoyed throughout Sun Peaks’ ski season, which runs from mid-November to mid-April.
ON THE SLOPES With 3,678 acres of skiable terrain and 121 runs, it’s
no surprise that Sun Peaks’ biggest draw is its world-class downhill skiing and snowboarding. Each of the resort’s three mountains has something different to offer. On Tod Mountain, it’s open bowls and challenging terrain. Sundance Mountain is known for its groomed runs, terrain
parks and half-pipe and ski-school learning areas. Sundance is also the best mountain for snowboarders, offering an advanced park and an intermediate/beginner park. Mount Morrisey, the newest of the three mountains, is also the most diverse, with open glades, cruising-style runs and black-diamond steeps. A one-day lift ticket is $60 CDN for adults and $33 CDN for children ages 6 to 12 (children under age 5 ride free).
If you’re not a downhill skier or snowboarder, there’s still plenty to do on Sun Peaks’ gentler slopes. Cross-country skiers enjoy 17 miles of groomed trails, plus more than seven miles of backcountry trails. Ambitious cross-country skiers can take the lift to the top of Mount Morrisey and ski down to the McGillivray Lake warming hut, while those looking for a less challenging cross-country experience can stick to the shorter (but equally as scenic) trails, such as the Village Loop. Snowshoeing is a popular activity at Sun Peaks, as well. If you decide to give snowshoeing a try, don’t miss the Snowshoe Fondue on Friday evenings—a guided snowshoe tour followed by a gourmet fondue dinner and dessert.
OFF THE SLOPES Sun Peaks also offers a wide variety of winter activities off the slopes. Activity-seekers can choose from ice skating on an outdoor rink located a short distance from the village center; innertubing at Tube Time, a hill with unique curving lanes; or spending some quality family time at the Sports Centre, which offers a year-round heated outdoor pool, hot tubs and a children’s play zone (if you’re there on a Monday, don’t miss Family Swim Night). If you visit Sun Peaks with kids, be sure to take them by the Bungee Trampoline, where they can jump high into the air while safely buckled into a harness.
If relaxation and pampering are more your speed, spend a laid-back day exploring Sun Peaks’ charming
village center. The picturesque streets, lined with lodges, restaurants, shops and spas, offer something for everyone. For a one-of-a-kind tour of the village, consider taking a ride in a horse-drawn sleigh.
Annual Winter Events There’s always plenty to do at Sun Peaks, but the following two annual winter events are extra-exciting times to visit. If you want to visit Sun Peaks for either of these popular events in 2007, we recommend that you make a hotel reservation now, as the resort fills to capacity quickly.
THE BRITISH COLUMBIA ICEWINE FESTIVAL Jan. 17-Jan. 21 For nearly a decade, Sun Peaks Resort has teamed up with Okanagan Wine Festivals to celebrate great wine, food and
outdoor recreation. At the Icewine Festival, more than a dozen wineries from British Columbia’s award-winning Okanagan wine country come to show off their wines, particularly their icewines—sweet dessert wines made from frozen grapes. Festival
events range from a progressive tasting where 20 wineries set up in different locations throughout the village to a discussion/tasting with John Schreiner, author of the world’s only book on icewine (“Icewine: The Complete Story,” published
by Warwick Publishing). Foodies, take note: Most festival events revolve around not only great wine, but great food as well. Events with a culinary focus include special food and wine pairings at local restaurants, a wine and Canadian cheese pairing and a dessert competition where chefs vie to create the ultimate confection made with icewine. Best of all, after a day on the slopes, you can indulge to your heart’s content, guilt-free. Sun Peaks offers several Icewine Festival packages, including the Ultimate Icewine Festival Package—four nights’ accommodations, tickets to nightly food/wine events (including the progressive tasting and dessert competition described above) and tickets to two seminars, for $668 CDN per person. For information, call 800-807-3257.
VELOCITY CHALLENGE FIS WORLD CUP SPEED SKIING RACE March 1-4 If you have a need for speed, plan a trip to Sun Peaks for the Velocity Challenge FIS World Cup Speed Skiing Race to
see some of the world’s fastest skiers rocket down a 1,066-foot competition track. The event, the only race of its kind in North America, features approximately 100 participants, the fastest of whom reach death-defying speeds of more than 100 miles an hour. “This is the one time each
year at Sun Peaks when speed is not only encouraged, but rewarded,” says Race Chairman Adam Earle. “Imagine a ski racer wearing a Darth Vader-like helmet, a bright red rubber suit and 240-centimeter-long skis. Combine that with the rocket-like sound the racers make as they cut their way through the air, and it becomes a spectacle not to be missed!”
For more information about planning a winter getaway at Sun Peaks Resort, visit www.sunpeaksresort.com.
TIPS FOR YOUR STAY AT SUN PEAKS RESORT
Ensure that you don’t miss out on popular activities, such as the Snowshoe Fondue, by always booking in advance. To reserve a spot, contact the Activities and Information Centre at 205-578-5542.
If you’re interested in booking a lesson for yourself or your children, save valuable vacation time by booking in advance. To reserve a spot, contact the Snow Sports School at 205-578-5505.
Ensure that your size and equipment type are available during your vacation by reserving in advance. There are a number of rental shops at Sun Peaks to choose from. For more information, visit www.sunpeaksresort.com.
Sun Peaks doesn’t have a pharmacy, so make sure to bring any over-the-counter and prescription medications you’ll need with you.
If you need a large amount of groceries for your vacation, you should either purchase them in the nearby town of Kamloops (try Costco), or take advantage of Sun Peaks’
grocery delivery service providers. For more information, visit www.sunpeaksresort.com.
SUN PEAKS AT A GLANCE Summit elevation 7,060 feet
Village base elevation 4,116 feet
Skiable vertical 2,891 feet; the greatest in British Columbia’s interior
Bowl Two alpine bowls perfect for big lines
Longest run Up to five miles long
Trails 121, including 12 gladed areas
Terrain type 10 percent novice (green
circle), 58 percent intermediate (blue square) and 33 percent expert (black diamond)
Types of lifts 12 lifts total, including three high-speed quad chairlifts, two quad chairlifts, one triple chairlift and six surface lifts
