Sun Peaks Getaway Guide: Winter Fun in BC’s Interior

Credit: Curt Woodhall

With 2,000 hours of sunshine per year, Sun Peaks is the perfect place to work on your winter tan

If a snow-filled getaway paired with sunshine, blue skies and perfect powder is what you need to get through winter, Sun Peaks may be your best bet

Named Canada’s 2^nd Best Ski Resort (13^th in North America) by Condé Nast Traveler Magazine in 2010, Sun Peaks Resort offers a variety of mountain terrain for every interest and ability level, an exciting village centre with extensive non-ski activities, 2,000 hours of annual sunshine and a snowfall of almost six metres per year. 

British Columbia’s second largest ski resort includes three mountains with a combined total of 124 runs and more than 3,600 acres of skiable dry white powder. Each lift offers access to runs that range from effortless to challenging, making Sun Peaks a perfect ski getaway for groups, couples and families.

The resort typically lives up to its name, offering sunshine and perfect powder set against bluebird skies. Whether your pleasure is glades, groomers, open bowls, moguls, or showing off in the terrain park, you will find it at this world-class ski resort.

Enjoying the Sun Peaks Resort Village

After an epic power day, relax in the Sun Peaks Resort village (Image: Sun Peaks Resort)

A picturesque resort inspired by traditional Italian alpine villages, Sun Peaks was designed around ski-in/ski-out access. Park your car when you arrive and access the resort via skis, snowboard or the old fashioned way, on foot.

The vibrant pedestrian-oriented village exudes cozy warmth with colourful buildings housing hotels and inns, boutique shops, casual cafes and fine dining. Restaurant options are vast and varied, ranging from grab-and-go breakfasts at Tod Mountain Coffee House & Crêperie, to the Voyageur Bistro, which features traditional Canadian ingredients such as bannock, local fish, berries and bison.

There are also numerous sports bars, perfect for après ski, and of course the locals’ favourite place to party until the wee hours, MackDaddy’s.

Skiing and Beyond at Sun Peaks

Learn to steer a team of huskies with a one-hour beginner musher tour (Image: Curt Woodhall)

Sun Peaks scores so high partly because it offers myriad activities beyond skiing, such as tubing or a game of pick-up hockey at the outdoor ice rink.

Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are great alternatives to downhill skiing, and allow you to experience the resort’s extensive trail system and stunning scenery.

If you’re looking for an easier way to get your heart rate up, take a snowmobiling tour or try your hand at mushing a team of energetic sled dogs. The knowledgeable guides and enthusiastic team of Alaskan Huskies at Mountain Man Dogsled Adventures will have you on the edge of your seat during the exhilarating one-hour Beginner Musher Tour. 

After a long day on the slopes, book a treatment at the Sun Peaks Spa in the Kookaburra Lodge. The 90-minute Signature Massage with aromatherapy and hot stones promises to soothe sore, tired muscles and have you ready for your next alpine adventure.

Where to Stay at Sun Peaks Resort

The Delta offers a resort as well as residences for families (Image: Delta Sun Peaks Resort)

Nine hotels and lodges, including the four-diamond Delta Sun Peaks Resort featuring two restaurants, a health spa, three outdoor hot tubs and an indoor-outdoor heated pool, offer a range of accommodations for families, groups and couples.

The Delta Residences, offering 41 one- and two-bedroom condominiums with fully equipped kitchens, are a great option for families wanting to stay in the village. Guests who stay at this property also have access to all of the amenities of the Delta Resort.

For larger groups, ski-in/ski-out chalets can accommodate two to 40 people, and there are numerous condominiums, townhomes and bed-and-breakfasts available throughout the resort.

Mhairri Woodhall is a travel writer at Arrivals Travel.