Shhh – Why Sun Peaks Remains North America’s Best Kept Secret
A 75-year old grandmother hasn't skied since a knee injury while skiing in France in the mid-'90s. Her 60-ish adventure-driven husband loves bumps and the trees. One 5-year old grandson is just getting his skis under him, his ten-year-old brother already keen to chase their sixteen-year-old sibling as he rips down the blacks and bumps on his snowboard. Their mother, once a confident blue skier, has grown tentative due to fewer skier days and parenthood. The boys’ dad likes to bounce between the black and blues, when not obsessing that everyone is content. Like so many other mixed-ability groups, they’ve discovered Sun Peaks is their mutual happy place.
So declares Nancy Greene, Olympic gold medalist and Sun Peak’s Director of Skiing. As anyone who has skied in her shadow will tell you, former Senator Nancy Greene Raine can be counted on for plenty of verbal gems to complement her killer turns. There is no exclusive arrangement with a high price tag attached to talk and ski with Nancy, Canada’s Female Athlete of the 20th Century. She leads whoever shows up at 1 pm at the top of the Sunburst Chair to ski for an hour, her passion for the alpine matched only by her desire to teach ski technique to anyone and everyone. It’s hard to imagine Wayne Gretzky, Nancy’s male Athlete of the 20th Century counterpart, showing up to play shinny (pick-up) hockey with strangers every afternoon. But if Nancy’s in town, she skis with folks. Sun Peaks is full of these surprises, beginning with the terrain itself. Ask a serious skier to name the largest ski area in Canada and they’ll quickly say Whistler, but ask about the second largest and you’ll either hear Lake Louise or silence. Wrong – with 4,270 skiable acres, Sun Peaks lays claim to #2 in Canada and 7th overall in North America. Spread across Mt. Morrisey, Sundance and Mt. Tod, 137 trails have been carved out of the forest. Speaking of trees, there are 19 gladed areas here. 13 lifts carry us up, up and away and yes, most days are beautiful – Sun Peaks glistens beneath more than 2,000 hours of annual sunshine, the resort’s moniker much more than a simple branding exercise.
A great family ski hill includes black runs as much as green runs.
Sun Peaks definitely shines brightly compared with many of its brethren in other ways, both on-mountain and off the piste. To start, most of the resort is ski in-ski out, a virtue, like flying business class, that we don’t quite appreciate until we’ve done it but then, once we’ve sampled the ease of transit, we never wish to go back to coach, or a snowy parking lot, again. Convenience to the trail would top the list of assets at many ski resorts, but Sun Peaks also takes access to extraordinary levels in another realm. Finding a ski area that satisfies every family member or level of skier in a group can prove challenging but locating a hill where mixed-abilities can actually ski together is downright impossible. Either the “beginner-intermediate” areas put more aggressive skiers to sleep or worse, the advanced areas are tucked high away from the “easy” stuff like the Grinch poised outside his cabin sneering down at Whoville. Sun Peaks offers that rare pleasure to ski diverse terrain within a snowball’s throw of each other, a blissful opportunity to share parallel play on runs of different experience levels and then rejoin more or less at the same time to upload again. Truth be told, intermediate and advanced skiers will likely do a couple of laps off Mt. Tod’s Sunburst Express down Blazer, Broadway or thru the Cruiser Glades before newish skiers and riders make it down Cahilty and 5 Mile, but there’s nothing more joyful than hooking up with the whole gang at the same starting point. Plenty of options can be found on Mt. Morrisey and Sundance as well.
Sun Peaks abounds with post-ski activities too, from sleigh rides behind a team of Belgian draft horses to dog sleds and snowmobile tours and Cat Trax groomer rides, a chance to jump inside the cab of a snowcat and watch these expert plowmen and women ply their trade. Cross country skiers will discover over 37 kilometers of groomed and track set Nordic trails. The Alpine Fondue & Starlight Descent entreats us to a midmountain dinner followed by a nighttime ski or ride down the hill, an awesome special occasion event for those thirteen years and older. You can also flip the night into day with the awesome “First Tracks” program where you ski first and eat afterward.
On Piste
Off-Piste Pleasures
A Village for All Ages
Access here spreads out in another special way because après ski encompasses all ages, a differentiator that adds fodder to why Sun Peaks is North America’s best family ski resort. The village is designed in such a way that teens and tweens can explore on their own free of worry that they’ll get lost or caught up in some uncomfortable situation. As important as family time is during a ski vacation, there is arguably nothing cooler than a little independence to sip hot chocolate in a big ceramic mug at Vertical Café with just your friends. Naturally, there are more than enough great spots to settle into a jug of local ale, some poutine and adult company.
Sun Peaks Dine Around
If ski, then supper is more your thing, not to worry. The allure of the Sun Peaks lifestyle, a small municipality boasting social services and supreme adventure, has led to much less restaurant turnover than at most resorts. Step into pasta at Bella Italia, plan your pub night at Bottoms or enjoy 100% Canadian beef during a more intimate evening at the Steakhouse at Sun Peaks. The Voyageur Bistro is not to be missed, a Vancouver-worthy kitchen serving distinctively Canadian cuisine – think bison and bannock – in a setting symbolic of the “True North.” The Magic Cattle Guard Taps & Takeout has you covered from breakfast through dinner. You can settle into your meal and enjoy the full bar or order takeout in a flash. The Ohana Deli Market & Meals To-Go provides everything you could want for your picnic or pick me up back at your place. You’ll find freshly prepared deli trays and salads, a bulk section, homemade soups, and locally cured meats.
It’s hard to imagine in this day of corporate takeovers in the 4-season resort world that the 7th largest ski area in North America remains gloriously independent. Sun Peaks is that sort of place. Located literally at the end of the road, once you arrive you’ll discover no need to drive anywhere again, perhaps forever. Come to Sun Peaks and discover every inch of this alpine Eldorado.
Happenings
For the Family
Check out our family friendly events and activities
Our Winter Terrain
Explore three peaks at Canada's second largest ski area
See What's On
A complete guide to festivals, live music, events and special activities
Guide to Dining
Satisfy your cravings with a multitude of unique cafes, pubs and eateries
Peak Pride
With lots of activities for all to partake in, this is a celebration for the entire resort! From daytime to evening events. Tickets are recommended ahead of time to guarantee entry into venues, but will be available at the door if space permits.
2/26/20-3/1/20
Ice Fishing
Enjoy the winter sunrise, some mid-day blue skies or a stunning sunset out on the hard water on a fully guided ice fishing adventure.
Dog Sledding
Learn everything you need to know about dog sledding tours in Canada, before heading out on your exhilarating dog sled adventure at Sun Peaks.
Sit back under the covers and take in the sights and sounds of the village and surrounding area for a daylight, sunset or evening tour.
Sleigh Ridges
With its curving lanes, Tube Time is a ride unlike any other lift accessed tube park.
Tube Park
Sun Peaks’ newest restaurant, the Fondue Stube offers a cozy and relaxed atmosphere with traditional cheese, meat, and chocolate fondue, only with the finest ingredients.
Fondue Stube
Morrisey’s is a comfortable and fun Irish style pub where the village come together to meet new and old friends.
Morrisey's Public House
Bolacco Café
Bolacco Café is a local’s favourite for coffee. Enjoy a specialty coffee, and hospitality from the baristas. Bolacco Café is also the perfect spot to have a quick breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Themed on Canadian ingredients available for hundreds of years; Bison, berries, bannock and local fish are all featured on the menu.
Voyageur Bistro
If you are new to the wines of British Columbia, we are excited to show you our passion through our events, and if you are returning, thank you for your loyalty. Let the snow fall, the wines be poured and the food savoured!
Sun Peaks Wine and Food Festival
3/5/2020-3/8/2020
Cahilty Creek is a proud partner with local yoga instructor Amy Atkinson, of Shift Power Yoga Kamloops. Amy will help you start the weekend off on the right track! A 60-minute power flow yoga class followed by a light snack and a 6oz pour of Okanagan Pinot Blanc or Pinot Noir.
Pinots and Poses
3/7/2020
An après gathering of fun, fizz and fries. There is always an occasion for bubbly - even with a twist! Curly Fries and fresh cut fires. We have you covered. Various kinds of bubbly joined together with different styles of French Fries, dressed for an occasion.
Fizz and Fries
Join local artist Liz Derksen for a relaxing evening of wine and art. Liz is a local artist who paints bright coloured landscapes with a focus on her love of trees and will guide you as you paint and sip delicious wine from Fort Berens Estate Winery, Lillooet BC.
Brushes and Berens
Experience the magic of a Moonlight Snowshoe Tour. This outdoor evening begins with an easy 1km snowshoe tour Enjoy time to relax around a roaring campfire! On our return to the village, enjoy mulled wine in the Sun Peaks Lodge Steakhouse,
Moonlight Snowshoe and Mulled Wine
3/8/2020
Sun Peaks Resort is excited to host the 2020 U16 Canadian Alpine Nationals. We'll be welcoming skiers from all across Canada in this jam-packed week of skiing. They will be racing head to head in their respective categories of Super-G, Giant Slalom, and Ski Cross for the top spots in the country.
Canadian Alpine Nationals
3/9/2020-3/14/2020
Join us for the annual Sun Peaks Nordic Festival, including the Sprint Challenge and Loppet. Registration closes on March 12.
Nordic Festival
3/14/2020-3/15/2020
Annual Snowfall
0
2
3
4
5
6
Nordic Trails
To ski Orient Quad Morrisey Express To eat Umbrella Café To do Sun Peaks Nordic Centre
Creekside Way
To ski Sunburst Express Morrisey Platter Village Platter Sundance Express To eat The Annex Food & Drink Masa’s Bar + Grill Café Soleil To do Pinnacle Lodge Village Day Lodge
Village Way
To eat Voyageur Bistro Powder Hound Bolacco Café Bella Italia Jardines Oya Restaurant The Steakhouse Fondue Stube Cahility Creek Kitchen & Taproom To do Sun Peaks Massage and Spa at Kookaburra Lodge Outdoor Skating Rink Tube Time Shopping
meters
400
800
1200
1600
2000
hours per year
Average Sunshine
854
1708
2562
3416
4270
acres of terrain
Ski Area
If you are new to the wines of B.C. we are excited to show you our passion through our events. Let the snow fall, the wines be poured and the food savoured!
Cahilty Creek is a proud partner with local yoga instructor Amy Atkinson, of Shift Power Yoga Kamloops. A 60-minute power flow yoga class followed by a light snack and a 6oz pour of Okanagan Pinot Blanc or Pinot Noir.
An après gathering of fun, fizz and fries. There is always an occasion for bubbly. Curly Fries and fresh cut fires. We have you covered. Various kinds of bubbly joined together with different styles of French Fries, dressed for an occasion.
Join artist Liz Derksen for a relaxing evening of wine and art. Liz is a local artist who paints bright coloured landscapes and will guide you as you paint and sip delicious wine from Fort Berens Estate Winery, Lillooet BC.
This magical evening begins with an easy snowshoe tour, followed by time to relax around a roaring campfire and mulled wine in the Sun Peaks Lodge Steakhouse.
Skiers from all across Canada will be racing head to head in this jam-packed week of skiing. Skiers will compete in Super-G, Giant Slalom, and Ski Cross for the top spots in the country.
50+ Years On, Sun Peaks Remains All About Family
amily ski vacations are a lot like home life, where every family member prefers to “traverse” in his or her own way. Susie is a first run-last chair boarder, Joey prefers half-days with time for other winter adventures, Mom likes to go hard on the hill with plenty of breaks and Dad takes a more casual approach, ready to explore whatever the resort has to offer. Time and time again, the best family “ski” vacations are formed as much from what happens off the hill as on it. When it comes to crafting this kaleidoscope of winter activities, few ski resorts sparkle like Sun Peaks.
Like the best amusement park rides, the Tube Park satisfies every family member, a souped-up slide down the old sledding hill. No trudging uphill with tube in tow here, however. A magic carpet conveys adults and kids back to the top for another zippity-zip down. Open every day from 8 am to 7 pm, the park consists of two lanes that snake down the hill, perhaps setting up a race or two for condo bragging rights. The old-time fun continues when families and friends gather around the fire pit for a little warm up between and after runs. A winter resort doesn’t earn a reputation as the best family ski resort in North America without having something special for every age group. The grizzled cynics chuckled when the resort added a bungee trampoline at the mountain base several years ago, but it turns out kids like to fly as much as the rest of us. The trampoline, a wonderful outside respite during or after the ski day, accommodates people of all ages.
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The community spirit at Sun Peaks leaves an indelible impression on any visitor. From the on-slope primary school to local teenage kids working as baristas, the resort’s evolution into a dynamic municipality is palpable. The Sundance Kids Centre captures this energy during Activity Nights from 5 to 8:30 pm every evening of the season. Our kids hang with old friends and make new ones while watching favorite movies, playing games and making crafts. (Always make sure to book at least 24 hours ahead.) Think of it as après for the younger set that allows for, well, untethered après for us parents. The shared family experiences are every bit as fun as a little adult time. Dogsledding, sleigh rides and snowmobile tours make memories that remain in our imaginations as vividly as they appear across our kids’ social media feeds. These three classic winter adventures may use huskies, horses and horsepower respectively, but the rush of cruising over the snow into the forest is hard to forget, whatever the “motor” mode.
Like dogsledding and a sleigh ride, snowmobiling provides accessibility to every family member, regardless of fitness and age. Even seasoned “sledheads” will appreciate Sun Peaks Adventure Tours for their dedication to backcountry exploration upon well-maintained machines. Guests rave about the varied terrain, a chance to enter the deep forest, then open up the throttle across a frozen lake or meadow. The evening tour travels to McGillivray Lake Cabin for a campfire cookout. Like dogsledding, horse-drawn sleigh rides and snowmobiling, riding in a Pisten Bully Snow Groomer tops a lot of winter season bucket lists. No passive ride here―when you join the Cat Trax Groomer Ride, you join a professional groomer while he or she massages the slope for tomorrow’s skiers and riders. The 45-minute ride, available to those 14 years of age and up, offers a rare chance to experience one of the most mystical jobs on the ski hill. It’ll place a smile on your face every time you look up in the future and see those lonely lights moving across the night. And talk about ski bus bragging rights!
We all know about dogsledding, of course, but you won’t quite believe it ’til you try it. Yes, that’s a team of half-sized husky mixes taking you and the sled up and down the undulating trails. You won’t find an animal that loves his job as much as a sled dog, yipping with joy as you are carried along in the sleigh or, even better, drive the dogs yourself. You’ll course through the trees and out into the vast landscape beside a frozen lake, an idyllic family bonding moment when curled up beneath the Hudson Bay blankets. Other stars come out to work during sleigh rides, not always in the sky but in the form of Percheron draft horses, a pair of gentle giants who pull your cutter sled right into a storybook setting. You’ll start in the village then trot out into the valley beneath the shadow of the mountain peaks. High stepping through the Sun Peaks pedestrian village enhances this ideal alpine aesthetic.
Naturally, the human-powered family activities are equally robust. The fat tire biking trend is here to stay, a great way to mount your two-wheeled steed and pedal off on the Valley Trail network that yawns from one end of the village to the other end and beyond. You can even ride all the way to McGillivray Lake. The Morrisey Trail hosts Nordic skiers for miles of exercise and views. Snowshoers will enjoy the silent splendor and a great way to experience nature in this special valley. Since its founding over 50 years ago, Canada’s second-largest ski area has grown steadily into a family resort famous for offering skiers and non-skiers a premier winter playland with few peers. The village has also developed a wide variety of lodging to house family and friend groups of every size. The majority of the restaurants also focus on family-friendly ambience, with menus for every taste. When you consider what Sun Peaks has to offer, it’s not surprising to meet families here who’ve returned every season since the children first started in the Sun Tots program―kids who today visit with their parents while on college break.
4,270 Skiable Acres, Oh My. A Guide to Exploring Sun Peaks Resort’s Alpine Riches
here are two ways to look at the vast skiable acreage at Sun Peaks, by mountains, and by programs. First, the mountains. Sun Peaks offers 4,270 acres of terrain, the second largest ski and snowboard playground in Canada and 7th largest in all of North America. The flow of the three mountains feels more like a Swiss or French village than North American resorts. You’ll often spend the morning on Mt. Tod, the original ski mountain, break for lunch in the (skiable!) village, then heading out to Sundance or Mt. Morrisey terrain. This routing also unveils another uniquely Sun Peaks activity, better known as “I’ll follow the sun.” No foolin’!
Now consider the programs. Led by Olympic Champion, former Senator and Sun Peaks Ski Director Nancy Greene, the resort has long crafted programs that invite us to embrace skiing as much as she does. In fact, speak with almost anyone who’s skied here and inevitably you hear about “skiing with Nancy” among their highlights. The Female Canadian Athlete of the 20th Century, Nancy still skis with all comers (1 pm at the top of the Sunburst Chair.) every day she is in town. You can also meet Nancy every Sunday evening from 7:30 to 8:30 in the Library Corner at Sun Peaks Grand Hotel. And she’s hardly the only affable host, volunteer “Sun Hosts” are thrilled to take you around “their” mountains seven days a week. Meeting and skiing with Nancy or a Sun Host are complimentary. As Nancy says, “as a skier you can never stop improving.” To this end, the Sun Peaks Sports School offers an incredible array of instruction
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whether you are placing your child in her very first Sun Tots lesson or joining “Intro to the Backcountry,” a chance to improve your skills in Sun Peaks impressive off-piste terrain. Sun Kids feature full and half-day lessons, group lessons abound, or you can select a private lesson for pretty much every genre from the “Park Posse Freestyle” to bumps, carving and “Guided Fresh Tracks.” All told you’ll be challenged to find a more comprehensive menu of individual and group lessons anywhere. Lessons provide an additional benefit in addition to technique improvement, they always include an annotated guide to the resort. Take a bumps class and there’s a good chance you’ll find some mogul fields you wouldn’t have discovered on your own. Enter a blue run carving course and there’s no telling where your guide will lead you. A resort as broad as Sun Peaks certain doesn’t require tutelage, but most visitors consider an insider’s tour invaluable. Since every instructor must be intimately familiar with the terrain, who better to lead the way into a secret stash among one or two of the extraordinary 19 glades? They’ll also present exactly how a beginner, intermediate and expert can explore the same general terrain cruising down 5 Mile, Last Chance and Spillway respectively. A more advanced skier can also join the mix by popping down the double-black Chute prior to the rendezvous at the Elevation quad chair.
Sun Peaks also provides special access going up the mountain. The Alpine Fondue & Starlight Descent features an evening chairlift to the recently renovated Sunburst Bar + Eatery, a full European 3-course fondue dinner followed by a torchlit ski down 5 Mile to the village. Fresh Tracks takes us on the Sunburst chairlift to exclusive use of the Crystal chairlift as we dip into freshly fallen snow with just a limited group of skiers and snowboarders. Unlike many Fresh Tracks that begin with a wolfed down breakfast, Sun Peaks provides a meal voucher for later use at three eateries. If you forego a Sun Host or lesson, a few minutes with the trail map will pay big dividends. You’ll quickly notice shared access remains a primary calling card here, the opportunity for mixed-ability skill levels to share the skiing and snowboarding experience. It’s not unusual to see multigenerational families from ages 5 to 65 posing for pictures on the Top of the World, more than 6,700-feet above sea level. Standing at a resort’s apex for family photos is unheard of at most areas, where the peak equals advanced intermediate and expert terrain.
broad stroke of glorious blue runs with two fun yawning green options, Home Run and The Sticks, for newer skiers and riders to work on their turns. There are so many ways to wander down Morrisey you could spend all day completing the puzzle. Lint Trap and Tumble Dry lead you off the cycle of Washing Machine’s black runs. Like Morrisey, Sundance lays out a blue palette with dashes of black. Turn left off the Sundance Express to access the sublime Grannie Greene’s glades (Remember: ALWAYS ski or ride with a partner in the trees.), to the right lays the Bug Out glades, more sparsely populated with trees but densely fun for carving your own path. Sundance also sets up beautifully for an afternoon ski-out if you’re staying in the East Village. Of course, the ski-in/ski-out potential is universal at Sun Peaks, yet another reason this resort rises above most competitors. However you plan your day, there are three mountains waiting to play along at Sun Peaks.
At Sun Peaks, a beginner can post his Instagram pic at the Top of the World then make his way down 5 Mile. He can even take the Burfield Outrun back to the chair to join his more experienced friends or family members. The intermediate skier enjoys all sorts of options, challenging herself in the black diamond Crystal Bowl then slipping over at her leisure to the intermediate Crystal Run or Blue Line. An advanced skier enjoys runs in every direction, whether blowing cold smoke in Crystal Bowl, descending the Headwall, or traversing into Gil’s, a series of exceptional chutes and glades that declare Sun Peaks slack country “as good as it gets.” Mt. Morrisey’s “Washing Machine” is the newest terrain at the resort, a most welcome advanced area to complement the expansive intermediate runs that purl across the mountain. Morrisey Express unfurls classic descents all around, a
As a skier you can never stop improving.
A Diner’s Guide to Sun Peaks’ Diverse Culinary Offerings
ike so much else in the municipality of Sun Peaks, the dining scene has evolved into a full-fledged restaurant spectrum without ever losing sight of the resort's laidback nature. The village planners – led by Mayor and Former Canadian Ski Team Coach Al Raine, attracted long term restaurateurs who expertly supplement the myriad outdoor activities with nutritious, hand-crafted menus in convivial settings. Though non-skiers will find more than one dozen recreational off-slope experiences, Sun Peaks has no desire to be a “party town” per se. That said, the excellent après and bar life combine gloriously with cafés, full-service dining rooms, and jovial pubs to create an amenities-rich experience that visitors return to year after year.
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The best days begin with tea or coffee. Sun Peaks warms you up as well as any ski resort around, starting with Bolacco Cafè, a local institution located not far from the Sundance Express chairlift. Family-owned and operated, Bolacco also provides fresh pastries and the house-made hot chocolate is a top draw, a kids' après hotspot if you will. Café Soleil adds breakfast wraps, deli sandwiches and goodies to the mix, a great pause for those of us who are eager to catch that first chair or get back in the powder after a quick lunch. The Tod Mountain Cafè also features breakfast options like a ham, egg and cheddar cheese wrap or muffin, but adds a full menu of baked potatoes, smoothies and the house specialty, 20 varieties of sweet and savory crêpes. The Vertical Cafè serves up yet more fresh scrumptious fare from panini to homemade soups and smoothies. Tod Mountain and Vertical both use organic food whenever possible and, best of all, they offer breakfast all day.
It Begins with Breakfast
Everyone approaches lunch a little differently when skiing. Some of us ski and ride right thru, some prefer a quick on-the-go bite while others consider the lunch break a cherished component of the ski trip, a time to unbuckle our boots and revel in the knowledge we’ve already burned some calories and earned that poutine or homemade chocolate chip cookie. Sun Peaks accommodates every type of lunch preference. The Umbrella Café sits at the base of the Mt. Morrisey chairlift, a great spot for lunch and a beer before following the sun up the hill. The recently renovated Sunburst Bar + Eatery has expanded its menu to include familiar wraps and flatbread options as well as soups, stews, BBQ and most other ski hill selections. The Sunburst is also the best breakfast option when taking advantage of Fresh Tracks, the early morning, pre-crowd ski package (and $10 meal coupon) that’s one of the best deals around. Note: no trip to Sun Peaks is complete without imbibing in the legendary cinnamon rolls at the Sunburst. (In true Sun Peaks community fashion, you can also bring your own food here to enjoy in a designated seating area.) Though the second largest ski area in Canada, you never feel remote when skiing at Sun Peaks. While many families and groups gather at Sunburst, meeting up at the base of the mountains is just as easy. Located in the Day Lodge, Masa’s Bar + Grill provides a perfect rendezvous spot whether you were off skiing in the side country or finishing up a group lesson. The well-priced menu also satisfies every palate, with familiar items like a cheese quesadilla to favorite specialties such as the lobster mac n cheese, pastrami skillet or buckshot beef baguette. Mantles Restaurant + Lounge joins nearby Masa’s as another ideal locale for family and group all-day dining.
Lunch Stops
Specialty menus were once uncommon at Sun Peaks. Not so anymore. Ever consider vegan poutine? Chez Joe Poutine offers just such a plate and many more nuanced presentations of this Canadian standard. Fondue Stube is a new entry in the winter resort comfort food category, a comfortable place to enjoy cheese, meat, and chocolate fondue as well as excellent wines and beer. Fondue is also front and center during Sun Peaks Alpine Fondue & Starlight Descent, the popular (book early!) experience when you make an evening chairlift ascent to the Sunburst for dinner then ski by torchlight beneath the stars back to the village. Speaking of European-inspired cuisine, Bella Italia Mediterranean Kitchen prepares authentic Italian pizzas and pasta from Bolognese to Alfredo in a warm family-friendly environment. You can also find slices, full pies and take-out pizzas at Mountain High Pizza, conveniently located right off the slopes in the village. Japanese cuisine continues to grow in ski resort popularity for understandable reasons. Few foods taste as good as ramen, udon, and soba after a hearty day on the slopes. OYA Restaurant offers these noodle bowls as well as sushi rolls, nigari, sashimi, and other Japanese staples. Mountain Tiger features a changing menu that draws from Indian, Chinese and Middle Eastern cuisine.
Diverse Dining for Families & Friends
The Sun Peaks culinary landscape also accommodates a special evening or fine dining experience, beginning with Voyageur, an exceptional kitchen, and ambience that would hold its own in any resort town anywhere. The decidedly Quebecois menu features appetizers like a wild mushroom tart and salmon croquettes and entrées that include elk wellington, pork belly ribs and voyageur tourtière, a traditional French Canadian meat pie. The setting mirrors the menu intrigue, guests are seated below historic canoes, paddles and other symbols of the voyageur’s legacy. The Steakhouse at Sun Peaks also focuses on national fare, offering 100% Canadian beef in a variety of cuts to complement other steakhouse standards. Powder Hounds Restaurant adds German accents to Canadian tastes, think Schnitzel Oscar with steelhead and other seafood served on the breaded pork.
A Little (Sun Peaks Casual) Fine Dining
Of course, all trails lead to après at a Canadian ski resort. Sun Peaks has you covered, as anyone who’s joined in song or danced to a live band or DJ at Bottoms Bar & Grill will readily report. Featuring local craft brews and excellent pub grub, everyone appears to smile all the time inside this local institution. These days Sun Peaks shines with other watering holes too, including the newly renovated Cahilty Creek Kitchen & Taproom, a lively space where 16 taps froth with local adult beverages. Morrisey’s Public House rounds out the favorites, an Irish-influenced pub. Naturally, many other restaurants in the village also serve up a mean après, whether you’re craving a Caesar, an Okanagan ale or some serious pulled pork nachos.
Après, Après, Après
Sun Peaks Events - Festivities Worth Planning For
n 50+ years Sun Peaks has grown from a local’s ski hill with a single peak into a 3-mountain, four-season resort within a young and dynamic municipality. From bingo at Bottoms to ArtZone Sun Peaks' monthly art exhibits, community-building events have remained central to the resort’s evolution. Today, you won’t find a week goes by without something special to do, a fabulous way to experience the Sun Peaks lifestyle and meet some new friends.
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Traveling after dark into the alpine is always a thrill, especially when you’re en plein air and your movement is human-powered. When in Sun Peaks you board the Sunburst Express chairlift and ascend to the recently renovated Sunburst Bar + Eatery, the resort’s mid-mountain restaurant. Friends and family members 13 and older settle in for a traditional 3-course Swiss-style fondue dinner. After dinner, you collect a headlamp and it’s off down the freshly groomed 5 Mile run toward the glittering village lights. (Every Wednesday and Thursday thru March 19)
Alpine Fondue & Starlight Descent
The Dirty Feet is one of several one day events scheduled at Sun Peaks each season, a fun way to get a little exercise, make new friends and join in the community spirit. All ages and ability levels are invited to snowshoe the 5km and 10km course through the lower alpine, a great way to join in on the all-inclusive snowshoeing trend. (February 29)
The North Face Dirty Feet Snowshoe Fun Run & Walk
Friday Race Series
Who doesn’t want to feel the thrill of carving through the gates with a stopwatch, especially when you’re skiing at the resort made famous by an Olympic gold (and silver) medalist? No slouchy slopes here, the Nancy Greene International Race Centre at Sun Peaks served as the official training grounds for the Austrian Ski Team for five years. Pick up your bib, take your two runs then wait and see if you’re heading to the podium. (Fridays, 8 am to 2 pm)
Peak Pride launches with après on February 26 and doesn’t stop thumping until March 1. There are films to be seen, comedians to hear and yes, plenty of dance opportunities throughout the village. Things get even more colorful during the annual Mountain Pride Parade on February 29, followed by a little laydown to prepare for the “wipeOUT” final bash. Peak Pride is always an exhilarating time to ski and party in Sun Peaks. (February 26 – March 1)
Sun Peaks is most often associated with vast acreage of dry snow under sunny skies, but after this season, many visitors will reference the Sun Peaks Wine and Food Festival, the early March weekend when guests celebrate B.C.’s wine and culinary fare. The 4-day fête features numerous gatherings that include the Sun Peaks Wine & Dine, an opportunity to taste unique menus paired with hand-selected B.C. wines. Over the long weekend, you can dine on Italian appetizers with Italian-style Okanagan wines, take in the 5-course Explorer Dinner, a combo of Canadian food and folklore, or try out Fizz & Fries, yes, champagne paired with a variety of fries, among more than one dozen experiences. (March 5 – 8)
Sun Peaks Nordic Festival
It all started at Mt. Tod so it’s fitting the season’s finale is held on this 7,060-ft mountain. Folks pull out the retro duds Friday as the party starts early inside Masa’s Bar + Grill for Après and Ales, followed by the Delorean Band Back to the 80’s Party. The Slush Cup highlights Saturday when the brave glide the frigid pool if they can make it. The traditional Top to Bottoms Run draws the weekend to a close as the assembled masses descend from the Top of the World to the terrace at Bottoms. (April 11 – 13)
Tod Mountain Days Spring Festival
You might think a village set in a valley surrounded by three steep mountains might not offer much in the way of Nordic skiing. In fact, Sun Peaks is blessed with over 37 kilometers of groomed and set track that courses through the valley with multiple direct entry points throughout the village. The 3rd Annual Sun Peaks Nordic Sprint Challenge is open to all ages, as is the Sun Peaks Loppet, a great family and friends set of races that stretch from 2km to 5km to 30km. (March 14 -15)
