It’s the strings of lights between the Bavarian vibe buildings and the aromas from nearby cafes and pizza places that do it for me here at Sun Peaks Resort. If I didn’t know better I’d have thought I had been whisked away to a Swiss village to ski in the Alps, but no, this is BC in all its beautiful glory.
Located a mere 45 minutes from the city of Kamloops, this highly accessible location boasts the second largest ski area in all of Canada. With three mountains feeding into the ski-in and out village, there are runs for each level of skier and boarder on this seamless terrain.
We’re not strangers to winter conditions, but as a rule, our family has tried to avoid the cold months as much as possible, favouring warmer climates for holidays. This year we’ve set our minds to finding winter activities and accommodations that will rival trips down south, and with a weekend of skiing, snowshoeing, dining, and swimming at Sun Peaks Resort, we just might have been won over!
Where to Stay:
The Sun Peaks Grand Hotel Residences
During the Christmas season, each level of the hotel is festively decorated and from our suite balcony, we had a perfect view of the winter festival’s face-painting and hot chocolate stations! Staying in the Residences provides you with ample room for the family and helpful amenities such as a fully stocked kitchen, washer and dryer, king-sized bed for mom and dad and a separate bathroom and bedroom for the kiddies.
The first thing we did after checking in was soak our work week away in the outdoor pool and hot tub area. The three hot tubs allow for social distancing and peaceful moments watching the snow flakes melt in the steaming air. From here you’ll have a view of clock tower square and the skiers and boarders shredding their way down the slopes. It’s at this precise moment that you’ll truly enter vacation-mode.
Where to Eat:
Breakfast
Have breakfast delivered to you the night before so everyone can wake up and fill up on their own time. Ohana Deli Market & Meals To-Go offers locally sourced meals and ample variety including options for those with dietary restrictions. We enjoyed fresh fruit, croissants, gluten-free blueberry muffins, granola and yogurt, kombucha, and more. They also offer deli trays, bulk foods, homemade sauces and soups. It’s a nice option for filling the fridge when you arrive.
Lunch or Dinner
Mountain High Pizza, just steps from the Residences, had our mouths watering every time we walked through the village. They do pick-up and delivery, so you can decide what fits your schedule. I recommend the Highway 22 and Still Smokin’ after a morning of being on the hill. Asher (2 years old) thought it was hilarious to ‘cheers’ his pizza slice with all of ours every thirty seconds, he clearly loved our choice of dinner!
The Terrain:
Rentals and lift tickets can be purchased at Elevation Bike, Ski, & Board located right inside the hotel. Here you can also pick up anything you forgot at home that you might need (goggles!). The staff are incredibly helpful with sizing you for the right gear which makes al the difference for enjoying a full day of skiing or boarding.
The three mountains allow for over 4000 acres of skiable terrain with 13 lifts and 138 trails. Sun Peaks receives about 6 meters of dry BC snow annually. The variety of trails accommodates beginners and experts alike as well as those who prefer Nordic skiing or snowshoeing on groomed trails.
Ben received a four hour ski lesson with his Sun Peaks instructor, his very first training on the hill. His instructor was more patient than we could ever have been in teaching Ben the correct and safe ways to get down the hill. This also allowed time for Jake to shred some powder and me to take the younger boys walking through the village for coffee and shopping. I thought Ben would be exhausted and grumpy by the end of his session, but when I came to pick him up, he didn’t want to leave!
After the morning activities, we watched Christmas movies around the fireplace in our living room and waited for Santa to arrive by sleigh for the winter kickoff. The live music began and we enjoyed a trip to the Sun Peaks Center Great Hall for the artisan market.
I asked my seasoned Sun Peaks visitors on Instagram what their number one suggestion would be for our visit. An overwhelming number of you said a stop at the Vertical Cafe was a must! So before our snowshoeing adventure, Ben and I grabbed mochas and ham and cheese croissants before setting out on the Valley Interpretive Trail. You were right! Just one more reason why Sun Peaks feels like a delicious European getaway. Make sure you say hi to the owners who work alongside their staff, they’re some of the friendliest people in the village.
If your heart belongs to the mountains and trees like mine does then make sure you rent snowshoes and head out for a soul satisfying journey through the groomed trails. Several loops are available depending on how much time (or stamina) you have. Ben and I opted for the beginner/intermediate route and enjoyed two hours of quality time together searching for wildlife tracks and listening for chickadee chatter.
As with most of our adventures, we experienced enough to feel we accomplished a successful family getaway and left just enough activities to excitedly await our return. We recommend these activities for next time:
Winter Wonderland Sleigh Tour with Sun Peaks Stables
Dog Sled Tour
Guided Ice Fishing
Souvenir Shopping
Tag us in your Sun Peaks adventures this winter @loewenlifestyle and follow us on Instagram for more travel inspiration! We love hearing your suggestions and seeing you out on your family adventures!
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