The Ski Resort
Welcome to one of the most family-friendly ski resorts worldwide. Tons of activities for kids, a ski school for all ability levels, generous slopes, and convenient skiing into the village make Sun Peaks Resort so popular among families with children. Sun Peaks Resort is located in British Columbia and it comprises three mountains: Tod Mountain, Sundance Mountain as well as Mt Morrisey. Prior to summer 1993, the ski resort was known as Tod Mountain Ski Area, named after the highest mountain of the three.
The annual snowfall of more than six meters attracts a lot of skiers and extends the season from November to Mid-April. It is actually Canada's second largest ski resort with skiable terrain of 4270 acres. You can choose between 135 trails with 16 gladed areas. It separates into 10 percent beginner runs, 58 percent intermediate terrain and 32 percent expert skiing so you will find runs for everyone in your party.
Skiing for Everyone
The three mountains at Sun Peaks guarantee a blast for everyone with tons of greens, blues and blacks as well as some double black runs. Starting in the valley, you could first start with the intermediate Mt Morrisey (5,495 ft). Take the Morrisey Express to find blues like Grand Return, Mid-life Crisis or Still Smokin’. Beginners can hit the green trail Home Run that descends right into the valley. Experts will appreciate the Advanced Trails Tumble Dry and Lint Trap. Look for additional Expert trails, such as Cover Shot or Spin Cycle, further down the mountain.
Tod Mountain featuring a height of 7.060 ft is the highest mountain of the three in the resort. Start off with the Learning Zone at the foot of the mountain. Additional slopes for beginner skiing is available at the lower part of it. By taking the Sunburst Express you will have tons of beginner, intermediate and advanced runs to your disposal. Same goes for the Burfield chairlift and the Crystal chairlift. The famous Bowls can be found at the top of the mountain and off the Burfield lift. Beginners should take the easiest way down to get the top-to-bottom experience: 5 Mile. It is also the longest run in Sun Peaks and offers amazing views.
The Sundance Express gives you a ride to the peak of Sundance Mountain (5.676 ft). Check out the multiple blues and blacks. The black Peek-a-Boo is extremely popular among experienced skiers and snowboarders. Rambler is another designated green run. You can either ski it down or change onto the East Village Ski Way to take an extra long detour back to the base.
Sun Peak’s top-to-bottom ten acre Rockstar Energy Terrain Park leaves you with a ton of choices between jumps, rails, and boxes. The most common reason freestylers come here is probably the 60-foot jump Nancy. Since they put a lot of effort into snowmaking, they open their doors early and ensure best powder throughout the season. The features change from time to time, so you will be surprised one way or another each time you get there.
First Tracks Breakfast
A real insider tip for the early risers among you is the First Tracks Breakfast. First Tracks ticket holders can grab the Sunburst Express chairlift as early as 7:45 am and get an amazing hot & cold continental breakfast at the Sunburst Lodge from 9:30 am to 10:30 am.
Interesting facts
- Offering 4268 acres of slopes and terrain, Sun Peaks Resort is among the 3 largest Ski Resorts in Canada.
- Sun Peaks Resort is among the 10 best rated Ski Resorts in Canada.
- It is known to be the most family-friendly ski resort in Canada.
- Elevated between 4117 ft and 7060 ft, the Ski Resort is among the 15 highest elevated Ski Resorts in Canada. The vertical drop from summit to base is 2943 ft. The average difference in altitude between base and summit of Ski Resorts in Canada is 1191 ft. Most runs are therefore relatively long.
- Average snow depth during the season is 66 " at summit elevation and 54 " at base elevation. Snow coverage is usually best during April, offering an average snow depth of 99 " at summit elevation and 81 " at the base. Therefore Sun Peaks Resort is among the 15 ski Resorts with best snow conditions in Canada.
- Sun Peaks Resort features 42 sunny days on average per season. The average for all ski Resorts in Canada is 39 sunny days. March is the sunniest month with an average of 12 sunny days. This makes the ski resort one of the 10 sunniest in British Columbia.
Snow Safety & Snowmaking
On Mountain Dining
If you prefer casual lunch options, you should pay a visit to the cafeteria-style Bento’s Day Lodge next to the Sunburst Express where you can come at any time of the day for breakfast, lunch, and beer. The Lodge is quite family-focused and known as Sun Peaks' affordable breakfast alternative, offering (free wifi and) handmade cinnamon buns among other tasty and quick meals.
The Sunburst Lodge also serves food in the self-service cafeteria style and is located at mid Tod Mountain offering scenic views of the surrounding valleys. The variety there seems endless as you can get pretty much everything from Chinese food to bakery goods, tasty breakfast menus as well as salads, soups, or burgers.
Located conveniently at the bottom of the Sunburst Express and Sundance Express chairlifts, you will find the Café Soleil, which attracts guests with Starbucks coffee specialties and tasty snacks. Inside the café you can satisfy your cravings for great coffee, crêpes, baked potatoes and a ton of other snacks and meals. They even have vegan, gluten-free and vegetarian choices.
Must-Ski Runs
The longest and designated green run 5 Mile starts off the Burfield Chair and takes you almost across the whole mountain back to the base. Moreover, both Crystal Bowl and Toilet Bowl guarantee a blast for people who consider themselves expert skiers.
Nightskiing
Videos
Activities
Of course, Sun Peaks offers plenty of activities besides skiing. If you are more into relaxation time, make use of the massages of Hands on the Move, which is a mobile massage offering meaning the massage therapists visit you in your Sun Peaks accommodation while bringing everything required to make this a unique experience.
The Sun Peaks Spa is another great alternative in order to relax and take a break. Sun Peaks Spa Express further offers hydro massage beds, manicures, pedicures, as well as facial treatments. For all the chocolate lovers, the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory is the right address to pamper your sweet tooth - and for sure it is an amazing experience for every child.
All those, who do not want to lose sight of shining snow, the Tube Park is a great place to go to and great (family) fun. Sun Peaks definitely is one of those ski resorts that give their best in trying to make every child’s wish come true: From dog sled tours and horse drawn sleigh rides, snowbike, snowmobiling and snowshoe tours to winter segway tours, Sun Peaks really does its best to make everyone chuckle and smile. Ice princesses and hockey players also get the chance to discover one of many outdoor ice skating rinks for endless fun on their ice skates.
Après-Ski and Nightlife
Morrisey's Public House is an Irish Style Pub that is popular among tourists and locals. It is located in the Residences at Sun Peaks Grand and is a great place to catch up on main sporting events together with old and new friends. The professional bartenders will know you and your favorite drink by name.
Another great recommendation is Masa’s Bar & Grill: It is located in the Village Day Lodge and deeply impresses with its selection of draft beer as well as its impressive nightly specials. Masa’s got a variety of salads, appetizers, kid’s items and traditional fare on its menu.
Bottom’s Bar & Grill definitely has got the pub scene down due to yummy drink specials and its unique feature as most lively bar on the mountain. Yet, rivals never rest: Masa's Club Nights never has a shortage of live-entertainment. Its DJs and dance floor will keep you moving and always want to go back there after a day on the slopes.
Dining and Restaurants
Bella Italia Mediterranean Kitchen has great choices of pasta and seafood dishes, and the extended wine list will please everyone’s taste buds always matching the flavors. You are best of by reserving a table since it can get pretty crowded at night. The Oya Restaurant is a great spot to try the best Sushi in town and all other Japanese treats one could ever ask for: Sushi rolls, noodle bowls and even Sake, the famous Japanese alcoholic beverage, is what you might want to taste.
Mantles Restaurant & Lounge located in the lower lobby of the Sun Peaks Grand Hotel & Conference Centre is more on the sophisticated side. The menu goes with the seasons and the comfortable atmosphere is great throughout the whole year. Cahilty Creek Kitchen & Taproom serves the best homemade burgers on the block, but also soups and french fries. The also offer great BBQ ribs, steaks, and great drinks.
Powder Hounds and Steakhouse at Sun Peaks Lodge are also nice spots to hang out with family and friends. The former convinces with International cuisine with a touch of German and Canadian, while the latter is fabulous when you are into Canadian beef, steaks, seafood, great wine, and a fresh barista coffee.
Getting here
Sun Peaks Resort can easily be reached by plane departing from Vancouver or Calgary, and is about a 50 minute drive from Kamloops and its airport. In order to keep life simple, you might just want to hop on a shuttle at the airport to get to the ski resort. In case you are arriving by car, the most direct route to Sun Peaks Resorts is via Highway 5 North exiting at Tod Mountain Rd. Greyhound busses and VIA Rail approach Sun Peaks as well.