A ski-through village, uncrowded pistes and sustained resort development are all part of the masterplan for Sun Peaks in interior British Columbia.
Borrowing heavily and unashamedly from Whistler, the resort’s Japanese owners are committed to managed growth in harmony with the natural surroundings. The result, so far, is good enough to suggest that the Sun Peaks approach should be the prototype for all future ski resort development. The resort village is an eye-pleasing mix of European-style buildings and pedestrian-only streets. The skiable terrain, Canada’s third largest ski area, stretches over three mountains covered in dense forests and home to some challenging glade skiing.
Sun Peaks is a young ski resort. The first stone was laid in 1993, at the base of Tod Mountain. Since then nearly half a billion Canadian dollars has been invested in creating a world class resort. Its location in interior British Columbia means the resort doesn’t suffer from the extreme cold temperatures of the Rockies. The odd day at 30 degrees below is the exception rather than the rule. And while its overall annual snowfall is lower than that received at Whistler it has a less damp climate than the west coast ski resort with over 2,000 hours of sunshine a year. The lighter, drier snow that falls on Sun Peaks’ grassy mountains makes for great champagne powder.
Sun Peaks, BC at a glance
On the mountain
Ski area
Sun Peaks’ ski area, the second largest in British Columbia, stretches over three heavily-wooded mountains, a layout that earns it the nickname of “Little Whistler”. more...
Lift system
The days are long gone when they gave you a blanket for the epic lift journey on the Burfield chair. The new lift system is modern and efficient. more...
Ski schools & guiding
There is only one school with lessons for every level of skier and boarder. more...
Advanced
Tod Mountain, Sun Peaks’ original mountain, offers the most variety for expert skiers with challenging glade (tree) skiing and advanced terrain. more...
Intermediate
Intermediates can cut their tree-skiing teeth on the pistes artfully cut through the forests on Mount Morrisey. more...
Beginners
Novice skiers learn in a designated “slow zone” on the edge of the village before progressing to the longer greens on Morrisey and Sundance. more...
Boarding & freestyle
Sun Peaks’ two terrain parks are both on Sundance Mountain. more...
Off-piste
The Top of the World is the gateway to Sun Peaks’ backcountry cat-skiing. more...
Mountain restaurants
Lunch is filling, carb-based and rinsed down with plenty of Kokanee beer. more...
Off the mountain
Village
An attractive resort centre developed in keeping with the natural surroundings. more...
Accommodation
Sun Peaks currently only has 6,000 beds on offer and while the choice may be limited, the quality is not.Future development will add 18,000 beds to the accommodation available. more...
Restaurants & bars
The misconception that North America mountain cuisine is restricted to hefty portions of carbohydrates is laid to rest in Sun Peaks. more...
Other information
The annual Icewine Festival in January is the highlight of Sun Peaks’ events calendar. more...
Getting there
Sun Peaks is an easy 45 minute drive from the mining town of Kamloops. From Kamloops take Trans Canada Highway 1 eastbound, then the Highway 5 North exit to Jasper to the turn-off for Heffley Creek and Sun Peaks. Turn left at the General Store in Heffley Creek and Sun Peaks is 25 minutes along a two lane road. more...
