Destination Snow: Sun Peaks, British Columbia
By Chryss Cada

Those who like a new resort where all the details have been thought of will love Sun Peaks.

Although its history goes back to 1961 when a single chair lift opened on Tod Mountain, the vast majority of what Sun Peaks Resort is today was built in the past decade. More than $75 million has been spent on modernizing and building up the resort since it was purchased by Nippon Cable Company Ltd. in 1992. Sun Peaks has become home to a new Village Daylodge, a new snowboard park, a new 35 million-gallon snowmaking reservoir, a new building and facilities for the Snowsports School and even a whole new mountain - Mt. Morrissey is home to 17 new trails.

Several multi-family developments and hotel developments have been constructed in the past ten years, turning the small, sleepy resort into an international destination. In all, resort building developers have invested about $225 million in Sun Peaks. The result is a virtually brand new resort waiting to serve guests.

While this might be exactly what some resort-goers are looking for, those who seek an authentic village rooted in the past won’t find it here. The one exception is Nancy Greene, Sun Peaks own little piece of living history. Greene is one of the best-known names in Canadian skiing. Her success at the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble, France, made a lasting impression on Canadian skiers and non-skiers alike, and Nancy has stayed in the public eye ever since. Most recently Nancy was voted Canada’s female athlete of the century. Visitors have the opportunity to take a few runs with Greene every day at Sun Peaks.

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With three mountains to choose from, Sun Peaks offers terrain for every level of guest. Whether it’s Tod Mountain’s open bowls, Sundance’s perfectly groomed cruisers, or Morrisey’s glades, there is terrain for everyone.

For a special treat, visitors can take a tour of the Sun Peaks Backcountry on an all-day Cat Tour. Tours include powder skis (if needed), lunch and a certified guide. All participants need to be strong intermediate skiers or snowboarders.

Visitors taking a break from the slopes can enjoy 26 kilometers (16 miles) of cross-country skiing trails, a guided snowmobile journey, skating on two outdoor rinks at the Sports Centre, a nature hike on snowshoes or a nighttime sleigh ride. For the little ones with a big taste for adventure, there is the Kids Adventure Park. It features special kid-sized snowmobiles, a toboggan course and other kid friendly activities in a cordoned, monitored area.

For grown-up fun, Sun Peaks has the usual collection of happy hours to celebrate the end of the ski day. A favorite hot spot is Mackers Bistro & Bar. For dining out there is everything from Pacific Northwest cuisine at Mantles to authentic Italian at Baggio’s.

Time spent in Sun Peaks will convince the visitors that the creators of this resort truly did think of everything for a fun-filled winter holiday.

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