Sun Peaks
If you were driving to Kelowna or Vancouver along the Trans-Canada highway, stopping for a meal at Kamloops is the ideal thing to do. This is what many people have done over the years. Yet, Kamloops offers much more than just a stopover for lunch or dinner. Its best kept secrets are being revealed every day. Today, we’ll reveal the best one yet – Sun Peaks village. Tucked deep in the Alpine hills of Thompson Okanagan, Sun Peaks is 45 minutes away from downtown Kamloops. It sits on over 4,750 acres of land Sun Peaks village but is not just any other sleepy alpine skiing village. It hosts a charming mountain side community of 2,000 residents and is wedged right in the middle of three mountains. But don’t let the relatively small size of the community fool you, Sun Peaks has a long list of activities and events to take part in any season. Not only is it the second largest ski area in Canada, it is also home to one a three-peak skiing resort, world class dining, wineries, hiking trails, ice skating, dogsledding, ice walking and many more. Let us take a look at how you can explore this amazing European style village that made it to National Geographic’s best winter trips of 2019.
Source: https://sunpeaksnews.com
Getting there
Sun Peaks is located 57km from Downtown Kamloops and takes approximately 45 minutes to get here when driving. If you do not have a personal car, do not worry, the municipality of Kamloops together with Sun Peaks resort have partnered with Kamloops shuttle services to offer direct transport to the village from Kamloops downtown and the airport. If you take the inter-resort shuttle from the airport or downtown, lay back and relax, you will be there in a few.
However, if you decide to take the 57km drive to the village head north on Highway 55 along the Trans-Canada highway, also known as the 55 Yellowhead highway, head east along the Heffley Louis Creek road. After 15km, approximately 10minutes driving, you will come across the Heffley Hasky Gas station which also hosts the Heffley Creek Store. Here you can stock up on personal necessities that you will need during your stay. Heading back to the road, stay on the Heffley Creek Highway and enjoy the beautiful scenery of forested hills and meadows stretching into the hills. The peak of the beauty along this drive appears as the road meanders by Heffley lake. Once you come across Whitecroft village, you are already here. Sun Peaks lies 5 minutes away.
As you pull into the Sun Peaks village, you soon realize the magnificence of this winter wonderland that has 360 degrees of skiing around you. Ski slopes fall from the three surrounding mountains; Tod Mountain, Sundance and Mount Morrisey.
Check out this short tour of Sun Peaks Village here –> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSwPDzSrWvg&t=13s
Things to do
What makes Sun Peaks such a hidden gem is that it is an all-season resort village. This means that you can enjoy any of your favorite seasons here. If you are a winter lover Sun Peaks has a long list of activities for you.
5 Things to Do in Winter
- Skiing
Sun Peaks has the second largest ski area in the whole country. Surrounded by three mountains, there is a reason why it is referred to as the 360-ski resort: it boasts more than 135 ski runs and approximately 880m of vertical across the three mountains. With such a ski area you are certain to have sufficient space for a run down the slopes and perhaps through the middle of the village. While you are down in the village you can stop to say hi to shopkeepers or even grab a coffee. Beyond traditional skiing the village also offers heli-skiing – go up to the highest peaks of the slopes in a helicopter and skiing with the panoramic view of the massive landscape of the surrounding areas. ‘Since 1970, MWHS has become renowned as the premier heli-ski experience and is located only 3 hours north of Sun Peaks Resort’. To top the skiing experience in Sun Peaks is its world-renowned powder snow.
Source: Sun Peaks Resort
- Mountain Man Dog sled tours
This is a great follow activity after skiing or the day after. Requiring almost all the ski attire, apart from ski shoes, Mountain Man Dog sled adventures offers guests a great opportunity to experience the village’s backcountry on private trails. While on the dog sled you get an amazing opportunity to capture the landscape on your camera and take in magnificence of the rising or setting sun across the horizon. The dog sled tours must be guided and must be booked in advance.
Source: Sun Peaks Resort
- Horse Drawn Sleigh rides
Similar to the dog sled adventure – only that this time you do not need your ski clothes. Although there is not recommended time to take the horse drawn sleigh ride, the morning or evening hours are the best. This way you can see the center of the village during the hassle and bustle of daily village life ‘before moving out more briskly into the open for views of the valley, mountains, and Sun Peaks gentle ski run’. You can also take evening tours and explore the village on the horse drawn sleigh under the cover of moonlight.
Source: Sun Peaks Resort
- Ice Fishing
Kamloops is surrounded by lakes. In the winter season when the lakes are frozen, it is a great opportunity to go for guided ice fishing. The nearest lake is located no more than 10minutes away and you can fish in a heated tent with warm beverage. The most common fish in this area is the wild Rainbow Trout which – if you are lucky – you will get to enjoy the thrill of catching a few.
Source: Sun Peaks Resort
- Fat Biking
The mountainous areas of British Columbia are known for mountain biking. The new trend now is fat biking. Fat bikes are equipped with fat wheels intended for off-road cycling with wider, oversized tires to handle the snow. With a fat bike, you get to enjoy the beautiful fresh air of the snowy hills and view of white pine trees stretching out through the landscape. The Valley Trail Network, SunBurf Loop, and the Nordic network (Village, McGillivray Lake, Raven Return and En Garde) are all specially designed for summer and winter mountain biking.
Source: Sun Peaks Resort
Where to eat
After all the activities and sightseeing, the other most interesting thing about any destination is its food. So, where are the best places to eat in Sun Peaks? Below are some great recommendations especially for the winter season;
Source: Sun Peaks Resort
- 5Forty Café & Deli
The 5Forty Café offers various egg dishes for breakfast, and fresh made subs, paninis, wraps, bagel sandwiches, burgers, fries, wings and more the rest of the day. They are also licensed (early morning Bailey’s with your coffee?) and often offer draft beer specials. I recommend 5forty’s breakfast. The Subs are particularly delicious.
- Baby D’Ohs
If you have a sweet tooth Baby B’Ohs is your go-to place in Sun Peaks. Their donuts are particularly good. They are just a small little operation though and their hours vary, but if they’re open have a look and see if they have anything you want. Popcorn, hot dogs, and amazing when fresh mini-donuts!
- Bolacco Café
Bolacco Café is also the perfect spot to have a quick breakfast, sweet treat, lunch, or light dinner. This joint is so good despite its small operation that the line-up can be out the door at times. If you wish to have a taste of Bolacco Cafe be early and if not make sure you bring a little bit of patience along.
- Café Soleil
Café Soleil is owned/operated by Sun Peaks Resort and is conveniently located in the Village Day Lodge at the bottom of the Sunburst Express and Sundance Express chairlifts. This is the most strategic cafe after a morning or afternoon of skiing or dog sledging. Their coffee is second to none especially the latte macchiato!
- Capones Italian Kitchen
How about a little Italian taste in the European-village hidden in the Alpines of Kamloops? Capones is a small family run café offering a wide array of Italian delicacies on their menu; Italian pastas, seafood, sauces & desserts. Here you can have a family style dining experience and the Capones offers great outdoor sitting experience and a bar.
Source: https://sunpeaksnews.com/capones-italian-kitchen-opens/
Sources: 1. https://www.sunpeaksresort.com/explore/stories-inspiration/a-first-time-visitors-take-on-sun-peaks 2. https://sunpeaksnews.com/capones-italian-kitchen-opens/
