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Nestled in the southern interior of British Columbia near the city of Kamloops, Sun Peaks Ski Resort is Canada’s second-largest ski resort. It is one of over 80 ski resorts in the province of British Columbia and one of more than 250 in Canada. Sun Peaks boasts a peak elevation of 7,060 ft (2,152 m), a vertical drop of 2,891 ft (880 m), 13 ski lifts, and 137 ski runs spread over three unique mountain faces. In total, the resort has over 80 mi (130 km) of ski slopes and 4270 acres of skiable terrain. The resort’s chairlifts spin from late November to mid-April, weather permitting.
The main draw of Sun Peaks is its extensive variety of terrain and its European-styled ski village. With access to night skiing, Nordic skiing, ice skating, and family-friendly activities, the resort caters more to families than partying.
One important thing to note is that prices here are in Canadian dollars. Canada is an excellent ski destination for international travelers because US dollars, euros, pounds, and other Western currencies are subject to a favorable exchange rate. As of March 2024, the exchange rate is 74 US cents per Canadian dollar, meaning a lift pass or meal that costs $100 Canadian will only be $74 US.
Sun Peaks Ski Resort is located within the Columbia Mountains in the Resort Municipality of Sun Peaks in the Thompson-Nicola Regional District of British Columbia, Canada.
It is the primary ski area near Kamloops, British Columbia, one of the province's largest interior cities. The nearest major city to Sun Peaks Ski Resort is Kamloops, 35 mi (57 km) southwest of the resort.
Geographically, Tod Mountain, Sundance Mountain, and Mt. Morrisey comprise the three resort mountains surrounding the quaint ski town. On a larger scale, Sun Peaks Ski Resort sits in the Monashee Mountain range, which stretches 330 mi (530 km) from north to south and is a subrange of the larger Columbia Mountain Range.
Sun Peaks is proximate to an international airport, with access to public and private transportation options.
Kamloops International Airport (YKA) is the nearest airport to Sun Peaks. It’s 37 mi (60 km) away, just under an hour driving. Rental cars and plenty of shuttle options are available to get you to the resort.
YKA has several rental companies that are relatively affordable. A standard car costs about $50 a day. After leaving the airport, head towards BC-5 N and turn right on Heffley Louis Creek Rd.
The drive to Sun Peaks takes about 50 minutes from the airport and is very scenic as you wind your way into the mountains. That said, the road can get quite dangerous when it snows, so snow tires are required for your safety and that of others who share the road.
Tasteful Excursions operates year-round and offers standard shuttles and private sedan services. The bus costs $50 one way, and the private sedan costs $450. The Sun Star Shuttle provides the same service as the above, but there is more availability for private charters. Peak Shuttles is the most affordable option, at $40 per person or $360 for a private shuttle.
Several parking lots around the resort's base accommodate day trippers and overnight guests. Day parking is always free, while overnight parking is $15 / night. You’ll have to register your vehicle on the parking website below. View the most up-to-date parking information at Sun Peaks Parking. Even during the busiest days, you can usually find parking near one of the chairlifts.
The entire town and resort of Sun Peaks are small enough to walk around. End to end, they’re only about 2.5 mi (4 km) in length. A dedicated in-resort shuttle runs daily from 8:00 a.m. to 9:40 p.m. Unfortunately, there are no taxis or ride-sharing services in town, so if you miss the last shuttle, you’ll have to walk.
Strolling and even skiing through the village is possible (if there’s enough snow). The majority of the pubs and restaurants line the base of the resort, making evening walks entertaining as you peer into windows looking for the most exciting Après-Ski spot.
The ski season at Sun Peaks runs from mid-November to mid-April, similar to the nearby resorts of Silver Star, Big White, and Revelstoke. November to mid-December is considered the slow season. Snow dependably accumulates around this time, and the resort is usually not too busy.
Christmas and New Year at the ski resort are among the busiest and most entertaining times to visit. Due to the family-friendly atmosphere, activities and events are always available during this time. Luckily, with all the terrain, the slopes are never noticeably busy outside the initial morning upload.
January and February are quieter and colder as things settle down after the holidays. Sunny days are expected, but quality snow still falls during this time. Historically, February has had the most snowfall. Visiting mid-week will ensure you have plenty of room to explore the resort with limited lift lines and cheaper hotel prices. Personally, this is one of my favorite times to visit the resort and your best chance at experiencing bluebird powder days.
March is often another strong month for both sun and snow. As the temperatures warm up and the sun angle gets higher, ski vibes swell and conditions are superb. Even in April, Sun Peaks still sees considerable snow, although it can begin to get quite heavy from mid-mountain down.
Located on the edge of the Columbias and somewhat in the rain shadow of the Coast Range, Sun Peaks Ski Resort doesn’t receive quite as much snow as other western North American Resorts. While the resort averages 20 ft (6 m) of snow over a winter season, there is a major emphasis on snow quality here. Sun Peaks is one of several interior BC ski resorts whose reputation for extremely dry and light powder is legendary. These conditions have created a cult-link following, bringing back guests year after year.
Due to Sun Peaks’ northern exposure and generally cold climate, you can dependably rely on moderate winter storms and excellent snow preservation. Consistent small storms in the peak of winter allow a healthy base to form and grow throughout the season. Even closing weekend snow is not unheard of! The light and dry snow at the resort creates supple groomers where you can dig your edges in for some supportive high-speed carves down winding blue and black ski runs. In the trees, the soft snow preserves a skiable base that responds well to small top-ups of powder.
The temperatures during the winter season are what I like to call “in the Goldilocks Zone.” It’s cold enough to provide excellent snow quality but not cold enough to deter you from skiing. January and February are historically the resort's coldest months. Village temperatures can reach lows of 13 °F (-11 °C), with cold snaps driving alpine lows to -4 °F (-20 °C). Although these two months are the coldest, they are also known for having the most snowy days. March and April warm up a bit, with average temperatures hovering just below freezing, providing easier skiing conditions if you’re susceptible to the cold.
Sun Peaks has one of Canada's most extensive and uniquely skiable areas. No matter where you look while standing in the village, 360° of terrain choice awaits you on three separate mountains. The resort comprises Mt. Tod, Sundance, and Mt. Morrisey. Each location boasts its own advantages and offers considerable variety. Planning your day before setting off allows for a seamless exploration of this massive ski resort. Luckily, there is a shuttle to whisk you off to different parts of the resort if you miss a turn on the mountain.
Sun Peaks Ski Resort is best enjoyed by intermediate to advanced skiers. A limited number of green ski runs are available here, but there is an excellent learning area. Similarly, expert skiers might not find the challenges they’re after as this resort lacks some truly expert-level alpine terrain.
Mt. Tod is on the north part of the ski resort and is home to the largest amount of the resort’s terrain. Four chairlifts allow you to access 360° of terrain from the Mt. Tod summit at 6,824 ft (2,080 m). The majority of the slopes here are blue and black groomers, steep glades, and alpine bowl areas. The vertical drop in this area is 2,707 ft (825 m). Construction on Tod Mountain Ski Resort, the origin of Sun Peaks Resort, was completed in 1961. The original chairlift was 9,300 ft (2,800 m), the longest in North America at the time.
Experienced skiers will feel right at home on the east side of this zone, where you can find a lot of advanced tree skiing and steep groomers. Hitting the Crystal and Sunburst chairs allows for high-adrenaline laps in quick succession. It can be one of the busier areas on the slope, though.
Skiing from the Top of the World right to the Burfield base via the west of Mt. Tod is another defining descent. The West Bowl is a mostly wide open, intermediate to advanced ski area dotted with a few tree areas. Currently, this area is only accessible by a short hike from Top of the World, keeping the traffic to a minimum, especially on the far west side where you can find more open blue areas. Excitingly, a new high-speed quad is set to open in this area for the 2024 / 2025 season, replacing the retired West Bowl T-Bar.
On the far backside of Mt. Tod, you can reach Gil’s and Skunk Zone, two of the resort’s notable gems. Gil’s was lift-access backcountry until 2014 when its incorporation made Sun Peaks the second-largest resort in Canada after Whistler. You’ll have to walk or skate for about 15 minutes to get there, but this keeps the crowds away.
Expansive, open black terrain dotted with pockets of snow ghosts (trees entirely caked in snow) captures snow and produces wind-loaded areas. As you ski down, epic gladed runs offer plenty of terrain features that freeskiers will love. Just make sure you get here quickly on a powder day. Trust me, the hike is worth it.
The Sundance Zone is at an elevation of 5,676 ft (1,730 m), with a vertical drop of 1,559 ft (476 m). It’s one of the most accessible zones right from the village. You can also access this area by skiing the right side of Mt. Tod.
This multipurpose zone is home to an extensive learning area, medium-length groomers, well-spaced tree skiing, and Sun Peaks’ four terrain parks. It's one of the busiest zones at the resort, mainly due to the variety of terrain that attracts all ski levels and the fact that it only has one main chairlift. Unless you’re a beginner, it’s best to avoid the west side of this zone in the afternoon as it’s a highway of skiers - as well as some overconfident beginners - heading back to the village.
You can spend afternoons here watching freestyle skiers and snowboarders throw down huge tricks from the chairlift. Sun Peaks Terrain Parks provide some of the best progression I’ve seen in Canada. Close to 50 individual features spread over 10 acres allow skiers and snowboarders to practice and progress as safely as possible.
Sundance is also great for families looking to spend time together developing skills on the resort's easiest terrain. Multiple slow zones create safe areas to learn and gain confidence.
Orient, located below Sundance, is the resort’s smallest zone. A few green and blue runs help return skiers to the East Village in the south part of the resort. This area is excellent for families due to the less crowded atmosphere or for those looking to enjoy some shorter ski slopes. Orient is also self-contained, so it feels like its own quaint little ski resort.
The last zone of the resort is Mt. Morrisey, at an elevation of 5,495 ft (1,675 m) and with a vertical drop of 1,306 ft (398 m). This intermediate and advanced zone is larger than Sundance by skiable area; Mt. Morrissey is great for avoiding lift lines and getting continuous fast laps on well-manicured ski slopes.
Long blue and black groomers are perfect for honing your high-speed carves and setting personal speed records on Strava. The blue runs here have great flow, and because of the amount of terrain, you can easily find empty groomers.
Mt. Morrissey is severely underrated and unusually quiet compared to the rest of the resort. Even on the busiest days when everyone is stuck on Mt. Tod, you can usually walk on the Morrisey Express.
The black runs here are also wide open and steep. When not groomed, they can become icy and full of moguls, so be mindful when opening the throttle. This area doesn’t get as much sun exposure as the other zones. You’ll also find some secret tree skiing in these areas. Be forewarned; it’s not gladed and can become very tight.
Sun Peaks offers 139 ski runs and 4,270 acres of skiable terrain, making it the second-largest ski resort by acreage in Canada. The resort’s extensive terrain caters to all levels of skiers; however, it’s best for intermediate and above skiers. The dependable light and dry snow the resort is known for can be enjoyed for days as it’s not terribly busy.
The well-planned lift system is straightforward, making it easy to lap zones and get around the resort. Only a few areas, specifically in the black zone of Mt. Morrisey, require following signage.
Slopes
Ski lifts
Other features and services
The ski resort offers an impressive network of base-level and lift-access cross-country ski trails totaling over 23 mi (37 km). Over the past several years, the resort has quietly grown into the region’s most popular Nordic destination. Two trail networks, McGillivray Lake and Holy Cow, are available and shown on this map.
McGillivray offers fully groomed and trackset trails of easy and medium difficulty that loop around two lakes. A rustic wooden warming hut is available on the shores of McGillivray Lake, and there’s even a dog-friendly loop where you can ski with your dog off leash.
For the advanced Nordic skier, ride the chairlift to the top of the Morrisey Express, where you can choose from Holy Cow or a variety of backcountry Nordic trails. Holy Trail is groomed and has some high-speed sections with quick turns, so you must be a strong and confident Nordic skier to ski safely. In addition, the backcountry Nordic trails are not groomed, but the snow quality and the views up here are spectacular.
Day tickets at Sun Peaks range from CAD 130 to 170, depending on the day. They also offer half-day options from 11:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., but these cost $127! Finally, they introduced a 1:45 p.m.-until-closing ticket that costs $85 for around two hours of skiing.
If you book your tickets in the fall, you have access to the Alpine Peak Cards, which have 3- and 5-day options. The average cost per day is $126 and $110, respectively.
Finally, the season pass will set you back about $1700. A season pass also offers discounts and free days at other resorts. Sun Peaks is part of the IKON Pass, which gives you four to seven days of free skiing, depending on your pass type.
Sun Peaks Snow School is the resort’s only dedicated snow school and guiding experience. Visitors can book basic group lessons, private lessons, guided touring, and backcountry experiences.
Sun Host Mountain Tours offers guests free tours of the ski resort. The tours run twice daily, at 9:15 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., and are for all ability levels. Get the best knowledge from friendly and passionate local guides.
Sundance Kids Centre is the official on-resort daycare for children aged 3 - 5 and offers fun and exciting indoor and outdoor activities around the resort's base.
The dedicated contact information for Sun Peaks Resort is below:
+1 250.578.5474
guestservices@sunpeaksresort.com
3150 Creekside Way, Sun Peaks, British Columbia (BC), V0E 5N0
https://www.sunpeaksresort.com/contact-us
The town of Sun Peaks' official tourist information center:
106-3270 Village Way, Sun Peaks, British Columbia (BC), V0E 5N0
+1 250.578.2020
https://sunpeaksmunicipality.ca
The dining options at Sun Peaks are what you would expect from a large ski resort: extensive and varied. They don’t really offer upscale fine dining and keep things pretty casual, which doesn’t break the bank. There are a few on-mountain options, but the majority of the 20-plus restaurants can be found around the base and in the village.
Sunburst Bar and Eatery is the main chalet located mid-mountain on Mt. Tod. It serves traditional ski resort favorites like burgers, poutine, chili, and out-of-this-world cinnamon buns. It’s also one of the best places to enjoy a drink on its massive patio as the weather warms up in spring.
Strolling through the village will introduce you to an impressive variety of cuisine options to satisfy most. Many options are actually ski-in-ski-out! Steak, seafood, European, Asian, and pub-style restaurants line the village, offering ample choice after a day on the slopes. Cahilty Creek Kitchen is a notable stop for food with international flair inspired from around the globe and countless local beers on tap. Bottoms Bar and Grill is your budget-friendly stop with a great après-ski scene.
Sun Peaks’ main grocery store is the Bluebird Market, located in the heart of the village. It carries most standard grocery items; however, it is very expensive. If you plan on cooking or snacking a lot while you’re here, it’s best to load up on supplies in Kamloops before arriving.
The heart of Sun Peaks village offers ski-in-ski-out European-inspired lodging. Options include hotels, condos, AirBnBs, and full-sized chalet rentals.
The Sun Peaks Grand Hotel is the resort’s most upscale. It’s the only full-service experience in town, located right at the mountain's base. The hotel also has a massive outdoor pool and hot tub overlooking the ski slopes.
Outside the main pedestrian village, you’ll find small villages lined with chalets, houses, and small condos. If you’re looking for something quieter, the East Village features private accommodations fully equipped to make you feel right at home while still only being a five-minute walk to the main village. Each smaller village is also serviced by the free in-resort shuttle.
Check out the Owner Direct rental pool and Airbnb for more budget-friendly options. There’s even a hostel close by that offers beds for less than $100 a night. Sun Peaks is a reasonably affordable Canadian Ski Resort, so you can snag deals on accommodation without breaking the bank.
Sun Peaks Ski Resort offers some fun events throughout the ski season. The Sun Peaks Film Festival, held in the second half of January, is a local favorite, showcasing outdoor mountain films.
Demo days, night skiing, tubing, freestyle events, and races happen regularly throughout the season. Notably, The Nancy Greene Alpine Classic is an annual race and fundraising gala at the end of January. Although the race format changes slightly from year to year, it is arguably the resort's most exciting weekend and aims to raise funds for community projects.
Sun Peaks used to host a speed skiing event in previous years where skiers hit 112 mph (180 km/h). Unfortunately, the event has not been held in a few years.
The après-ski scene at Sun Peaks is rather quiet, and the nightlife is limited. That said, you can still find some fun spots to unwind. Powder Hounds is a popular food and drink spot to hit. With German and Austrian influence, the food is multicultural, the decor is funky, and overall, it’s got a fun vibe. The previously mentioned Bottoms Bar and Grill is a local gem with shotskis, a heated outdoor patio, and a chance to mingle with the locals.
Of the few pubs in town, Morrisey’s Public House is the most popular. It’s an Irish-style pub that usually has live music and other events throughout the week.
The closest city to Sun Peaks Ski Resort is Kamloops, with a population of close to 100,000. Kamloops is a vibrant city known for its diverse year-round outdoor recreation, Indigenous history, and geographic beauty.
In the winter, Kamloops boasts groomed Nordic skiing trails, snowshoeing routes, and ice-fishing. In summer, this city comes alive with additional outdoor activities like kayaking, canoeing, hiking, and mountain biking. The mighty Thompson River meanders through the city, providing locals and guests with beautiful walking trails and additional water activities.
Anthony Butt
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