Have you heard of Sun Peaks Resort in central British Columbia? It may not be as well known as Canadian mountain destinations like Whistler or Banff, but if you’re a skier or snowboarder, listen up. Sun Peaks has more than 130 trails spread across three mountains with 4,270 acres of terrain, which makes it the second largest ski resort in Canada.
And if you’re looking for a mountain getaway in the summer months, there’s plenty to do outdoors at Sun Peaks, too. It doesn’t hurt that the region averages more than 2,000 hours of sunshine every year.
The Sun Peaks Grand Hotel
I spent a couple of days exploring Sun Peaks last summer, and my base was the Sun Peaks Grand Hotel and Conference Centre.
Most of Sun Peaks’ hotels are right in the compact pedestrian village, so they’re ski-in ski-out properties in the winter. In summer, you can park your car and walk to all the mountain activities and places to eat or drink.
With more than 200 rooms, the Sun Peaks Grand is village’s largest property. This family-friendly lodging backs onto the slopes, a short walk from the lifts.
Guest Rooms and Amenities
The guest rooms at the Sun Peaks Grand are traditionally outfitted with sturdy light wood furniture, flat-screen TVs, coffee and tea making stations, mini-fridges, and large bathrooms with granite vanities.
Even the standard rooms feel spacious at 350 square feet, with either one king or two double beds.
The deluxe rooms with balconies are a little larger (400 square feet), with decks overlooking the village or the mountains. My room faced the slopes and the popular Mountain Cross Cart course, where you can whiz down the hill in a grown-up go-kart.
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Some rooms with kitchenettes are available, as are one- and two-bedroom family-friendly suites.
Facilities and Services
With its dark wood paneling, leather club chairs, and stone fireplace, the lobby feels more upscale than the casual guestrooms. You can eat and drink in the restaurant, lounge, and pub, or walk out the front door to any of the other village eateries.
The hotel has an outdoor heated pool, three outdoor hot tubs, and a large fitness room. Laundry facilities with coin-operated washer and driers are on the third and fourth floors.
Things to Do
In summer, you can ride the lifts up to a network of hiking and mountain biking trails. You can hike on your own or with a guide who can tell you more about the area’s wildlife and plants.
Cross-country biking (with or without a guide), golf, tennis, horseback riding, standup paddleboarding, canoeing, kayaking, and even Segway tours are all available in or near the village.
In winter, besides skiing and snowboarding, you can go snow-shoeing, cross-country skiing, or ice-skating. You can even book a ride in a horse-drawn sleigh or arrange a dog-sled tour. There’s plenty to keep the whole family busy.
Getting There
Kamloops, 45 minutes to the south, is the closest city to the Sun Peaks Resort. The resort is less than five hours’ drive northeast of Vancouver and about 7.5 hours west of Calgary.
Summer season double room rates at the Sun Peaks Grand Hotel average CAD$119-269; the lowest rates are available midweek. Prices include Wi-Fi. Parking is $13 (self-parking) or $18 (valet service). Book direct or try Booking.com.
Hotel feature by Vancouver-based travel, food, and feature writer Carolyn B. Heller, author of the books Moon Handbooks: Ontario (now available in a new 2nd edition) and Living Abroad in Canada. Photos © Carolyn B. Heller. Tourism Sun Peaks and the Sun Peaks Grand Hotel hosted my stay while I was researching my latest travel guide, Moon Vancouver and Canadian Rockies Road Trip.
