Canada’s Alpine Village - Sun Peaks Resort

Marked by humble beginnings but steady growth for over 50 years, Sun Peaks has transformed from a locals only, secret destination into a world class resort for skiing, golfing and mountain biking. Its transformation may be rooted knee deep in the fresh powder that thrills guests year after year, but it’s growing popularity is built on the shared passion of local residents that gives every guest that welcome feeling of being at home from the moment they arrive.

Sun Peaks has a comfortable, laid-back nature that can be felt throughout the entire resort. It’s as easy to slip into as strapping on skis and gliding down to a café for breakfast before hitting the slopes. With 4,270 acres of uncrowded terrain covering three mountains, it’s a typical Sun Peaks winter day to ski right up to a chairlift with no waiting time, or to see only a couple of people on a run for an entire ski down.

The feeling of “owning the mountain” is an experience everyone gets on a trip to Sun Peaks.

While the slopes are pristine and will demand most of your attention, the village is worth spending the time to discover. The restaurants are diverse; you’ll find hearty pub burgers, Canadian classic “smores”, and mouth watering steaks to cuisines infused by German, Asian and European kitchens. It’s no joke… you’ll spend your chairlift rides debating where to go for après!

But we’re called Canada’s Alpine Village for more than just our slopes...grab some snowshoes and explore the valley trails, mush your own team of sled dogs, hop on a snowmobile and see the backcountry, or ice skate under the stars.

As the second largets ski resort in Canada and consistently rated as one of the top resorts in North America it’s time for you to discover Sun Peaks Resort for yourself!

Sun Peaks Facts

With over 3,600 acres of terrain to explore and light dry snow, Sun Peaks is all about maximizing your vacation experience. Epic powder days experienced on unbelievable terrain are the ultimate combination. In a matter of minutes, you can sweep down from an open, powder filled bowl into the trees of your choice or the perfectly groomed run that you crave. Variety is the name of the game here. Skiers and snow boarders enjoy the epic powder conditions that we have, for an unforgettable experience.

There are 135 runs to choose from spread over the second largest ski able terrain in B.C. They can take you anywhere from the open glades of Mt. Morrisey to the steep face of Tod Mountain. No matter what level of skier or snowboarder you are, there is a perfect run for you at Sun Peaks Resort. A half a billion dollars of investment makes Sun Peaks a vibrant and elegant upscale destination resort.

Three mountains, 135 runs and 4,270 acres of ski able terrain (Canada's 3rd largest ski area; 2nd largest in BC next to Whistler) are centered around a picturesque, ski-through pedestrian village. Sun Peaks is a design masterpiece, with terrain for every ability, off every lift from the top of the mountain. Its quality of snow, reliable snow, variety of terrain from three distinct mountains and zero lift lines sets Sun Peaks apart from other resorts.

Over 2,000 hours of sunshine a year!

Please read below for some additional information about Sun Peaks, where we are located, our ski conditiosn, and our history.

Location

• Centrally located in southern British Columbia, Canada, only 45 minutes drive from Kamloops
• Closest interior resort by road from Vancouver,  BC and Seattle WA
• Kamloops Airport is serviced by Air Canada Jazz, Horizon Air, and West Jet.

Skiing

• 3 mountains with 4,270 acres of skiable terrain
• 2nd largest ski area in British Columbia and Canada
• Longest Vertical – 2,891ft. (881 m) - in the Interior of British Columbia
• Access to the back country on a full day cat ski tour
• Ski-in/ski-out – the charming ski-through alpine village at the base of all three mountains gives you access to chairlifts, hotels, eateries, shopping, snow school, the spa and a variety of activities
• Each chairlift gives you access to blue, green and black diamond runs
• Most trails lead right into the village, so it’s easy to connect to your friends and family after a run

Hospitality

• Canada’s very own darling, Nance Greene, Olympic gold medalist and former Female Athlete of the Century, lives here and is available to ski with resort guests.
• Complimentary Sun Guides will meet you at the foot of the Sunburst Chair Lift from 9:00 am daily to show you around the mountain

History of Sun Peaks

Sun Peaks Resort came into being in July 1993.  Prior to that, the resort was known as Tod Mountain and the geographic name for the major ski mountain remains ‘Tod Mountain.’  The name Tod came from a famous fur trader, John Tod, who was a chief trader for the Hudson’s Bay Company in the early 1840s.  Tod Mountain was originally developed in the early 1960s.  Harold (Harry) Burfield was a colourful character who ran the original ski shop at the mountain as well as the one in Kamloops.

1961 - Burfield Lodge and Chair Lift opened to the public.

1968 - Fire damaged the lift equipment and forced a closure until repaired.

1970 - Tod Mountain re-opened in December.

1971 - Harry Burfield died when the plane he was touring the mountain crashed.

1972 - The Shuswap Double Chair Lift was constructed to service the Shuswap base.

1979 - The Crystal Truoke Chair Lift was installed

1980 - The Shuswap Day Lodge was constructed.

1988  - Construction of a 49-lot subdivision across from the Burfield Lodge was started.             Fire caused extensive damage at the top station of the Crystal Chair.

1990 - Paving of access road from Whitecroft Village to Tod Mountain was completed.

1992 - Nippon Cable Company Ltd. Of Tokyo, Japan purchased Tod Mountain, they created a new long range Master Plan and signed a new Master Development Agreement with the Provice of British Columbia.  The first phase of the new Master Plan was initiated.   Extensive development of the Resort began with the construction of new runs, 3 new lifts (2 quads), new facilities, and new infrastructure.  Approximately  $12 million was invested in the developments.  Lift company name was changed to Sun Peaks Resort Corporation.

1994 - Development of the new Village Day Lodge, the “Board Beyond Belief” Snowboard Park, and servicing of the Village as well as the Sunburst and Fairways single family subdivisions (approximately $* million).  9 holes of the 18 hole golf course were completed.

1995 - Development included opening of the first 9 holes of the golf course in late August.  Trail improvements on Exhibition, Blazer, Spillway and Cariboo.  Conversion of the Sundance Chair to a high speed, detachable quad chair and extending the length approximately 800 vertical feet.  Opening up 40 acres (16 ha) of brand new intermediate terrain. 

Completion of Phase 1 of the 200 room Nancy Green Cahilty Lodge, sun Peaks Lodge, 3 townhouse developments and 4 single family homes in Sunburst subdivision.

Snow Country Magazine award winner -#1 in Mountain Trail Design in North America.

1996 - Construction of the 35 million gallon snow making reservoir.

Construction of 25 new homes in the Sunburst and Fairways subdivisions.

Private developers build new hotel – Sundance Lodge.

Completion of the covered bridge and the driving range.

Clearing and rough grading of the back 9 holes of the golf course.

First 2.5 km of Valley Trail and 1 km of Alpine walking trail completed.

Run improvements of Lower Cruiser, Lower Exhibition, Lower Blazer and 5th Avenue.

Upgraded Sunburst Express from capacity of 1500 people per hour to 2000. 

Snow Country Magazine award winner – 2# best Design for day lodge under $2 million

(Village Day Lodge)  in North America.

1997 - Sun Peaks Sports Center completed – ice rinks, tennis courts, heated pool and hot tub.

Private developers build 3 new hotels – Radisson Hearthstone Lodge, Radisson Fireside Lodge and Heffley Inn.

Completion of Sundance subdivision (phase 1).

Ski Canada Magazine award winner – Best Weather in Canada and Best Terrain Variety in Canada.

1998 - Completed Sun Peaks stables, Timberline Village and Forest Trails multi-family developments,  McGillivray Lake Outpost (log cabin destination for cross country skiers and mountain bikers), 149 stall underground parkade, 14 food and beverage facilities and 7 retail outlets.  Crystal Forest and Forest Trails (phase 2) multi-family developments under construction.   Snow Country Magazine award winner - #1 in Mountain Village Design in North America.   Ski Canada Magazine award winner – Best Apre Ski in Canada, Best Kids Resort Features and Best Grooming in Canada.

1999 - Increased capacity on the Sunburst and Sundance Lifts and new Carpet Lifts.

New Buildings and facilities for Snowsports’ School, Group rentals and Child Minding.

New blue run called “Three Bears”.

Servicing of Sundance subdivision (Phase 2) and Fairways subdivision (Phase 2).  Construction of 5 single family homes in Sunburst and Sundance subdivisions.

Crystal Forest ( Phase 2) and Powder Ridge multi-family developments under construction.  Ski Canada Magazine award winner – Best Grooming in Canada, Best Locals in Canada.

2000 - Servicing of 10 new lots in the Sundance Subdivision.

McGillivray Creek Townhomes, 40 units multi-family development under construction.

Announcement of $70 million dollars in investments, including the Sun Peaks Grand Hotel and Conference Centre, completion of the 18 hole par 72 golf course in the summer of 2001, lift and trail development on the 3rd skiable mountain – Mt. Morrisey, and completion of the village core.

2001 - Construction of the $40 million dollar Sun Peaks Grand Hotel commences.

Servicing of 9 new lots in the Sundance subdivision, construction of the Phase 2 of the Fairway Cottages. 

Morrisey platter lift completed and 17 new trails developed on Mt. Morrisey.  Development of the last nine of the eighteen hole golf course begins, with expected completion date of October 2002, opening 2003 golf season.

Extension of the valley trail to Burfield Drive.

Construction begins on Phase 1 of an $8 million dollar joint venture project with the Little Shuswap Indian Band and Whispering Pines Indian Band Phase 1 of the development consists of a 10,000 square foot, 48 bed staff housing complex and  6,000 square feet of service-oriented commercial space.

2002 - Sun Peaks Grand Hotel opens October, adding 4 new retail outlets and Sun Peaks’ first night club.

Morrisey high speed quad completed and 17 new trails opened on Mt. Morrisey.

Completion of the valley trail to Burfield Drive.

Addition of new Back Country Cat skiing outfit on Tod Mountain.

2003 -Resort survives the BC wildfires with now damage to the recreational boundary area.

Trails Edge—Phase 1 of the four phase master plan was completed

Construction started for a family friendly, all level, downhill mountain bike trail- “Smooth Smoothie”.

Opening of the new tube park-“Tube Time”.

2004 -Trapper’s Landing sells out in 6 hours, bringing in over $17 million.
    
300,000 skiers visit Sun Peaks during the 2003–04 winter season.
    
Sun Peaks announces Phase 2 of its Master Development Plan.
    
Phase 2 development of Mountain View Drive begins.
    
Sun Peaks Resort awarded the Silver Eagle Award for Water Conservation from SKI Magazine.
    
Sun Peaks Resort LLP’s Environmental management system is fully certified to ISO 14001:1996 (Certificate # 026082), becoming the first resort in North America to do this.

2005 - The back nine of the golf course opens for play.
    
Lookout Ridge, single family subdivision, begins construction in the East Village.
    
Machine made Bike Park trails reach an all new level at Sun Peaks with the opening of Route 66.
    
The Daily Telegraph, a major London, UK, newspaper awards Sun Peaks Resort the top Canadian ski resort for families.
    
The Nancy Greene International Race Centre opens.
    
The Austrian Ski Team signs a five year agreement to use Sun Peaks as their early season training site while on their way to the 2010 Winter Olympics.

2006- Sun Peaks Resort LLP's Environmental management system is re-certified to ISO 14001:2004 (Certificate # 026082).
    
The Umbrella Café at Mt. Morrisey opens.

The Elevation Quad Chair on Tod Mountain opens providing the resort with another lift in the alpine, and also servicing the Nancy Greene International Race Centre.

2007- Sun Peaks Resort LLP is awarded BC Hydro Power Smart Excellence Award for Outstanding Energy Efficiency Project.
    
Construction of the Kookaburra Lodge begins with phase one of the project scheduled to be completed in 2009.
    
The Canadian Ski Council awards Sun Peaks the National Winner of the Industry Recognition and Excellence Award for outstanding record of customer loyalty, excellence in customer satisfaction, and strong commitment to increasing growth in skiing and snowboarding.
    
Ski Canada Magazine award winner: #1 Resort in Western Canada for Best Weather.
    
The Delta Residences Sun Peaks Resort opens November 2007.

2008 - WestJet begins service to Kamloops and Sun Peaks Resort year round from Calgary, Alberta, beginning December 15, 2008.

Olympian and Sun Peaks Resort's Director of Skiing Nancy Greene appointed to the Canadian Senate by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
    
Sun Peaks Resort named one of the top 10 resorts in North America by Condé Nast Traveler Reader's Poll.    

The Bluebird Market opens in the Delta Residences.

342,000 skier visits during the 2007–08 winter season, a 5% increase over skier visits during the 2006–07 winter season.

Cadogan Guides award winner: Best Family Resort in North America.

The grooming fleet continues to grow with the purchase of three new Pisten Bully groomers, one of which is equipped with a new Yellowstone Dual Track Setter to improve the Nordic skiing experience.

2009 - Ski Canada Magazine award winner: Best Race Training Centre, Best Kids' Terrain Park, Best Ski-in/Ski-out Village, and Best Alpine Resort in Summer.
    
For the second time, the Canadian Ski Council awards Sun Peaks the National Winner of the Industry Recognition and Excellence Award for outstanding record of customer loyalty, excellence in customer satisfaction, and strong commitment to increasing growth in skiing and snowboarding.
    
The Kookaburra Lodge opens in fall 2009, offering resort guests affordable, residential apartments ranging from one to four bedrooms, plus several commercial spaces on the ground floor of the building.
    
WestJet expands air service to Kamloops and Sun Peaks Resort with a Vancouver flight connection.
    
The Delta Sun Peaks Resort opens two new restaurants in the Delta Residences. The M Room features a fine dining menu highlighting regional, fresh cuisine, while Morrisey’s Public House provides the village’s first Irish inspired pub offering.
    
Sun Peaks Resort LLP signs a multi-year terrain park sponsorship agreement with Rockstar Energy Drink.
    
The Mascon Hangout catering to teenagers opens in the Sports Centre.

2010 - Sun Peaks granted Mountain Resort Municipality Status by the Province of British Columbia.
    
WestJet expands air service to Kamloops and Sun Peaks Resort with an Edmonton flight connection.
    
For the second year in a row, the Canadian Ski Council awards Sun Peaks Resort the National Winner of the Industry Recognition and Excellence Award for outstanding record of customer loyalty, excellence in customer satisfaction, and strong commitment to increasing growth in skiing and snowboarding. This is the third time Sun Peaks has won this award.

2011 - In winter 2012, we celebrate the 50 year anniversary of Tod Mountain and the 20 year anniversary of Sun Peaks.

2012 - Winter 2011–12 marked the 50th Anniversary of Sun Peaks Resort at Tod Mountain.
    
Nordic skiing attendance record set on December 29, 2011.
    
Camping & RV Park opened adjacent to the Sports & Aquatic Centre in summer 2012.

Two new all mountain bike trails constructed in the Sun Peaks Bike Park in summer 2012. The Altitude trail extends the Park's vertical to 825 metres, as well as providing access to the "Top of the World" alpine area. Big Rock Ride introduces a great route past the snowmaking reservoir to the summit of Sundance, down to McGillivray Lake and the entire cross country trail network on Mt. Morrisey.
    
Bicycle Pump Track built in Parking Lot #5 in summer 2012.
    
Sun Peaks Resort celebrates a record-breaking summer in 2012; the largest number of visitors in one summer day, the most summer chairlift passengers in one day, and growth in overnight occupancy each month through the summer.
    
Sun Peaks Nordic Centre completed in November 2012, providing a hub for all things Nordic and open for the 2012–13 winter season.

2013 - Sun Peaks Bike Park hosts the 2013 Canada Cup DH MTB race.
    
The Sun Peaks Nordic Centre opens to the public, providing a convenient rendezvous, warming station, meeting place for Nordic lessons, as well as ticket sales and rentals during busier periods.
    
Bug Out glades are opened to the public off of Rambler, taking advantage of new terrain opened up by our Forest Health Program's beetle kill removal.

2014 - Sun Peaks hosted the 2014 Dew Tour AM Series in the Rockstar Energy Terrain Park.
    
Sun Peaks' premier hotel property ownership taken over from Delta Hotels & Resorts by Sun Peaks Resort LLP, with major improvements undertaken to the property.
    
Sun Peaks Bike Park hosts the 2014 Canadian DH MTB Championships.

Mt. Morrisey cross country mountain bike trail network was mapped and offered to the public.

Over 500 acres of skiable terrain was added to the ski area boundary, thanks to the addition of both West Morrisey and Gil's alpine zones. These additions brought our total skiable acreage up to 4,270 acres, making Sun Peaks Resort Canada's second largest ski area.
    
Whiskey Jack and Heinz's Way were added to the Nordic trail network, the former a dedicated intermediate dog-friendly trail removing dogs from the busy section of McGillivray Lake Trail.
    
Sun Peaks Resort partners with Whistler Blackcomb to offer alpine season pass holders from each mountain 50% off lift tickets at the partner resort.
    
New "Learning Zone" added next to the Sunburst Express chairlift for introductory snow sports lessons.

2015 - Sun Peaks hosted the 2015 Dew Tour AM Series in the Rockstar Energy Terrain Park.
    
Nordic skiing continues to grow with 2015 boasting the highest numbers yet for both the Sun Peaks Kookaburra and Holy Cow Nordic Loppets.
    
Sun Peaks Bike Park hosts the 2015 Canadian DH MTB Championships for the second year running.
    
The first Mountain Cross Cart Course in North America was opened in Sun Peaks.

Record breaking resort occupancy numbers in July, making 2015 overall our biggest summer yet!
    
Peaks Pedal Fest event finished off the 2015 summer bike season with a bang, bringing many new riders to the resort and starting an annual festival.
    
Billabong comes on as Terrain Park feature sponsor, dubbing the "Billabong Triple Line".
    
Two additional runs added to West Morrisey; Wringer and In Tatters.

McGillivray Lake Nordic ski trail rerouted across municipal lands to remove road crossings on this popular trail. Chickadee trail also added to the Nordic network to create a link between Raven Ramble and Blue Grouse.
    
"Learning Zone" surface carpet lift added next to the Sunburst Express chairlift to serve this beginner learning area.
    
Sun Peaks Resort LLP introduces online dynamic ticket pricing.

 

Summary

Since Nippon Cable purchased the resort area in 1992, they have invested over $75 million dollars in resort recreation amenities and infrastructure services.  Other resort building developers have invested about $225 million in Sun Peaks, for a total of over $300 million.  The result is a world class, people oriented, four season resort where people come to share special experiences with family and friends while they relax and recharge, away from the ever increasing pressures of today’s world.  With  960 possible places to stay on the mountain, 18 restaurants and bars, plus up to 18 retail shops, different places to walk about and buy your favourite things. 

Sun Peaks Resort is the premier mountain resort destination in British Columbia’s interior and second only to Whistler in BC.  The addition of Sun Peaks Grand Hotel will further enhance the facilities and image of Sun Peaks, raising the resort’s profile to compete directly with destination resorts in North America and around the world, comparable with such names as Whistler, Banff, Jasper and Mt. Tremblant.  Visitation to the resort has grown at a compound rate of over 17% over the 8 years and Sun Peaks Resort is well positioned to continue to produce positive growth.