Sun Peaks Information

Apres-ski

Sun Peaks is not a particularly raucous resort, but does boast several lively bars to kick back in once the slopes close.

Some of the best spots to enjoy a pint include Bottom's (tel: +1 250 578 0013; www.bottomssunpeaks.com) and Morrisey's Public House in the Sun Peaks Grand Hotel (tel: +1 250 578 6000; www.sunpeaksgrand.com).

Later on, revellers head to the resort's late night dancing spot, The Club (tel: +1 250 434 0227). Having been built at a cost of more than a million dollars and winning awards for its sound and light systems, it has themed evenings including jazz and blues nights as well as more conventional rock and pop.

Eating out

There are around 20 restaurants in Sun Peaks' village with a great mix of styles, from simple bagel breakfast bars to high-calibre restaurants.

The Voyageur Bistro (tel: +1 250 578 5268; www.voyageurbistro.ca) in the Kookaburra Lodge has a reputation for excellent French-Canadian inspired meals, quintessentially Canadian hospitality and historical décor – it's filled with interesting artefacts from early Canadian history, including antique tree canoes hanging from the rafters.

Mantles Restaurant (tel: +1 250 578 6060; www.sunpeaksgrand.com) in the Sun Peaks Grand Hotel currently carries the gourmet flag for the resort. It sources many of its ingredients from local Thistle Farm, which operates a winter glasshouse to supply Mantles with fresh herbs and vegetables.

A novelty option is to ride up the chairlift to the Sunburst Lodge mountain restaurant at night for cheese and chocolate fondues, and then ski or board back down a freshly groomed trail in the moonlight wearing a headlamp on your helmet to light the way.

Resort Information

Beyond the slopes

About a fifth of Sun Peaks' guests don't come to the resort to ski or board, but to enjoy the other activities the resort offers – though mostly all of these also involve being on the snow in one way or another.

Options include high-adrenaline fun on guide-led snowmobile tours through open meadows and across frozen lakes; the resort's bungee trampoline or tubing park; or something a little more laid-back such as ice skating or a dog sled ride. All of these can be booked through the central Adventures Desk (tel: +1 250 578 5542).

Those who wish to spend some time being pampered can make use of the Sun Peaks Spa (tel: +1 250 578 0086; www.sunpeaksspa.com) complex at Kookaburra Lodge in the village.

For something a little different, and very Canadian, the resort also offers trips to ice hockey matches in downtown Kamloops, where the Kamloops Blazers play their home games. The excursions allow time to get dinner in town before the match.

Family fun

Sun Peaks is a good choice for families. The compact pedestrianised centre makes it safe and easy to get around, and there are plenty of family-friendly lodging and dining options. Additionally, there are fun family activities such as tubing and ice skating for older children to enjoy.

Non-ski nursery and children's ski school facilities are first-rate. The Sundance Kids Centre (tel: +1 250 578 5505), located slopeside next to the village base lodge, accepts children aged 18 months to five years for non-ski childcare. This facility also houses a ski school available to over threes with specially tailored classes depending on the child's age and ability.

Retail therapy

Although there's not a huge selection of shops in Sun Peaks, shopping is an enjoyable activity in the resort as most of the shops are located along the pedestrianised main street. Along with plenty of sports shops, you'll find quirky gift shops, an art gallery, photographic stores and a great village sweet shop. The sweet-toothed will also enjoy a visit to the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.

Splashing out

British Columbia is the world capital of heli-skiing. Sun Peaks' heli-skiing day packages could be the solution for skiers that have always wanted to try the sport but were reluctant to book a full heli-skiing holiday. The resort has teamed up with Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing (tel: +1 800 661 9170; www.wiegele.com), one of the world's longest established and best-known heli-ski operators based at nearby Blue River. The '8 Peaks Day Package' includes three to five runs in the stunning local Cariboo and Monashee mountain ranges.

Hotels

There is a good variety of accommodation within Sun Peaks resort, ranging from condominium style apartments to luxury hotels.

Luxury

Moderate

Cheap