Sun Peaks, British Columbia
Sun Peaks, British Columbia
About Sun Peaks, Canada
Sun Peaks is an alpine ski village located high in the mountaintops of the Thompson/Nicola region of British Columbia, Canada. In the winter months, the population swells, and people flock by the thousands to enjoy the snowy winter weather and ideal skiing and snowboarding conditions. In the summer months, the town is much less busy but has many fun activities to enjoy, including concerts and shows. As such, there is occasionally an influx of visitors and it can get fairly busy.
Sun Peaks has a higher altitude and an alpine climate so summers are much shorter than in other towns in the region. Depending on what time of the year you arrive, you may be lucky enough to see one of the most incredible displays of nature your eyes will ever see and the mountainside will come alive with a breathtaking array of flowers. If you do visit around mid-summer, late July to early August then wildflower season should be in full swing.
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Sun Peaks, British Columbia, Canada
How to Get There
Sun Peaks Resort is located in the interior of British Columbia, Canada. It is approximately 45 minutes from the city of Kamloops and around 4.5 hours from Vancouver. You can also reach the area by flying to Kamloops Airport (YKA) or Kelowna International Airport (YLW).
Map of Sun Peaks
Sun Peaks, British Columbia, Canada
The Village
The town was built in the typical European chalet style and gives off a neat whimsical fairytale vibe. There are cobblestone streets lined with little shops but be warned prices are not very cheap, though that does seem fairly typical for towns like this one that provide niche activities. There are also a few pubs in town with nice outdoor patio settings where you can indulge in a few drinks and some local cuisine while you enjoy the fresh mountain air and soak up some sunshine. There are a surprising number of food-serving establishments on the mountain, totaling around 18, which include pubs, cafes, and restaurants and they even have Indian and Mexican food restaurants, though they are also quite expensive. The village also boasts a small grocery store and a liquor store as well.
Sun Peaks, British Columbia, Canada
Restaurants in Sun Peaks
Vertical Cafe - Coffee and Tea Cafe
Mountain High Pizza - Quick Bites, Italian
Voyageur Bistro - Canadian
Bottoms Up Bar and Grill - American Bar
Powder Hounds - German, European
Cahilty Creek Kitchen @ Taproom - American, Bar
Morrisey’s Public House - Pub, Fusion
Oya Japanese Restaurant - Japanese Sushi
Mountain Tiger - Chinese, Indian
Sun Peaks, British Columbia, Canada
Sun Peaks, British Columbia, Canada
Things to do at Sun Peaks
At Sun Peaks the main activities are of course skiing and snowboarding. But in the summer the activities shift over to things like hiking and mountain biking. Sun Peaks Resort also offers many cool things that the kids will love like the Mountain Cross Karts, which is basically a go-kart track on a mountainside. Other attractions include nearby McGillivray Lake, which has excellent fishing and kayaking opportunities. For golf lovers, it is recommended to visit the 18-hole Sun Peaks Golf Course.
Sun Peaks, British Columbia, Canada
Hiking Trails in Sun Peaks
At Sun Peaks there is a total of 18 alpine hiking trails with difficulty levels for almost anybody. You can choose from easy strolls around the village to mindblowing mountain treks that take you deep into the wilderness. You can either start your trek from the village or take the chairlift halfway up.
Vista Trail
0.3 km (0.18 miles), 30 Minutes Round Trip
The Vista Trail leads hikers through beautiful sub-alpine forests and open meadows.Juniper Ridge Loop
0.6 km (0.37 miles), 15 Minutes Round Trip.
The Juniper Ridge Loop is located at the top of Mount Tod and provides the best views in the region.Sunburst Loop
2.1 km (1.3 miles), 30 Minutes Round Trip.
The Sunburst Loop trail meanders through the woods surrounding the village and is perfect for a family stroll.Crystal Bowl Loop
0.8 km (0.49 miles), 45 Minutes Round Trip
The Crystal Bowl Loop trail leads hikers through the wildflower fields of the lower Crystal Bowl.Top of the World Trail
1.2 km (0.74 miles), 30 Minutes One Way
The Top of the World Trail is a gentle uphill trail that goes past gorgeous meadows and connects to the Juniper Ridge Loop.West Bowl Trail
5.4 km (3.3 miles), 90 Minutes One Way
The West Bowl Trail provides hikers with a scenic experience as it climbs uphill through forests and wildflower meadows all the way to Tod Lake.Gil’s Trail
2.4 km (1.4 miles), 45 Minutes One Way
Gil’s Trail winds through lovely forested areas and ski slopes up to Tod Lake.West Ridge Trail
1.5 km (0.93 miles), 45 Minutes One Way
The West Ridge Trail takes hikers through scenic open fields and offers panoramic views of Tod Mountain.Sundance Loop
3.9 km (2.4 miles), 90 Minutes Round Trip
The Sundance Loop is a fairly steep trail with amazing views looking down on the village.Broadway Loop
2.1 km (1.3 miles), 45 Minutes Round Trip
The Broadway Loop provides access from the Sunburst allows hikers to wander around sections of popular ski runs.Sundance Summit
2.1 km (1.3 miles), 45 Minutes Round Trip
The Sundance Summit trail boasts fantastic views of Sun Peaks village and the dramatic Mt. Tod.
Sun Peaks, British Columbia, Canada
Sun Peaks Photos
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