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Economic and sovereignty threats from the US have united Canadians in a wave of patriotism. Along with buying Canadian products, and boycotting US holidays, some are choosing ski holidays based on resort ownership which is not American.
Enter Sun Peaks Ski Resort, owned by Nippon Cable Company of Japan, a project development supported by Canada’s own Olympic darling Nancy Greene Raine and her late husband Al Raine who passed away in December 2024. Sun Peaks Ski Resort is second in size only to US owned, Whistler Blackcomb, which was purchased by Vale resorts in 2016. For local skiers, and an increasing number of fans from the Lower Mainland, across Canada and as far away as Australia, Sun Peaks Ski Resort has long been first for fun.
Sun Peaks Ski resort: number two in size, number one in skiers hearts
Part of Sun Peaks’ charm is their proud positioning in being “number two” in Canada for terrain size. Decades ago Avis car rental famously launched the slogan “we try harder” to position themselves as the world’s number two rental car company. It was a clever way to own second place, while vying for business from a prominent competitor.
Like Avis, Sun Peaks Ski Resort understands what it’s like to be second in size to Whistler Blackcomb. For loyal fans who know the resort boasts fewer crowds, more affordable tickets, and an undeniable community vibe, Sun Peaks Ski Resort not only feels more welcoming, they’re happy to be number two. Compared to Vale owned Whistler Blackcomb, Sun Peaks size and overnight capacity, has allowed them to preserve a special ski experience with fewer crowds and lift lines.
Our group of friends from Vancouver got to experience the “happy to be number two” vibe of Sun Peaks Ski Resort on a recent girlfriend long weekend ski getaway. No strangers to Whistler Blackcomb as our usual big mountain of choice, we were all too familiar with the issues the number one rival has faced during the 2024/25 season.
Mechanical breakdown of lifts, huge crowds, fresh snow closed alpine, parking hassles, and tickets that have priced many families out of the market in favour of multi-resort American season passholder customers, are just some of the issues prompting animosity towards US based Vale ownership. And that was before an economic trade war and 51st state sovereignty threats!
So with Canadian patriotism pointing our skis towards Sun Peaks in early March, we cranked the Tragically Hip, packed the maple syrup, and headed on a road trip to Kamloops.
Sun Peaks Ski Resort history
Sun Peaks Ski Resort is actually three mountains, featuring 144 runs. The span of terrain on both the north and south side of the valley village is impressive. But the resort had humble beginnings when Harry Burfield helped develop “Todd Mountain Resort” in 1961. Tod Mountain struggled with different owners after Burfield’s death in a plane crash in 1971, and in 1992 Nipon Cable Company bought the property, and went about creating the same concept as Whistler, with a master plan to create a village in the valley, and a community for visitors and the people who worked there. They also renamed the resort Sun Peaks, since “Tod” in German translated to “death”, no doubt an issue for a destination striving to attract international visitors.
Former Canadian gold metal ski Olympian, Nancy Greene Raine and her husband Al Raine had been instrumental in creating the village at Whistler, so with a track record of success, they were hired in 1994 to help shape the village at Sun Peaks. The village of Sun Peaks was incorporated as a resort municipality in 2010 and Al Raine served as its only mayor until his recent passing.
The story doesn’t get much more patriotically Canadian, as two of Canada’s ski visionaries invested in, and helped build the town, its design and governance, as a resort municipality. Today the area bustles with 7,000 beds at hotels, chalets, condos and B&Bs, that not only welcome skiers in the winter, but all year round for hiking, golfing and other outdoor activities
Alpine skiing
Three main mountains, Tod, Morrisey and Sundance make up Sun Peaks Ski Resort. The highest alpine terrain is in the West Bowl area, offering the best glades and powder skiing after a dump of snow. Sun Peaks replaced the West Bowl T-bar with the West Bowl Express chairlift in the 2024/25 season, increasing capacity and access to this high terrain. We were excited to check out the new lift which everyone had been talking about.
One of the joys of Sun Peaks is that almost all lifts originate in the village base, and offer a variety of black, blue and a few green runs leading to the valley. Since all runs eventually return to a lift in the village, it’s nearly impossible to get lost. Reassuring for parents skiing with kids, the design makes it easier to get to know the mountain.
Contrasted with Whistler which can leave unfamiliar skiers endlessly traversing or busing back to a different base, if they take a wrong turn at the end of the day, Sun Peaks is just easy. The fall line runs and lift design also make skiing with different ability levels easier, allowing all to pick their challenge. And because village accommodations are valley based, virtually anywhere you stay will be “ski-in/ski-out” access.
Did we mention that Sun Peaks Ski Resort just seems to be trying harder?
Sunburst Lodge mountain restaurant
Sunburst Lodge, mid mountain on the Tod Mountain side, makes a great place to have lunch inside or out on the outdoor patio.
The day we visited was a sunny glimpse of early spring skiing, so we enjoyed a packed lunch at the edge of the slope by the lodge. We had hauled lunch in a backpack and hung it on a tree, but some cagey crows unzipped it and snacked before we returned. We’re pretty sure it wasn’t their first dine and dash rodeo! Fortunately Sun Peaks hasn’t become nearly as greedy as Vale charging $20 for a small bowl of chili on the mountain, so we were able to remedy the situation quickly – plus grab a few beers.
Skiing Tod, West Bowl and Gil’s with predominant south facing exposure offered great terrain on a sunny winter day.
Sun Peaks Ski Resort sign photo opp at the top
If you’re looking to capture a Sun Peaks mountain sign photo, it’s close to the Sunburst Lodge, as you get off the Sunburst Express chair, or the Elevation chair.
We found the Sundance area also had some great fall line skiing, and offered sunny exposure in the afternoon. Morrisey is best skied in the morning, since it becomes shaded after mid-day, resulting in icy spring conditions.
Nordic Skiing
Being an avid Nordic skier, I was keen to check out the valley trails at Sun Peaks. Groomed for both classic and skate style cross-county skiing, I loved the 34km of terrain, over 20 different trails.
I queried Brad the Nordic Coordinator, where to explore, and his suggestions were great. While speaking to Phil Youwe, the Nordic Operations Supervisor for over 30 years, I learned of the deep loyalty and community roots that anchor facility users. Sun Peaks Nordic Club, the Jack Rabbit youth development program, and ties to Kamloops Outdoors Club with extensive back country trails in the area are all local based programs.
McGillivary Lake Outpost
The McGillivary Lake Outpost warming hut cabin makes a great rest or lunch destination. Access is by numerous green or blue trails leading out of the village.
The hut itself is pretty basic, offering a wood stove and indoor picnic tables. But it also has a guest book, which offers a fascinating window on trail users through noting names, dates, home town, and comments. Old school cursive writing also just seemed to suit the place, its history and pace.
Similar to the alpine area, I found that visitors from across Canada and around the world were guests to the area. But many on the cross country trails were also locals, getting in their daily workout. In a nod to residents with furry four legged friends, Sun Peaks has a designated Whiskey Jack dog trail where skiers are able to accompany their leashed dogs while skiing.
Ravens Ramble and Raven Return was a great in and out trail route to clock a few more kilometers, but the real fun came when I decided to ski Holy Cow.
Holy Cow
Brad had encouraged me to check out “Holy Cow”, an aptly named trail for a run that involves taking the Morrisey Express chairlift to the top of the mountain. According to Phil Youwe, Sun Peaks Nordic Operations Supervisor, “Sun Peaks is the only ski resort in Canada which has Nordic terrain accessed by a ski lift.” Never one to back away from adventure, I had to try it. Plus capturing a photo on the lift wearing skate skis? It was a must do.
Nordic skiers are able to access the lift twice with their day ticket. From the top of Morrisey Express, at 5,495 feet (1,675 meters), it’s a 10km decent, down Holy Cow to the Nordic area valley by Little McGillivary Lake, and the Outpost return to the village valley.
At the top of the ski lift
Heading out down Holy Cow from the top of the mountain
Morrisey Express on cross country skate skis!
My biggest fear was the trail being icy later in the day at a higher elevation, but those I questioned earlier on the trails were reassuring about the conditions that day. With cross country skis offering much less support and edge control than alpine skis, it’s a full commitment to the decent down, since the Morrisey lift does not offer a downloading option.
Skiing down Holy Cow is quite doable for a decent cross country skier. It takes about an hour to ski down from the top of the lift, to the valley on Holy Cow, if you’re going a good clip on skate skis.
You might want to allow more time if you’re on classic skis, or if you wish to take breaks. Lift attendants at the base are mindful of cross country skiers, allowing them to access the lift on their own chair without other alpine skiers. They also slow the lift down both at the bottom and the top to help getting on and disembarking.
Sun Peaks Ski Resort village
Sun Peaks Ski Resort village may feel familiar to anyone who has every visited Whistler Blackcomb, since much of it was designed on that model. After all, Nancy Green Raine and her husband Al Raine basically replicated much of what they had done in helping to develop Whistler Blackcomb back in the early 90s. You’ll find a mix of hotels, restaurants, bars and retail – all easily walkable along a village promenade after a day skiing, or from your valley accommodation.
But the real charm is the fact that Sun Peaks Resort is also a small local town, with school and village amenities. I learned from Isabelle at the Nordic center ticketing window, that “the school week is built to accommodate longer days Monday-Thursday, leaving Friday as a day off for kids to ski, or participate in training camps.” It’s yet another family oriented resort village touch, that was championed by Al Raine, the municipality’s former Mayor.
It’s heart-warming to see so many young locals on the slopes, able to access skiing affordably, especially by contrast to US owned multi-resort properties where that is increasingly no longer the case.
Know before you go
These resources will help you plan your own getaway to Sun Peaks Ski Resort. Grab you family, or grab your friends. The number two ski resort in Canada will quickly become number one in your hearts. They’re trying harder.
Sun Peaks Ski Resort Accommodations
This village map will help you locate shops, dining and services (in RED), facilities and amenities (in LIGHT BLUE), and town homes / condos (in DARK BLUE). Ski-in / ski-out access areas are labeled (in GREEN).
Ski tickets / weather / special events and more
Link to the Sun Peaks Ski Resort website for current weather conditions, the snow report, and ticket purchase options. Alpine tickets bought in advance are cheaper than at the window on the day, so be sure to always purchase online the night before at the very latest. Multi-day tickets and packages purchased in advance are another way to save money on day tickets, for those who are able to plan ahead. Nordic tickets can be purchased on the day, at the East Village Center, close to the base of the Morrisey Express lift. Cross country skis and snowshoe rentals can also be arranged at this location.
Not a skier? No problem!
Snowshoeing
Of course there are many other activities to keep the non-skiers, or those who need a day off, happy. You can rent snowshoes for the day at the Nordic center and walk the snowshoe tail to McGillivray Hut. Or perhaps riding a dogsled, snowmobiling, or gathering your friends for an evening fondue is more your style?
Dogsled
Dogsledding through the bush pulled by a team of dogs is a pretty unique experience. Dogsled trails cross some of the Nordic ski trails on their way out to Little McGillivray Lake, so be sure to watch out for them, even if you don’t go for a ride. And a word of warning to anyone wearing headphones while cross country skiing (that was me!) – be mindful of the dogsled crossings. They’re well marked, but a sled and team can appear quickly, and those dogs aren’t applying the brakes easily. Check out Mountain Man Adventures for more information on dogsled tours..
Snowmobiling
Locally owned and operated by Chris and Taryn Schwanke, Mountain Man Dog Sled and Snowmobile Adventures also offers snowmobile tours in Sun Peaks.
Evening Snowshoe fondue
Enjoy an evening of snowshoeing under the stars with hot beverages, amazing views and a traditional cheese and chocolate fondue. The evening snowshoe fondue is a great outing for both non skiers, or those looking for a memorable experience after a day on the slopes.
Accommodations at Sun Peaks Ski Resort
There are many options for accommodations at Sun Peaks, ranging from hotel, to condos, to B&B and complete chalets. Use this map, combined with accommodations search noted below or options on Expedia listed here.
Pretty much all accommodations are ski-in / ski-out because of the way the resort village is designed. So you really can’t go wrong. See you on the slopes!
While many skiers, and those Google searching online, affectionately refer to the area as “Sun Peaks Ski Resort”, the official name of the area is simply “Sun Peaks Resort”, which further reinforces the fact that the area has become a four-season resort over the years. Recreating at Sun Peaks Resort goes far beyond winter based snow activities, with the town offering proximity to a golf course, hiking trails and other summer/shoulder season active pursuits.