Sun Peaks Ski Resort Guide
Sun Peaks, Canada
Rated: 3/5 (from 6 ratings)
| Recommended For | Intermediates, Snowboarders, Snowfall and Apres-Ski! |
|---|---|
| Highest Lift | 2,080m6,824ft |
| Resort Height | 1,260m4,134ft |
| Nearest Airports | Kamloops and Kelowna |
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Sun Peaks
One of the largest ski areas in Canada with light, dry powder spread across three unique mountains. Experience high quality ski in / ski out accommodation.
Summary
The Canadian ski resort of Sun Peaks is at an altitude of 1,260m4,134ft.
Sun Peaks has direct access to 80 marked pistes, served by a total of 6 ski lifts.
With ski lifts as high as 2,080m6,824ft, snow cover is generally reliable.
Snow and Weather
When will it snow in Sun Peaks?
The next notable snow forecast is 2cm1in, expected on 2 March, with around 13cm5in forecast over the next 7 days.
See our long-range Snow Forecast for the latest update, or Join our Snow Mail Here
Snow this week
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snow to resort | Snow to resort |
Ski Area Stats
Sun Peaks Ski Area
| Black Pistes Expert Trails | 39 | |
|---|---|---|
| Red Pistes Intermediate Runs | 65 | |
| Blue Pistes Easy Trails | 18 | |
| Green Pistes Beginner Runs | 13 | |
| Cross Country Total Length | 40km25 miles | |
| Ski Lifts Number of Lifts | 6 | |
Altitudes
Sun Peaks Ski Area Heights
| Highest Lift | 2,080m6,824ft |
|---|---|
| Lowest Piste | 1,260m4,134ft |
| Resort Altitude (Sun Peaks) | 1,260m4,134ft |
| Max Vertical | 820m2,690ft |
Ratings & Suitability
| Expert Skiers | |
|---|---|
| Intermediate Skiers | |
| Beginners | |
| Snowboarding | |
| Snow | |
| Apres-Ski |
Sun Peaks Overview
Sun Peaks has grown rapidly to become one of Canada and the world's leading resorts. The resorts has expanded dramatically over the past decade with more than $500m invested, strengthening its appeal as the major four-season destination resort in the interior of British Columbia. With around 4,000 acres of terrain, this is now Canada's third largest ski area.
The resort has built its reputation on a combination of first class service, state-of-the-art facilities at the base of the mountain, superb skiing over a large ski area - now covering three mountains - blessed with an average 559cm (220 inches) of light dry powder in an average winter and somehow finding time to fit in 2000 hours of sunshine annually too. Much of the resort itself is brand new and all the lodging is slopeside too.
Investments have included lift and trail development on Sun Peaks third mountain (Mt. Morrissey) with over 500 acres of skiable terrain added, bringing the total skiable terrain to around 3,700 acres - second only in British Columbia to Whistler. The continuing investment is part of a master plan to eventually combine five skiable mountains, a full-facility resort village and 21st Century resort technology with a diverse list of four-season recreational, educational and entertainment facilities
Sun Peaks was originally called Tod Mountain when it was established in 1961. The resort was purchased by Nippon Cable in 1992, and renamed as part of an extensive resort development plan. The main 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 1840's.
Notable Ski Runs
The longest possible descent in Sun Peaks is 8km5 miles long and the most difficult run is the 'Challenger', which is 2km1 miles in length.
Skiing
Sun Peaks has three mountains to enjoy. The original and highest is Tod, which offers a wide range of runs above and below the treeline. There's something for everyone, from fast long blue and green cruisers up to steep sharp blacks like Bluff, Intimidator and the 2km (1.25 mile) long Challenger; with everything in between, particularly glades. The trails are served by a high speed chairlift network and Sun Peaks has a reputation for immaculate slope grooming.
The top of the mountain has open bowl skiing and there's back country cat skiing just over the ski area boundary. Next to Tod sits Sundance Mountain, home to some of the best groomed runs and terrain parks for children and beginners.
The resort opened its third mountain, Mt. Morrisey, for the 2001-2 season. Mt. Morrisey's 1378ft / 420 m vertical compares favourably with Sundance Mountain across the valley and offers spectacular vistas of Top of the World Mountain at 6824ft / 2080m. Mostly north facing, Morrisey is already famous for its dry powder and glade or tree skiing. Skiers and riders can enjoy the thrill of descending through open forests, but on groomed pitches a treat traditionally reserved for advanced enthusiasts.
In order to make the most of this huge choice you may wish to take a free tour of the mountain first thing in the morning or after lunch with Sun Guides; you also have the opportunity to ski with Canadian Olympic Champion Nancy Greene.
Sun Peaks is also one of the world's few speed skiing centres. Racers use The Headwall track which is fully accessible by two chairlifts with a mid-mountain restaurant next to the finish area for viewing. The track is a steep technical speed course on which racers go from zero km/h to 170 km/h in 8 to 10 seconds.
If you like your skiing a little slower and flatter, check out the 40km of groomed cross country trails.
There are a variety of pistes to suit all levels of skier ability, from Beginner to Expert.
Snowboarding
There are three terrain parks at Sun Peaks. The parks are accessed off the Sundance Chair. One beginner, one intermediate, one advanced
Location and Map
Where is Sun Peaks?
This ski resort is in Thompson-Nicola P, Thompson-Nicola, Canada.
Map
Tap 
for Full-Screen, or see J2Ski's Resort map, showing Hotels and Ski Shops.
How to get there
By Air
The nearest airport to Sun Peaks is Kamloops, 63 minutes drive away.
Kelowna airport is also within three hours drive.
Kamloops is just one hours drive away, in good driving conditions, so you can be on the piste quickly.
Infrastructure
Ski Lift Capacity
The six ski lifts are able to uplift 7,263 skiers and snowboarders every hour.
Snow Making
Snow-making is available, on 3km2 miles of ski runs, with 21 snow cannons.
Season Dates
When is Sun Peaks open?
Open (since November 21, 2020).
Usual opening is late November, and usual closing is Early April.
NOTE:- Ski area, lift and piste opening is subject to Current Snow Conditions.
COVID-19 / Coronavirus
We don't yet have specific details of the COVID-19 precautions being taken in Sun Peaks, but they are likely to include most of the following :-
- Face masks required on lifts, and in shops.
- Social distancing in public areas.
- Reduced lift capacity.
- Extensive disinfection / sanitization.
French Ski Resort COVID-19 Measures describes further measures that may also be applied.
Visit the Sun Peaks Tourist Office for the latest.
Talking about Sun Peaks
Mentions in recent J2Ski News Items and Snow Reports from our users...
Aprés Ski
The resort has a selection of bars and restaurants, mostly centred on the main hotel complexes.
The resort's nightclub, Club Mackdaddy's, was awarded Best New Night Club Sound System in North America by the National Association of Music Merchants at the International Trade Show in Anaheim, California. Scott McDonnell, part owner of the new club said Our Jazz and Blues nights are when you can really appreciate the systems quality. The 1.2 million dollar night club is located in the Delta Sun Peaks Resort.
Sun Peaks also has a weekly events calendar which includes activities which include casino night, bonfires and torchlit descents.
