IN A NUTSHELL

Sun Peaks ski resort boasts Canada’s second largest ski area with a whopping 4,270 acres of skiable terrain!

Sun Peaks SKI RESORT

Sun Peaks ski resort in British Columbia is growing in popularity as a destination for UK skiers, renowned for its massive 4,270 acres of skiable terrain - Canada’s second-largest ski resort- with slopes designed for every skill level. The resort spans three mountains, ensuring everyone from beginners to seasoned experts finds their perfect run. Gentle green cruisers, well-groomed blue trails, and adventurous double-black diamonds weave through the mountains, allowing skiers and snowboarders to explore diverse landscapes paired with consistently sunny weather and quality snow.

For those not hitting the slopes, Sun Peaks offers a wealth of activities. Enjoy dog sled tours, snowshoe expeditions through scenic trails, guided ice fishing, thrilling snowmobile rides, tubing, and horse-drawn sleigh rides through the charming pedestrian village. Families will love the free indoor activity nights, vibrant shopping, wellness spas, and art classes. The mountain village buzzes with year-round energy, boasting everything from live music to seasonal festivals.

Dining at Sun Peaks is just as diverse. Cozy pubs like Bottoms Bar & Grill and Masa’s Bar + Grill serve up hearty Canadian classics, while family-friendly favourites include Mountain High Pizza and Capones Italian Kitchen for pizza and pasta. For finer dining, Powder Hounds and Mantles Restaurant offer gourmet experiences, regional wines, and an elevated atmosphere. From casual cafés and bakeries to upscale bistros and steakhouses, every palate is catered to in Sun Peaks’ lively village setting.

THE SKIING IN Sun Peaks SKI RESORT

Why is Sun Peaks considered Canada’s top hidden ski gem for all levels?

Vast Variety for All Levels: With 4,270 acres and 137+ runs across three interconnected mountains, Sun Peaks is the second-largest ski area in Canada. About 10% is beginner terrain (including the famously long, gentle "5 Mile" run), nearly 60% is intermediate - featuring long, perfectly groomed cruisers - and the rest is advanced to expert, including glades, powder bowls, and steeps on Tod Mountain and in the expanded West Bowl. The layout means any lift can access suitable runs for any level, making it ideal for mixed-ability groups and families.

Truly Family- and Group-Friendly: Beginners can comfortably explore much of the resort, progressing across zones without ever feeling out of place. Intermediate skiers find some of BC’s best carving runs, while experts chase powder stashes and steeps without crowds.

Uncrowded, Laid-Back Vibe: Despite its size and quality, Sun Peaks remains uncrowded and relaxed—no mega-resort hustle or long lift lines. This fosters a welcoming atmosphere and allows guests to feel like locals, often making first tracks on bluebird days.

Ski-Through, Walkable Village: All three mountains funnel back into a European-style, ski-through village. It’s easy to meet up with friends and family for lunch, après, or activities (like tubing, skating, or snowshoeing) right at the base.

Consistent Sunshine & Great Snow: Interior BC’s dry powder and more than 2,000 hours of annual sunshine create reliable, pleasant skiing conditions.

Affordability & Access: Compared to Whistler, Sun Peaks offers more affordable accommodations, lift ticket options (including Ikon and Mountain Collective passes), and a lower-key but lively après and dining scene.

WHAT IS THE SKIING LIKE AT SUN PEAKS?

Sun Peaks is one of Canada’s most versatile ski resorts, providing excellent options for beginners, intermediates, and advanced skiers alike—with a reputation for friendly terrain, a charming ski-through village, and low crowds.

Beginners
Beginner Terrain: Sun Peaks is highly regarded as “a paradise for beginners.” There are easy, wide green runs radiating from all main mountain stations (except West Bowl), with several dedicated learning zones, people movers, and gentle practice lifts.
Progression: Learners can start on the gentle Sunbeam and Gentle Giant runs (Sundance Mountain), then progress to slightly longer greens such as Rambler on Sundance, The Sticks and Home Run on Morrisey, or the famous 5 Mile run on Mount Tod.
Village Access: The ski-in/ski-out, pedestrian-friendly village lets beginners and kids access slopes and lessons with ease, while parents can watch or relax nearby.
Ski School: Sun Peaks’ on-site ski school and “Never Ever Days” package make it a welcoming environment for first-timers of any age, with tailored lessons and progressive terrain.

Intermediate Playground: Around 58% of Sun Peaks' trails are rated as intermediate (blue), offering a huge variety of perfectly groomed cruisers, rolling blues, and some gentle glades across all three mountains.
Best Areas: Intermediate-friendly runs are concentrated on Sundance (mellow, winding blues), Mount Morrisey (meandering blues with tree islands), and lower Mount Tod for lovely fall-line blues. There’s endless space to develop skills with minimal lift lines or skier congestion.
Features: Many blue runs on Mount Tod are a bit steeper and can be groomed or left with light moguls, so you can step up your technique at your own pace.

Advanced/Expert
Advanced Terrain: While Sun Peaks isn’t known for “extreme” terrain, it offers plenty for advanced skiers, including long, fast black diamond groomers, a large variety of mogul runs, and glade skiing. About 32% of its trails are advanced or expert.
Key Areas: Steeper pitches on Mount Morrisey and Tod, long and challenging mogul runs like Headwalls and Static Cling, and steep, technical black and double-black trails (especially off Burfield Quad and Crystal lifts).

Hike-to Zones: For adventure, hike into the Gil’s and Skunk areas, which offer open, lightly-gladed powder terrain and very good snow quality when open. These are patrolled, in-bounds, and a local favourite.

Freeride: There are around 16 marked glade areas and off-piste stashes, as well as an extensive terrain park system for freestyle progression.

is sun peaks good for families?

Sun Peaks Ski Resort is considered one of the best ski resorts in Canada for families. Here are the main reasons why:

1. Truly Family-Friendly Atmosphere
Sun Peaks has a welcoming, safe, and compact ski-through village—making it easy for families to get around without cars. Children can move between slopes, lessons, and the village with minimal hassle, and there’s a friendly, community vibe throughout the resort.

The resort’s design allows families of mixed abilities to ride the same lifts and choose different runs that all rejoin at the village base, making it easy for everyone to ski at their own pace and still meet up easily.
“Fantastic for families” and “brilliant that the kids can do runs on their own and we still all end up in the same place” are recurring praise from both experts and guests.

2. Ideal Terrain and Lessons for All Ages
The mountain’s layout means there are green, blue, and black runs available from most lifts. This caters to every member of the family, regardless of skill level, and eliminates the stress of getting separated.

Exceptional ski and snowboard schools (including mini ski camps and the Sundance Kids Centre for ages 3–5) support kids from their first time on snow through to advanced progression, with fun, well-structured lessons and caring instructors.

Sun Peaks Property Map