Sun Peaks Resort, The Hottest Place To Chill In Summer
By Marc Smith.
One of my obsessions is discovering winter resort communities that rock in the summertime. Sun Peaks Resort outside of Kamloops is my newest find and my favourite to date. In the winter almost 500,000 “ski visits” will happen at the resort while the summer will see only a small fraction of those visitor numbers. It’s a summer paradise for locals and those in the know.
The village has all the amenities necessary for your fabulous summer adventure getaway including great dining, outdoor activities, and plenty of opportunity to just relax and chill. No matter if you are a family looking to enjoy the school break, a solo traveler looking to beat the crowds, or a group of friends planning a guy/girls weekend escape Sun Peaks Resort is one of British Columbia’s hidden gems.
I spent an all too short weekend exploring the mountain village and these are some of the adventures I recommend you put on your list of things to do while there.
Sun Peaks outdoor adventures for all ages and fitness levels
When I tell you there is something for everyone to do while you are at Sun Peaks Resort I am not lying. There is an 18 hole golf course, mountain bike and cross country riding trails, fly fishing, and canoe and kayaking on McGillivray Lake.
During my couple of days at the resort I headed up the mountain to hike and explore the Alpine Blossom Season that was in bloom. There are 18 designated hiking trails with some starting at the Village and others accessible by taking the Sunburst Chairlift to the mid-mountain chalet, at 6,000′ above sea level.
Bring your camera because there is a great chance you will see some wildlife. Black Bears were spotted by some of the hikers I met along my hike while I was able to see a young Doe having a little mid afternoon siesta amongst the trees.
If you want to give your feet a rest how about signing up for an Off-Road Segway Tour with Alpine Explorers. It’s a great way to see the village in an hour and a half and it took me to some fabulous scenic locations I would not have seen on my own.
Last but not least you HAVE to experience the Mountain Cross Carts, North America’s first (and only!) course. A set of four laps costs only $20 per person and they are times so you can compete against yourself and your friends.
Once you go through the short safety demonstration you’ll strap yourself into the cart and be pulled up the mountain by the lift. Once at the top the fun begins. Powered by gravity all you have to worry about is breaking and making the corners. Don’t break too hard or you might lose momentum and not be able to finish without a little push from the course monitors.
Where to nosh and nibble in Sun Peaks Resorts
There are plenty of culinary gems to discover in the Village and my only regret is that I couldn’t check them all out.
For early morning coffee, pastries and a light breakfast I split my time between two cafes; Vertical Cafe and 5Forty Café & Grill. Both make a mean cup of coffee and both use coffee roasted in BC. Vertical Cafe serves Organic Cherry Hill Coffee and even offers a selection of gluten free foods treats. 5Forty Cafe serves up Kicking Horse Coffee which is a favourite of many.
For your mid day and evening noshing I visited Cahilty Creek Kitchen + Taproom, Morrisey’s Public House and Voyageur Bistro. Depending on your mood and appetite you can’t go wrong with these options. All are in the heart of the village and an easy walk from wherever you are staying.
I would highly recommend a visit to Voyageur Bistro as their focus on local and heritage Canadian ingredients suck as Bison, berries, bannock and local fish are a real treat. I also love the authentic “Voyageur” decor. It’s a feast for your eyes.
Have I convinced you yet? For me Sun Peaks Resort will be on my list of summer getaways. I leave the winter months for true ski bums. I’m all about summer Alpine hikes and sipping my Americano surrounded by wildflowers and deer.
Featured image: Exploring the Sun Peaks night Market
