In this resort review, I’ll discuss the five aspects of a resort that distinguish good and great resorts. These include conditions, terrain, resort quality, and location. I have a comprehensive list linked here if you are wondering what you should wear: snowboarding or skiing. I consider myself an amateur snowboarder, so remember that during this review. I explored all of these resorts with my best friend Malachi, who is a skier; any feedback we have given on the resort is what we have collectively decided.
Conditions
The conditions while skiing and snowboarding here were way better than we expected. On both days, we skied; it was either snowing or blue skies, making our days on the resort much better. From what I have heard from the locals, because of the location of Sun Peaks, they get a little bit less snow than other mountains. For early season runs, there was more than enough coverage! Sun Peaks lived up to its name later in the day when we saw a fantastic sunset on the resort with beautiful clear skies. These conditions made us feel like we were skiing in a movie; it was unbelievable.
Terrain
Going into it, we had researched that the terrain was lacking. This is entirely wrong. What makes this mountain special is the diversity of the terrain. There are an impressive number of beginner and family-style runs, incredible jumps, and advanced terrain if you know where to go. We had a local named Seth show us around, which was the best decision we could have made. The terrain park was also unexpectedly expansive, and I’m sure the jumps will get bigger with more snow. There is something for everyone at Sun Peaks to ski or snowboard.
Resort Quality
This is another unexpected bonus that Sun Peaks provided. You can spend hours exploring the endless amount of shops in the village section of the resort. There are so many cool and helpful people in all the stores that it makes it worth it to stop by and check them out. The lodge is also what you would expect from such a high-end resort. The lifts are well-maintained and very comfortable. You can tell that this resort is more of a family-friendly resort.
Location
The nearest town to Sun Peaks is Kamloops, British Columbia. Kamloops does not really give off the “ski town vibe.” Besides the down town having a surprisingly good atmosphere, I would simply describe Kamloops as “bland.” Despite this, the locals were very friendly during our visit, and the overall atmosphere of the resort was still great! If you’re looking for that small ski town atmosphere, I would recommend getting a room at the resort.
Final Take
This resort is a well-maintained gem with a little bit of everything for the whole family. If you are looking for the best snow or extreme terrain, this may not be the resort for you. For the average family, this resort is perfect for a getaway. For travelers, keep your belongings secured in Kamloops and drive safely on the roads leading up to the resort. If you can find a local to show you around, this will make your experience much better.
