DOC POW
SUN PEAKS, BC — Sun Peaks, located only 30 minutes outside of Kamloops, British Columbia, is a village bursting at the seams with opportunities and set down in an incredible setting that is matched with great on-mountain adventures, incredible snow and stellar terrain.
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It’s that light Okanagan powder that is coveted by so many folks, and it’s a great family destination, having recently been rated as the Number One Family Resort in the Great Skiing & Snowboarding 2008 awards, the largest English ski guide.
It’s also packed full of great dining, accommodations and après options.
Whatever you have planned for the day, it’s best to do it with good fuel – some of my favourites include McSunny at Bento’s Lodge. It’s the old school lodge at the base of Sunburst chairlift and includes some of the best egg Mcmuffin sanis going.
Bragg’s Sweets is another favourite – located in the village, it offers have a lot of great breakfast options, including crepes.
Early breakfast, early tracks
Of course the best way to hit the day is by signing up for a First Trax Breakfast which will get you out prior to the crowds every Wednesday morning. This is an exclusive experience and if you are smiled upon, you will get into some phenomenal snow all to yourself. Part of the experience includes breakfast at Sunburst Restaurant which is home to hot, fresh just-out-of-the-oven cinnamon buns, voted as the number one sweet treat at ski resorts in Canada – yum.
When it comes to dinner, definitely head to Mantles, located in the Delta Sun Peaks Resort and reserve Table 51 – The Chef’s Table. You may be at the mercy of Chef David Tombs, but you can count on it being a delicious and memorable experience.
“It’s like throwing my own kitchen party,” says Chef David, “but one that’s focuses on the freshest ingredients possible, which means everything is based on the season. So that’s where I take my inspiration – from the ingredients. We also do a little wine pairing.”
He also said the restaurant had just won an award for its environmental program, including purchasing its seafood from members of Ocean Wise – a conservation initiative that practises sustainable fishing methods.
Go up mountain for your dinner
If you are looking to get out and enjoy dinner with a little adventure on the side, take part in the International Fondue & Evening Descent. Your evening starts with a ride up the Sunburst chair lift to the restaurant of the same name, for some live music and a beautiful fondue. After dinner, on go the headlamps and snowshoes, and out come the glow sticks; guides help make a memorable commute home down the side of the mountain.
This program is for adults, but for the little ones, Sun Peaks offers a dinner and a movie program of their own so the parents can go out and enjoy themselves.
If your idea of dinner is a little more low key, Sun Peaks offers a number of other options, including some great sushi from Chopstixx, excellent pizza by the slice or the pie from Mountain High Pizza and if you are in the mood for a perfectly cooked steak, head over to the Steakhouse at Sun Peaks Lodge.
A little party with your burger
As for those of you like your evening nosh to have a side of lively, if you plunked yourself down in a booth or on a stool at Bottom’s Bar & Grill for a little après ski, then why not stay. The burgers are great as is the beer, and guaranteed the whole of Sun Peaks will be coming to join you at some point during the evening.
Another great place is Macker’s in the Nancy Greene’s Cahilty Lodge. Owned by a number of brothers, this is a great sports bar with an unbelievable menu. You will find familiar items found on all bar menus, but the chef gets creative combining some amazing ingredients to produce some amazing dishes that aren’t found in other sports bars.
Sun Peaks may be classified as a village, but it’s definitely has the character of a large town with a variety of eateries and nightlife options too numerous to recount here on this go-around. For the inside track on this outdoor amusement park (Sun Peaks), be sure to grab a copy of the Village Vibe – available at Guest Services or the front desk of many of the hotels on mountain. Another great source is SPIN Newsmagazine, a free monthly newspaper outlining all events, happenings and restaurant details for Sun Peaks.
For more stories and detail on Sun Peaks check out our SnowSeekers' destination page.