Need input on Sun Peaks ski resort
 

My husband and teenaged son are looking for a 5 day ski trip in mid-February. If they go to Sun Peaks, they'd have to stay in Kamloops and either drive to the slopes each day or find some kind of shuttle. Is that a do-able option? They've skied Whistler twice already and most places in Colorado as well. Its short notice, we can use a condo in Kamloops and they are interested. Has anyone on this board skied Sun Peaks - I'm looking for transportation info, restaurants, mountain impressions, etc. They'd fly into Kamloops and then rent a car. Thanks!

In good weather, the drive up from Kamloops is one hour. However, winter weather in this region is terrible and the roads can be very snowy and icy - especially first thing in the morning. I would suggest lodging at Sun Peaks. There are several hotels, lodges, and townhouses for rent. Sun Peaks is popular all year-round, so the village is packed with restaurants, bars, clubs, and shops.
A village map and list of lodgings/facilities are available at:
http://www.sunpeaksresort.com/winter2/villagemap.aspx
The most luxurious lodge is Delta Sun Peaks http://www.deltahotels.com/hotels/hotels.do?hotelId=38
It is also the most popular, so you'll have to book in advance.
Depending on the flight times to Kamloops, your husband and son may need to spend the night in Kamloops at the beginning or end of the trip. Two decent hotels, located right downtown, are Coast Canadian Inn (http://www.coasthotels.com/home/sites/kamloops/) and Thompson Hotel (http://vipresorts.kamloops.com/thompson/index.html). Both are five star, and have pools, saunas, and hot tubs. A cheaper option, also located downtown (across from the main hospital, next to a Denny's) is Travelodge. This hotel has a (small) pool and hot tub also. The address is: http://travelodge.kamloops.com/
As for the quality of skiing, I have heard excellent reports. Many say it is a less crowded version of Whistler. I haven't been in ten years, so I can't verify that!
Good luck!

Have to stay in Kamloops for this trip unfortunately. Is there a shuttle from town to the slopes?

Sun-Star offers a shuttle to and from Kamloops Airport, but the times are a bit inconvenient. You can check it out at http://www.sunstarshuttle.com/. It seems to run on reservations only, so you may be able to negociate an earlier or later pick up time. The one-way fares for your son and husband would total 68 dollars and, unfortunately, they seem to be the only shuttle bus operator. Also, there are no hotels near the airport. Do you know where in Kamloops your husband and son will be staying?

this is getting far to complicated for a spur of the minute weekend! The shuttle from the airport is very expensive - like $27 to the base per person and $67 return per person. There is a shuttle in town but it runs only on Saturday and Sundays for $20 per person roundtrip. i guess I was expecting a better transportation system like you find in Colorado and Tahoe resorts.

If your family has some serious skiers, I would question the choice of Sun Peaks. Sun Peaks is a nice family resort but the terrain is nothing like Whistler or many mountains in Colorado. Even though it is advertised as having mainly blue and black runs, the terrain is really more properly characterized as green and blue. I have skied Sun Peaks with hardcore skiers who have been very disappointed and felt that the resort oversold its terrain. It also lacks the gondolas and other on-mountain amenities of Whistler.

On the plus side, it is an easier mountain for many beginners than Whistler and there is much less of an opportunity to get lost or get into trouble on a run that is over one's head. So for some families that might actually be a benefit.

There are a couple of restaurants and 2 small grocery stores but the village is very small. I've been there for a week at a time, though, and found it to be fine - enough variety without too many choices.

I just did the drive this weekend from Kamloops and with a completely clear road it was 45 minutes and a very easy route.

Parking at Sun Peaks is a bit of an issue this season since the crowds are at a record level and there isn't always parking for everyone in the main village. You might have to park at a secondary lift instead.

Cat - thanks for that input. Both are serious skiers and I am worried that they would be underwhelmed. They both liked Whistler and the glaciers but have been there twice and don't really want to go back so soon. They also skied Zermatt twice last season and loved it. So, I guess its back to the drawing board to find a challenging place outside of the US (my son's request).

If your sons are serious skiers and don't want to go to Whistler, the best place to go is Kicking Horse at Golden, B.C. It has 4200 ft of vertical, 65% of the runs are advanced and expert (and the intermediate runs are not shabby either), plus no crowds.

I second Kicking Horse - haven't been there yet but am dying to go.

One other idea near Kamloops is Mike Wiegele's heli skiing operation. Although expensive, it is very highly regarded and your family could get some excellent skiing on amazing terrain (www.wiegele.com). If you are set on Kamloops perhaps that would work in conjunction with a few days at Sun Peaks.

Others to look at are Red Mountain in Rossland, BC and also Sunshine Village near Banff. Sunshine is the home of Delirium Dive, which is one of the steepest runs in Canada, and you need an avalanche beacon, a shovel, and a buddy with you to even attempt it.

Best of luck.