Sun Peaks Ski Resort, Canada

Sun Peaks Ski Resort Terrain

This resort has the second-largest terrain in Canada behind Whistler Blackcomb. It features 4,270 acres of skiable terrain, with 138 runs spread throughout the massive slopes. The skiable area is spread over three mountains, each offering a unique brand of terrain and riding. These are:

• Mt Morrisey – This area has steeps and thigh-burning cruisers
• Sunny Sundance Mountain – Which has more mellow groomed runs for beginners and intermediates.
• Mt Tod – This area has more challenging and gladed slopes in open bowls, with long groomers

Sun Peak’s terrain mainly favors intermediates with plenty of long groomed runs and fall lines. It also has a great mix of beginner and advanced terrain spread throughout the resort.

The Sun Peaks Resort's 135 kilometers of ski slopes are classified as follows:

• 10% (13.5 kilometers) of beginner slopes
• 58% (78 kilometers) of intermediate runs
• 32% (43.5 kilometers) of advanced/expert terrain

Beginner riding at Sun Peaks Ski Resort

Even though only 10% of the slopes are beginner rated, there are more than enough trails to keep novices entertained. There are also plenty of opportunities for beginners to progress to steeper green runs and blue slopes.

The beginner area is close to the village where riders can duck into the day lodge that is built right next to the slopes. It is also easy for parents to keep an eye out for the young ones having fun in the designated children's area near the base.

Intermediate Riding at Sun Peaks Ski Resort

The resort’s terrain is an absolute heaven for intermediates, with the vast majority of the slopes being marked blue. Easy intermediate runs are located near the Sundance Express. Intermediates looking for a more thrilling experience can head over to the Mt Morrisey area with great features such as tree riding. Steeper runs can be found over at Mt Tod which are feature-packed and have a perfect fall line. So whether you’re looking to cruise or schuss down at breakneck speeds, there’s something for everyone at Sun Peaks Ski Resort.

Advanced Riding at Sun Peaks Mountain Resort

The resort has varied terrain for advanced riders. There’s everything from steep groomers, gladed skiing, thick tree skiing, mogul runs, and alpine and sub-alpine skiing. There are both single and double black terrain features accessed via the Sunburst, Burfield, and Crystal chairs.

Expert And Side Country Terrain at Sun Peaks Ski Resort

There are plenty of features on expert slopes to challenge seasoned pros. For instance, the slopes off the Burfield chair have great tree skiing opportunities and steep runs. To the right of the Burfield boundary, are plenty of thick trees that provide for extremely challenging riding. This side country terrain can only be accessed with the appropriate safety gear. 

Lifts at Sun Peaks Ski Resort

Sun Peaks Ski Resort’s massive ski area is served by 13 lifts which provide speedy access to the slopes. These include 7 chairlifts, 3 T-bars, and 3 surface lifts. The lifts’ details include:

• Sunburst Express – This is a detachable high-speed quad that has a carrying capacity of 1,500 persons per hour. It travels a distance of 2,000 meters and climbs a 595-meter vertical in 7.5 minutes. It has a Perspex hood bubble for protection from harsh weather days
• Morrisey Express – This is also a detachable high-speed quad that takes 7.5 minutes to ascend a 398-meter vertical and travel a distance of 1,790 meters. It has a carrying capacity of 2,800 riders and their equipment per hour.
• Sundance Express – This is a detachable high-speed quad that ascends a 475-meter vertical in 7.5 minutes. It can carry up to 2,800 riders and their equipment over a distance of 2,042 meters every hour.
• Crystal – This fixed-grip quad chairlift can carry up to 2,400 persons over a distance of 980 meters every hour. It travels that distance and ascends a 314-meter vertical in 7.5 minutes.
• Orient – This is a fixed grip quad that climbs a 250-meter vertical and travels a distance of 1,084 meters in 8.5 minutes. It can ferry up to 1,028 riders and their equipment every hour.
• Elevation – This is a fixed-grip quad that travels a distance of 1,117 meters and climbs an elevation of 313 meters in 8 minutes. The lift has a carrying capacity of 2,400 riders and their equipment every hour.
• Burfield – This fixed-grip quad takes 21 minutes to ascend an 882-meter vertical and travel a distance of 2,898 meters. It can ferry up to 470 riders with their equipment every hour.
• West Bowl – This is the only T-bar lift at the resort that rises a 166-meter vertical and travels a length of 510 meters.
• The Village and Morrisey platters are J-bars that have lengths of 356 and 420 meters and climb 54- and 95-meter verticals respectively.

How To Get A Ski Pass To Sun Peaks Ski Resort

You can access the Sun Peaks Ski Resort’s slopes using easily accessible and fairly inexpensive passes. The passes can be bought either at the resort or purchased online. Purchasing your passes online has the following benefits:

• You can take advantage of early bird offers and discounts
• You can avoid long lift lines by buying your tickets online which saves you the hustle of waiting in long lift lines as you can just pick up your physical pass in designated locations.

Keep in mind, though, that even after purchasing your passes online, you will still need to get your physical pass at the resort that you can use to scan at the lifts. Ensure to keep your pass on your person at all times.

The pass prices vary in the following ways:

• Buying your passes before the season starts may save you money as you may benefit from pre-season sales.
• Pass prices may be more expensive during the holidays and weekends
• Weekday riding is cheaper than weekend and public holiday riding

You may access the following types of tickets from the resort:

• Alpine Day Tickets – These allow you to access the slopes from the time the resort opens to the time it closes. Multi-day alpine day tickets are consecutive.
• Alpine Half Day Tickets – These allow you to ski or snowboard from 11:45 Am to close. However, note that these tickets may be limited each day so plan your visit in advance.
• Learning Zone Day Tickets – These can be bought online in advance and allow beginners to access the Learning Zone Carpet, Village Carpet, and Village Platter. These tickets are also often in limited supply each day.
• Nordic Day Tickets – These give access to the Nordic Network and grant two rides on the Morrisey Express Chairlift.

In addition, if you plan to ski or snowboard at the resort for more than 10 days or plan to visit the resort multiple times during the season, you can purchase the season pass. The season passes offer the best value for money, considering an entire season can last for 120 days.

 You can buy the following types of season tickets:

• The Alpine Season Pass – Can be bought online and grant access to the vast snow-covered acres all season long
• The Alpine Family Season Pass – Available for a family of more than 4 persons with generous discounts applying to 5 oldest family members, not including kids. Tickets for subsequent family members cost $100 each.
• Nordic Season Pass – This pass grants you access to over 30 kilometers of immaculately groomed pistes. If you purchase the Alpine season pass, the Nordic Season Pass is included.

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Sun Peaks Ski Resort Snowcam  

Curious to know what the snow is like today at Sun Peaks Ski Resort?

The following is a live Snow Cam feed of the slopes at the Sun Peaks Ski Resort. We’ve curated the best views to show you the current snow conditions from around the resort.