Sun Peaks
1,730 hectares, 138 runs across three mountains near Kamloops. Canada's second-largest resort, Ikon Pass.
Season 2025 - 2026
Opens
22 Nov 2025
Closes
10 Apr 2026
Days open
139
Annual snow
6m
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Sun Peaks' summit reaches 2,152 metres, dropping 897 vertical metres to a base at 1,255 metres across 138 runs spread over roughly 1,730 hectares near Kamloops, British Columbia. Terrain splits 58 per cent intermediate, 24 per cent advanced, 10 per cent beginner and 8 per cent expert, with average annual snowfall of roughly 6.0 metres. The resort carries Ikon and Mountain Collective affiliation. Thirteen lifts, including seven quad chairs, serve the mountain alongside three surface lifts and three t-bars.
Sun Peaks holds the distinction of being Canada's second-largest ski area by terrain, spread across three connected mountains, Tod, Sundance and Morrisey, on Secwepemc territory in the BC interior. Its Japanese ownership, a genuinely unusual arrangement among major North American resorts, has supported decades of steady, well-funded development.
The area originated as Tod Mountain Ski Area, developed by local Kamloops entrepreneurs who installed the Burfield Lodge and Chairlift, opened to the public in 1961. Tokyo-based Nippon Cable Co, owned by Masayoshi Ohkubo, purchased the small ski centre in April 1992, establishing Sun Peaks Resort Corporation and renaming the area Sun Peaks Resort with the intention of building a year-round international destination.
Nippon Cable, Asia's largest ski lift manufacturer, signed a further Master Development Agreement with the Province of British Columbia in 1993 covering development on Secwepemc territory, and has invested more than 75 million Canadian dollars in resort infrastructure since taking ownership. Sun Peaks Resort LLP remains a wholly owned Canadian subsidiary of Nippon Cable. Adult daily tickets run from 119 to 139 Canadian dollars.
897m
Vertical
138
Runs
4,275 acres
Skiable
6m
Annual snow
Ikon / Mountain Collective
Pass
The Terrain
138 runs across 4,275 acres skiable
Sun Peaks spreads 138 runs across 4,275 acres skiable of terrain. It leans intermediate at 58%, with 14 beginner runs to find your feet and 44 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.
Terrain split
138
runs
138 runs across 4 grades
Beginner14 runs · 10%
Intermediate80 runs · 58%
Advanced33 runs · 24%
Expert11 runs · 8%
Time it right
When to visit Sun Peaks
The 2025-26 season at Sun Peaks ran from 22 November 2025 to 10 April 2026, a roughly twenty-week season supported by average annual snowfall of around 6.0 metres. Season dates can shift depending on early and late-season weather in the BC interior.
Midwinter, from December through February, typically brings the most consistent conditions across Sun Peaks' three connected mountains. As an Ikon and Mountain Collective resort, Sun Peaks draws pass-holding visitors alongside destination travellers seeking the resort's award-recognised alpine village.
Sun Peaks' considerable terrain variety, spread evenly toward intermediate skiing, continues to support strong family and destination visitation throughout the season. School holiday periods bring substantial family visitation given the resort's broad terrain mix and dedicated village amenities.
Specific event programming beyond standard operations is not confirmed in available resort information. Since Nippon Cable's 1992 acquisition, Sun Peaks has continued building on more than six decades of history since Tod Mountain's 1961 founding. The resort's considerable scale as Canada's second-largest ski area and Japanese ownership remain central to its distinctive identity.
Season 2025 - 2026
22 Nov 2025
Opens
10 Apr 2026
Closes
139
Days open
6 m
Annual snow
Getting there
Getting to Sun Peaks, and where to stay
Sun Peaks sits near Kamloops, British Columbia, on Secwepemc territory, with a base elevation of 1,255 metres and a summit at 2,152 metres across an 897-metre vertical drop over roughly 1,730 hectares spanning three mountains. This setting places the resort in the BC interior, well away from the coastal Whistler corridor.
The purpose-built village at Sun Peaks offers extensive lodging, dining and shopping directly at the resort's base, while the city of Kamloops provides additional services within a manageable drive.
British Columbia Highway 5 and local roads provide direct access to the resort from Kamloops. Winter driving conditions on these routes can include snow and ice, though the well-travelled roads are regularly maintained given the resort's status as a major interior BC destination.
Kamloops Airport, roughly a 45-minute drive away, offers the most convenient regional air access, while Kelowna International Airport, a longer drive away, provides an alternative gateway with more extensive flight connections.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Sun Peaks, powered by Stay22.
Good to know
Frequently asked
When is Sun Peaks's ski season?
Sun Peaks's 2025 - 2026 season typically runs from November 22 through April 10. That window is roughly 139 calendar days, though daily operations depend on snow cover, weather, and lift maintenance.
Resorts in British Columbia, Canada often announce firm dates closer to winter; check the live snow report before you travel if you are planning around opening weekend or spring closure.
How much skiable terrain does Sun Peaks have?
Sun Peaks lists about 4,275 acres skiable of marked terrain spread across 138 named runs (1,730 hectares alongside 4,275 acres skiable). That footprint is what most riders experience on a lift-served day. Side-country or hike-to terrain may sit outside these published numbers.
Use the trail map to see how the mountain is laid out and where the longest fall-line runs connect back to base.
What is the terrain like at Sun Peaks?
Trail grading at Sun Peaks breaks down roughly as 10% beginner, 58% intermediate, 24% advanced, 8% expert. The mix is balanced enough for mixed-ability groups, so learners can stay on marked green/blue (Green/Blue) terrain while stronger skiers peel off to steeper pitches.
Percentages describe the resort's published piste mix, not vertical metres. A mountain with modest "expert" stats can still feel demanding if the steep terrain is long or exposed. Read the trail map alongside these numbers when planning your route.
How many lifts does Sun Peaks have?
Sun Peaks operates 13 lifts across 3 lift types. The fleet includes 7 quad chairs, 3 t-bars, and 3 surface lifts.
Lift mix affects how quickly you can lap your favourite zones. Gondolas and trams move big crowds to mid-mountain, while shorter chairs and surface lifts often serve learning areas or local pods. Check the live snow report on ski days for real-time open/closed status.
What is the elevation and vertical drop at Sun Peaks?
Base elevation at Sun Peaks is about 1,255 m (4,117 ft), with the summit around 2,152 m (7,060 ft), giving roughly 897 m (2,943 ft) of vertical from base to top.
Higher start heights usually mean colder, drier snow holding longer into spring, but also thinner air and faster weather changes. Pack layers if you are riding from village level to summit lifts in one day.
How much snow does Sun Peaks get each season?
Sun Peaks averages about 600 cm (236 inches) of natural snowfall per season. That is a long-term climate figure. Any single winter can run well above or below it depending on storm track and temperature.
For trip planning, pair this baseline with the live snow report and webcams: fresh cycles show up in overnight totals and summit cameras long before season averages tell you much about today's surface.
Does Sun Peaks accept the Ikon / Mountain Collective?
Sun Peaks is affiliated with the Ikon / Mountain Collective. Pass holders should confirm current season benefits, blackout dates, and reservation rules on the pass issuer's site. Policies change year to year and can differ between international and domestic products.
If you are not on Ikon / Mountain Collective, day tickets and multi-day bundles are still available; see the lift tickets page for published rates and purchase links.
Where can I buy Sun Peaks lift tickets and how much do they cost?
Published single-day adult pricing on SnowStash currently spans CA$79 to CA$139, depending on date band and whether you are buying peak or regular windows. Multi-day products (multi-day passes) usually lower the per-day cost if you are staying several days. Tickets can be bought online through the resort's official checkout (linked from our lift tickets page) or at on-mountain ticket windows, subject to availability.
Buying ahead of peak holidays and weekends generally saves money and guarantees access on sold-out days. Before you commit, scan the snow report and webcams so you are paying for conditions that match your expectations.
How can I check snow and mountain conditions at Sun Peaks before I go?
SnowStash pulls together 5 live mountain webcams, a downloadable piste map, and the daily snow report for Sun Peaks so you can plan from home. Webcams refresh on a short interval and are the fastest way to judge visibility, wind exposure, and whether storm snow is still falling.
The snow report adds structured totals, base depth where available, and lift/trail status when the resort publishes it. Use both together: cameras show what it looks like right now, and the report summarises numbers your group can compare day to day.
Does Sun Peaks have a trail map?
Yes. The downloadable PDF/image map is better for offline planning, marking meeting points, and understanding the full mountain layout at a glance.
Both versions are on the trail map page for Sun Peaks. If you are navigating with kids or meeting friends across separate lifts, screenshot or print the static map and keep the live map open on your phone for operational updates.
Where is Sun Peaks located?
Sun Peaks sits in British Columbia, Canada. That regional context matters for travel planning: airport transfers, snow tyres, and typical storm patterns all follow geography as much as resort marketing.
Browse nearby accommodation from the resort page if you are comparing village-base vs valley-base stays; where you sleep changes your first lift of the day more than most trail stats do.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
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