 Poster: A snowHead
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Hey all Crystal sent me over a cracking deal to Sun Peaks and me think about switching there for next March but just wanted to know more about the place before deciding as opposed to Banff. Theres a stop in Calgary on the way which is definitely a con but its a ski in/ out resort which is a pro. Any other info?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Yeah, probably every year since 1989 actually.
It's quite a way from Calgary. Vancouver is closer - about a 5 hour drive, or fly into Kamloops (via YYC or YVR) and it's about 30 minutes up Highway 5. I drive through or fly in there at least once a season.
Personally I usually stay in the town, but I would not recommend that unless you've good reason - Kamloops isn't particularly good for tourists.
The resort is compact but pleasant. There are some good cafes there; I've never stayed in the evening. The headwall is sometimes used as a speed ski course - it's a bit short but it's steep. The piste map makes it look like three areas; really it feels like two sides of the valley, with the sun on one or the other. It's not a busy place except for the obvious main lifts to the base. It's not a huge area (by French standards), but there's plenty of variations and the snow/ service levels are generally good. I've never been when it's busy, but most people there will probably be relatively local - I don't think tour companies fly many people there (although perhaps you're telling me that's no longer so). It's the sort of place that if I go there I will bump into people I know from Kamloops. A lot of people drive up there for the day.
The last couple of seasons Sun Peaks has done pretty well (early season, when I've been there). Silver Star (Vernon) is a couple of hours south from Kamloops and that's good too.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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I've been to Sun Peaks twice and love it - if we didn't now have kids we would be heading there next season (too expensive for us with 2 kids too young to ski though).
The Sun Speaks Grand is a great ski in/out hotel at the centre of the small village. Small being important - Sun Peaks has all you need but it doesn't have loads of choice (which also means the pizzeria or the supermarket etc can charge premium prices). But overall we didn't find it too expensive and the cost was easily balanced by good, in crowded pistes.
Apres is generally relaxing rather than partying with mostly casual places to eat and drink.
Never been to Banff so can't compare, but no hesitation in recommending. If you have ski age kids I think it would be a great family friendly place and I'm looking forward to taking mine when they are both old enough to ski all day.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@Gainz, been twice..loved it but it is very quiet in the evening. What are you looking for?
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| philwig wrote: |
| I've never been when it's busy, but most people there will probably be relatively local - I don't think tour companies fly many people there (although perhaps you're telling me that's no longer so). |
Afraid so phil. Crystal are flying into Kamloops via Calgary from next season, 2 for 1 ski pass for 2 weeks staying at the Sun Peaks Grand came in at £1500 which is darn good. But i think it might be a bit too quiet for us overall but maybe one for the family? I like the idea of uncrowded pistes but what the off-pitse like?
'Kamloops isn't particularly good for tourists.' - please elaborate.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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We've been every year for the last six years and will definitely go back again next year, it's a great place. I've checked out the Crystal deal, looks like there are certain restrictions - for when we want to go next year it is a lot more expensive than Frontier Travel (who we have always used, and will again).
The off-piste skiing is fantastic.
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@Gainz, Kamloops is just a town. Nothing there to speak of but a useful airport. Stay in resort unless you are happy to drive 45 mins to the hill every day to get a cheaper room
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Well it's a town with restaurants and bars and Timmy Hortons and good road connections to other places like Revelstoke & Vernon (Silver Star). But it's all rather redundant - if you're going on a package with Crystal you'll be in resort and all people are identifying is that a number of these interior BC resorts are a bit like the Shining - there is really very little going on in them at night (most people will be staying in condos where they self cater) and any activities (to the extent they even exist) can feel a bit forced. That's fine if you know what to expect but if you're expecting a Soelden or a Chamonix or a Whistler you'll be disappointed with evening options
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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It's a BC logging town, so there's really nothing there. Now there are a couple of places with edible food, but nothing better than Earls. They have the odd strip club and sex shop if that's your thing. The downtown hotels... well they're cheap, but the new Signature tries hard but doesn't quite make it, and the 540 is a sort of casino... the Coast is so-so. It's like, what, Croydon or Wallasey or somewhere like that - not a tourist place. There used to be a regular bus up from the town to the hill, although since I was rich enough to drive I've not used it.
Personally I think the interior BC resorts are superior in most ways to the more popular tourist spots, but it depends what you want. Sun Peaks is a sort of big secret. Silver Star and Big White get more Australian traffic. If you're macho you'd go to Revelstoke which is steeper but in a similar snow zone.
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Well Banff is already booked but I haven't really been persuaded to switch resort. I think Sun Peaks is on the list and perhaps do a drive to another resort for the day or 2! Thanks all.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Very quite in the evenings. But you can go tubing and skating all with in a 200m radius of village. There is dog sledding and snow mobiles, not much in the way of busy bars. Bottom's is the busiest the rest are fairly quiet, the bar in the delta can get busy but thats all tourists and the occasional conference. The runs are just as busy, although this year we did have to share runs more often than the previous 12 yrs. If your self catering there is one supermarket (small), one wine/beer shop, one chocolate shop, one pizza shop (good). There are several restaurants Japanese, steak house, italian, and a few others.
This year even more trees are going (pine beetle) so more gladed runs.
The season pass has just gone on sale for next ski season $799+tax last year worked out at 8days of lift tickets going to pay for mine this weekend.
It gets you 25% off lift tickets at most other resorts in bc and 50% tickets at Whistler, according to the resort website.
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