March 6, 2009

Sun Peaks can be a hard habit to break

Photo by Phil Brown [enlarge]

Sun Peaks Lodge co-owners Silvia and Mario Erler welcome guests from around the world to their hotel in the heart of the village.

Sometimes, without realizing it, a cherished experience becomes a family tradition. That's how Sun Peaks has been for our family.

We've been visiting the mountain resort outside of Kamloops, British Columbia, for eight years now, ever since our son, Sean, was four and our daughter, Miko, was eight. The kids learned to ski there and they've progressed from snowplowing on the easiest runs to enjoying the toughest runs on the hill.

Years ago, my wife, Lucy, and I decided that it was time for the kids to start skiing. A neighbor had mentioned a sunny little place in the B.C. interior, so we gave it a try.

Once we arrived, we were all enchanted by the village. With snow everywhere, crystal clear skies, attractive buildings and trails through the woods, we were instantly smitten. And best of all, once the car is parked, there is no need to use it again until departure time.

I took the kids over to the rental center the night before their first ski lesson. They didn't seem overly excited about trying on the gear, so I was a little let down as we walked back to the hotel. As a typical ski parent, I was carrying two sets of skis, some poles and four boots, and feeling like a pack mule. But on the way back, my mood suddenly brightened. Miko asked if she could try out her skis, and then Sean wanted to as well.

The lifts were closed and no instructors were around, so I was a little worried. I had no idea how to teach someone to ski. But we had the equipment, we were on the snow, so why not? We got the skis on, the kids walked around and slid down a tiny slope. From then on, they've been hooked.

Photo by Melanie Simmons [enlarge]

Thanks to the First Trax program offered every Wednesday, Miko, Sean and I were the first group at the top of the mountain.

The next morning they had private lessons and before long the whole family was skiing together down a long gentle run. Lucy and I watched proudly as the kids slowly progressed.

Fast forward to this year's mid-winter-break trip. We still love Sun Peaks but much has changed. The resort has grown, with new lifts and a new mountain: Mount Morrisey. The skiing has also changed. I no longer follow behind watching the kids. It's more like lagging behind. It is with a strange mix of pride and consternation that a father watches his kids pass him up... but at least I don't have to help put on their boots and carry their stuff anymore.

One thing has remained the same: our affinity for Sun Peaks. It's a six-hour drive from Seattle, and less crowded than our local areas and Whistler, British Columbia. It is also much sunnier and has dry, powder snow. There is great tree skiing, affordable hotels, and other things to do besides skiing and snowboarding. Our family has gone snowshoeing, dogsledding, taken a sleigh ride, and had some fun at the tube park.

Dogsledding is particularly memorable. I keep a photo in my office of me mushing a dog team and many visitors say they would like to try it. They should. There is nothing quite like being pulled around by a dozen powerful dogs. And don't worry, they love nothing more than to run and pull.

As for where to stay, there are many options. We've stayed in condos, the slopeside Delta Hotel and, most recently, Sun Peaks Lodge. The lodge was the original hotel in town and has been recently renovated by its new owners, Silvia and Mario Erler.

The German couple purchased the hotel about four years ago and operate it much like a large bed and breakfast. They also own and operate the hotel restaurant and try to create an intimate atmosphere. As Mario puts it, “We want to know our guests.”

It's working. Mario reports that repeat business is up, as is referral business. Guests from Seattle and Vancouver, B.C., make up the bulk of visitors. And since the hotel's co-owner runs a travel agency in Germany, there are also many guests from Europe. In fact, banter at the lodge can sound like a European Union meeting. Many European guests visit Whistler, Sun Peaks and a resort in Banff on the same trip, Mario said.

We may not get as much vacation time as Europeans, but we can get to the same resort a lot easier.

If you're looking to start a family tradition or just have some fun, Sun Peaks may be the place for you.

Reservations and information can be obtained at sunpeaksresort.com. Bookings may also be made at sunpeakslodge.com.

Phil Brown is publisher of the Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce.