Mountain Life
  • Daily Content
    • Trips & Expeditions
    • Climbing
    • Mountain Biking
    • Mountain Lifer
    • Multiplicity
    • On The Trail
    • Paddling
    • Photography
    • Skiing
    • Snowboarding
    • Stay & Play
    • Surfing
    • The Great Outdoors
    • The ML Interview
    • Travel
  • GEAR
  • VIDEOS
  • STORE
  • Magazines
    • ML Coast Mountains
    • ML Rocky Mountains
    • Vie En Montagne
    • ML Blue Mountains
    • ML Annual
    • ML Subscriptions
  • ABOUT
    • What is ML?
    • Our Team
    • Newsletter
    • Adventure Grant
    • Distribution
  • Podcast
  • Contests
  • CONTACT
    • ML Agency
    • Advertising
    • Contribute
Subscription Form

Get notified of the best News

Social Links
Instagram 22K Followers
Facebook 25K Likes
Twitter 5K Followers
Pinterest 1K Followers
Vimeo 34 Followers
LinkedIn 0
22K Followers
25K Likes
5K Followers
1K Followers
Mountain Life
Mountain Life
  • Daily Content
    • Trips & Expeditions
    • Climbing
    • Mountain Biking
    • Mountain Lifer
    • Multiplicity
    • On The Trail
    • Paddling
    • Photography
    • Skiing
    • Snowboarding
    • Stay & Play
    • Surfing
    • The Great Outdoors
    • The ML Interview
    • Travel
  • GEAR
  • VIDEOS
  • STORE
  • Magazines
    • ML Coast Mountains
    • ML Rocky Mountains
    • Vie En Montagne
    • ML Blue Mountains
    • ML Annual
    • ML Subscriptions
  • ABOUT
    • What is ML?
    • Our Team
    • Newsletter
    • Adventure Grant
    • Distribution
  • Podcast
  • Contests
  • CONTACT
    • ML Agency
    • Advertising
    • Contribute
  • Leslie Anthony
  • Skiing
  • Snowboarding
  • Stay & Play
  • The Great Outdoors

Spring at Sun Peaks

  • March 8, 2022
  • Sarah Bulford
Total
1
Shares
1
0
0
0
0
0
Total
1
Shares
Share 1
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
Share 0
Share 0

by Leslie Anthony

It’s not hard to figure out how longer days, warmer temperatures and a place whose name already singles it out for great weather might add up to the kind of ski experience you’ve spent those January -30˚C chairlift rides dreaming about. But that’s not the only reason Sun Peaks is a spring ski experience like few others.

DJI 0267 1
Photo: Kelly Funk Photography

The milieu of spring-skiing entails not only making hay of soft, perfectly groomed runs that were already long and luxurious in the depths of winter, but of also having more time to do so and indulge oneself after skiing—be it with a range of other activities, après on an outdoor patio, catching an event, or just soaking up rays on your hotel balcony with a cold one in hand.

So, let’s start with snow, and the fact that come March, the 4,270 acres of skiing spread across three peaks at Canada’s second-largest ski area are just rounding into form. Already known for fewer skiers and shorter lift lines than comparably sized resorts, even thinner crowds in spring make Sun Peaks a spacious delight. And a comfortable one. With temperatures historically averaging -3.9˚C in March and -1.1˚C in April, you get a break from the winter deep-freeze that still keeps the snow in shape. With warmer temps, of course, comes plenty of sunshine, so expect a heaping slice of the resort’s 2,000 hrs/year solar pie, with the blue skies also contributing to consistently stunning alpine views. Drop a few layers from your typical routine, break out the sunscreen, and get ready to explain your goggle tan. Bonus: in spring, the closing bell on Morrisey, Orient and Sundance chairlifts has been extended to 4:00 p.m., so you can make the most of that warm afternoon light.

210106sp drone sunrise0186
Photo: Reuben Krabbe

Although many skiers and snowboarders see winter powder days as a n’est plus ultra, most admit to ranking spring conditions second—some even elevating it to their top choice. That’s because something magical happens to the snowpack at this time of year—the phenomenon of “corn snow.” To form this glorious surface of sifting beads, the melting of warm, sunny days must be interspersed with the freezing of cold, clear nights. When this vernal weather loop sets in many are hooked for life. But just so you don’t completely lose the powder plot, March still sees plenty of storms and surprise late-season pow days.

210106sunpeaks drone ski8227
Photo: Reuben Krabbe

Spring is also prime Terrain Park time. With dialed features and forgiving landings, laps in the 10-acre, 45-feature park served by the Sundance Express chairlift are de rigeur, especially given three distinct zones that cater to beginner, intermediate and expert comfort levels. 

Oh, and did we mention impeccable grooming? It’s kind of hard not to…

210104sunpeaks drone ski7888
Photo: Reuben Krabbe

Though visitors are often surprised at the range of activities available at ski resorts come spring, they really shouldn’t be. After all, the snow still stands at winter depths so dog-sledding, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing haven’t yet been shoved away in a closet along with Arctic-rated down puffies. It’s the perfect time to take advantage of Sun Peaks’ 34 kilometres of track-set trails accessible right from the village. Or for experienced Nordic skiers to try out something unique to this destination—riding the Morrisey Express chairlift to access endless backcountry terrain and scenic mountain views off the Holy Cow Trail. 

When it comes to après, the Austrian Alps might have a stranglehold on the global prize for oompah madness, but Sun Peaks surprises with the abundance of patio real estate given over to the pursuit of more civilized gemütlichkeit. Prime ski-in ski-out patios include The Sunburst Bar & Eatery, Masa’s Bar & Grill, Bottoms Bar & Grill, and Morrisey’s Public House.

COURT20220226 604 1
Photo: Rory Court

We may be living in different times when it comes to gatherings, but that doesn’t mean an end to springtime events at Sun Peaks, whose mix of music, art, fun and long-running local favourites are primed to help chase away the blue-toe blues of winter. Nordic skiers can join in a Virtual Loppet where you ski a course then check your times against others online; there are art exhibitions, a film festival, races, Family Activity nights, the 17th Annual Hub International Nancy Greene Festival and the Canadian Adaptive Snowsports Alliance (CADS) annual Ski and Snowboard Festival.

As for that vignette of your feet up on a balcony surveying the mountain realm you’ve just enjoyed, maybe you haven’t thought about staying over during the shorter, busier, pricier days of the season, but with spring comes a raft of deals on everything from accommodation to retail, popping up through the snow like crocuses. So stay a few days, make a few scintillating runs, catch a few rays and then sit back and watch the fiery alpenglow of another outrageous sunset swim in the snow.

200127sunpeaks morrisey2191 DNG 2785
Photo: Reuben Krabbe

Total
1
Shares
Share 1
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
Share 0
Share 0
Related Topics
  • resort
  • Skiing
  • Snowboarding
  • sunpeaks
Sarah Bulford

Previous Article
THE_ZONE_bouldering-CROP
  • Mountain Lifer

The Zone: A Love Song to the Power of Nature

  • March 7, 2022
  • Mountain Life Media
View Post
Next Article
  • Skiing
  • Snowboarding
  • Stay & Play

The Soul of Skiing Defined: Ski Big 3

  • March 9, 2022
  • Sarah Bulford
View Post
You May Also Like
Mountain-Life-Coast-Mountains-Winter-2023
View Post
  • Photography
  • Skiing
  • Snowboarding
  • Surfing
  • Trips & Expeditions

ML Coast Mountains Winter-Spring ’23 Issue Out Now

  • Mountain Life Media
  • February 3, 2023
CHOK-Images-RAB-Avril-2022
View Post
  • Skiing
  • Travel
  • Trips & Expeditions

Chic-Chocs: True Eastern Alpine

  • Editor
  • February 2, 2023
L'Hymne-des-Trembles-Laurentians-Quebec
View Post
  • Skiing
  • Snowboarding
  • Stay & Play

L’Hymne des Trembles: Uncompromising Laurentian Skiing

  • Editor
  • January 27, 2023
Wachs_Fairly-Mellow
View Post
  • Skiing
  • Videos

Friday Flick: “Fairly Mellow” at Fairy Meadow Hut

  • Ned Morgan
  • January 20, 2023
Season-Pass-Skis-and-Splitboard-both
View Post
  • Skiing
  • Snowboarding
  • THE GEAR SHED
  • WINTER GEAR

Gear Shed: New Season Pass Skis + Splitboard Exclusive to evo

  • Mountain Life Media
  • January 15, 2023
Vincent-Colliart-Caroline-Cote-antarctica-sunset
View Post
  • Skiing
  • Trips & Expeditions
  • Women

Canadian Explorer Caroline Côté Reaches South Pole in Record 34 Days

  • Mountain Life Media
  • January 13, 2023
Marie-France-Roy-at-Icefall-Range
View Post
  • Rockies
  • Skiing
  • Trips & Expeditions

The Wild West

  • Mountain Life Media
  • January 10, 2023
Mountain-Life-Blue-Mountains-stack-winter-2023
View Post
  • On The Trail
  • Ontario
  • Skiing
  • Snowboarding
  • Trips & Expeditions

ML Blue Mountains Winter-Spring ’23 Issue Out Now

  • Ned Morgan
  • January 6, 2023
Featured Posts
  • Mountain-Life-Coast-Mountains-Winter-2023 1
    ML Coast Mountains Winter-Spring ’23 Issue Out Now
    • February 3, 2023
  • Saint-Lawrence-ice-canoe-Jean-Anderson 2
    Jean Anderson: 40 Years of Ice Canoeing
    • January 31, 2023
  • CHOK-Images-RAB-Avril-2022 3
    Chic-Chocs: True Eastern Alpine
    • February 2, 2023
  • Life-Time-Grand-Prix-gravel-bike 4
    New Docuseries Profiles the World’s Elite Off-Road Cyclists
    • January 30, 2023
  • Fjallraven-Nuuk-Parka-daniel-blom-photo_jacket 5
    Gear Shed: Multisport Winter Roundup
    • January 26, 2023
RECENT POSTS
  • L'Hymne-des-Trembles-Laurentians-Quebec
    L’Hymne des Trembles: Uncompromising Laurentian Skiing
    • January 27, 2023
  • Brian-Hockenstein-surfing-Iceland-water-and-ice-ML
    In the Land of Water & Ice
    • January 24, 2023
  • Marie-Pier-Desharnais-A-Womans-Experience-on-K2-flag-crop
    Marie-Pier Desharnais: A Woman’s Experience on K2
    • January 23, 2023
Social Links
Instagram 22K Followers
Facebook 25K Likes
Twitter 5K Followers
Pinterest 1K Followers
Vimeo 34 Followers
LinkedIn 0
INSTAGRAM
mountainlifemedia
22K Followers
There are some first times that we will always remember. Like the time I skied off-piste through the alpine highlands of le parc national de la Gaspésie.
@shimizuimg getting those January goods ❄️ #mountainlifer
With four decades of ice canoeing under his belt, Jean Anderson has dominated a sport that's unique to Quebec and that he helped shape.
Featuring three gravel and three MTB events, the series explores the intense competition and love of the sport among 60 of the world’s premier cyclists.
Winter commute with #mountainlifer @michelle_pittam ❄️🚵‍♀️🌲
@lhymnedestrembles.ca is no mirage. Set in the lush Laurentian forest, yet easily accessible (less than an hour and a half from Montreal), this luxurious ski-in ski-out residential resort by @groupebrivia is nestled at the foot of the Versant Soleil side of Mont Tremblant. The Tremblant region is a perennial destination for outdoor enthusiasts from around the world, and within the province, attracting 3.5 million visitors annually.
ML staff and gear partners highlight the latest jackets, boards, crampons, hoodies, insoles and bindings in alpha order. #Linkinbio to learn more!
Adventures like this one require an inspiring team. @timemmett is a longtime friend, adventure partner and extraordinary human; an explorer, pro climber, surfer, freediver—you name it. @luca.freediver is an incredibly talented freediver, fresh off breaking the Canadian national freediving record (85 metres). The fourth man on the team, @brianhockenstein, is a filmmaker and multi-talented snowboarder always ready to jump into the fray and capture the magic. - words Jimmy Martinello. #Linkinbio to learn more!
We came in search of the connection of the human spirit to both art and adventure, whether climbing from the depths of moulins and ice caves, breaking through ice while paddleboarding fjords, climbing icebergs, freediving between tectonic plates or surfing cold waves.
A thousand and one things could have gone wrong, but she made it to the top:  @mariepier.desharnais is the first Quebecois woman to climb K2.
Follow

Subscribe

Subscribe now to our newsletter

There are some first times that we will always remember. Like the time I skied off-piste through the alpine highlands of le parc national de la Gaspésie.
@shimizuimg getting those January goods ❄️ #mountainlifer
With four decades of ice canoeing under his belt, Jean Anderson has dominated a sport that's unique to Quebec and that he helped shape.
Featuring three gravel and three MTB events, the series explores the intense competition and love of the sport among 60 of the world’s premier cyclists.
Winter commute with #mountainlifer @michelle_pittam ❄️🚵‍♀️🌲
@lhymnedestrembles.ca is no mirage. Set in the lush Laurentian forest, yet easily accessible (less than an hour and a half from Montreal), this luxurious ski-in ski-out residential resort by @groupebrivia is nestled at the foot of the Versant Soleil side of Mont Tremblant. The Tremblant region is a perennial destination for outdoor enthusiasts from around the world, and within the province, attracting 3.5 million visitors annually.
Mountain Life
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Advertising

Input your search keywords and press Enter.