Sun Peaks Resort Prepares for 65th Winter Season

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Sun Peaks Resort Gears Up for its 65th Winter Season with Continued Mountain Investments and New Experiences

Snow management innovations, mountain infrastructure upgrades and new guest experiences set the stage for winter 2026–27.

Sun Peaks, BC, October 26, 2026 – With opening day less than one month away and fresh snow this past weekend, Sun Peaks Resort is preparing to welcome skiers and snowboarders back to the slopes for its 65th operating season of Tod Mountain. Canada's second-largest ski area, now boasting 4,400 acres of terrain, continues to invest in mountain infrastructure, innovative snow management practices and new guest experiences, setting the stage for another exciting winter in Sun Peaks.

Among the most significant developments this season is the expansion of the resort's innovative snow storage program, which has tripled in size following a successful launch in 2025. Using specialized insulated mats from Finnish-based Snow Secure, Sun Peaks has preserved three massive piles of snow on Tod Mountain, each containing approximately 17,000 cubic metres. With an impressive 80 to 85 per cent of the snow retained throughout the warmer months, the stored snow is being used to prepare the Nancy Greene International Race Centre for its early-season training operations, opening to athletes on November 6.

The program is proving to be an important part of the resort's evolving snow management strategy. By utilizing stored snow to establish early-season race lanes, the Mountain Operations team can redirect snowmaking resources to other key areas of the mountain, including the popular 5 Mile run and beginner learning zones, ahead of the public opening on Saturday, November 21.

Complementing the snow storage program, Sun Peaks is now in the third year of a six-year, $5.5 million snowmaking enhancement plan. Ongoing improvements include upgraded infrastructure, expanded weather monitoring and automation capabilities, and the conversion of additional equipment to automated, fixed-mount tower snow guns. These investments are designed to improve snow quality and maximize water and system efficiencies as the resort adapts its operations to changing winter weather patterns.

"Having been part of Sun Peaks since its early development, it's incredibly rewarding to see how far the resort has come over the past 33 years since the creation of Sun Peaks Resort. It also fulfills the promise of the early years of Tod Mountain dating back to the 1960s," said Darcy Alexander, CEO of Sun Peaks Resort. "Our ownership, Nippon Cable, remains committed to the long-term vision laid out in our Master Plan, and that commitment continues to guide our growth today. Whether we're investing in new infrastructure, improving how we manage snow or creating new experiences, we're always looking ahead to what new special memories Sun Peaks can provide for our treasured guests."

Investment in the mountain extends beyond snowmaking. This year, Sun Peaks has expanded its grooming fleet to 12 machines with the addition of two state-of-the-art 2026 PistenBully snowcats, including a dedicated terrain park cat and Nordic cat, representing a $1.35 million investment. A further $1.6 million has been invested in a new electrical substation and backup generator at Sunburst Lodge, providing backup power to the lodge and Alpine Shop for the first time.

Across Sun Peaks' expansive slopes, targeted terrain improvements have also been completed to improve access, connectivity and early-season operations. The unload area at the Elevation chairlift has been expanded to three times its previous size, while new culverts along Crystal Lane will improve drainage and reduce the snow coverage required to open the trail, with this same work taking place across other areas. Additional earthworks include the dirt build of an important terrain park jump on Sundance Mountain as well as modifications to Lower Chute on Tod Mountain to accommodate dedicated ski and snowboard cross training. The resort will host Alpine Canada's World Cup and NextGen Ski Cross teams for training this November.

While the behind-the-scenes investments are substantial, Sun Peaks is also introducing new ways for guests to enjoy the mountain this winter. All four of the resort's newer Kids Adventure Zones are now fully built and will be ready for young skiers and snowboarders to explore, featuring local wildlife characters illustrated by Sun Peaks artist Zuzy Rocka. Each zone offers a unique interactive experience, from a ski-up cabin and seek-and-find activity to a mini snow cross course.

Two existing snowcats have also been reimagined to bring a little more personality to the slopes. Affectionately named "Disco Kitty," one machine has been outfitted with a custom-built DJ stand, bringing live music pop-ups across the mountain. Another has been transformed with an eight-passenger cabin, allowing non-skiing guests to enjoy the journey down 5 Mile following the resort's Alpine Fondue & Evening Ski experience.

Beyond the slopes, the Sun Peaks Grand Hotel & Conference Centre is undergoing a multi-phase renovation of its popular Wellness Centre. Known for its outdoor pool and hot tubs overlooking the main base area, the facility is receiving an updated indoor sauna and welcome area this fall, with improvements to the outdoor space planned for 2027. At Sunburst Lodge, the resort is also expanding its popular Alpine Fondue evenings, offering more opportunities to enjoy a unique alpine dining experience this winter.

Rounding out the season is a calendar of more than 40 planned events, competitions, camps and activities. From festive holiday celebrations and alpine sporting events to music, après programming and spring festivals, the mountain village will offer plenty of reasons to visit beyond skiing and snowboarding.

As Sun Peaks celebrates 65 ski seasons on Tod Mountain, the focus remains firmly on the future, with continued investment in the mountain and experiences that have helped establish the resort as one of Canada's premier ski destinations.

Sun Peaks Resort is scheduled to open for the 2026–27 winter season on November 21, with operations continuing through April 4, 2027. 

For the complete 'What's New for Winter 26-27' website article, click here. 

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For more information, please contact:
Christina Antoniak
Director of Brand & Communications
Sun Peaks Resort & Sun Peaks Grand Hotel
P: 778.694.6565
E: cantoniak@sunpeaksresort.com

About Sun Peaks Resort
Sun Peaks is a resort community in the heart of British Columbia and a year-round tourism destination that attracts guests in search of a welcoming and stress-free mountain experience. In winter, Sun Peaks Resort boasts the second-largest ski area in Canada and is consistently recognized as one of the top ski resorts in North America. In summer, Sun Peaks Resort offers a wide range of activities including an 18-hole golf course, lift-access downhill and cross-country mountain biking, hiking trails and a year-round lineup of events. Sun Peaks Resort is recognized for its environmental policies and practices and was the first resort in North America and the only resort in Canada to earn the ISO 14001 designation for environmental management.