I don’t ski and I don’t snowboard. I wasn’t initiated in my youth and at this advanced age, I feel like the potential of a swift introduction to the ground or a tree is a risk not quite commensurate with the reward. That said, I adore ski resorts—and who wouldn’t? They are magical winter wonderlands.
Furthermore, these days most of them provide a vast array of alternate activities for the less downhill-inclined. There’s plenty of shopping and, like me, if you happen to have an affinity for the après, there’s never a shortage of places to eat, drink and be merry. So, when I had the opportunity to tag along with some skiing friends on a trip to some of British Columbia’s interior resorts, it didn’t require much convincing.
We would meet up and stay the first night of the trip at the Coast Kamloops Hotel & Conference Centre. Some pre-trip intel revealed the fact that there’s an up-and-coming craft beer scene in Kamloops so we decided to pre-après with DiVine Tours. The local husband and wife team gave us the lay of the land as well as the fruit of the can. Pro Tip: Pair a mocha porter with a stuffed Yorkie at the Noble Pig Brewhouse.
The next morning we headed up to what would be our home for the next few days, the Sun Peaks Grand Hotel and Conference Centre. It was as warm and wonderful a place as I can recall having stayed—with remarkable service, views, amenities and then some. They almost had to stage an intervention to get me to leave. But leave I did, at least for a while to go dog sledding.
After a quick waiver sign and a short drive, a non-skiing friend and I arrived at Mountain Man Dog Sled Adventures. This was certainly a highlight of the trip. A light snow began to fall as we weaved betwixt the lodge pole pines, vanishing and emerging repeatedly from the forest before arriving back at our starting location sometime later. Then we got to feed our sled team, give them some snugs and take some photos with perhaps the happiest dogs I have ever seen.
Following some downtime, we met the rest of the group for a little apres-ski at the 5Forty Café & Grill at the Fireside Lodge and then headed out to our evening activity—snowshoeing under the stars. Even skiers like the non-ski stuff.
Snowshoe Sun Peaks took us through the snow-covered forest beneath a sky full of stars, despite the earlier snow. I love it when a plan comes together! We hiked up to a cozy winter camp, enjoyed some hot beverages around a roaring campfire, and then made our way back into the Village for hot cheese and cold bevies at the Sun Peaks Lodge Fondue Stube.
The next morning, I slept in while the other rogues hit the slopes. The Tube Park didn’t open until noon, after all. That’s right, this old man went tubing. I spent about an hour riding the little magic carpet lift to the top of a hill, then imploring young resort staff to send me sailing in all manner of ways down the curved Tube Time lanes.
And do you know what else skiers and non-skiers alike enjoy? Snowmobiling. The whole lot of us took a late afternoon Explorer Snowmobile Tour high above the village and through a haunting forest of snow ghosts. Which of course called for an après-snowmobile at the Cleavage Axe Co. Yes, you too can have drinks (two max) and play axe-throwing games under the tutelage and watchful eyes of trained staff.
The next morning we packed up and headed south for our next destination, Big White. But why not stop for wine tasting and lunch en route? The 50th Parallel Estate, high above Okanagan Lake between Vernon and Kelowna, is a stunner. We were all hard-pressed to rank in order our favorites between the wine, views, architecture and cuisine at the onsite BLOCK ONE restaurant. I’ll cast the final vote—wine wins!
After a wine/lunch-induced nap in the van, we arrived at the Inn at Big White in the heart of the Village Centre. Tucked into the Monashee Mountains, Big White is yet another breathtakingly beautiful backdrop for me not to ski, within the B.C. Interior. Unbound by the siren song of the ski lifts, I saw fit to freshen up and spend some quality time at the Globe Café and Tapas Bar. A spectacularly good decision on my part, I don’t mind telling you. After small-plating and craft cocktailing myself into near slumber, I retired for the evening.
Having filled the tank with breakfast at the Bullwheel, I decided it was time for some daytime snowshoeing. I picked up a pair of rentals and set off, map in hand, for a thoroughly enjoyable walk in the white woods around the resort. Pro Tip: You’re not going to run into very many other snowshoers at a place so renowned for its ski runs. Did I also happen to take advantage of the Big White Tube Park, AND another dog sled tour at the Candle Creek Kennels that afternoon? Yes. Yes, I did.
But what would a trip like this with friends be without a proper “Last Supper?” So that evening we took a Clydesdale Horse Drawn Sleigh up to a cozy cabin in the woods. We hung out briefly around a fire before enjoying a gourmet dinner that, despite everything else I’ve already detailed, was undoubtedly the highlight of the trip. Because, whether you’re skiing or not, it’s places like these, with people like this, that make my world go round. Plus, not once did I hit a tree.