Kamloops, BC Winter Vacation
Ski and Snowboard in British Columbia, Canada at Sun Peaks Resort
Kamloops, BC is a great place to spend those cold winter weeks. Instead of staying indoors and waiting for winter to end, why not get out a pair of skis or hop on a snowboard and head to Kamloops, Canada for a vacation?
The British Columbia city is filled with fun winter activities in the snow and has a variety of hotels and resorts to meet every accommodation need. Direct flights fly in from Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary and Seattle-Tacoma International Airports.
Skiing at Sun Peaks Resort
Boasting the third largest ski resort in Canada, Sun Peaks Resorts has 3,678 acres on three mountains that can be skied on. Its location in the interior of British Columbia makes it a top producer of powder snow that has been consistent for the last 40 years.
Slopes converge in the alpine village base where visitors can eat, shop, go to the spa and choose from the many hotels that service the area. The three mountains are prime places for backcountry cat skiing, snowboarding, dogsledding, sleigh rides, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and many more adventurous activities.
Where to Stay in the Village
Hotels, lodges, bed and breakfasts, town homes and chalets are all options for resting after a hard day on the slopes. The close proximity to the mountains makes a car-free vacation not only easy, but better. The Aspen Retreat, for example, offers guests four bedrooms plus a loft, four bathrooms, a private hot tub, open floor plan and wood finishings in a Western Red Cedar log home. Town homes are equally as comfortable with the added comfort of being “home.”
Hotels and lodges are all deluxe accommodations with suites and full service amenities, while the one bed and breakfast is Japanese-style with both Japanese and Western food options. For those with a tighter budget, the Sun Peaks International Hostel welcomes a homelike atmosphere without any pretension. Prices reflect this. Call central reservations at 1-800-807-3257 to inquire about the 6,000 beds available.
Other Winter Activities
The Kamloops Snowmobile Association helps riders with little experience up to pros. The area is filled with prime land for snowmobiling, letting riders cut through trails, meadows, lakes, roads and cutblocks. A gentler cross country skiing vacation is only 25 minutes from the city. State Lake has 49 km of trails and is the region’s largest groomed classic and skating facility.
Visit on a Sunday from January 14 – February 11, 2008 and join The Greater Kamloops Motorcycle Association’s Ice Racing. Those wanting to participate can head over to sign up at 8:30am for a practice at 10:00am. Spectators can wander over at 11:00am to watch and cheer on the racers.
Vancouver, BC, Edmonton and Calgary, AB to Kamloops
Direct flights from Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary are planned daily to Kamloops on Air Canada, Pacific Coastal Airlines and WestJet. If driving through stunning British Columbia is appealing, Kamloops is easy to find along highways 1, 5 and 97. By train, VIA Rail, the Rocky Mountaineer and Amtrak all provide service in a relaxing setting. Taking the bus is always an option, with Greyhound providing routes all across North America.
