Our first time to Sun Peaks was in the dead of winter, where we spent our first night watching the fireworks over the slopes as we rang in the New Year. Our daughter was one and a half years old and this was her first real experience with snow, and winter really. The photos of her in a tiny sled, bundled up with rosy cheeks is one of my favorite memories ever, and one that pops up often, reminding me how much we truly loved our trip to the Great White North.

Everything delighted and surprised her. As my husband hit first tracks, we snowshoed the backcountry. When we both wanted to get in on the fun, we dropped her off at the kid’s center to explore Nordic skiing and dog sledding. The evenings were filled with horse drawn sleigh rides, moon lit snowshoe hikes involving smore’s and tubing. The entire trip was one for the memory books and now we’re planning a return trip- only this time we want to explore during the summer.

Sun Peaks, located about 45-minutes north of Kamloops, is an easy flight from Vancouver or any western US city, including Los Angeles and Seattle. And while the slopes and mountain are just as beautiful (and a whole lot less crowded) than it’s British Columbia neighbor Whistler, Sun Peaks breathes a sense of wonder that the massive resort and crowds from Vancouver will never allow Whistler to own. The drive from Kamloops to Sun Peaks is awe-inspiring and welcomes visitors into the mountain in a way that only a more remote location can offer (without being that remote!).

We are adventure seekers and love to fill our travel days with multiple activities, which is why Sun Peaks is perfect for family travelers like us. From mountain biking and hiking to see wild flowers to paddle boarding and canoeing, you can really do it all without feeling stressed – just how a summer vacation should feel.

Here’s our ideal itinerary:

Where to stay:

If you want to stay right in the Village, with easy access to restaurants and activities, stay at Sun Peaks Grand Hotel. In the same area, you could stay at Hearthstone Lodge Hotel if you want a suite with a kitchen. There are also dozens of condos for rent if you are bringing the whole extended family (you know how we love those multi-generational trips with the grandparents!).

What to do:

– Mountain Bike: With over 2,500 vertical downhill paths, this has Bob’s name written all over it. Don’t worry if you’ve never done it before, Sun Peaks offers camps, lessons and tours depending on your fitness and comfort level. And there’s no reason to bring your bike with you- it’s easy to rent all the gear you need once you’re at the mountain.

– Canoeing: With Kid Augustine tightly strapped in a life jacket, canoeing would be high on my list. She loves being on the water and I love seeing the alpine lakes in the summer. Plus, when you work up a sweat you can just jump in! McGillivary Lake is a short drive away (or you could bike the 6KM) and you can rent the canoes for half a day or the full day. Bring a picnic to enjoy out by the lake for a mid-day snack.

– Horseback Riding Trails: This has Kid Augustine’s name all over it. She is obsessed with horses and after our mother daughter ride in the Smoky Mountains, she can’t wait to go on a longer ride again. The backcountry trails and wildflowers would make for some gorgeous photos too.

– Stand Up Paddle Boarding: These tours and lessons are perfect for families and the boards are big enough that kids can just catch a ride with their parents. I love paddle boarding and would love a chance to experience a different lake within the area- Heffley Lake.

– Wine Tours: This sounds like a day trip where we leave Kid Augustine at the Sundance Kids Center and we head off for an adults only wine adventure. Wine tasting has become one of our favorite ways to explore a new area and get to know locals and the history.

– Visit during one of the many awesome events: From Mountain Spirit Festival to Canada Day Weekend and Lobster Fest, there seems to be an event and festival going on almost every day at Sun Peaks. Alpine Blossom Festival seems to hit all the notes though: music, hiking, wild flowers, food and kid-friendly activities in the village. Mark your calendars now!

Doesn’t this seem like a dream summer trip? Writing out all the activities, I’m now thinking the grandparents have to come along for the ride- I wouldn’t want my dad to miss out on the incredible golf course or my mom miss the stunning wildflower hikes.

This post was sponsored by Sun Peaks.