This post was produced in partnership with Travel Mindset and Sun Peaks.
After arriving at the mountain and getting a feel for the surrounding area by hiking around, we decided it was time to dust off our bike riding skills and hit the trails. The weather forecast was perfect for the day ahead, a bit of overcast with sunny periods.
After getting geared up, we hit the lift for our first run. Being as we hadn’t done much mountain biking in recent years, we decided to take our time progressing through some of the runs. Sun Peaks has set up their runs with a helpful progression chart, so you can build on your skills and try more difficult trails as your confidence builds. We started with a longer green run called Level Up, and soon we were cruising through berms, riding across bridges, and launching off jumps.
One of the biggest highlights was riding the Altitude XC trail, which meanders its way through open wildflower meadows, lush forests and alpine lakes. The scenery is nothing short of breathtaking, and we felt like more accomplished riders by completing it.
The next morning we woke up before sunrise and drove about 20 minutes from Sun Peaks to Heffley Lake to stand up paddleboard (SUP) and enjoy a peaceful morning on the water. We paddled around the lake listening to the sound of loons calling and mist rising from the warm water.
There are many opportunities to rent SUP boards around the lake, and you can even take a guided tour. We opted to bring our own boards, so we could experience the sun rising over the mountains and were rewarded with the entire lake to ourselves. If you’ve never had the chance to paddleboard, Heffley Lake is a wonderful place to try it. Boat traffic is minimal and the water is warm and extremely clear, making it possible to see fish swimming below you as you paddle.
After our rewarding paddle, we had a chance to golf on the beautiful Sun Peaks course that is nestled around the base of the mountains and the village area. Along with stunning views of the mountains in the area, the golf course also boasts the highest elevation hole in British Columbia at 1333 meters! Standing on the 16th tee box, the highest on the course, the views stretch all the way to Mount Morrisey and down to the village below. If you have a good shot, you may even be able to drive the green on this incredible Par 4 hole.
Our time up at Sun Peaks was brief, but we packed in a great deal of activities, food, and wonderful memories. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Sun Peaks in the summer to anyone just because there are so many things to do and experience that even the toughest critic in your group will find something they’ll enjoy. I’m grateful for the chance to explore this place in the summer, and I can’t wait until next year to return.