Love 80's rock and free outdoor concerts?

Then head to Sun Peaks Resort for three days of tribute band entertainment, August 13 - 15!

Friday, August 13

• 6:00pm: ZZ Top Tribute Band, Fandango ZZ

Saturday, August 14

• 2:00pm: Tragically Hip Tribute Band, Hipponymous
• 4:30pm: Bon Jovi Tribute Band, Blaze of Glory
• 7:00pm: ACDC Tribute Band, BCDC

Sunday, August 15

• 10:30am: Check out Guys and Dolls, a band covering many artists. Members rotate dressing up as the artists they are covering.

Cheap accommodation, paired with free entertainment makes for an affordable weekend! Try a Sun Peaks accommodation search now. You'll find two bedroom condos starting at only $125/nt. Book today, arrive tomorrow!

I grew up in Vancouver and enjoy living in the city so much that I wouldn't plan on moving so a smaller town. There are just so many things to do in a city this size that you can't get bored. Also, Vancouver's not too big that you get lost in the collective monotony of everyday life; here, we remember to stop and smell the flowers.

However, sometimes simply stopping for the moment is not enough. Sometimes we need to get away from the city completely to regroup, reconnect, and relax. For me, this means getting out into British Columbia's backyard and enjoying nature at it's finest.

One of the best things anyone can do to relax and refresh their mind is go hiking. I know that some people don't think they would like hiking and it's "not their thing" but most of these skeptics have the idea in their mind that hiking means climbing up mountains with sweat poring out of you, bears everywhere, and mosquitos up the whazoo; but hiking doesn't have to be like that!

I am someone who does enjoy trekking up mountains in remote areas of BC, sometimes hiking solo, and sometimes with friends, and I have never encountered a bear on a trail. Sure they are around but they are not everywhere! If you enter a trail with friends just keep up the chatter and the wild animals will want to avoid you as much as you want to avoid them.

Okay I will admit, I have had some pretty horrific mosquito moments while hiking. Once I camped next to a tarn in an alpine meadow and around dusk we were attacked by an endless onslaught of hungry skeets. After a half hour mosquito massacre, and haunted by the collective drone of thousands of buzzing bugs, we gave up and retreated to out tent to hide for the night. But that was our own fault, we camped next to a lake of shallow stagnant water in the middle of a remote alpine meadow in the heart of summer, that's just asking for mosquito trouble! So, if you'r smart and stay away from mosquito hotspots you should be fine.

Finally, the most popular and daunting reason many city folk think that hiking isn't for them: the physical effort and exhaustion from hiking up the side of a mountain! Well don't worry because it doesn't have to be like that! If you live near any ski mountain the chances are they are running the lifts in the summer for hikers. This means that anyone can casually hike along a beautiful alpine meadow, filled with wildflowers, and look out over grand vistas of lakes, rivers, valleys, mountains, and even cities, without the exhaustion of trekking up a steep ominous forest trail filled with scary bears and pesky mosquitos.

Whistler's brand new 'Peak 2 Peak' Gondola is open for the summer giving you the opportunity to do some relaxing alpine hiking on two different peaks in the same day without breaking a sweat. Check out whistlerblackcomb.com for more information.

Sun Peaks is opening their popular 'Sunburst Express' chairlift June 26th to offer casual day hikers the opportunity to explore their gorgeous mountain as well. Check out sunpeaksresort.com for more information.

-Trevor

Show your national pride and have a mountain of fun doing it! BC's top resorts have some fun and fabulous events planned to help you celebrate our nation's 143rd birthday. Even if you aren't Canadian, this is great time to plan a visit and party with us fun and friendly folks :)

Whistler Blackcomb Canada Day Events

• Community Pancake Breakfast: 9 - 11am, Upper Village
  Pay by donation with all proceeds going to the Whistler food bank.
• Canada Day Parade: starting at noon from the Whistler Public Library and heading via the Village Stroll to Mountain Square
  See street entertainers, Olympians and a huge marching band!
• Apres Parade Party: 2pm, Village Square
  Featuring an Olympian/Paralympian recognition ceremony, cake cutting and free concert by Spirit of the West.
• Party at Rebagliati Park: 7pm
  Feel the beats of Whistler's best acoustic artists, watch an outdoor movie and cap off the night with a fireworks display!

And the party rocks on through July 2 & 3 with free outdoor concerts in the Village Square from 3 - 5pm!

Learn about other fun Whistler events happening this summer.

Find Whistler accommodation for the Canada day weekend. One bedroom condos starting at $85/night!

Sun Peaks Canada Day Events

Sun Peaks Resort will celebrate Canada Day over the weekend this year, July 3 & 4.

• Jo's Road Race: July 3, registration at 8am
  A fun run through beautiful Sun Peaks Resort raising money for the Heart & Stroke Foundation. Collect pledges and choose between a 5km, 10km or Kids 1km course. Join the after party at Masa's Bar + Grill and enjoy a BBQ lunch for only $10.
• Climbing Wall, Obstacle Course & Bouncy Castle: July 3 & 4, starting at 10am
  What kids won't love these activities? Enough said.
• Clown Performances: July 3 & 4, throughout the day
  Watch and laugh along with Tickles and Yowza the Clowns as they rove around the village.
• 5 Star Dog Agility Demo: July 3, 1:30 - 2:30pm
  Take a break from your active adventures and watch these amazing K-9s put on a show!
• Mountain of Beer & Chili Cookoff Competition: July 3, 2 - 4pm
  The kids have bounced around the obstacle course and watched the clown show, now it's time for Mom and Dad to enjoy this yummy event!
• Free Live Music: July 3, 4 - 7pm & July 4, 11:30 - 2:30pm
  Groove to the tunes of Jon Kelly.
• Drum Cafe: July 4, 10 - 4:30pm
  Interactive drumming lessons.

Plus, enjoy Canada Day cake, temporary tatoos, stickers and more!

Visiting Sun Peaks later this summer? Check out all Sun Peaks events.

Find Sun Peaks accommodations for the Canada day weekend. Two bedroom condos starting at $98/night!

Sun Peaks Resort is offering a new exploratory culinary delight this summer!

Combining adventure, culture & food, restaurants & activities are sure to appeal to a wide variety of appetites and adventure seekers!

Weekends are packed with possibilities and along with weekday events to spice up you week.

1. Memories Mountainside Afternoon Tea

$7.95 per person

Daily tea service from 1:00pm to 4:00pm, May 1 to Sept 30

Kick back on the sun-laden mountainside patio and enjoy an assortment of tea varieties and scrumptious freshly baked goods.

Reserve by calling Memories at the Cahilty at 250-578-6204

2. Party Platter at the Pub

$19 per person*

Every Friday & Saturday at 9:00pm, June 18 to September 4

Give it your best shot! Try your hand at electronic trivia and Texas Hold 'Em Poker at Sun Peaks' only Irish pub.

Delight in a special platter featuring a variety of the Chef's favorite appetizers to pair with a pint of Guinness, Kilkenny or a local brew.

Reserve by calling Morrisey's Public House at 250-578-6062

*Does not include beverages. Pricing of $19 is per share platter, for 2–4 people.

3. Grape Expectations

$54 per person

Every Friday from 6:00pm, June 18 to September 3

Drink in specially selected flight of wine with your three course dinner at Mantles Restaurant.

The charming and knowledgeable staff will help guide you as you savour the subtle textures and flavors of wine and local BC food. Every glass provides for its own story in a fun and informal discussion.

Reserve by calling Mantles Restaurant at 250-578-6060

4. 4 Fun Lunch Pack

$55/$35 per person

Daily from June 26 to September 5

Give a combination of activities a whirl in a day! Medium bucket of balls plus club for the driving range, 1-day hiking pass, 1-day Sports Centre pass, 1 ride on the bungee trampoline, and lunch at Masa's Bar + Grill.

Great fun for the entire family! One non-alcoholic beverage included. $35 for kids 6–12.

Reserve by calling 250-578-5474

5. Aboriginal Nature Walk & Dinner

$59 per person

Every Saturday at 5:30pm, June 20 to September 5

Explore, discover and be amazed, as an interpretive guide takes you on a 45-minute nature walk around the Sun Peaks village.

Stroll along trails and learn about traditional aboriginal foods and medicinal herbs growing among the forest paths. Then relax in Mantles Restaurant for a 3-course meal featuring modern interpretations of historical aboriginal dishes and local ingredients.

Reserve by calling Mantles Restaurant at 250-578-6060

6. Friday Nine & Dine

$69 per person*

Every Friday, July 2 to October 8

Enjoy a peaceful round of 9 holes of golf on the front nine, amongst the mountain vistas, ideal for a date or a night out with friends.

Wind up the evening with a three course dinner at the clubhouse (Masa's Bar + Grill).

Reserve tee time by calling Golf Shop, 250-578-5431

Reserve dinner reservations by calling: Masa's Bar + Grill, 250-578-5434

*Includes power cart

7. Voyageur Canoe Tour & Fur Traders Feast

$70 per person

Daily at 10:30am*, June 1 to September 30

Experience Canada's past with Northwest Voyageur Company. Float across the waters of McGillivray Lake in a 30' replica Voyageur Canoe with a qualified guide. Listen to stories of how the NWC and Hudson Bay Company established Canada.

Local wildlife are likely to be among you such as: eagles, osprey, loons, beavers, deer, moose, bears and others. Finish your excursion with a three course feast at the lake's Outpost that features authentic food from the fur traders' era.

Reserve by calling the Adventure Centre, 250-578-5542

*Saturday dinner option may be available. Leaves between 4:00 and 6:00pm, based on availability, $90 per person.

8. All You Can Mondays

$75 per person*

Every Monday, all day, June 28 to October 4

Take in a full day of golf on the delightful 18 hole, par 72 Graham Cooke designed course.

It's "all you can golf" from dawn to dusk, then "all you can eat" pasta at the clubhouse (Masa's Bar + Grill).

Reserve tee time by calling Golf Shop, 250-578-5431

No reservation required for Masa's Bar + Grill

*Includes unlimited golf and pasta plus power cart. Excludes holidays.

9. Glamour & Gourmet

$95 per person

Every Thursday & Friday, 12:00pm to 4:00pm, May 20 to October 9

Revitalize yourself to a soothing footsoak on the sunny deck of the spa, in the Kookaburra Lodge.

Then luxuriate in a relaxing neck massage, mini pedicure and toe polish while sampling gourmet nibbles including marinated olives and spiced nuts with herbal tea.

Afterwards, move on the deck at Globe Tapas Bar and sample a flight of three BC wines specifically paired to your individual tapas and fruit platter, finished with decadent housemade chocolate truffles.

Reserve by calling Sun Peaks Spa, 250-578-0086

10. How The West Was Won

$130 per person

Every Friday evening, 6:30pm to 10:30pm, July to August

Truly a western experience that cannot be missed!

Giddyup and have a blast on a 2.5 hour guided horse ride meandering through the backcountry, followed by a feast of BBQ ribs, cornbread, black bean and corn stew, and traditional pioneer desserts.

Expect to be entertained by an interactive history presentation from Sun Peaks local cowboy, Hubert Puetz.

Reserve by calling Globe Tapas Bar, 250-434-2380

Sun Peaks Resort Summer Activities

Looking for more Sun Peaks Resort summer activities? Discover 8 Reasons to Visit Sun Peaks This Summer.

Sadly, Sun Peaks' winter lift operations have come to a close for the season - and what a season it was! Check out a great review and recap of the winter fun from Sun Peaks' first official "Snow Bum."

Now that we've bid adieu to the powdery peaks, it's time to get ready to welcome the summer at Sun Peaks; and there's plenty of reasons to be excited! The "off" season at Sun Peaks is about as switched-on as it gets for a mountain resort.

Top 8 Reasons to Head to Sun Peaks this Summer

1. The Bike Park: Sun Peaks' bike park features downhill trails for all levels and best of all, they're rarely packed full of riders. Bike park rates are also really reasonable (last season it was $38 for an adult full day pass).
   
   The Sunburst Express lift opens on Saturday, June 26.
   
   Get stoked for the upcoming season and check out the premier of "Follow Me" - an action-packed downhill mountain biking movie including footage from Sun Peaks! See it this month in Kamloops, Whistler or Vancouver



2. The Golf Course: Looking for a less-rugged outdoor activity? Play a round at the Sun Peaks Resort Golf Course to test your skill and concentration (the amazing mountain scenery will have you in awe). Cool fact: at 4,000 ft above sea level your ball will travel further than you're used to at lower elevations!
   
   The Sun Peaks Resort Golf Course opens on Saturday, May 22.



3. Scenic Hiking Trails: Expansive meadows, towering peaks and peaceful lakes provide the backdrop for an exciting hiking excursion at Sun Peaks. In addition to colourful wildflowers, hikers often see eagles, owls, marmots and even black bears! Purchase a day pass which includes lift access for only $16 or join a guided tour for as little as $38.
   
   Summer lift operations begin June 26



4. The Wine & Culture Festival: Sample the delights of BC boutique wineries and local chefs while taking in various arts and quilting shows, classes and markets. The Kamloops Symphony Orchestra provides the soundtrack for this fabulous weekend!
   
   The 3rd annual Wine & Culture Festival takes place July 16 - 18.



5. Cheap Accommodation Rates: Sun Peaks summer vacation rental rates are often half (or even less) what they were during the winter. Many Owners accept shorter stays as well (ie. two or three night minimums). As of this posting, you could book one and even two bedroom condos starting at $99/nt!



6. Family Fridays: August is a great time to visit Sun Peaks with the kids because every Friday they bike or hike for free! Of course, Mom and Dad have to buy passes first :)
   
   Children are considered ages 6 - 18. Each adult day pass qualifies for a free child pass.



7. Canada Day Celebrations: Celebrate the birth of our nation with a chili cook-off, mountain of beer festival, dog shows, a road race, rock climbing wall and more!
   
   Plenty of fun and games for the whole family will be available, July 3 and 4.



8. Exciting Summer Camps for Kids: Sign them up for 1 or 5 day adventures in horseback riding, mountain biking, canoeing, hiking, golfing or tennis. Warning: You may just be coming back every summer once the kids catch the Sun Peaks summer adventure bug!
   
   Kids camps run throughout the months of July and August.



9. Reliable Sunshiney Days: Aptly named, Sun Peaks averages over 2,000 hours of sunlight each year. Chances of having a rained out summer vacation are very slim. Afternoons are warm, bordering on hot some days, but don't reach stifling temps like the nearby Okanagan Valley. Evenings are cool and relaxing.

Do you enjoy Warren Miller action-packed documentary-type films to kick off the season?

Are you also a downhill mountain bike enthusiast?

Answered yes to both? Then you'll definitely want to watch the Anthill Film: Follow Me!

About "Follow Me"

The first film release from the new company Anthill Films, pops you right in the midst of ACTION with one-of-a-kind perspectives and the HD imagery this crew is known for.

Follow Me brings you back to remind you why you love to ride bikes and having good times with your friends. The film is based on the notion that "no one rides alone" and showcases the world's best downhillers, freeriders and slopestylers in settings that are known to be the best places to ride in the world.

Follow Me will quickly get you stoked for the upcoming summer season bringing back those fun-time memories.

Riders:

Sam Hill, Gee Atherton, Darren Berrecloth, Ben Boyko, Brendan Fairclough, Geoff Gulevich, Matt Hunter, Cam McCaul, Brandon Semenuk, Steve Smith, Kurt Sorge, Thomas Vanderham

Locations:

Queenstown NZ, Baja (Punta San Carlos), Whistler, Sun Peaks, Silver Star, Mt. Washington, the North Shore, Sunshine Coast, Kamloops, Mt. Hood OR

About Anthill

The Anthill crew are a bunch of BC local boys, who previously brought you films such as Collective, Roam and Seasons. They describe themselves as:

Where to Watch "Follow Me"

Catch the action in the following places:

Vancouver:

Friday, April 23rd

Vogue Theatre

Whistler:

Sunday, April 18th

Whistler Conference Centre during the Telus World Ski & Snowboard Festival

Kamloops:

Saturday, April 24th

Thompson Rivers University Clock Tower Theatre, tickets sold at Bicycle Cafe