What's a ski vacation without a nice glass of wine by the fireplace after a chilly day on the mountain?

Sun Peaks is taking this indulgence just a few steps further with its 12th Annual Winter Wine Festival, January 16 - 24.

This is a fantastic time to visit the resort. Ski conditions are prime, lift lines have shortened after the holidays and accommodation rates are affordable. You'll have powder beneath your skis and tons of wining, dining and special events at your fingertips. Plus, you may have friends or family you want to vacation with that don't ski who'll delight in the festival events.

This year brings back a lot of the standard favourites including Winemasters' Dinners and icewine tastings and welcomes new events like the Bartender Mixology Face-Off, where Sun Peaks bartenders compete to create the best wine-infused cocktail.

Whether you're a seasoned sommelier or just enjoy a nice glass of wine now and again, there's an event for you. Check out the list below:

January 16 - 24

• Sun Peaks Wine and Dine - Various resort restaurants will be offering special festival menus with cuisine paired with Okanagan wines. Advance tickets not required. Menus starting at just $17!

January 16

• Wild Meats & Wines - Enjoy BC wines paired with regional wild game and fish. Features a live band and dancing. $29

January 19

• Varietal Showdown & Dinner - Join a wine educator and executive chef for a unique, multi-course seasonal menu with a variety of BC wines. You'll learn about how the wine was made, it's impact on the environment and the grape characteristics. $125

January 20

• A Taste of Sun Peaks - Take part in a relaxed food and wine tasting evening at the Delta Hotel. Sample creations from local chefs, carefully paired with BC wines. You can even share in the recipes! $60
• Winemasters' Dinner - Enjoy fabulous gourmet dishes and wine flights at a dinner hosted by the winemakers from St. Hubertus and Rollingdale Wineries. $100

January 21

• Winemasters' Dinners - Choose from two dinners, hosted by BC winemakers where you'll be guided through the gourmet courses and flights of exceptional wines. Dine at the Delta Hotel or at the Sunburst Lodge with a torchlight decent down the mountain at the conclusion (Guests must be able to ski). $125 or $90
• All You Need is Cheese - Tantalize your tastebuds with wine and cheese pairings from the Dairy Farmers of Canada. $40
• Icewines & Nothing More - Delight in the BC specialty of icewine with an expert. $45

January 22

• Cadbury Chocolate & Heavenly Wine - Match delicious chocolates with tasty wines. $40
• Taste the Aromas of Coffee and Wine with Starbucks - Coffee and wine pairings? Who knew? Learn how to match the perfect roast and wine for a fantastic dinner conclusion.
• The Sun Peaks Progressive Tasting - This is the main event. Taste wines from over 20 wineries as you stroll through the Village and admire the talents of local artisans. $60
• Medal Winners Tasting - Sample award winning wines and specially crafted tapas in a unique kitchen setting. Mingle with leading wine experts and get access to some rare varieties. $85

January 23

• The Winter Wine Brunch - Indulge in a locally inspired menu and award winning wines. A great way to start the day! $59
• What Your Nose Knows - Be prepared the next time your order a bottle of wine in a restaurant. Learn how to property smell it and search out any defects. This event ends with a fun sniff test. $40
• Sun Peaks Bartender Mixology Face-Off - Local bartenders compete to create the best wine-infused cocktail. Be part of the judging panel by sampling the creations and help choose the winner! $39
• Mixology to Music - Dinner, wine-based cocktail creations and dancing to a live two-piece band! $55 with dinner, $39 without

Sun Peaks Wine Festival Accommodations

As the dates draw nearer, there are still lots of vacation rentals available - and at great rates! Stay 3 nights at a one bedroom condo for $160/night or snag a two bedroom for $189/night. Stay 5 nights at a two bedroom condo for $155/night. Search all Sun Peaks accommodation now to find the right place for you.

There's only 16 days until jolly ol' St. Nick visits - unless you meet him early! The big man in red will be stopping by a number of BC's top resorts leading up to Christmas this year, so don't miss your opportunity to meet him in the flesh!

Here are some of our top Christmas-related event picks:

Whistler

December 19
Not just one, but 50 Mr. or Mrs. Claus's will be shredding the pow on Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains and you could be one of them! The first 50 people who show up at the Garibaldi Lift Company at 8:30am, dressed in a full Santa suit (or Mrs. Claus) will receive a free lift pass for the day.

Find Whistler Accommodation

Sun Peaks

December 22
Skate with Santa - Tickets can be purchased at the skating rink for only $5.

December 23
Sleigh rides with Santa - Reserve at the Adventure Centre for rides departing at 4, 5 or 6 pm. Adults $30, Children $25, Under 3 free.

December 23 and 24
Ski with Santa - Meet Santa at 11:00am or 1:00pm from the top of the Sunburst Express.

Find Sun Peaks Accommodation

Big White

December 20 - 24
Get your pic taken with Santa for FREE in the Village Centre Mall.

December 24
Enjoy a traditional Christmas Eve celebration at the Village Centre Mall, complete with church service, caroling, torchlight parade, fireworks, hot chocolate and a visit from the big guy himself!

December 25
Meet Santa in the Village at 10am and head out for a Christmas Day run!

Find Big White Accommodation

Silver Star

December 24
Celebrate Christmas Eve either watching or participating in a torchlight parade resembling a giant glow worm winding down the Milky Way. The parade wraps up with a fireworks display and bonfire at the base. Pay $5 to participate or just watch for free.

After the parade, meet Santa in the Village for hot chocolate, cookies and a present! It's only $10 for children 12 and under to participate and $5 extra for a photo on Santa's knee.

Find Silver Star Accommodation

Fernie

December 23 - 24
Ski with Santa down the slopes accessed from the Mighty Moose, Deer and Elk Chairs. When you're done for the day, get your picture taken with Santa and emailed to you for free!

Find Fernie Accommodation

The number 14 is your lucky number on November 14th in Sun Peaks!

Sun Peaks is opening early this Saturday, November 14th and is celebrating by having some fun with the number 14!

If the number 14 happens to be a part of your life, you may be lucky enough to get a free or discounted lift ticket!

Free Lift Ticket Offer

Is your birthday on November 14th? Then, this is your lucky birthday! All skiers and snowboarders are eligible for a FREE lift ticket on opening day if you were born any year on November 14th.

$14 Lift Tickets

Are you 14 years old? Is your house number or apartment number 14? Is your wedding anniversary on November 14th? If so, then you are eligible for a $14 lift ticket on opening day!

Of course you will have to have valid, government issued identification to prove your birthday, age, address and marriage.

$14 Group Lessons for EVERYONE!

So if the number 14 isn't in your life - it's still a lucky number for you! All group lessons are $14 for everyone on opening day!

Sun Peaks Accommodations

Although it may be a little difficult to find $14 accommodations, there are still some pretty smokin' deals on accommodations, such as this two bedroom townhome, sleeping 7 people, in Settler's Crossing for $99 Cdn per night!

Not quite what you are looking for? Find a full range of great valued Sun Peaks accomodation by doing a quick and easy search.

Massive snowfall of over 50cm/20 inches has fallen over the past week in Sun Peaks. Opening day has been moved up to November 14th, one week ahead of schedule!

The Sun Peaks Slopes Department has been working non-stop packing the fresh snow down, and snow making efforts are focusing on building up the base on OSV trail, where the Austrian National Ski Team will be training in November.

Mountain Operations says the snow making will likely move to the Terrain and Tube Parks in the next couple of weeks.

On November 9th, the final decision will be made on the lifts and runs that will be opened.

Sun Peaks Accomodations

Take advantage of sweet early season Sun Peaks accomodation deals. Stay in a ski-in/ski-out, brand new 2-bedroom townhome, sleeping up to 7 people, for as little as $99 Cdn a night! View all Sun Peaks accomodations available!

Yesterday I stepped outside and saw my breath for the first time since last winter. Whistler and Sun Peaks resorts both reported the first snowfalls of the season on Tuesday. Winter is on it's way. Are you ready for it?

Get geared up at the annual Turkey Sales in Whistler, Sun Peaks & Kicking Horse over the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend.

Whistler Thanksgiving Weekend Events

• Turkey Sale - October 9 - 12. Over 20,000 square feet of ski and snowboard gear at up to 70% off at the Blackcomb Daylodge.
• Farmer's Market - October 11. Last day of the Whistler Farmer's Market at Blackcomb Base (upper village). Try artisan foods, watch cooking demos and purchase local arts and crafts.
• Street Entertainment - October 9 - 11. See circus acts, musicians, acrobats and others perform along the pedestrian walkways of Whistler Village.

Sun Peaks Thanksgiving Weekend Events

• Turkey Sale - October 9 - 12. Massive equipment sale at Bento's Day Lodge as well as McSporties and Jardines. Clear out prices on top brands.
• Autumn Bounty Culinary Festival - October 9 - 11. Enjoy fine foods and wines from the Thompson Valley region at a variety of events including a Chef's House Party and luncheon.
• Art Shows & Kids Imagination Station - October 11. Visit Tree Line Studios to meet local artists to discuss and purchase their works. Kids will enjoy mini art classes.

Kicking Horse Thanksgiving Weekend Events

• Turkey Sale - October 10 - 11. Huge savings on new and used ski and snowboard gear.

Thanksgiving Accommodation Deals

Snap up a deal on a vacation rental for the Thanksgiving long weekend:

Find studio/one bedroom Whistler accommodation starting at $75/night, Oct 9 - 12 (3 nights).

Find two bedroom Sun Peaks accommodations starting at $99/night, Oct 9 - 12 (3 nights).

Find four bedroom Kicking Horse accommodation starting at $350/night, Oct 9 - 12 (3 nights).

From the renown Nancy Greene Golf Benefit to the equally renown Canada & BC Cup DH and XC Finals - Sun Peaks is the place to be in this weekend!

Nancy Greene Golf Benefit

August 21, 2009

Golfing for a good cause is always fun, especially when it's in beautiful Sun Peaks Resort. All golfers are welcomed, no matter what your ability is, as the tournament focus is on fun, fun, and more fun! All proceeds go to the Sun Peaks Health Association. Come in a team of four or join in with other players - a perfect way to meet other golf enthusiasts.

Registration package includes:
18 holes of golf with shared power cart
Complimentary food and beverages on course
Event souvenir
Contests and prizes
Fabulous awards dinner and silent auction at the Delta Sun Peaks Resort

Event Schedule
10:00am Sign in the Village Day Lodge
12:30pm Parade to holes
1:00pm Shotgun start
6:30pm Cocktails
7:30pm Awards Dinner

Cost 
$175.00 per player, teams of four
Extra Awards Dinner tickets, $60.00

Canada Cup and BC Cup DH and XC Finals

August 22 - 23, 2009

Sun Peaks Resort has teamed up with the Canadian Cycling Association to host the Canada Cup DH Finals, the BC Cup DH #7 Finals & Championship, and the BC XC Finals. Competitors from across Canada will shred it up on the downhill course, or grind through the cross country course competing for first place.

Citizen Class Race Available
All riders are welcome to join! Come and compet in the DH and XC races - no 2009 Yellow or a Blue BC Citizen License needed. Riders can purchase a one-event membership allowing riders 13yrs + to compete in the Citizen Class. Riders in the Citizen Class race will run the same race course as the other competitors, and can compare their race times against the other categories.

Event Schedule

Wednesday, August 21
Faxed-in registration deadline.

Friday, August 21
12:00pm Online registration deadline.
9:00am to 6:00pm DH course closed for marking and taping.
4:00pm to 6:00pm DH course inspection by race officials.
4:00pm to 7:00pm Registration and race kit pickup open. Last chance to register for XC.

Saturday, August 22
9:00am to 12:00am Registration and race kit pickup open.
1:00pm to 3:00pm Registration and race kit pickup open. Last chance to register for DH.
10:00am to 4:00pm DH course open training.
4:00pm-5:00pm DH course Elite training.
10:00am First XC start - U15M, U15W, All Citizen.
11:45pm Second XC start - U17M, Senior and Master Men and Women.
2:00pm Third XC start - Elite Men, Elite Women, Jr. Men, Jr./U17 Women.
12:00pm First XC awards.
2:30pm Second XC awards.
4:30pm Third XC awards.

Sunday, August 23
8:30am to 10:00am Registration Office Open. Riders package pick-up only.
10:00am to 12:00pm DH course open training.
12:00pm to 12:30pm Course marking and taping.
12:30pm DH start.
4:30pm DH awards.

Sun Peaks Accommodations

Stay in Sun Peaks for the weekend and find Sun Peaks accommodations for as low as $99 Cdn/night (and sleeps up to 7 people too!)