Only 45 minutes from Kamloops and 4.5 hours from Vancouver, Sun Peaks Resort makes an ideal weekend getaway destination. The winding road of Old Highway 5 seems endless, yet suddenly the mountain appears before us. The village at Sun Peaks is idyllic. It sits, covered in snow, outlined with little white lights, in the shadows of Tod Mountain.

We check in at the Delta Hotel and Resorts, where the staff exudes the warmth particular to small towns. After a friendly welcome, we head to the outdoor hot tubs for a quick dip. I sip my glass of BC's Sumac Ridge Gewürztraminer as snowflakes tickle my face and hot jets massage my back. The view of the mountains is breathtaking and I can hardly wait to snap on my skis tomorrow.

Twelve hours later, we're woken up by the bright sun rays streaming through the window pane. After weeks of winter gloom, feeling the sun's warmth is like being embraced by an old friend. Sun Peaks Resort boasts over 2000 hours of sunshine a year, making it hard to be here on a cloudy day.

Thanks to the ski-in, ski-out accommodations it doesn't take long to reach the base of the mountain. There are twelve chair lifts, including 5 quad lifts. What differentiates Sun Peaks from other areas is that there is rarely a need to wait in line anywhere. That, coupled with the ski-in, ski-out accommodations all over the village, guarantees less time waiting around and more time to ski. It is for this reason that the Resort has garnered a steady flow of loyal visitors who come annually from all across Canada as well as Washington State.

Sun Peaks Resort consists of three mountains and 3678 acres of skiable terrain. It is the second largest ski resort in BC and the third largest in all of Canada. I haven’t skied in years but decide to try out the easy 5 mile run – which true to its name is 8 km long. I'm tempted to sign up for lessons with Nancy Greene, Canada's Olympic ski champion, but know that I can always join her at 1pm for one of her daily complimentary tours down the mountain side.

We ride up the Sunburst Express, and then up the Crystal Chair. Even though it's sunny, the wind is biting. Finally we reach the top at an elevation of 2059 m and a vertical rise of 314 m. Now I wish I had signed up for lessons. But it is too late. I watch the five year-olds zip by and decide that if they can do it, then so can I do.

The scene as you ski down the hill is breathtaking. Snow capped mountains and evergreen forests pop into view at every turn. Before I know it, I've made it all the way down – eight kilometers- and no falls.

"Are you ready to go again?" my husband calls out.

My legs are shaking, my quads are burning. "How about we refuel with some hot chocolate," I suggest hopefully.

Minutes later, we arrive at Café Soleil, conveniently located at the base of Tod Mountain. We sit, each with a delectable hot chocolate topped with whipped cream in hand, and watch the skiers as they maneuver their way down. Now that's what I call perfection: a warm drink, a great view, and a sunny afternoon with lots of skiing ahead.

If You Go

Fast Facts: 121 runs, including 12 gladed areas; 12 lifts, nearly 6 meters of snow annually; ski-in, ski-out accommodations; long cruising runs up to 8 km

Where to Stay: Delta Sun Peaks Resort or Nancy Greene's Cahilty Lodge

Activities: Tubing, Ice Skating, Dog Sledding, Nordic Skiing, Sleigh Rides, Snowshoeing, Backcountry Cat Skiing, Trampoline, Torchlight Descent

Important Dates & Events:
January 14-19, 2008: The 10th Annual Ice Wine Festival
March 21-23, 2008: Nancy Green Ski League Festival & Sunburst Easter Egg Hunt
April 11-13, 2008: Sun Peaks Spring Festival

For more information check out: www.sunpeaksresort.com