Whether you've spent your day on Sun Peaks' slopes or in the spa, no doubt you’ve worked up an appetite. There are dozens of dining options in the Sun Peaks area—from fine dining to pub fare—but some unique culinary experiences truly stand out. Here are five of our favorite one-of-a-kind dining experiences in Sun Peaks.
Alpine Fondue and Starlight Descent
Your taste buds and your sense of adventure will be delighted with Sun Peaks’ Alpine Fondue and Starlight Descent. The experience begins with an evening ride up the Sunburst Express chairlift. Watch the sun set and the twilight settle in as you’re whisked to the Sunburst Bar + Eatery for a three-course meal of rich cheese and chocolate fondue, along with savory cuts of meat.
Enjoy your dinner while listening to music from the Swiss Alps and the murmur of dinner conversation from your fellow diners. After dinner, snap on your skis or board and a head torch, and glide your way down 5 Mile Run back to the Sun Peaks village with the help of a guide.
The Alpine Fondue and Starlight Descent is offered Wednesdays and Thursdays from December 19, 2018, to March 21, 2019. A limited number of tickets are sold, so book early!
Umbrella Café
For a quick and casual dining experience, check out the Umbrella Café at the base of Mt. Morrisey. This tiny café offers 360-degree views through its glass walls and is topped with a yellow and white umbrella that can be retracted on sunny days.
Known for its simple fare, friendly service, and inexpensive menu items, the Umbrella Café is far enough off the beaten path to feel like a secret. Enjoy a bowl of soup or chili, a sandwich, or a baked snack. Pair your lunch with warm mulled wine or a frosty beer—you're on vacation! Then take in the views while enjoying the welcoming atmosphere before heading out for an afternoon on the slopes.
Powder Hounds
Experience a taste of the Alps with a trip to Powder Hounds, the oldest privately owned restaurant at Sun Peaks. Located in the Sun Peaks village, Powder Hounds’ multicultural menu features German and Austrian cuisine alongside specialties from British Columbia. Where else can you find kartoffelauflauf (a German-style casserole) alongside fresh British Columbia Honey Mussels?
Locals and visitors alike flock to Powder Hounds for its authentic vibe, hearty portions, and great beer selection, so call ahead for reservations to save yourself the wait. Don’t forget to try the hunter schnitzel—a lightly breaded pork served with mushroom sauce and spaetzle—which everyone raves about.
Okanagan Wine Festival
If you’re passionate about great food and wine, head to Sun Peaks for the annual Winter Okanagan Wine Festival. Held every year in January, the Festival celebrates the wines of British Columbia with nine days of culinary events.
The action-packed days of the Okanagan Wine Festival include events such as the Explorer Series (a five-course tasting menu with wine pairings), Moonlight Snowshoe & Mulled Wine (an adventure into the woods for a bonfire and mulled wine), The Three Elements (Okanagan port-style wines paired with Canadian cheese and chocolate served at a private residence), and the Comforts of Grilled Cheese (artisan grilled cheese paired with British Columbia wines).
Whether you join in for the whole week or a few days, you’ll leave with new favorite British Columbia wines and a full stomach.
Cook Freshly Caught Rainbow Trout
If you’re looking for a dining experience that is decidedly wild, book a trip with Elevated Fishing Adventures. Elevated Fishing Adventures will pick you up in the Sun Peaks village for a four-hour ice fishing experience. No experience is required; a guide will help you drill a hole, bait a hook, and fish for a rainbow trout from within the warm walls of a heated tent.
Campell Bryk, the owner of Elevated Fishing Adventures, says it's an experience the whole family can enjoy. “Ice fishing can be easy for anyone and everyone,” says Byrk. “We close the windows of the tent and you can see through your hole, and the clear water is like an aquarium. [You can] see your bait and see the fish under the ice as they swim up and take the hook.”
If you bring a fish up from the ice, your guide can clean and package it for cooking. Book accommodation with a full kitchen through The Lodging Company, and have a feast of fresh-caught British Columbia rainbow trout.
With great food, a vibrant atmosphere, and unique dining experiences, Sun Peaks will delight culinary adventurers!