outdoorADVENTURES - Options on and off the snow

Options on and off the snow

JANUARY 2007 — VOLUME 5 ISSUE 1

Sometimes a day off from the slopes has the potential to become a day of stress, not a day of rest, for parents. The kids wake up, have breakfast and start wondering what to do with their day. The same can happen at the end of a day of skiing. What do we do now? Don’t worry—Sun Peaks Resort has made sure your children will have fun off the slopes as well as on.

Are your kids fans of high speed? Tube Time is what they’re looking for. Descending downhill on a fat inner tube without having to hike back up in an awkward snowsuit is definitely an awesome way to have fun in the snow. With its lift-accessed terrain, the tube park’s sure to occupy your family for at least half a day. Tube Time’s easy to find right next to the Village Platter lift, and tickets are available at the top of the park so if you didn’t get them down at guest services you don’t have to make everyone wait. Visitors Tim and Hannah Swanson, 10 and 8 years old respectively, were thrilled with their time at the park.

“It’s so much fun, you just can’t stop laughing all the way down,” says Hannah.

As for big brother Tim, he says it’s the best tobogganing he’s ever experienced.

“It’s awesome how fast you can go on the tube. It’s nothing like sliding down a little hill at home,” he’s happy to say. Gliding on an icy blue mirror of frozen water is a great Canadian tradition that will captivate everyone in the family and bring out those healthy rosy cheeks. The Sun Peaks Ice Rink, a full-sized outdoor rink made entirely of natural ice, is only a short walk from the village centre. From ice hockey to leisure skating, there’s something for any level of ability. No skates? No problem. Skate, stick and helmet rentals are available at the rink. And on Saturday nights, the not-to-be-missed activity at the ice rink is the bonfire and skating party. Maria Marshall, a mom from Arizona, says that skating was a new and exciting activity to try on her ski vacation.

“We don’t really have ice rinks at home so for me it’s all new,” Marshall says. “When I put on the skates and started on the rink I thought I would kill myself but I was amazed how fun and easy learning to skate was. I love it!”

You can also be like an astronaut and launch yourself in the air to flip forward and back on the Bungee Trampoline situated next to the Village Daylodge. A favourite at Sun Peaks, it’s exhilarating—kids both young and old love it. Attendants are at hand to help you master the techniques of bounding up and down, spinning around and coming back to earth intact.

And at the Sports Centre, the outdoor swimming pool and hot tubs, always warm and relaxing, are a wonderful way to conclude a day in winter wonderland. The water will soothe your sore muscles, tire the kids out and make for a peaceful night of sleep for the entire family. Family swim nights on Mondays let you in on swimming, games and water toys.

If swimming’s not your thing, but you’re looking for an organized activity to try together, check out winter family fun nights on Fridays or maybe a ski-in, ski-out movie slopeside on Wednesdays.

All these activities are wonderful ways to add to your winter experience—take part in them yourself and you’ll doubtlessly rekindle the child inside you.

For more information contact the Activities and Information Centre at 250 578-5542.

Site designed and maintained by: PeaksMedia.com