British Columbia
British Columbia
Harvesting the Winter:
A First-Timer's Deep Dive into British Columbia's Best
Words, Photos & Videos by Riley Matthews
From epic, big mountain ski runs to hidden après gems, Peaked's top creator dives into the full Canadian winter experience across three timeless resorts.
There's a moment, deep in the woods above Sun Peaks, where everything stops. The crunch of my snowshoes fades into the stillness, the full moon above lights the trail, and it feels like the whole world is holding its breath for a brief second.
I take in the cold air, the scent of pine, the soft shimmer of snowflakes through the trees. This is winter at its purest, and I realise, more than anything, this trip isn't just about the mountains – it's about ALL the moments in between.
Sun Peaks | A Warm Welcome to Big Mountain Skiing
When I step into Sun Peaks' European-style village, I feel as though I've been transported to the French Alps, with fewer tourists and much more space to play.
The ski-in, ski-out mountain village makes life easy, and staying at the Sun Peaks Grand Hotel means I'm just steps away from the lifts. Each morning, I roll out of bed, grab breakfast at Mantles, and am on the slopes before the first chair could warm up.
The terrain here is expansive and deliciously irresistible for my type of advanced skiing. From wide-open groomers to powder-filled tree runs, there's enough to keep even the most aggressive skiers entertained for days. The new West Bowl Express – opened just in time for this winter season – makes available previously untouched terrain and, as I stand at the summit, the mountain stretches out before me in every direction.
But skiing isn't the only way to experience Sun Peaks. Its almost a sideshow to the magic of the activities and food that surround the base village. One night, we snowshoe our way to fondue, a tour only made possible by the entrepreneurship of creative Canadians who have taken the best of life in Europe's alps and brought it to these North American peaks.
We trek through snow-laden forests, stopping by a crackling campfire for hot cider, before wrapping up with a cheese-and-chocolate fondue feast in a cosy lodge.
SilverStar | A Splash of Colour in a Snow White World
With its bold and bright building facades, the village at SilverStar is like nothing else I've seen. Staying at the Snowbird Lodge put me in the heart of it, with ski-in, ski-out convenience and a room that overlooked the slopes. Mornings started with a quick stop at Bugaboos Bakery for a pastry before heading out into the fresh snow.
It might feel cute at first, but SilverStar's compact skiing terrain has a different flavour. It's smaller than Sun Peaks but serves up big, steep terrain across 1,300 hectares and 132 runs. The front side has perfect carving runs, while the back delivers steeper, more challenging lines, chutes and trees. Fresh snow overnight makes it even better, and with minimal lift lines, I could lap my favourites without stopping.
As with our journey to fondue just a few days earlier, our Snow Cat Dinner is yet another unforgettable epicurean experience in the mountains. Again, it's a dinner more about the journey than the destination. We ride in a snowcat under a starry sky to a tucked-away mountain lodge, where we're served a three-course meal featuring locally sourced ingredients.
Nearby Snake River Farms beef carpaccio, followed by a slow-braised short rib, sums up why this experience is more than just a meal – it's also a celebration of place. Each bite reflects the rugged beauty of the mountains and a dedication to local producers.
Kelowna | A Different Kind of Church
By the time I reach Kelowna, I’m not going to lie, I'm ready for a break from skiing. This was a chance to slow down and experience a different side of British Columbia.
My stay at the Delta Grand Grand Okanagan Resort is a change of pace: lake views, a heated outdoor pool, and a plush room that feels like a well-earned reward after days on skis.
As a Melburnian, it's a relief to discover Craft 42 Roasters, which offers a much-needed fix for my coffee cravings. The blind tasting puts my caffeine credentials to shame: I go zero for three guessing the blends, but it reminds me that good coffee is an art and not just confined to my home town in Australia.
Mission Hill Estate Winery, perched above Okanagan Lake, offers another indulgence. The guided tour through its cellars, sipping wine straight from the barrel, and finishing with a tasting of the 100-point Oculus red is unforgettable. And then there's Lakehouse Kitchens Cooking School, where I get a crash course in French-style cooking (and a reinforced appreciation for butter and salt).
Then, of course, there's the hockey, Canada's other church and place of worship. The Kelowna Rockets have the home crowd behind them, and even though I barely know the rules, the energy is contagious.
Kelowna – A Different Kind of Church
By the time I reached Kelowna, I’m not going to lie, I was ready for a break from skiing. This was a chance to slow down and experience a different side of British Columbia.
My stay at the Delta Grand Okanagan was a change of pace. Lake views, a heated outdoor pool, and a plush room that felt like a well-earned reward after days on the mountain.
Craft 42 Roasters was a much-needed fix for my Melbourne coffee cravings. Their blind tasting put my caffeine credentials to shame: I went 0 for 3 guessing the blends, but it reminded me that good coffee is an art and not just confined to my home town in Australia.
Mission Hill Estate Winery, perched above Okanagan Lake, offered another indulgence. The guided tour through their cellars, sipping wine straight from the barrel, and finishing with a tasting of their 100-point Oculus red was unforgettable. And then there was Lakehouse Kitchens Cooking School, where I got a crash course in French-style cooking (and a reinforced appreciation for butter and salt).
And, of course, the hockey. Canada's other church and place of worship. The Kelowna Rockets had the home crowd behind them, and even though I barely knew the rules, the energy was contagious.
Big White | Where the Powder Stays Fresh for Days
Big White, my final stop, brings me back into the thick of winter. Higher than the other resorts, with a summit elevation of 2,319 metres, it traps storms and holds onto fresh snow for days. I feel the enormity of it.
Even midweek, I'm still finding untouched lines through the trees. The village is small but perfectly placed, and staying right in the heart of it means I can watch the early risers drop in while sipping my morning coffee.
I have a boot issue that has worsened through the trip, but stopping at Dizzy's ski shop changes everything. The team here pinpoint the problem in minutes and fix it immediately. The rest of my skiing time is transformed, with turns that had felt awkward now effortless.
Despite being so far from the coast (and Japan), Sasquatch Sushi still delivers my best meal in Canada. The tuna tataki with yuzu dressing washed down with a Hitachino Red Rice ale is the perfect way to finish the trip. It shows epic experiences don't just come in the way of the white stuff in British Columbia – there's food magic, too, throughout the province.
British Columbia doesn't just deliver mountains but everything in between: the places you stay, the people you meet, the meals that surprise, and the moments of pure stillness in a winter landscape.
Sun Peaks, SilverStar, Kelowna and Big White all have their unique vibe, but together, they paint a full picture of what a classic BC winter is all about. I came for the skiing, but left with something much more.
Riley Matthews was a guest of Destination British Columbia.
Watch Riley's full video on his British Columbia adventure
Accross 10 days, Riley Matthews explores four of BC’s best destinations – Sun Peaks, SilverStar, Big White and Kelowna – chasing deep snow, vibrant villages and unforgettable après experiences.
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10 days and four epic BC destinations?
It is possible! And it epitomises the ultimate Canadian winter road trip.
After flying into Kamloops Airport (YKA), the journey to Sun Peaks is a scenic 50-minute drive through rolling BC landscapes. After a few days exploring the resort, the drive to SilverStar takes around two-and-a-half hours. Heading south on Highway 5, the road winds into Kamloops before joining Highway 97, following the Thompson River north towards Vernon. From there, a scenic ascent along Silver Star Road leads to the colourful village of SilverStar. After carving fresh snow, the journey continues 50 minutes south to Kelowna, before you take on the final 60-minute drive east into Big White’s powder-filled alpine playground.
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