Sun Peaks organizations reflect on summer season 

Sun Peaks Resort LLP is reflecting on a successful 2026 summer season, with record-breaking golf visitation and strong hotel occupancy, despite a slight decline in summer lift visits.

Although lift visitation decreased by four per cent compared to 2025, Sun Peaks Resort LLP still recorded its third best summer on record for lift visits.

The summer started strong, Amy Blakeney, chief operating officer and chief financial officer of Sun Peaks Resort LLP said, with favourable conditions across its hiking and biking trails and golf course.

However, August’s provincial state of emergency due to wildfires in the Okanagan affected visitation, discouraged some visitors from travelling to the Interior, despite there being no fires in the immediate Sun Peaks area.

“That state of emergency really caused a challenge with people sort of avoiding the area, even though there wasn’t any fires close to us,” Blakeney said. 

While lift visitation declined, the golf course experienced a record-breaking season, with rounds increasing nine per cent year-over-year. 

The Sun Peaks Grand Hotel also recorded its highest summer occupancy, exceeding the company’s expectations, which Blakeney attributed in part to the variety of events and activities taking place throughout the summer.

Bike park improvements and visitation

Following several years of investment in the Sun Peaks Bike Park, Blakeney said the focus on the Sun Peaks Bike Park has shifted toward maintaining existing trials and improving the overall guest experience. 

Although a few additional trails were introduced this summer, crews prioritized trail maintenance rather than significant expansion. 

“We’ve got lots of capacity on the lifts, lots of capacity on the trails. So, it’s about focusing on providing a really great guest experience,” Blakeney said.

Over the past several years, the resort has worked to improve accessibility for riders of different skill levels within the bike park, providing opportunities for beginners to progress toward more challenging terrain.

“The real focus is ensuring that we have progression, in particular for those that are newish to downhill biking,” she said.

Looking ahead, Blakeney said Sun Peaks Resort LLP continues to consider future bike park expansion, although maintaining existing trails remains the immediate priority.

Summer events continue to grow

Alongside Sun Peaks Resort LLP’s summer operations, Tourism Sun Peaks is also reflecting on a successful summer events season, with the introduction of a new country music festival, continued growth of existing events and a new partnership with Vancouver-based event promoter MRG live. 

Theresa St. Louis, senior events manager at Tourism Sun Peaks, said the organization was extremely happy with the 2026 summer season.

The partnership with MRG Live supported three major ticketed events at the Sun Peaks Centre Stage, including Rockin’ in the Peaks, Heartland Country Festival and a Jaan Arden performance during the Alpenglow Arts Festival.

Rockin’ in the Peaks returned for its second year, with St. Louis noted continued growth in the event.

The Heartland Country festival was introduced this summer, bringing a two-night, four-performance country music festival to the community. The festival marked the return of country music programming to Sun Peaks after several years, while also providing an opportunity to showcase local performers from British Columbia.

Although the event was postponed due to concerns surrounding the provincial wildfire season, St. Louis said Tourism Sun Peaks was pleased with the festival and the atmosphere created for attendees.

The Jann Arden performance during the Alpenglow Arts Festival also saw strong attendance, with approximately 800 people enjoying the show.

For the first time, the venue introduced floor seating arranged in a semi-round format, creating a different concert experience for attendees. 

Beyond ticketed events, Tourism Sun Peaks offered free entertainment and activities throughout the summer. 

The Retro Concert Weekend saw strong attendance on Friday evening and throughout Saturday, despite weather challenges affecting the Saturday afternoon performance.

Paws in the Peaks also experienced significant growth, particularly through its pup parade and patio crawl, organized in partnership with Engel & Völkers and Arayah Law.

Supporting overnight visitation and local businesses

St. Louis said Tourism Sun Peaks’ long-term event strategy focuses on attracting larger events to the community to encourage overnight visitation and support local businesses. 

Alongside larger ticketed events, the organization continues to offer free activities, including the Sunday Market and Paws in the Peaks, to provide entertainment for visitors already staying in the community.

“Our event promoters, our partners, MRG Live, were extremely happy with the venue, the ability to have everything in one package in one small community here.” St. Louis said

From Sun Peaks Resort LLP’s perspective, Blakeney also emphasized the importance of events in supporting overnight accommodation, noting collaboration between Sun Peaks Resort LLP’s events team, Tourism Sun Peaks and other event organizers helped bring activity to the destination throughout the summer.

Looking ahead to summer 2027

Both Sun Peaks Resort LLP and Tourism Sun Peaks are looking ahead to next summer, with plans to build on existing activities and events. 

The resort’s focus will remain on improving the mountain biking, hiking and golfing experiences, Blakeney said. Sun Peaks Resort LLP also continues to support the work of the Sun Peaks Recreational Trail Association on Mount Morrissey. 

Tourism Sun Peaks is also preparing for its 2027 summer events calendar, with plans to bring back several existing festivals. 

One notable change will see the Savour Culinary Festival move to June, with St. Louis identifying opportunities to continue growing the event. 

Other events expected to return include Solstice Wellness Weekend, Rockin’ in the Peak, Paws in the Peaks and Retro Concert Weekend. 

Both organizations are looking to build on their summer offerings as Sun Peaks continues to develop as a year-round destination. 

“It’s really just making sure the resort is in great shape for our guests, and that we can continue to see what other opportunities there are,” Blakeney said.