Where to find staff housing in Sun Peaks

For those new to Sun Peaks finding staff housing can be one barrier to living and playing here. 

Between 2016 and 2021, census data showed the population in Sun Peaks increased 127.9 per cent, jumping from 616 to 1,404. While the population has had a boost, housing has not. Despite efforts from the Sun Peaks Housing Authority and funding from the Housing Accelerator Fund, accommodations in Sun Peaks remain low and in demand.

While securing housing solo can be daunting, those already employed at Sun Peaks Resort LLP (SPR), Sun Peaks Grand Hotel (SPG) and various village businesses have a few options to make relocating for work a bit easier.

SPR/SPG staff accommodation: within the pod

Housing is available for employees of SPR and SPG in the corporation’s five facilities, Red Fox Lodge, Whispering Pines Lodge, the Burfield Staff Accommodation, Black Bear Lodge and Little Shuswap Lodge, four of which are bunched together in a staff housing pod off Alpine Road near Peaks West.

“In general, our staff accommodation is intended for seasonal employees,” director of communications for SPR, Christina Antoniak said. “But we’ll work with employees on housing solutions if they are transitioning to permanent roles and into longer term accommodation in the community.”

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Red Fox Lodge can house up to 116 employees, catered toward couples and made up of either studio units or units with a separate bedroom, both with one large bed and creative storage solutions. Residents can access further storage for bikes and other larger items in the basement.

Black Bear Lodge and Whispering Pines Lodge both consist of two-person dorms containing a kitchenette and bathroom. 

Additionally, Black Bear Lodge includes a common social room for residents across all the buildings.

A unique design, Little Shuswap Lodge consists of four individual bedrooms adjoined to a common living space including a kitchen and bathroom.

Unlike Black Bear Lodge and Whispering Pines, Antoniak said Little Shuswap tends to house shift workers and supervisors.

As much as possible, she said they place night shift employees inside Little Shuswap, and within the same apartments.

Beyond the pod

Located outside of the staff housing pod, the Burfield Staff Accommodation lies just across the street, with a mix of one, two and three bedroom apartments.

“Some have full kitchens and laundry in-suite, but there is a mix of amenities available,” Antoniak said, adding that there is a laundry facility located in the basement, as well as underground parking and ski lockers.

In addition to its role as SPR staff accommodation, Antoniak said the Burfield’s 35 apartments are leased privately to independent businesses. Because of this, some staff of businesses separate from SPR and SPG are able to be housed here.

There are also options for accommodation in the Village for these employees, including at Sun Peaks Lodge and Hearthstone Lodge. Hearthstone Lodge encompasses restaurants and shops such as Jardines, Tod Mountain Café and Mountain High Pizza while Sun Peaks Lodge is the site of the Steakhouse and Fondue Stube.

Many businesses have also partnered with the Community Lodge Program, which Antoniak said is accepting applications from homeowners. Permanent employees of SPR and SPG are eligible to rent a unit from a homeowner who has opted into this program for a monetary or product incentive. 

Employees of Bottoms Bar and Grill, Mountain Man Dog Sled Adventures, Capones Italian Kitchen, Sun Peaks Spa, 3 Peaks Rentals, Ohana Deli and Market, Cahilty Creek Kitchen and Jardines may be able to secure accommodation through this portal.

This story was featured in SPIN’s Home Issue. To read more from this print edition, visit our archives.