Big adventures to be had in B.C. at Sun Peaks and Big White

Now is the perfect time to head north to British Columbia for powdery snow, charming ski towns, and adventures galore. From snowmobiling to sleigh rides, snowshoeing, and dog sledding, now more than ever there is plenty to do in Sun Peaks and Big White than just ski!

Once at Sun Peaks, I checked into Sun Peaks Grand Hotel, which is located in the village's core with chairlifts, trails, and activities right at my doorstep. Inside the hotel, there was everything I needed for a relaxing stay: updated, trendy rooms, hot tubs, a swimming pool, a health club, and a variety of places to shop and eat. Mantle's Bar and Grill quickly became my go-to for a healthy and delicious lunch with their grain bowl topped with salmon.

Collect your rental from Elevation Bike, Ski & Board, conveniently located in the lower lobby of Sun Peaks Grand Hotel, or head over to Sun Peaks Nordic Centre if you're like me and Nordic skiing is more your speed. No matter your experience level with skiing, they offer private lessons, which is a great way to refresh yourself from last season or learn new tricks on the mountain. I walked away feeling more confident after my lesson, in addition to getting a good lay of the land for the next day when I was on my own.

It is not every day you get to check a bucket list item off your list! For this, I headed over to Mountain Man Dog Sled Adventures for both an exhilarating and epic dog sledding experience. When I arrived, the dogs were boisterous and the excitement was palpable. Once the dogs were harnessed into position and bounding down the trail, it was significantly quieter as the dogs became laser focused. Once we were in the trees, snow magically started falling from the sky in big fluffy clumps and it was truly the icing on the cake. Before I knew it, we were back at the trailhead, so I would recommend booking the longer 1.5-hour trip and not just the 1 hour. Chris and Tayrn, the dynamic duo and husband and wife team behind Mountain Man Dog Sled made the experience even more fun as their excitement and passion were both easily recognizable and contagious.

Enjoy après ski at 5Forty Cafe & Cantina before checking in at the Activities Desk located in the Village Day Lodge for an evening snowshoe tour. I have been snowshoeing numerous times, so I figured the tour would be fairly run-of-the-mill. After our group put on our gaiters, strapped on our snowshoes, and attached our headlamps, the skies parted, and we were rewarded with being able to spot Orion's Belt, his dagger, and Sirius. As we walked through the woods admiring the night sky, we almost missed the Northern Saw-whet Owl hiding in the trees above. At the halfway point of our tour, we were treated to both a roaring fire and hot cocoa. The return journey offered fantastic views of the village and ended with a cozy meal at Sun Peaks Lodge Fondue Stube for a traditional cheese and chocolate fondue dinner.

You can feel like a kid again at Tube Time. With its curving lane and high banks, it is a ride unlike any tubing I have experienced. For another unique experience, head to Cleavage Axe Co. as you learn how to swing an axe while trying to hit a bullseye. Personally, I never became too proficient at it, but it makes for a fun evening and an unforgettable experience trying a new sport. Enjoy dinner at Morrisey's Public House before turning in for the day.

Sun Peaks offers one more adrenaline rush as I head out on the McGillivray Lake Explorer Snowmobile Tour on a heart-thumping and visually stunning 2-hour experience. Having never been on a snowmobile before, I was a bit anxious to climb straight up a mountain, but within a few minutes, I was hooked and loved both the scenery, novelty and freedom of being able to go anywhere in the snow.

On your way to Big White, whether you drive from Sun Peaks or fly from Seattle, make certain to stop at 50th Parallel Estate, where they have created a world-class wine destination only 15 minutes from the Kelowna Airport. Whether you like wine, architecture, food or all three, 50th Parallel Estate has something for everyone. Enjoy lunch at BLOCK ONE Restaurant.

On my first day at Big White Ski Resort, after checking into the Inn at Big White, I picked up my rental gear from the Rental Shop in Village Centre Mall. I took Lara's Gondola down to Happy Valley where the Nordic Park is located. There I had a wonderful private ski lesson from an amazing woman who kept reminding me it takes 10,000 hours to become proficient at anything. When I was having trouble figuring something out, she would warmly shout, "Only 9,996 more hours to go!" After a morning of skiing, enjoy lunch at The Woods. Snag a picnic bench outside in the sunshine and drink in the fresh mountain air.

Spend the afternoon ice skating at Canada's highest outdoor skating rink surrounded by snow-covered trees. Feel the wind in your face as you zoom down a lane at the thrilling tube park. Rent snowshoes from the Village Centre Mall and choose your own adventure through the trails.

Experience the thrill of mushing through Big White's backcountry as Canadian sled dogs take you on a memorable jaunt through the woods. Candle Creek Kennels start its dog sled tour with an orientation introducing you to the dogs, the sled, and how to harness them before heading out on the trails. I was a bit hesitant to take the reins halfway through, but mushing on my own was a thrill of a lifetime.

For a dining experience not to miss, head out on a Dinner & Sleigh Bells tour. As we gathered around the blazing fire, we were handed cups of steaming hot cocoa and blankets for our sleigh ride. Admire Big White's big night skies with the jangle of sleigh bells as Clydesdale horses guide you and your sleigh through a snow-covered forest to a cozy cabin in the woods. Once at the cabin, enjoy appetizers and drinks before heading into the cabin. I guarantee this evening dining experience will feel like something out of TV show The Bachelor (minus the roses or being voted out at the end of the night). Partake in a gourmet dinner prepared by a chef and make sure to leave room for dessert at the end of the evening.

Whether you like to ski all day, party all night, crave adrenaline sports like snowmobiling and axe throwing, or love the calm of a star-filled snowshoe tour at night or sleigh ride, Sun Peaks and Big White have something for you and your whole family to enjoy. With a killer exchange rate and excellent snowpack, there is no time like the present to plan a memorable trip to B.C.

Lisette Wolter-McKinley is a freelance writer for Seattle Refined. See more of her adventures here. While the products, services and/or accommodations in this story were provided without charge, the opinions within are those of the author and the Seattle Refined editorial board.