Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/516237
destinations weekender A ski resort no longer lives by snow alone. July and August, once the quiet season when more bears than bikers roamed local hills, now teem with festivals and new attractions, not to mention superb golfing and mountain biking. For proof, look no further than Sun Peaks Resort (sunpeaksresort.com), located 45 minutes north of Kamloops, to discover what an epic summer day is all about. Teeing Off Sun Peaks began taking summer seriously in 2005 when its Graham Cooke-designed golf course was expanded from nine to 18 holes. The course, a tale of two nines, requires driverless precision on the front nine, especially on holes like the 361-yard 8th hole with its teasing uphill profile. The newer nine may be more forgiving, but precipices remain, especially when teeing off 12 metres above the yawning fairway on the 385-yard 16th hole. Living iT Up Of course, no ski area worth its share of sun-filled summer days would fail to offer an exceptional après scene. A wide range of outdoor events run throughout the season, including Sun Peaks' annual Country Fest (July 25-26), Alpine Blossom Festival (July 31-August 2) and Retro Concert Weekend (August 14-16), among other weekend celebrations. Brave new ride Never an area to rest on its mud-strewn laurels, Sun Peaks launches North America's first Mountain Cross Cart (MCC) course this summer. Custom-designed go-karts will reach speeds of 35 km/h when they descend 52 metres over the 512-metre natural track, one of just 10 MCC courses worldwide. n – Crai S. Bower 20 bca a .com summer 2015 Tourism Sun Peaks; (Retro concert Weekend) Kelly Funk canada's second-largest ski area turns up the heat with a heap of summertime action Summer at Sun Peaks Already looking forward to the return of snow? BCAA Members get to save at Sun Peaks Resort during ski season. Look for special Member discounts this coming winter at bcaa.com/savings MEMBERS SAVE (clockwise from top) soak up local sights and sounds during the Alpine Blossom Festival or retro Concert Weekend; rattle your bones at sun Peaks' Bike Park. pedAl power Hit the bike Park if you're craving nerve- rattling action. built in 1999, the lift-accessed park stands among the pioneers of the downhill biking phenomenon, with a dirt jump park and 35 trails that spread across ability and adrenaline dosage. Sun Peaks out- pedals most of canada's bike parks by offering an equal number of cross- country mountain bike trails – less bone jarring but no less enjoyable terrain that courses through forest, over (or through!) creek beds and across the mt. morrisey plateaus.