The first thing that struck us the second we emerged from our air-conditioned car was the significant drop in temperature.
Almost instinctively, we filled our lungs with the pine-fresh air that rolled down from the now flower bedecked slopes of Sun Peaks which were in mid summer bloom.
About 40 minutes earlier down the valley, we had left in our wake the more intense heat of Kamloops, where 40 degrees, even on the banks of the Thompson River was the norm.
The high season, tournament capital bustle of B.C. had been replaced by the mountain resort tranquility of Sun Peaks, one of the province's most scenic, yet relatively unspoiled, tourism destinations.
In a nutshell, Sun Peaks is Whistler in miniature, minus the man-made energy, but plus the character and charm that one of North America's top alpine resorts sorely lacks.
There are many redeeming features that are attracting a growing number of summer and winter visitors to Sun Peaks, a three-mountain resort about 50 kilometres north of Kamloops.
Not least, if you're a golf fan such as myself, is the fabulous 16th hole at Sun Peaks Resort, which has the claim to fame of being B.C.'s highest elevated tee at 1,333 metres above sea level.
Such is the height of the hole, already on a mountain, that the thinner air from the altitude allows the ball fly farther.
Back at the first tee, accompanied by the affable, knowledgeable and very patient Sun Peaks professional Jeff Cusick, a voice (Cusick's) kept on telling me to leave the driver in the bag, as the fairways were tighter than a badger's proverbial.
Don't be ashamed to hit a seven iron off the tee in the middle of summer; the ball runs for miles and it will keep you in the hole and balls in your bag.
Cusick, one of only two professionals in Canada to hold a golf and ski instructor licence, also runs glow-in-the-dark programs at dusk to add a bit of fun for the less serious golfers. I would try to explain it, but best to check it out for yourselves!
There are several "stay and play" special packages at varying rates throughout the summer and fall.
If you're not a golfer, do not despair as Sun Peaks has some of the best and most challenging downhill mountain bike trails in the province.
On our first foray downhill, under the watchful eye and entertaining banter of our Elevation instructor Jase, we called on our basic skills training acquired earlier in the trip at Kamloops Bike Ranch to steer and brake our way to the safety of home base.
There were narrow trails, rocky ones; high burns, low burns; you have to keep your wits about you, see your line well in advance and trust your bike to get you down the hill.
I felt sure, at any given second, I was going to lose it and hurtle down mountain like a runaway train being pulled by gravity towards a dusty, bloody end as the local bears, chipmunks and deer looked on.
I've heard people mocking downhill biking for its alleged lack of cardio or stamina requirements.
But by the third run, mostly down the green routes, every single muscle (some newly discovered) in our bodies was screaming.
When you're feeling that way, it's a good time, as we were later told, to call it a day, as that's when most of the mistakes are made and the inevitable happens, often with injurious consequences.
If sports is not your thing, Sun Peaks still delivers, with hundreds of kilometres of quite stunning trails that meander and wind their way around the summits of Sun Peaks amid an array of Canada's most glorious flora and fauna.
When you get to the top, take a moment to inhale all that surrounds you; from the sweet scents of the summer bloom to the breathtaking view across the valleys.
And one of the best things about Sun Peaks is that, unlike its Whistler rival, there are rarely lines to speak of, whether you’re golfing, mountain biking or hiking.
Sun Peaks also puts on a summer series of events and concerts to give people yet another reason to check out this wonderful little, yet growing, enclave.
If you go:
Check events schedule at www.sunpeaksresort.com
Stay at Sun Peaks Lodge; a family-operated hotel in the centre of the village; very homey, friendly and clean; www.sunpeakslodge.com
Golf at www.sunpeaksresort/golf
Mountain bike rental from Elevation; www.sunpeaksresort/elevation
