As the second largest ski area in Canada located in the interior of British Columbia, our rentals at Sun Peaks ski resort offer access to thrilling skiing and spectacular winter views, but that’s not all that you can do, especially if your feet need a break.
Add some variety to your vacation by also trying a guided ice fishing adventure—bundle up and get ready to try a truly Canadian type of fishing!
Elevated Ice Fishing Adventures
Owned and operated by experienced outdoorsman and angler Campbell Bryk, Elevated Ice Fishing Adventures offers a wide variety of ice fishing adventures suitable for any angler, regardless of their level of experience. Bryk, a lifelong outdoors enthusiast, founded Elevated Ice Fishing Adventures in 2016 to share his love of fishing with people of all ages from around the world and is now booking adventures for his fourth winter season.
Enjoy an all-inclusive experience that includes transportation from Sun Peaks ski Resort, fishing rod and lures, a heated ice tent, advice from an experienced angler, help setting up, and more. Elevated Ice Fishing Adventures specializes in creating family-friendly and accessible ice fishing tours suitable for almost everyone. In the summer, Elevated Ice Fishing also offers fly fishing lessons.
Types of Ice Fishing Trips
The type of fishing trip is customizable depending on how many members are in your group and what each member’s experience level is. Here’s a quick rundown of what to expect:
You will walk across the frozen Heffley Lake, which is a memorable experience in and of itself, and learn how to determine when the ice is safe. With help from your guide, you will drill a hole in the ice and set your lures. While you’re waiting on a fish to bite, you can admire the beautiful rainbow trout swimming in the waters below the ice and learn more about the rich environment under the ice. Watch a wide variety of wildlife ranging from bald eagles to moose in the surrounding forests.
Stay warm with the heated ice tent, which both cuts the chill from the wind and acts as a heat source. Dress warm and warm proper layers. It’s Canada and you’re sitting on ice, even with a heated tent. Foot and hand warmers (available for purchase at local stores) can be helpful, as can wool socks and warm winter boots! Don’t forget to bring your sunglasses since the ice magnifies the glare from the sun. A camera or GoPro, especially an underwater mount GoPro, will let you capture all of the action and reminisce for years to come.
Be aware that transportation to Heffley Lake and the fishing site involves driving on unpaved, snowy roads at times. Bryk will drive if you have five or fewer people in your fishing party, but if you have between five and eight members in your fishing party and have your vehicle, you can drive yourself. Your vehicle will need good tires, and all-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive and high-ground clearance are recommended.
What Kinds of Fish Can You Catch?
With a catch rate of more than 90 percent, you can almost guarantee that you’ll go home with a fish. You can bring your fish home for a delicious dinner, or choose to release it and let it go on its way. Most of the fish that you will see on Heffley Lake will include rainbow trout, some of which are restocked to supplement the naturally occurring population. About 48 percent of the fish stocked in British Columbia lakes are rainbow trout.
Thus named for the flashy rainbow scales on their sides, rainbow trout are members of the salmon family and are just as delicious.
Another type of fish that you might catch is kokanee, also known as a landlocked sockeye salmon. A particularly hardy fish, the kokanee is native to many inland lakes, and the native population is supplemented by dedicated stocking and repopulation efforts. Kokanee makes up about 46 percent of the fish stocked in British Columbia lakes.
The three rarest types of fish you’ll encounter are Eastern brook trout, lake trout, and cutthroat trout, which altogether make up about six percent of the stocked fish population. While not native to British Columbia, brook trout thrive in the Canadian setting and are particularly noteworthy for being aggressive feeders that will readily bite onto a lure hanging down into the water and, like the kokanee, are noted for their tastiness.
Plan Your Visit to Sun Peaks
Ready to try a guided ice fishing adventure during your Sun Peaks ski trip? Book your Sun Peaks rental today!
Tour Times & Pricing
Two tour times are available: the Sunrise Tour from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and the Sunset Tour from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. One to two-person trips cost $400, while three to five-person trips cost $500. For six to 10-person trips, the cost will vary depending on trip details. Taxes and a booking fee are not included in the quoted price and will be paid separately. Every individual over the age of 16 on the fishing tour will also need to secure a Canadian fishing license, which costs $21.
To book your tour, call 250-299-2350 or email [email protected]. You can also contact Elevated Fishing tours through the contact form on the website, and tours are currently being booked for the 2022-2023 season. If you do not need to customize your trip, you can check the availability using the convenient online calendar and book and pay for your tour online at the same time. Tours book quickly, so reaching out in advance or checking the calendar is highly recommended—don’t assume that you can book a tour at the last minute if you get tired of skiing.
Where To Stay in Sun Peaks
A variety of Sun Peaks resort rentals are still available for the winter season, which is just getting started. You can choose to get away from it all at one of the ski-in/ski-out rentals, which put you just moments away from spectacular ski slopes and stunning views. Rentals range in size from studios with a kitchenette to three-bedroom condos with full gourmet kitchens that can comfortably accommodate up to nine people. Some of the rentals available are also pet-friendly.
With so many different things to do at Sun Peaks resort, adventure is waiting just outside your door. Book your stay at Sun Peaks today and get ready to go on your very own winter adventure!
