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For Millennia the Stó:lō nation - "People of the River" have lived in this area. Spanning across the Fraser Canyon, through the valley to the mouth of the Fraser River.
Here, they have built their longhouses, set up fishing camps along the Fraser and Similkameen Rivers, hunted, cultivated plants that benefit their people, and harvested wild plants and medicines.
Today, you can learn, explore & experience the Stó:lō People, Traditions and Culture through their guided tours.
Stó:lō Tourism is a hidden treasure within the Fraser Valley with exciting and memorable experiences for everyone to enjoy.
For tour information, visit: http://www.stolotourism.com/tours
During the Westward Expansion and the Gold Rush in the late 1800s, Hope and the Valley were bustling with energy. Some travelers went North in search of gold, others stayed and panned for gold along the mighty Fraser River, and in the tributaries that led to it. Hunters went out in search of furs to trade. Others helped blast the mountains to find a route for the railroad to pass. Some went home wealthy; others weren’t so lucky. During this time the property was used as a cattle and dairy farm to provide the much needed support to the hungry miners on the Klondike Gold Rush.
During the Second World War, following the attack on Pearl Harbour, Sunshine Valley was used as an Internment Camp for Japanese Canadians, as it was situated just outside the 100-mile exclusion zone.
The Tashme Museum, located in Sunshine Valley, commemorates the hundreds of Japanese Canadians who were kept at the internment camp and who helped to build the Hope-Princeton Highway.
On Nov. 2, 1949, Premier Byron “Boss” Johnson placed a key in a padlock and opened the Hope-Princeton Highway.
The crowd at the opening ceremony for the Hope-Princeton Highway at Allison Pass on Nov. 2, 1949. Artray/Vancouver Sun archives. PHOTO BY ARTRAY
In 1955 the property was sold to the Boys Town Association for delinquent youth and in 1962, an American firm bought the property planning to develop it into a resort.
However, early on the morning of January 9 1965, two earthquakes occurred in the Valley triggering an enormous landslide, destroying about 3km of the Hope-Princeton Highway. The slide consisting of more than 46 million cubic metres of earth, rock and snow crashed down in seconds from the 2000 metre high mountain ridge forming the north side of the valley. Four people were killed in the fatality and two of the victims were never found.
Following the devastation of the Slide, in May 1970 two brothers Donald and Ray Low bought the land, formerly named Trites Creek Dairy Farm. With plans to transform it into a beautiful year-round Recreational Residential Community, and so aptly named it Sunshine Valley.
With the scenic views and the rugged terrain, Don & Ray had the vision to make it a resort. They built a ski lift to allow downhill skiing on Silver Tip Mountain which still exists today which is used by avid snowmobilers and snowboarders alike.
Over the years, Silver Tip Mountain has been a host to Olympic hopefuls in search of Gold of another kind. Silver Tip Mountain has currently ceased operation of its lift with expectations to resume in the near future.
In 1992, Kevin & Audrey Harris began their legacy by building a Cabin in Sunshine Valley. Not only did they build a cabin but they built memories that they cherish as a family, forever. Every chance the Harris family had, they would spend the weekends and the holidays together, exploring the beauty around them. Kevin's fondest memories are of Christmas at the Cabin with all the family, kids, nieces & nephews, grandma's & grandpa's. All enjoying the snow and seasonal activities like ice skating, snowboarding and snowmobiling.
In Kevin's words; "Sunshine Valley is truly a Magical Place".
Today, Sunshine Valley Developments Ltd. operates with a team of professional & talented Board of Directors and a handpicked team of dynamic contractors. Each with the experience & unique qualities that will evoke the potential Sunshine Valley has to offer. Our vision is to build upon the warm & inviting community Sunshine Valley is and create a peaceful place for families to enjoy for generations to come.