If you've watched My Secret Santa and kept thinking, "Where is this place?" you're not alone. I had the same question. The snowy streets, cozy lodges, and ski-village charm made me want to book a trip right away.
In this article, I'll tell you exactly where My Secret Santa was filmed, from the main resort to small downtown spots.
I've put together everything in one place so you don't have to search around. Trust me, the real locations are just as charming as they look on screen.
Where Was My Secret Santa Filmed?
My Secret Santa was filmed mainly in British Columbia, Canada, across two key areas, Sun Peaks Resort and the nearby city of Kamloops.
Sun Peaks brought the ski-village charm, while Kamloops handled street scenes and building exteriors. BC is a popular pick for holiday films thanks to reliable winter snowfall, strong production infrastructure, and generous tax incentives for film crews.
Sun Peaks itself is a fully built-out village with car-free pedestrian streets, ski lifts, cafés, and lodges all close together.
For a movie needing a cozy, snow-covered small-town feel, the resort required almost no extra set decoration.
Clotz Cookie Company Filming Location
The iconic cookie company scenes were pulled from more than one real-world spot.
The Opening Snowy Aerial Scenes Explained
The aerial snow shots seen in the opening of the movie are stock footage, not filmed on location. They were used to set the wintry mood before the main story kicks in.
Real Location of the Church Scene in Pennsylvania
The movie mentions Pennsylvania, but the church scene was not actually filmed there. Like many holiday films, the production used a local BC stand-in to keep costs down and stay close to the main set.
Lake Bohinj Skiing Footage from Slovenia
Some skiing footage in the film came from Lake Bohinj in Slovenia. This was pre-existing stock footage edited into the film to add visual variety to the ski sequences without sending a full crew overseas.
The Truth Behind the Clotz Cookie Company Building
The Clotz Cookie Company building exterior was a real structure filmed in the Kamloops area.
The production team used signage and dressing to turn an ordinary building into the fictional cookie business seen in the film.
My Secret Santa House Location
The cozy home scenes were filmed far from the fictional Washington town shown in the movie.
The Fictional Town of Mount Lincoln, Washington
The story is set in Mount Lincoln, Washington, but this town does not exist. It was created for the film to give it a Pacific Northwest holiday feel.
Real Filming Spot in North Kamloops, BC
The residential scenes were filmed in North Kamloops, a quieter part of the city. The neighborhood had the right look, with tree-lined streets and homes that matched the feel of a small American town.
Details About the Mariposa Manor Apartment Building
Mariposa Manor is a real building used in the film. It appeared as a key location tied to the main character's home life and added an authentic, lived-in feel to the fictional setting.
Barnacle Records Store Filming Location
This fan-favorite scene was shot in a real Kamloops location with an actual record store.
Where Taylor Meets Matthew in the Movie
One of the more memorable scenes in the film takes place inside a record store, where the two leads first connect. It was shot on location in Kamloops, not on a studio set.
Exterior Scenes Filmed in Kamloops City Centre
The outside of the record store was filmed in downtown Kamloops. The city centre has older storefronts and brick buildings that gave the scene a warm, indie-town look.
Interior Shots Inside the Real Record Store
The interior scenes were also filmed inside an actual record store in Kamloops. The shelves, decor, and layout you see in the movie are mostly real, with minor adjustments made by the props team.
Sun Peaks Resort Filming Locations
The resort's car-free village became the heart of the movie's winter world.
Why Sun Peaks Village Became the Movie's Main Setting
Sun Peaks Village is pedestrian-only, which made it easy to film street scenes without worrying about traffic or modern signage. The whole area has a storybook quality that fits holiday films perfectly.
Ski-Through Streets, Cafés, and Winter Scenery Featured in the Film
Throughout the movie, you'll spot Sun Peaks' main village street, outdoor patios, ski rental shops, and mountain views. These were not dressed-up sets. What you see is close to what visitors experience in real life.
Popular Spots Shown Throughout the Movie
Key village spots shown include the central plaza area, ski lift bases, and several café exteriors. Fans of the movie will likely recognize these spots immediately if they visit the resort.
Sundance Lodge and Hotel Scenes
The luxurious lodge in the film has a real-life twin at Sun Peaks.
The Real Hotel Used as the Layne Family Lodge
The Layne family lodge in the movie is based on the Sun Peaks Grand Hotel and Conference Centre. This is the largest and most prominent hotel at the resort.
Sun Peaks Grand Hotel and Conference Centre Details
The Sun Peaks Grand is a full-service ski resort hotel with multiple dining options, a spa, and ski-in/ski-out access. It sits right at the base of the mountain, making it a central part of the village layout.
What Makes the Resort Popular With Visitors and Filmmakers
Beyond its looks, Sun Peaks Grand offers easy access for film crews since everything is close together. For regular visitors, it's popular for the same reason: you can ski, eat, and relax all within a short walk.
Other Filming Locations Seen in My Secret Santa
A few extra spots in Kamloops added texture to the film's world.
Oya Japanese Restaurant and Clock Tower Scenes
The Oya Japanese Restaurant in Kamloops was used for dining scenes in the film. The nearby clock tower also appeared in outdoor shots around the downtown area.
Additional Downtown Kamloops Filming Spots
Several other downtown Kamloops streets were used for walking scenes and background shots. The area has a mix of older and newer buildings that gave the film a flexible visual backdrop.
Interesting Behind-the-Scenes Location Facts
Some locations in the film were digitally altered in post-production. Storefronts were renamed, signs were changed, and small visual tweaks were made to help everything look like a fictional American town rather than a Canadian city.
Why Fans Visit My Secret Santa Filming Locations
Sun Peaks feels like a holiday movie set even without a film crew around. The village is compact, walkable, and genuinely warm in atmosphere.
Top spots for fans include the Sun Peaks village centre, the Sun Peaks Grand Hotel, and downtown Kamloops near the record store and clock tower.
If you're planning a trip, visit between December and February for proper snow. Book the Grand Hotel early since it fills up fast in ski season.
Spend at least a day in Kamloops to hit the downtown filming spots, and check Sun Peaks' event calendar for winter festivals worth catching.
Fun Facts About My Secret Santa Filming
Not everything in the film was shot on location, and some scenes have a surprising story behind them.
- The opening aerial snow shots were stock footage, not filmed on location.
- Kamloops and Sun Peaks locations were digitally edited to look like an American town.
- Canadian signs were removed and replaced with American-style signage in post-production.
- Some buildings were given fictional names to match the Washington state setting.
- Most outdoor Sun Peaks scenes were filmed within a short block of days to catch consistent snow.
- The tight winter shoot window meant the crew had to move fast and make the most of natural conditions.
Conclusion
My Secret Santa took something real and made it feel like a dream. Sun Peaks Resort is genuinely that charming. I looked up these locations after watching the movie and was honestly surprised by how little was staged.
If you ever get the chance to visit Sun Peaks or walk through downtown Kamloops, do it. It hits differently when you recognize the streets from the screen.
Drop a comment below if you've visited any of these spots or if you're planning a trip. I'd love to hear about it!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly was My Secret Santa filmed?
The movie was filmed primarily at Sun Peaks Resort and in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada. Various spots across both locations were used for different scenes.
Is the town of Mount Lincoln, Washington real?
No, Mount Lincoln is a fictional town created for the movie. The scenes set there were actually filmed in North Kamloops, BC.
Can fans visit the My Secret Santa filming locations?
Yes, both Sun Peaks Resort and downtown Kamloops are open to visitors. Many filming spots are easily accessible and free to walk around.
What hotel was used in My Secret Santa?
The Sun Peaks Grand Hotel and Conference Centre served as the real-life stand-in for the Layne family lodge shown in the film.
Was any footage in My Secret Santa from outside Canada?
Yes, some skiing footage was sourced from Lake Bohinj in Slovenia, and the opening aerial snow shots were stock footage, not filmed on location in BC.
