Where to Do the Best Skiing and Snowshoeing in the Okanagan
Everyone loves a good summer vacation. But what are we supposed to do for the other 10 months of the year? The winter season actually has plenty to offer adventurers looking to get away for a long weekend or more.
Sporty travelers heading to the Okanagan have plenty of trails and skill hills to choose from – and we’ve compiled some of the best!
Tip: Many of these locations offer both skiing and snowshoeing, so be sure to read their website or call ahead to see what’s available!
Okanagan Ski Resorts
If skiing or snowboarding is your thing, these hills are the best in the west:
- SilverStar Mountain Resort
SilverStar Mountain Resort boasts 132 runs, a ski-in ski-out village, and seasonal festivals that bring live music, food and drink, and other activities to the hill. You’ll find it in the Shuswap Highland of the Monashee Mountains, just northeast of Vernon, B.C.
- Big White Ski Resort
Big White Ski Resort is so infamous that some students attend Kelowna’s UBC university campus just to have access to their legendary runs. With 118 designated Alpine trails and over 25 km of Nordic trails, you have plenty of mountain to explore.
- Apex Mountain Resort
Located near Penticton, Apex Mountain Resort has 4 lifts, 79 marked runs, over 40 unmarked runs, 4 terrain parks, and over 5000 ha of backcountry terrain. The village resort has everything you need between runs, like a bistro and saloon.
Okanagan Snowshoeing
There are plenty of places to snowshoes, here are some local favorites:
- Kettle Valley Railway
Accessible via Myra forestry service road, June Springs road, or Chute Lake road, the Kettle Valley Railway is a trail that runs through Myra Canyon near Kelowna. The total trekking distance is 12 km out and back with a 150m elevation gain.
- Kelowna Nordic
20 min east of Kelowna, just off Hwy 33 on McCulloch FSR, Kelowna Nordic is a dog-friendly park with 75 km of snowshoeing trails, a toboggan hill, a day lodge, special events from time-to-time, and warming huts along the routes.
- Telemark Nordic Club,
Find the Telemark Nordic Club west of Okanagan Lake near the Crystal Mountain Ski Resort. The area has 5 snowshoe trails ranging from 2 km to 15 km, depending on what you’re looking for. In total, they have over 50 km of trails to enjoy.
Skiing, snowshoeing, or all of the above! There’s plenty to do in the Okanagan during the wintertime. Stop by and enjoy everything that our landscapes and trails have to offer, even during “off” season.
Want to plan a skiing or snowshoeing getaway? La Casa Mirador is open to book all year round and can accommodate up to 28 people! We’ve also got a private roof top hot tub to warm up in after a long day in the snow! Contact us to start planning your next winter vacation!
