Powder Playground: Uncover BC’s Winter Ski Resorts in the Thompson Okanagan Valley

The air is filled with swirling snow as my Nordic ski instructor, a slender mature woman named Debra, shows me how to stay upright on skis that are much skinnier than the regular downhill skis I’ve tried before. Before me, snow-cloaked pine trees and a groomed trail shimmer under the backdrop of the towering mountains of Big White Ski Resort in Kelowna, British Columbia.

This is my second cross-country Nordic skiing lesson of the week; it’s my second Nordic skiing lesson period. As a “flatlander” from the plains of Oklahoma, this swirl of snowflakes, eye-watering cold, expansive mountain scenery and whole “ski” culture are foreign, thrilling and curious to me.

Luckily, at the two ski resorts I visited in British Columbia’s Thompson-Okanagan region, I learned that this area had more to offer than stellar ski slopes during the winter. Located in the heart of British Columbia, Canada, the Thompson Okanagan Valley is a low-key destination for winter sports enthusiasts seeking the perfect blend of adrenaline and breathtaking scenery. The region may be better known for its sprawling vineyards and summer hiking, but in winter it undergoes a magical transformation, offering an array of world-class skiing opportunities.

With its pristine powder snow, diverse terrain, and charming alpine villages, the Okanagan promises an unforgettable skiing adventure for both seasoned athletes and first-time visitors alike. Slowly sliding down that tiny little hill, however, all I could think about was not falling on my butt.

Ski Resorts Galore

“Winter is one of my favorite times in the region,” said Jenna Labossiere, marketing media and communications manager for the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association. “We have five ski mountains and resorts within the region that include Sun Peaks, Big White, and Silver Star as our biggest mountains. Some of the local gems in the south are Apex Mountain and Baldy Mountain, and each of these mountains obviously offers incredible skiing and snowboarding.”

The Okanagan Valley in British Columbia boasts a cluster of premier ski resorts that draw adrenaline junkies to its slopes each winter. With a diverse range of terrain catering to all skill levels, these resorts include the expansive powder bowls of Big White Ski Resort to the charming Victorian village ambiance of SilverStar Mountain Resort.

Each includes challenging black diamond runs and leisurely family-friendly slopes, but they both have their own personality.

Known for its saunas, the Sparkling Hill Resort in Vernon glitters with opulence thanks to the more than 3.5 million Swarovski crystals infused in every corner of the resort. Geared toward upscale relaxation the rooms boast floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the mountain ranges and a massive soaking tub facing the view.

This adults-only resort’s 40,000-square-foot KurSpa includes seven uniquely themed steams and saunas, a heated year-round outdoor infinity pool, crystal architecture, and sweeping views of the nearby mountains and lakes.

It was the perfect place to relax before subjecting my body to a sport I’d never tried before.

Strapping on the Skis

“Watch your step; it’s pretty icy,” a puffed-jacket-clad man shouted out as I exited the vehicle at Sovereign Lake Nordic Club (SLNC), ready for my first try at Nordic skiing. Situated within the Silver Star Provincial Park, SLNC is a non-profit organization promoting cross-country skiing. Its subalpine environment has nearly 100 miles of joint trail networks with Silver Star Mountain Resort, making it the largest continuously groomed network of cross-country ski trails in Canada.

At SilverStar Mountain Resort in the Monashee Mountains near Vernon, we found clean slopes and a hopping apres-ski vibe. In its colorful Victorian-inspired village, SilverStar exudes rustic charm and old-world ambiance. With over 3,000 acres of skiable terrain and an average annual snowfall of over 700 centimeters, SilverStar is one of the more accessible ski resorts in the region.

“Silver Star has a quaint, beautiful little village that is very colorful,” said LaBossier. “Throughout the winter season, there are lots of ski and stay packages. No matter which ski resort you want to stay at or go to, make sure to go check out their websites for those packages.”

Silver Star was also one of the most fun places to indulge in apres-ski culture. We munched on fat burgers and chili at Long Johns Pub before checking in at The SnowBird Lodge, an apartment hotel situated on the main road and village at Silver Star. Worn out from that day’s ski lesson, we opted to enjoy Okanagan wine at DiVine Cellar, a hidden little wine room, before “loading up on a rumbling snowcat for one of the most unique dinner experiences offered at Silver Star.

Nicknamed “Paradise Express,” the snowcat brought us through the snow-blanketed terrain under the stars to Paradise Camp for a lantern-lit dinner.

The Family Fun Vibes at Big White

Big White Ski Resort, one of the most family-friendly ski and snow resorts in Canada, is situated just an hour’s drive from the city of Kelowna. Condé Nast Traveller UK Readers’ Choice Awards honored Big White Ski Resort as one of the top ski resorts in North America.

Big White features over 2,700 acres of skiable terrain, Nordic routes, and snowshoe hiking. Its famed “champagne powder” snowfall blankets the resort in a fluffy white layer, providing the perfect conditions for carving fresh tracks.

“I think a lot of people don’t even know that we have such great world-class skiing and snowboarding in the area,” LaBossier said. “Big White is a really lovely family resort. It has excellent terrain and lots of activities and events throughout the season.”

Besides skiing, snowboarding, snowshoe hiking, and cross-country adventure, Big White also offers snowmobile tours, snowshoe hiking, and lessons for winter adventurers of all ages.

Big White’s family-friendly reputation works out for beginner skiers like me, making it a truly fantastic mountain for beginners and intermediates. The number of beginner slopes include miles of groomed pistes to progress onto and the majority of the runs are either green or blue. Every chair lift has a green run to choose from.

The Ski & Board School at Big White offers lessons and camp programs for children while adults can learn from some of the most advanced ski instructors in the area. This family-owned and run resort even has a daycare in the village for young children as well as other activities, such as tubing, game nights and carnival nights.

Town is Just as Fun

In Kelowna, on the way to Big White, we stopped for a coffee-tasting experience at Craft 42 Roasters, a newer coffee shop located along the Okanagan Rail Trail, a winding path created from a decommissioned old rail line that has become popular with walkers and cyclists alike.

With a commitment to ethical sourcing and climate action, Craft 42 Roasters uses Canadian companies and Canadian importers who travel to farms around the world to ensure sustainability. For more than an hour, we sampled coffees and learned to pick up the subtle notes of each blend.

We watched master chef Rod Butters whip up a full meal at a private cooking class at Okanagan Table in Kelowna, sipping cocktails as the BC Restaurant Hall of Fame inductee and award-winning cookbook author explained the simple way to make gnocchi and pan-sear fish.

We sampled local wine while dipping fluffy bread in rich fondue at The View Winery and walked along Kelowna’s hopping downtown.

“Most wineries do their best to stay open year-round,” LaBossier said. “If you are going to go wine tasting throughout the region, we always say double check the websites just to make sure that they’re open the day that you’re there or if they have adjusted their time slightly for winter.”

A Magical Winterland Ending

That night, from the Adventure Centre at Big White, we loaded onto a horse-drawn carriage and lumbered through the snowy, dark night to a tiny, intimate cabin dinner. All the while, the snow kept coming down.

In the end, I did manage to stop myself on the hills of Big White. My instructor, Michael, cheered me on as if I were an Olympic athlete as I finally got the hang of cross-country skiing. And now that I’ve experienced winter in British Columbia’s friendly Okanagan Region, I can’t wait to return for her summer adventures.

Hello BC sponsored the author’s visit to BC  but the opinions are all her own.

 

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