Canadian Spirit Holiday Services: Winter Sports and Activities in Penticton and the Okanagan Valley, Canada

Activities / Winter Sports and Activities Index / Apex Mountain Resort, Penticton / Big White Ski Resort, Kelowna / Mount Baldy Ski Resort, Oliver / Nickel Plate Nordic Centre, Penticton / Silver Star Mountain Resort, Vernon

With the 2010 Winter Olympics in nearby Vancouver just around the corner, why not spend a winter holiday in Penticton and have fun at the excellent local ski and snowboard resorts?

Apex Mountain Resort, Penticton

In Penticton, Apex Mountain Resort is just a short 30 minute drive from the downtown area and it boasts dry Okanagan powder snow, short line lifts, and sparsely crowded slopes. There are 67 runs tailored to expert, intermediate, and beginners and the mountain receives an average of 600 centimetres of powder snow per year. There are 5 ski lifts, an outdoor ice hockey rink, a one kilometre ice skating loop, a tube course, a mogul course, and night skiing. The top of Apex is 2,180 meters and the longest ski run is 5 kilometres. For snowboarders, there are two terrain parks and a 213 meter super pipe with 5 meter high walls. There are also 52 kilometre long trails available for cross country (Nordic) skiers. For a live shot of Apex Mountain Resort, please go to the Apex Mountain Web Cam.

Nickel Plate Nordic Centre, Penticton

Just beyond Apex Mountain Resort is Nickel Plate Nordic Centre which offers 65 kilometres of cross country trails, 25 kilometres of marked snowshoe trails, and 20 kilometres of backcountry forest trails. Nickel Plate is situated high in the mountains (a 1,830 metre elevation) with breathtaking views of the stunning natural beauty of the Okanagan Valley wilderness. A large lodge with kitchen and lounge facilities together with rental equipment and lessons for visitors of all ages makes Nickel Plate a "must see" destination for anyone interested in experiencing cross country (Nordic) skiing or snowshoeing.

Mount Baldy Ski Resort, Oliver

South of Penticton near the town of Oliver lies Mount Baldy Ski Resort. This hidden gem offers skiers and snowboarders some of the best powder snow in the Okanagan Valley. Being a small resort, Mount Baldy gives visitors the chance to ski and snowboard to their hearts delight without wasting valuable time standing in lift lines. There are 34 ski trails on the mountain together with 2 lifts - the Eagle Chair (double) and the McKinney T-Bar. The Eagle Chair services 1500 feet of vertical terrain and the McKinney T-Bar provides 600 vertical feet of sliding.

Big White Ski Resort, Kelowna

The largest ski resort in the Okanagan Valley is Big White Ski Resort, a 45 minute drive south of Kelowna. There are 118 different runs for all levels of skiers and the mountain receives an average of 750 centimetres (24.5 feet) of the Okanagan's world famous "champagne powder snow" per season. Big White has 16 ski lifts, and total uphill capacity reaches 28,000 skiers and snowboarders per hour. Other activities include cross country (Nordic) skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, outdoor skating, tubing, dog-sledding, horse sleighing, night skiing, and ending the day relaxing at a spa. For a live shot of Big White, please go to the Big White Webcam.

Silver Star Mountain Resort, Vernon

Located just 15 minutes northeast of Vernon, Silver Star Mountain Resort is the "sister" resort of Big White in Kelowna. Silver Star has 115 runs for all levels of skiers, and it receives about 700 centimetres of the Okanagan's world famous "champagne powder snow" per season. Other activities include cross country (Nordic) skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, outdoor skating, tubing, dog-sledding, horse sleighing, and night skiing. For a live shot of Silver Star, please go to the Silver Star Webcam.

Local Winter Activities

The Summerland Festival of Lights will take place on Friday, November 27th, 2009 from 4:30 - 9:00 pm in downtown Summerland (near Penticton). The outdoor festival, now in its 22nd year will feature thousands of twinkling lights, two stages of non-stop Christmas music and entertainment, delicious foods, arts and crafts, Santa's workshop, children's activities, horse and buggy rides, and the grand finale Lake City Casino Fireworks Display.

Santa's Hide-A-Way Craft Workshop will take place in early December at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre. There will be 7 different Christmas crafts which children can make as well as a pancake breakfast, a puppet show, and a visit with Santa Claus. In early December a Santa Claus Parade will also be held along Main Street in downtown Penticton.

Spend your next Christmas or New Year's holiday in Penticton. Ski, snowboard, cross country ski, snow shoe, ice fish, skate - have lots of fun doing outdoor winter activities while improving your English communication skills.

We are accepting guests for 2010. For further information please send us an e-mail, and we will be in contact with you shortly. Thank you