Hiking the Thompson Okanagan Mountain Resorts
Explore the many great ski mountain resorts in the Thompson Okanagan region. When the resorts transition to summer they offer a new array of exciting warm-weather adventures. Among these, hiking is one of the many adventures that can be enjoyed on these famous mountains. From easy to challenging hikes, and opportunity for trail running, these mountains have it all.
Explore the many amazing ski mountain resorts in the Thompson Okanagan region. When the resorts transition to summer they offer a new array of exciting warm-weather adventures. Among these, hiking is one of the many adventures that can be enjoyed on these famous mountains. From easy to challenging hikes, and opportunity for trail running, these mountains have it all. Next time you’re looking to change up your hiking scenery try hiking these mountain resorts.
Much of the trails start from the village and allow you to challenge yourself to make it to the top, or take the chair lift or gondola up, and start mid-mountain. Just like in the winter, some of the mountains require day-passes to use their trails and facilities, so know before you go and check the mountain resort’s website. If you like these mountain resorts in the winter, you’ll love them in the summer!
Photo by: Tourism Sun Peaks/Kelly Funk
Sun Peaks
Starting in the South Thompson Valley just 45 minutes North of Kamloops, is Sun Peaks (55.7 km/34.6mi). With 17 designated hiking trails, and a wide range of difficulty, there’s a hike for everyone. The variety of hikes offered at Sun Peaks means every trip to the mountain allows for a fresh, new adventure, never seen before.
Photo by: Tourism Sun Peaks/Kelly Funk
What to expect while hiking Sun Peaks:
Sun Peaks stands proudly at an elevation of 6,000 ft (1,828 m) above sea level. A journey to its summit leads to the breathtaking Tod Lake, a tranquil lake nestled atop the peaks. During the much-celebrated Alpine Blossom Season , a time cherished by all who hike, the landscape transforms into a vivid wildflower meadow. Exploring the trails during this season is a favorite for visitors – Learn more about the flowers with Sun Peaks' comprehensive wildflower guide. This resource enriches your hikes by unraveling the identity of the flora and fauna that lines the paths as you hike. Sun Peaks also has an abundance of birds and wildlife. As you embark on your hike, your senses will be constantly engaged, drawn in by the song birds and the potential spotting of wildlife, as well as flowers around every corner.
Click to Download Map
Summer Season at Sun Peaks
June 16 to September 4, 2023 Daily, 10:00am to 7:00pm
September 5 to 24, 2023 Daily, 10:00am to 5:00pm
SilverStar Mountain Resort
Heading to the North Okanagan, 25 minutes Northeast of Vernon (23.6km/14.67mi), is SilverStar Mountain Resort. SilverStar is a family and pet friendly spot – Welcoming dogs on every hiking trail. Try the express Gondola or the hike up to the summit all summer. You can hike straight from the village or take the Gondola, and walk down on the trails.
Photo by: @jlab55
What to expect while hiking SilverStar:
SilverStar offers a captivating panorama view of the vistas that make up the Monashee Mountain Range and the Okanagan Valley. The trails, ranging from casual strolls to longer journeys, open up these vistas at every step. Embark on looped hikes, each bend revealing new landscapes, or opt for unidirectional trails and take the chairlift back to the start. A worthwhile recommendation is venturing on the Ridge Walk, where a conveniently placed bench atop the trail invites you to pause and take in the breathtaking scenery (or a well-deserved break from hiking). With an abundance of diverse hiking options to choose from, SilverStar ensures that your curiosity will remain sparked throughout the entirety of your hike.
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You must have a valid ticket to be on the mountain for hiking. These hiking tickets are complimentary! However, they do not grant lift access.
Summer Season at SilverStar
June 23rd to September 4th 2023 Daily, 9:30am to 5:30pm
Followed by Weekends Only September 9th to 10th, and September 16 to 17th.
Big White Ski Resort
On the way to Boundary Country, 1 hour outside of Kelowna (61.9km/38.46mi), is Big White Ski Resort. Big White is another excellent option for dog-friendly hiking. You can even bring your four legged friend on the chairlifts, just keep them on leash at all times.
Tip: follow the Inukshuks along the trails to help keep you on the right track!
Photo by: @adventurewithkayli
What to expect while hiking Big White:
Big White offers an array of trails that cater to individuals of all ages, making it an ideal destination for the entire family. The diverse range of hiking grades offers options for leisurely strolls or the chance to conquer the summit at an impressive 7600 ft (2316 m). The convenience of a chairlift and gondola adds the choice for hikers to explore different pathways to the summit and discover new trails along the way. Lake lookouts and picnic tables allow for a chance to relax, and restrooms near the peak ensure a comfortable journey on this mountain. Try the Rhonda Lake Trail for a lake lookout unique to the summer; this trail and lake is entirely hidden by snow in the winter!
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Hiking tickets complimentary! However, do sign this waver before your ascend
Summer Season at Big White
June 29th to September 4th, 2023 Daily, 10:00am to 4:00pm
Baldy Mountain Resort
The South Okanagan is home to Baldy Mountain Resort, 45 minutes outside of Oliver (37.2km/23.12mi). The summer of 2023 Mt Baldy is open for its first summer season, and they can't wait to welcome summer hikers. With ten trails to kick off the season, Mt Baldy is ready for people to come see what they have to offer in the summer.
Photo by: @jlab55
What to expect while hiking Mt Baldy:
This summit is in the Okanagan Highlands, so Mt Baldy is surrounded by old growth forest and multiple viewpoints for all levels of hikers to enjoy. There’s chances to see wildlife from a distance, as well as smell the alpine flowers as you hike and listen to the surrounding birds. Take a pit stop at one of the many picnic benches or enjoy lunch at the village.
Click to Download Map
Purchase a lift ticket before you go, or buy one at the guest service once you arrive.
Summer Season at Baldy Mountain
From 11:00am to 4:00pm, Saturday and Sunday and select holiday Fridays and Mondays.
The last weekend of Summer operations is September 2nd and 3rd.
The Thompson Okanagan mountain resorts offer natural beauty, outdoor adventure, and seasonal charm. Always stay on marked trails to ensure the preservation of the flora and fauna of the mountains, and stay bear aware. Whether you're seeking panoramic views and wildflowers, family-friendly trails, or the excitement of exploring a new summer hiking destination, these resorts are calling you to the great outdoors. So, get your hiking boots, get ready for crisp mountain air, and set out on an unforgettable journey through these trails.
Written by Caroline Peterson
A BC local who went from the lower mainland to the Okanagan. A student with a passion for tourism, she aims to highlight the Thompson Okanagan experience with a fresh, adventurous perspective.
Peak Pride Big White
Now in its third year, Peak Pride Big White Ski Resort in British Columbia is turning up the heat in the winter months by being the hottest queer ski weekend of the year. Period.
Peak Pride Big White is the Thompson Okanagan’s big, inclusive, gay ski weekend
Move over Aspen. Nice try Breckinridge. And you can forget about European Gay Ski Weekend. Now in its third year, Peak Pride Big White Ski Resort in British Columbia is turning up the heat in the winter months by being the hottest queer ski weekend of the year. Period. Hot, new, fresh and exceedingly welcoming, Peak Pride Big White, held April 5-7, 2019, is the ski weekend meant for the LGBT community longing for the next best rainbow winter getaway.
Unlike its newly minted sister, Peak Pride Sun Peaks, that just held their inaugural gay ski weekend, the third annual Peak Pride Big White provides an exceptional ski weekend for the LGBT community. The second biggest winter pride in British Columbia, Peak Pride Big White is solidifying itself as a fixture of the queer calendar.
Peak Pride Big White
Photo credit: The Homoculture
Gay pride and gay ski weekends in smaller regions are becoming an important part of the queer movement for recognition and acceptance—starting at the grassroots level to educate the region on gay culture. This builds awareness of the LGBT community, helps break down barriers, makes the community more inclusive and gives the gay community a place to go. For the Thompson Okanagan region, events like Peak Pride Big White increases tourism to the area from other queer communities including Calgary, Seattle, San Francisco, Vancouver and Vancouver Island. These events allow for an opportunity for local businesses to show their support of the gay rights movement.
Peak Pride Big White is competing head-to-head with other gay ski weekends across Canada and the US. Just this past year there were three new gay ski weeks introduced in Canada. The Thompson Okanagan is the only region to host two gay ski weekends. Peak Pride Big White is an incredible value. Big White has incredible end-of-season lift and lodging specials, and event organizers have kept the Peak Pride event tickets incredibly affordable – especially considering the calibre of talent coming for this event, such as DJ DrewG!
DJ DrewG
Photo Credit: Rod Spark Photography
Events like Peak Pride at Big White also provide a platform for local talent. There are plenty of queer artists and performers who benefit greatly from an event on the local scale. Drag queens, for instance, are always looking for new events and bookings to perform. Opportunities like Peak Pride Big White are a big deal for local talent. Outside of Kelowna Pride and FruitCake, there are limited opportunities for these performers to hit the stage and showcase their talents. An event like Peak Pride Big White helps these performers get recognized by other LGBT communities looking to bring in talent from other regions and to find up-and-coming talent. It is important to support local artists and performers.
Peak Pride Big White is boasting all new events for this year’s gay ski weekend, including a fabulous Saturday night party held at an all-new location. San Diego based DJ DrewG, who performs all over the world and has done official remixes for Madonna, Beyoncé, K$sha, Lady Gaga and more will be laying down the beats for the party at Snowshoe Sam’s. With 400 people expected to attend this year’s party - sexy, out and proud DJ DrewG will have revellers dancing the night away.
Peak Pride Big White
Photo credit: The Homoculture
Think a gay ski weekend is all about skiing or snowboarding? Think again! Sure, the Okanagan has some of the best skiing in the region. But there are also lots of winter activities to enjoy while at Peak Pride Big White. Try dog sledding adventures, snowmobile tours, snowshoeing safaris, tubing and ice skating on Canada’s highest outdoor, Olympic sized skating rink.
If you’re a snow bunny who’d rather stay comfortable and warm indoors and enjoy the white stuff from the window while in front of a fireplace, there are plenty of activities for you. You can relax in the comfort of your luxury room, pamper yourself in the day spa, workout with state of the art gym equipment, people watch with a hot cup of espresso or hot chocolate from the coffee shops, enjoy world-class culinary delights from esteemed chefs and partake in some of the best après ski. And of course, relax and have brunch with the best of them.
The Thompson Okanagan region boasts some of the richest biodiversity in all of Canada. Within its borders sit its two major geographical features: Okanagan Lake and the Thompson River. Other natural features within the Thompson Okanagan region include Mt. Robson, the tallest Canadian peak of the Rocky Mountains and a semi-desert ecosystem known as the Okanagan Desert and the Nk’Mip Desert. Meanwhile, the snow at Big White has often been called champagne powder for its light, fluffy skiing conditions.
Keep your eyes peeled – you might even catch some drag queens on the chairlift or cruising down the slopes of Big White!
The Thompson Okanagan community has grown increasingly homo-friendly in the last few years, and both Peak Prides are all-inclusive, “everyone is welcome” events. Peak Pride Big White is no exception. Grab your winter jacket, ski suit, goggles and gloves and make your way to the little gay ski weekend that keeps getting bigger and better every year.
See you at Peak Pride Big White, April 5 – 7, 2019!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Brian Webb is a celebrity social influencer, advocate for LGBT rights, role-model for the LGBT community and the winner of the prestigious Mr. Gay Canada – People’s Choice award. Brian has a passion for discovering and sharing special, life defining moments. Originally from the beautiful Thompson Okanagan, Brian is well known for making regular appearances throughout the year at Pride parades, festivals, street fairs, competitions, circuit parties and LGBT-friendly destinations.
IG @br_webb