What To Expect on the Slopes this Season
With ski season here, I know everyone is excited to hit the powder and enjoy the crisp winter air on one of Thompson Okanagan’s many ski hills. The hills are gearing up for a busy season and want to ensure that their customers will feel safe while enjoying the season. Here is what you can expect from all of our region's hills.
With ski season already here, I know everyone is excited to hit the powder, if you haven’t already, and enjoy the crisp winter air on one of Thompson Okanagan’s many ski hills. The hills are gearing up for a busy season and can’t wait to welcome you and your loved ones to enjoy their terrain and amenities.
Winter activities are a great way to spend your time, just make sure to bundle up so you will be warm and comfortable. There is nothing quite like getting outside in winter, surrounded by white fluffy snow and the silence of the cold air. Along with skiing and snowboarding, we also recommend trying snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and even skating on one of the many lakes this winter.
While getting from point A to point B, make sure you are well equipped for all winter conditions as they may change fast. Winter tires are a must in the Thompson Okanagan, and an emergency kit for the car equipped with jumper cables, a shovel, extra oil, and warm clothes are always a great idea.
Thinking about spending the day at one of the mountains? Look for online purchasing of day passes and electronic kiosks once on the mountain. Planning ahead for your ski days is an excellent idea to ensure you get a ticket.
Big White Ski Resort - 1 hour from Kelowna
Big White has a 7,606 ft summit and 2,765 acres of fresh snow-covered runs. The mountain is known for its family atmosphere and diverse runs. Check out great ticket deals all season, especially on week days. Be sure to get your tickets online two days prior to going up to get the best deal.
View of the Run from Chairlift
All winter activities like skating, snow shoeing, sleigh rides, and night skiing will be open for you to enjoy. Get ready to have some fun this season no matter what level of rider you are, as it is the perfect hill to explore whether you are a seasoned rider or a beginner.
Skier in the Trees
Snow Boarder in the Trees
Harper Mountain - 20 minutes from Kamloops
Sitting at 1400 ft of elevation and only a 20-minute drive from Kamloops, Harper Mountain is the perfect place to bring your family this season. It has something for everyone; whether you need ski or snowboarding lessons or a terrain park, they have you covered. If you’re not in the mood for zooming vertically down the hill, they also have snowshoeing and cross country skiing. More flat, yet just as scenic and exhilarating.
Snowboarder in Powder
If you are looking for a fun way to spend a weekend evening, check out their night skiing for less than $30.00 Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights.
Dog and Owner in the Snow
Kids Tubing
Sun Peaks Resort - 45 minutes from Kamloops
The Sun Peaks village is surrounded by three skiable mountains, with its highest elevation being 6,820 ft. The easiest way to enjoy your ski day is by purchasing your tickets online ahead of time. For people wanting to go to the mountain during the week, there will be potential discounts available to you, making those days on a less busy hill extra special!
Skier in Fresh Powder
Enjoy a variety of mountain activities like snowshoeing, ice fishing, and cross country skiing are open and ready for you to enjoy. Check out the Crystal Chairlift added the winter of 2020. This chair replaced the original Crystal Triple that has been at the resort since 1979. The chair has a boost of 20% to the uphill capacity, and the offloading site gives you the feeling of being on top of the world.
Sun Peaks Village
Snow Boarder in Fresh Powder
Baldy Mountain Resort - 40 minutes from Oliver
As locals like to call it, Mount Baldy, Baldy Mountain Ski Resort sits at 6,965 ft above sea level. Baldy Mountain was first founded in 1968 by a group of winter enthusiasts who wanted to make their outdoor adventure vision come to life. Today, the hill is known for its light and fluffy powder, incredible terrain, and a friendly place to spend your winter. Snowshoeing, Cross Country Skiing, Disc Golf, and even Volleyball are all free at Baldy Mountain and offer scenic views to enjoy while participating in your choice of action.
Snow Shoeing in Snow Covered Trees
Ensuring everyone is comfortable on the hill is a top priority for Baldy Mountain which is why they offer ski school and other programs for all abilities.
Ski Lessons
Snow Boarder in Fresh Snow
SilverStar Mountain Resort - 30 minutes from Vernon
The quaint SilverStar village that rests on the mountain's shoulder is ready to welcome you to a fun season of fresh snow on a 6,280 ft summit and 132 runs to be explored. This resort is one of the Okanagan’s best kept local secrets. Enjoy your time on the slopes and when you’re tired in the European styled village that offers a variety of culinary options like Bugaboos Bakery and Black Pine restaurant.
Skier in Fresh Powder
All mountain activities like snowshoeing, fat biking, cross country skiing, and much more are open and ready to be enjoyed. The skating rink sits on a frozen pond and is a great place for a game of hockey or to brush up on your skating skills.
Night Skating
Gondola in the Clouds
Apex Mountain Resort - 40 minutes from Penticton
The Apex Mountain Resort summit sits at 7093 ft elevation. Although recognized as an experienced skier and a border’s favourite spot, it is an excellent place to vacation for families with beginner boarders and skiers. All of their activities like the skating adventure loop, snowshoeing, tube park, and cross country skiing are open and experiences you won’t want to miss.
Snow Boarder in the Powder
Apex has 79 marked runs and 40+ unmarked trails. Backcountry skiing ad boarding is becoming quite popular at Apex, but remember to be careful and comfortable with skiing or snowboarding and aware of the hill's safety measures and protocols before going out of bounds.
Skier at the Top of the Run
Apex Village
Telemark Nordic Club - 30 minutes from West Kelowna
The Telemark Nordic Club is excited to welcome new and past cross country skiers and snowshoers this season. They will be open this year, and are encouraging the purchase of seasons passes to make your life easy. If you are new to cross country skiing and not ready to buy a seasons pass, that is no problem, they have day passes available online and at the lodge. Rentals are available at the lodge as well and offer the opportunity for you to try the sport for a day at a reasonable price.
Cross Country Skiers- @telemarknordicclub
Try a new way to explore the region and you never know, cross country skiing and snowshoeing may become your new favourite past time this winter season!
Snow Covered Forest - @telemarknordicclub
Snow Shoeing- @telemarknordicclub
Manning Park Resort - 45 minutes from Hope
Manning Park Resort is excited to welcome you for another exciting season. With a summit of 5,868ft, its time to reconnect with nature while cruising down one of their 34 runs! Here you can enjoy all the classic winter activities like alpine skiing and boarding, Nordic skiing, skating snow shoeing, and even winter camping.
Ski Area Overview
Check out the online booking system for tickets. Whether you like to take it easy or fly down the slopes, this mountain has something for everyone.
Snow Boarder on the Slopes
Manning Park Lodge
Strap on your skis or boards and have a great time shredding it up in the powder on one of the many mountains in the Thompson Okanagan this season.
Written by Jenna Labossiere
Born and raised in Kelowna, Jenna loves being able to be a tourist in her own backyard. As a Brand Ambassador for the Thompson Okanagan region, she hopes to be able to showcase the region’s local businesses and natural attractions in order to encourage others to take the opportunity to enjoy.
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