Lifestyle
Outdoor Recreation in Kelowna
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The top outdoor activities in Kelowna are paddleboarding on Okanagan Lake, mountain biking at Myra-Bellevue and skiing at Big White. The city has a 135-km lake, mountains rising in every direction and nearly 2,000 hours of sunshine a year. Below is where to go for each activity, summer and winter, with what it costs.
Summer Activities
Summer in Kelowna centres on Okanagan Lake for paddleboarding, boating and swimming, with mountain biking, golf and hiking on land.
Water Sports on Okanagan Lake
Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) is everywhere on the lake, and calm mornings are easiest for beginners; rent boards from Downtown Marina or Gyro Beach for $25–$40/hour. The calm water near Kalamoir Regional Park in West Kelowna is a good place for beginner paddlers; the RDCO reopened only the park's southern portion after a June 2026 wildfire, so check RDCO for current access. Kayaking, wakeboarding, waterskiing and sailing are just as popular, and boat rentals (pontoon boats, ski boats) run $200–$600/half-day at marinas like Kelowna Marina and Okanagan Boat Charters. The lake reaches 22°C+ by mid-July, and for swimming, City Park and Boyce-Gyro Beach Park are the popular beaches.
Mountain Biking
Kelowna is a major mountain biking destination. Myra-Bellevue Provincial Park has 100+ km of trails, from smooth flow to technical downhill; Crawford Trails offer lake-view riding; and Rose Valley in West Kelowna has beginner-friendly options. You can rent bikes from local shops such as Bike Barn. The season runs April through October, with the best conditions in September.
Golf
Kelowna has 12+ golf courses, with green fees from $50–$80 up to $100–$150. The Harvest Golf Club is one of BC's top-rated courses ($100–$150), and Gallagher's Canyon and Predator Ridge (Vernon) are the other premium options. Shadow Ridge, Shannon Lake and Michaelbrook offer quality rounds at $50–$80. The season runs April–October, and summer twilight rates save 50%+.
Hiking
Knox Mountain is the classic: easy to moderate, panoramic lake views and 15 minutes from downtown, with Paul's Tomb trail as an easier lakeside option. Dilworth Mountain is moderate and less crowded, and Bear Creek Provincial Park is moderate with a waterfall. Myra Canyon, on the Kettle Valley Rail Trail, has 18 trestle bridges and 2 tunnels; it's at its best in fall when the leaves turn. Bring a flashlight for the tunnels. For flat, family-friendly walking, Mission Creek Greenway runs 16 km along the creek, with salmon spawning viewing in October. Rose Valley Regional Park in West Kelowna has trails from easy to challenging with views over the lake.
Winter Activities
Winter in Kelowna means skiing and snowboarding at Big White and Silver Star, plus cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and indoor skating.
Skiing & Snowboarding at Big White
Big White Ski Resort, about an hour from Kelowna, is one of the largest ski areas in BC, with 119 runs, 16 lifts and 750 cm of average annual snowfall. The snow is dry and usually reliable from December through April, there's night skiing on select runs, and the village has ski-in/ski-out accommodation, restaurants and shops. Adult season passes range $900–$1,400, and day tickets are $130+.
Silver Star Mountain Resort
Silver Star sits 90 minutes north of Kelowna, with 133 runs and a colourful village. It's known for excellent grooming, great intermediate terrain and a quieter atmosphere than Big White, and it has extensive Nordic skiing trails too. Season passes and day rates are comparable.
Cross-Country Skiing
Telemark Nordic Club maintains over 50 km of groomed classic and skate-skiing trails in the hills above West Kelowna, through snowy forest with views over the valley. Trail passes are affordable (check the club's site for current rates), and equipment rental is available on-site.
Snowshoeing
Trails in Myra-Bellevue, Big White's snowshoe trails and backcountry options through Kelowna Nordic provide quiet winter routes through the forest, and beginners can join guided tours.
Ice Skating & Hockey
Indoor arenas including Memorial Arena, Rutland Arena and Capital News Centre run public skating sessions ($3–$5) and recreational hockey leagues.
Season Pass Strategy: If you'll ski more than 8 days, a Big White season pass pays for itself. Buy in the spring for early-bird pricing (often 30% off). Many Kelowna families hold passes and ski most weekends from December through March.
Year-Round Activities
Year-round activities in Kelowna include running, rock climbing, fishing and yoga.
Running & Trail Running
Knox Mountain, Mission Creek Greenway, the Okanagan Rail Trail and the Waterfront Boardwalk cover most kinds of run. Local running clubs and run-shop groups organize group runs, and trail running in the surrounding hills keeps getting more popular.
Rock Climbing
Beyond The Crux and Gneiss Climbing are the indoor gyms, open year-round. Outside, there's sport climbing and bouldering at Skaha Bluffs (Penticton, 1 hour south) and at local crags around Kelowna. The local climbing community is active.
Fishing
Okanagan Lake has Kokanee salmon, lake trout and bass, Kalamalka Lake has rainbow trout, and there are dozens of smaller lakes within an hour's drive, with ice fishing on the smaller ones in winter. A BC fishing licence is required ($36/year for residents), and guide services are available.
Yoga & Outdoor Fitness
Kelowna's yoga community is strong, with outdoor classes on the beach, fitness boot camps in City Park and dozens of studios across the city, from hot yoga to aerial to restorative.
More Ways to Get Outside
Kelowna's other outdoor options include zip lining, fruit picking and camping, and many are free. For zip lining through the forest canopy, Oyama Zipline Adventure Park in Lake Country is the popular choice. In summer and fall, local orchards let you pick your own fruit; cherry season is the busiest, and Arndt Orchards and Don-O-Ray Farm Adventure make good family outings.
Bear Creek Provincial Park has campsites with lake views. Book well ahead for summer. Most parks and trails are free, including Knox Mountain Park, Mission Creek Greenway and Kalamoir Regional Park, and so is swimming at public beaches.
No permit is needed for day hiking on most local trails. Dogs are allowed on many trails on leash, and some parks, including parts of Knox Mountain, have off-leash areas, so check park rules first.