Lifestyle
Skiing Near Kelowna
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The best skiing near Kelowna is at Big White Ski Resort, about an hour from the city, with Silver Star 90 minutes north as the main alternative. Big White is one of the largest ski areas in BC, with dry snow, a ski village and terrain for every level, and a few other regional resorts add variety. This guide covers season passes, first-timer tips and what to do in winter off the slopes.
Big White Ski Resort
Big White Ski Resort is Kelowna's home mountain, 56 km (about an hour's drive) southeast of the city via Highway 33 and Big White Road. It's one of the largest ski areas in BC, known for dry powder, snow ghosts (rime-covered trees) and a proper ski-in/ski-out village.
Terrain Stats
119 runs across 1,147 hectares of skiable terrain, 16 lifts including a high-speed gondola, and a vertical drop of 777 metres. The split is 18% beginner, 54% intermediate and 28% advanced/expert, so it suits families and intermediate skiers especially well while still giving experts plenty to work with.
Snow Conditions
Average annual snowfall is 750 cm (295 inches), and Big White's elevation (1,755m village, 2,319m summit) and interior location keep it consistently dry powder. The season typically runs late November through mid-April, with peak conditions January through March.
The Village
The ski-in/ski-out village has accommodation (condos, hotels, chalets), restaurants, shops and après-ski bars, and puts on a weekly fireworks show. Non-skiers aren't left out: Happy Valley has a beginner area, tubing park, skating rink and horse-drawn sleigh rides.
Pricing
Season pass and day ticket prices change every season, so check Big White's site. The biggest savings come in the early-bird season pass sales, typically in spring.
Commuter Tip: Plenty of Kelowna families ski Big White as a day trip instead of staying in the village. Leave Kelowna by 7:30 AM, ski 9 AM–3 PM and you're home by 4 PM. The drive is straightforward, but you need winter tires and some care: Big White Road is well maintained but steep and winding, and chains are occasionally required during heavy snowfall.
Silver Star Mountain Resort
Silver Star Mountain Resort is a ski area 90 minutes north of Kelowna near Vernon, with 133 runs and a village of brightly painted heritage-style buildings. It's known for excellent grooming, great intermediate terrain and extensive Nordic trails, and it's typically less crowded than Big White, which is why families and skiers who hate long lift lines like it. There's also tubing, snowshoeing and fat biking. Season passes and day rates are comparable to Big White, and many Kelowna residents hold passes at both mountains for variety.
Why Choose Silver Star?
Better grooming, a quieter atmosphere, excellent cross-country trails (105 km groomed Nordic) and that village, and it feels less commercial than Big White. Advanced and expert skiers head to the Putnam Creek area.
Other Ski Options
The other ski options from Kelowna are longer trips: Revelstoke Mountain Resort (2.5 hours) for expert terrain and Sun Peaks Resort (3 hours) for a weekend with good family terrain.
Revelstoke Mountain Resort
2.5 hours from Kelowna (revelstokemountainresort.com), with North America's greatest vertical drop (1,713m), deep powder, challenging terrain and smaller crowds. It's where expert skiers and powder hounds go, and day trips are long but rewarding.
Sun Peaks Resort
3 hours from Kelowna (sunpeaksresort.com), Canada's second-largest ski area has a ski-in village and good family terrain. It works better as a weekend trip when you want variety.
How should new skiers get started in Kelowna?
New skiers in Kelowna should take lessons before buying any equipment. Big White's Snow School runs group and private lessons, and learning proper technique early saves you bad habits and injuries. Rent for your first season while you figure out what kind of skiing you enjoy; Big White and downtown Kelowna shops (Fresh Air Experience, Sports Experts) do seasonal rentals of skis or board, boots and poles.
Once you know your preferences, consignment shops and Facebook Marketplace are good for used gear. Dress in layers: a moisture-wicking base layer, an insulating mid-layer and a waterproof outer shell. Spend on quality gloves, goggles and a helmet (required for children, strongly recommended for adults), but don't buy everything at once; see what you need after your first few days.
What can you do in Kelowna in winter besides skiing?
Winter in Kelowna off the slopes means cross-country skiing, skating, wine tasting, breweries, climbing gyms, museums and shows. Down in the city, winter is more often rain or slush than deep snow, but bring sunscreen anyway, because the sun is strong even in winter.
Cross-Country Skiing & Snowshoeing
Telemark Nordic Club, off Glenrosa Rd in West Kelowna, has groomed cross-country trails for all levels, dedicated snowshoe trails and rentals on site.
Myra Canyon Trestles
Walk or snowshoe across the trestles for views over the valley. It's fairly flat and fine for families, but the road to the trailhead isn't always plowed, so check conditions first.
Stuart Park Ice Rink
An outdoor rink on the downtown waterfront at 1430 Water St. It's free if you bring your own skates, and best at sunset with the lake behind it.
Winter Wine Tasting
Many wineries stay open through winter, snow on the vines and all. Try Mission Hill or Quails' Gate in West Kelowna, or Arrowleaf Cellars and Ex Nihilo Vineyards in Lake Country. Check winter hours, and book ahead on weekends.
Breweries & Distilleries
For beer, BNA Brewing Co. & Eatery and Tree Brewing Beer Institute; for spirits, Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery. Many offer tours and tasting flights.
Indoor Climbing
Beyond the Crux Climbing Gym (#5-685 Finns Rd) has routes from beginner to advanced, bouldering and intro classes.
Museums, Galleries & Shows
The Okanagan Heritage Museum covers local history and the Kelowna Art Gallery covers art. For live music all winter, there's the Kelowna Community Theatre and local pubs.
Warm Rooms on Cold Days
Dinner at The Train Station Pub or Bouchons Bistro; coffee or hot chocolate at Sprout Bread or Bright Jenny Coffee.
Festivals & Stargazing
Tourism Kelowna's calendar lists Christmas markets, ice carving and other winter events. On a clear night, Dilworth Mountain Park has good views and fairly dark skies.