Winter in the Okanagan
Winter in the Okanagan means snow on the ski hills and quieter, frosty days in the valley below. There's plenty to do on and off the slopes, from skating and snowshoeing to sleigh rides, holiday markets and long, warm evenings by a fire.
Here are our winter guides, all built from verified listings.
On the snow
- Ski season: Big White and SilverStar ski guide covers après-ski, lunch on the mountain, dinner and things to do off the slopes.
- Opening days and mountain events: Ski season 2026–27 lists opening days and every event at Big White and SilverStar.
- Eating on the mountain: Where to eat at Big White and where to eat at SilverStar cover après, dinners and quick bites.
- The smaller hills: Apex & Baldy covers the Okanagan's smaller ski hills and what's around them.
- Beyond downhill: Beyond the ski hills rounds up tube parks, fat biking, lit forest walks, snowshoe dinners, ice fishing and winter birding.
- Cross-country: Nordic skiing & snowshoeing covers groomed trails and snowshoe routes across the valley.
- On the ice: Skating in the Okanagan lists rinks, arenas and outdoor ice.
- Guided adventures: Sleigh rides, dog sledding & snowmobile tours covers horse-drawn sleighs, husky tours, snowmobiles and snowcats.
Holidays and events
- The holidays: Holiday markets, lights & Christmas events 2026, and every Christmas market and craft fair, town by town.
- After New Year: Winter festivals & events, January–March 2027.
- December: The Okanagan in December covers the month's events, first days on the ski hills, skating and cozy plans.
- January: Things to do in the Okanagan in January mixes events, snow days, indoor warm-ups and cozy food.
- Valentine's Day: Valentine's Day in the Okanagan gathers date ideas: dinners, floating saunas, chocolate and a snowcat dinner.
- In town: Things to do in Kelowna in winter covers skating, snow days, grey-day plans and the season's big events.
- Hockey: Hockey season in the Okanagan lists home games for the valley's teams.
Warm up
- Heat and steam: Saunas, spas & warm soaks covers floating saunas, bathhouses and pools with a hot tub.
- By the fire: Cozy spots for cool days finds fireside dining rooms, fire pits and heated patios.
- Comfort food: Soup, ramen & pho.
- Winter wine: Winter wine & icewine covers icewine makers and wine tours from the ski hills.
Grey-day plans
- Indoors: A rainy day in the Okanagan covers museums, an indoor waterpark, shows and more.
- Keep swinging: Indoor golf in the Okanagan lists the valley's golf simulators.