J.P. Squire looks at best places to fly downhill or glide through forest this winter
’Tis the season for skiing.
After 35 years of writing about the ski industry and the Okanagan winter ski scene, Outdoors page columnist J.P. Squire has not yet found another region in North America that offers such a large number and variety of ski resorts and cross-country ski areas, all within a two-hour drive (depending on where you live in the valley).
Rather than rank them (how do you compare a smaller XC area like McKinney Nordic Ski Club to massive SovereignSilver Star?) or put them alphabetical order, The Okanagan Weekend edition decided to start in the South Okanagan, then head north. We hope to encourage those who bought season passes at just one of them to venture farther afield and check out the other areas.
No doubt, you will be surprised at the wide range of trails and spread the word that the Okanagan has world-class skiing right at our doorstep. All you have to do is take that first step out your door.
Baldy Mountain Resort
(baldyresort.com): located 35 minutes east of Oliver, 45 minutes from Osoyoos (via Fairview Road, McKinney Road); in the top 10 of highest elevation ski resorts in Canada (daylodge at 5,665 feet/1,726 metres ASL); family-friendly downhill skiing or snowboarding November to April, two chairlifts, Magic Carpet, 35 alpine runs, 360 acres of trails, 240 acres of glades; 80 per cent beginner to intermediate terrain; five kilometres of snowshoe trails, five kilometres of cross-country ski trails; tobogganing with the kids; celebrating its 50th anniversary with a series on the “People of Baldy” highlighting the stories behind favourite lifts and trails, plus three exciting, innovative events: 50-year reunion party on Jan. 26; inaugural Winter Wine Competition showcasing the South Okanagan’s best vintners on Feb. 9; and inaugural Craft Beer Event on March 23.
McKinney Nordic Ski Club
(mckinneynordicskiclub.com): located on McKinney Road on the way to Baldy Mountain Resort; locally-operated crosscountry ski and snowshoe club; nine kilometres of groomed cross-country trails; five kilometres of marked snowshoe trails; established in 1990 as Inkameep X-Country Ski Club by Penticton Outdoors Club members; name changed in 1997; most ski trails on old unused logging roads; snowshoe trails have come a long way in the last three or four years; the log-in book at Eagle Lookout Shelter shows a three- or four-toone ratio of snowshoe-to-skier of those who signed in; series of snowshoe signs erected last year using what the club’s 4D plan: destination, distance and degree of difficulty; signs are colour-coded green, blue and black like other ski areas and resorts.
Apex Mountain Resort
(apexresort.com): located on Beaconsfield Mountain east of Penticton via Green Mountain Road; only Okanagan mountain facing northeast so 600 centimetres of snow annually is less affected by the sun and the famous light, dry powder snow can survive for days after a snowfall; high-speed quad, triple chair, T-bar, Magic Carpet; most comprehensive snow-making fleet in the region with 12 snow guns that provide top-to-bottom snow-making capability to more than 2,000 feet of vertical; that allows early-season training camps each fall hosting elite athletes from several countries preparing for the World Cup circuit and other top racing disciplines; cross-country sking, fat bikes, snowshoeing, tube park, hockey rink, Adventure Skating Loop.
Nickel Plate Nordic Centre
(nickelplatenordic.org): 45 minutes from downtown Penticton via Green Mountain Road; 56 kilometres of groomed trails for classic and skate skiing; 16 kilometres of marked snowshoe trails; 6,000-foot elevation for one of the longest ski season in the Western Hemisphere; 4,000-square-foot daylodge with kitchen, eating and lounge areas, separate heated washrooms and showers; full line of rental equipment, professional instruction, races; hosting a number of events this season, including member potluck dinners with live music, the renowned volunteer appreciation dinner at the end of the season, the OK Cup on Jan. 56 and the Spring Loppet on March 30.
Telemark Nordic Centre
(telemarknordic.com): operated by the Telemark Nordic Club, located just 10 minutes (nine kilometres) from downtown Westbank on the road to Crystal Mountain; 50 kilometres of expertly-groomed crosscountry skate and classic ski trails for all abilities; night skiing on lighted trails; dog-friendly trail for classic and skate; 62 kilometres of snowshoe trails; season passes, day passes, lessons, rentals of skate and classic skis as well as snowshoes; cozy chalet and heated washrooms; youth programs in cross-country skiing; biathlon for all ages and abilities; additional programs for Masters, Special Olympics and local school groups; annual Apple Loppet (fun ski race for everybody) on Jan. 13; 2019 Western Canadian Championships on Feb. 7-9 with 600-plus racers from across Western Canada and U.S.; Biathlon BC Cup on March 1-3.
Big White Ski Resort
(bigwhite.com): Canada’s favourite family resort and home to the world-famous “Okanagan champagne powder;” an average of 25 feet of snow every year and responsible for shaping its famed snow ghosts; a short 45-minute drive from Kelowna; Canada’s largest ski-in and skiout village, boasting more than 17,000 onmountain beds; 119 runs, 15 lifts, five powder bowls, and plenty of bluebird days; consistently voted as one of the top ski resorts in the world; from snowmobiling to dog sled tours, ice climbing to fat biking, there’s something for everyone; home to more than 20 on-mountain restaurants, cafes, delis, pubs and nightclubs.
Kelowna Nordic Ski and Snowshoe Club
(kelownanordic.com): located on McCulloch Road, 45 minutes from Kelowna, 45 minutes from Big White Ski Resort; 75 kilometres of ski trails professionally groomed daily for both skate and classic skiing; more than 70 kilometres of snowshoe trails, many with panoramic views; four day-use cabins all heated with woodstoves including the large main cabin; main parking lot on McCulloch Road, Summit parking lot on Highway 33; new club members get free ski lesson; wide variety of social events including Moonlight Ski and Snowshoe nights, Family Day, equipment demo day hosted by Fresh Air Experience; carpooling/group ski tours; no ski/snowshoe rentals; toboggan hill for kids.
Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre
(sovereignlake.com): located 22 kilometres west of Vernon on Silver Star Road; 105 kilometres of world-class-groomed ski trails when combined with Silver Star Mountain Resort; the largest continuously-groomed ski area in Canada; the longest ski season in North America, early November through to May; the largest cross-country ski club in North America; 5,000-square-foot daylodge, waxing facilities and numerous outbuildings available for rent; hosting the 2019 BC Special Olympics Winter Games and National Ski Championships in March 2020; last weekend hosted the successful 2018 Haywood NorAm/US Super Tour, the second stop on the US SuperTour Points Series in 2018; 20 kilometres of snowshoe trails.
Silver Star Mountain Resort
(skisilverstar.com): located 22 kilometres up Silver Star Road east of Vernon; four distinct mountain faces with 132 runs; B.C.’s third-largest ski area with more than 3,282 skiable acres; Putnam Creek a.k.a. “the backside” has more than 1,900 acres of black- and double-black-diamond runs; season late November to early April; Canada’s first all-inclusive lift ticket; snowshoeing, tube park, ice skating; 105 kilometres of world-class-groomed ski trails when combined with Sovereign Lake; new crosscountry skier centre with ticket sales; nine hotels/lodges, chalets and condos for 5,600; 18 food/beverage outlets.
Larch Hills Nordic
(skilarchhills.ca): operated by the Larch Hills Nordic Society; 20 kilometres south of Salmon Arm; more than 170 kilometres of ski trails, 57 kilometres of skate/classic trackset trails regularly groomed (1/3 groomed every day), 114 kilometres of ungroomed; 17 kilometres of snowshoe trails; 800-metre canine trail; heated chalet next to the parking lot with areas suitable for young children nearby, plus three shelters; low daily trail fees with membership options; skiing programs and lessons for all ages; volunteer trail guides; will host 2019 Teck BC Championships, Lantern Ski, Santa Cruise Fun Race, Larch Hills Fun Race, Elementary School Pirate Loppet, Reino Keski-Salmi Loppet.