It’s time to try something new.
You could stay close to home this winter, and do all the “tried-and-true” snow-filled activities you do every year.
Or…
You can drive just a few more hours and find yourself in a winter wonderland complete with some of the best skiing, shopping, and sipping in the province.
Located in the North Okanagan, Vernon is just a 5-hour drive or 1-hour flight from Vancouver and is the perfect destination for holiday and winter fun. From cross-country skiing and snowshoeing to sleigh rides, artisan craft fairs, and delicious local eats complete with stunning views, Vernon truly merges small-town charm with world-class amenities. The result? A magical holiday experience you’ll never forget.
It’s time to start some new holiday traditions – here’s everything you can see, do, eat, drink, and shop in Vernon, B.C.
Enjoy the great outdoors
Spending a day playing in the snow is an absolute must when visiting Vernon during the winter months.
With a cheerful village nestled on the shoulder of the mountain, local favourite SilverStar Mountain Resort offers a dazzling array of winter activities ranging from downhill skiing to snowshoeing, tubing, fat biking, and skating on their scenic 132-run mountain. It’s also home to Sovereign Lake Nordic Club and SilverStar Mountain Resort’s joint trail network; the largest cross-country trail network in Canada. With 105km of pristine daily groomed trails to explore, there’s something for everyone’s level of expertise.
If zooming downhill at really high speeds isn’t your thing, you can also enjoy a stroll through SilverStar Mountain’s village, where you’ll find plenty of local treats and eats, including clothing, gifts, candy, and more.
Snowshoeing is also available at Predator Ridge, where you can explore 12 km of tracked and signed snowshoeing trails in their 1300-acre winter playground. Their trails are even pet-friendly! Just don’t forget to keep your four-legged friend on a leash.
Get in the holiday spirit
What people may not know is that Vernon has just as much going on off the slopes as they do on. Once you’ve explored everything you can in the snow, be sure to check out all of the incredible Holiday arts and cultural events going on around town during the holidays, like Victorian Christmas at O’Keefe Ranch.
Here you can enjoy roasted chestnuts, marvel at decorated heritage buildings, and interact with the animals and role-play artists bringing heritage Christmas to life. Enter the Gingerbread contest for your chance to win a prize and don't forget to say hello to Father Christmas while you’re there.
Next, be sure to check out Caravan Farm theatre’s Winter Sleigh Ride Show. In this one-of-a-kind experience, you and your friends and family are transported in a horse-drawn sleigh from scene to scene for the outdoor theatre production of Luke Reece’s the Wonderful.
If you still need to cross a few names off your holiday shopping list, you can head to the Absolutely Artisan market, a 35-vendor holiday market featuring handmade gifts crafted by local artisans. Last-minute shoppers are in luck, it’s running all the way up to Christmas Eve.
If you’re looking for something a little less festive, you can check out what’s happening at the Vernon & District Performing Arts Centre or head to the Vernon Jazz Club for a Saturday night show.
Eat, drink, and be merry
Finally, it’s time to slow down after all the holiday hustle and bustle to enjoy one of Vernon’s many local restaurants, cafés or distilleries, breweries, and bars.
Warm up from the cold with a hot cup of coffee or tea at one of Vernon’s many local cafés or tea shops. Offering a full range of caffeinated delights, Vernon is home to your favourite Canadian coffee chains as well as independently owned spots that even roast their own beans. Try following the Hot Sips trail to taste a little something from every stop.
Once you’re fueled up, grab some food at one of Vernon’s many eateries. If you’re looking for a view, Range Lounge & Grill at Predator Ridge and PeakFine at Sparkling Hill Resort dazzle both your eyes and taste buds. During December you can even join Santa for brunch every Sunday at the Range Lounge & Grill. If you’re looking for something a little more casual, you can always visit downtown staples Station BBQ, The Med, and Midtown Bistro for some exquisite delicious local fare.
If craft beer is your thing, check out Marten Brewpub; located in the heart of downtown Vernon BC, Marten Brewery and Pub serves full-bodied beers, with no preservatives, and no additives, which are all naturally carbonated and unfiltered. If spirits are more for you, check out Okanagan Spirits, B.C’s original craft distillery who recently won the award for Artisanal Distillery of the Year at the prestigious 2022 Canadian Whisky Awards.
Don’t miss out on what could be one of your most memorable holiday seasons yet. Visit tourismvernon.com to start planning your winter getaway today.
