Ski the Okanagan.
Four world-class mountains. Champagne powder. Ski-in/ski-out villages. And the warmest aprés scene in BC. This is winter in the Okanagan — and it’s better than you think.
🌟 Why the Okanagan
The Okanagan isn’t just wine country.
Most people discover the Okanagan through its beaches and vineyards — but residents know the winters here are equally spectacular. From the massive ski-in/ski-out village of Big White to the powder-soaked glades of Baldy Mountain, the valley punches well above its weight as a ski destination.
Champagne Powder
The Okanagan’s dry continental climate produces some of Canada’s lightest, driest powder. Low humidity means snow lingers for days after a storm — especially at higher-elevation resorts like Apex and Baldy.
Everything is Close
No matter where you’re based in the valley, a world-class ski hill is within an hour or two. Big White is 56km from Kelowna. Apex is 30 minutes from Penticton. Baldy is 35 minutes from Oliver.
Ski + Wine Country
This is the only place in Canada where you can ski freshies in the morning and spend the afternoon touring award-winning wineries in the valley below. It’s a lifestyle unlike anywhere else.
🏔 Big White Ski Resort
BC’s biggest ski village
Big White is the anchor of Okanagan skiing — a full-scale mountain resort that rivals any destination in Canada. With 119 runs, five powder bowls, and a ski-in/ski-out village that sleeps 17,000 guests, this place earns its reputation as one of Canada’s top ski destinations year after year.
What sets Big White apart is the “snow ghosts” — those hauntingly beautiful snow-laden trees that appear in the glades after a big dump. With an average annual snowfall of 750cm, you’ll find them frequently. The mountain also holds the title of Western Canada’s largest night skiing area, with 38 acres lit after dark.
At a Glance
- 🏔 Summit: 2,319m (7,606ft)
- 🎿 16 Lifts — incl. high-speed quads
- 🌙 Night skiing — largest in Western Canada
- 🏘 Full ski-in/ski-out village
- 🍺 Snowshoe Sam’s — voted Canada’s #1 Ski Bar
- 📏 Longest run: 7.2km “Around the World”
⛷️ Apex Mountain Resort
The Okanagan’s hidden gem
Apex is one of those mountains that earns cult status quietly. Just 30 minutes from Penticton, it sits on Beaconsfield Mountain facing northeast — which means the champagne powder lasts for days after a storm because the sun barely touches it. Skiers in the know make a point of booking Apex on a powder day and leaving Big White for bluebird conditions.
With 2,000 feet of vertical, 85 runs, and a genuinely fun village atmosphere, Apex punches well above its size. It’s been recognized as Canada’s Best Small Destination Resort and a National Training Centre for Moguls and Aerials. The Gunbarrel Saloon is the definitive après-ski spot in the South Okanagan.
At a Glance
- 🏔 Summit: 2,178m (7,146ft)
- 🎿 4 Lifts incl. 1 high-speed quad
- 🧭 Faces NE — powder lasts for days
- 🏅 Canada’s Best Small Destination Resort
- 🏆 National Mogul & Aerial Training Centre
- ⛸ 1km Adventure Skating Loop (in the trees)
⭐ SilverStar Mountain Resort
The colourful village on a big mountain
SilverStar is immediately distinctive — its mid-mountain village looks like something out of a Victorian storybook, with brightly coloured buildings and ski-in/ski-out access from almost every door. But don’t let the charming aesthetics fool you: this is a serious ski mountain with 132 trails across 3,282 acres, and a 760m vertical drop that gives you room to build proper speed.
For Nordic enthusiasts, SilverStar is arguably one of North America’s finest cross-country destinations — with over 105km of groomed trails linking to adjacent Sovereign Lake. And for the 2025/26 season, the resort joined the Ikon Pass as a Bonus Mountain, making it even more accessible for destination skiers from across Canada and the U.S.
At a Glance
- 🏔 Summit: 1,915m (6,283ft)
- 🎿 12 Lifts incl. gondola + six-pack
- 🏘 Victorian-theme ski-in/ski-out village
- 🏅 2025/26 Ikon Pass — Bonus Mountain
- 🎿 105km groomed XC trails (w/ Sovereign Lake)
- ❄️ No snowmaking — all natural powder
🌲 Baldy Mountain Resort
BC’s best-kept powder secret
If you live in the South Okanagan and you haven’t skied Baldy, you’re missing out. Perched at one of BC’s highest ski area base elevations (1,726m — third highest in the province), Baldy sits in a unique sweet spot where the South Okanagan desert climate meets West Kootenay precipitation. The result? 25–35 feet of natural snow per season, and virtually nobody else on the hill.
The 2024–25 season was a landmark for Baldy — record-setting skier visits (32,000) and the resort’s longest season ever (November 29 to April 20). It’s growing quietly, and the locals who ski it want to keep it that way. Affordable tickets, zero lift lines, and 240 acres of gladed tree terrain make it one of the best powder day destinations in Western Canada.
At a Glance
- 🏔 Summit: 2,310m (7,580ft)
- 🏔 Base: 1,726m — 3rd highest in BC
- 🎿 2 Chairlifts + T-Bar + Magic Carpet
- 🌲 240 acres of gladed terrain
- 💰 Some of BC’s most affordable lift tickets
- 🦅 Views over Canada’s only natural desert
🛷 Winter Activities
More than just the slopes
The Okanagan winter extends well beyond ski runs. Whether you’re a non-skier, a Nordic enthusiast, or just looking for variety between powder days, the valley offers a full season of activity.
Nordic & XC Skiing
SilverStar + Sovereign Lake offer 105km of groomed Nordic trails — one of North America’s top XC destinations. Apex also connects to Nickel Plate Nordic Centre, 10 minutes away.
Snowshoeing
All four resorts offer snowshoe rentals and trails. Baldy has 13km of dedicated snowshoe routes. Big White runs guided snowshoe tours through “snow ghost” glades.
Tubing & Snow Coasters
Big White’s Mega Snow Coaster tubing park at Happy Valley is a family favourite. Apex runs its own tube park as well — no ski experience needed.
Ice Skating
Big White has Canada’s highest-altitude skating rink — and Apex’s 1km Adventure Skating Loop winds through old-growth trees in a setting unlike any other.
Dog Sledding
Big White offers guided dogsled tours ranging from 1–4 hours — even with mini-tracks for kids under 12. One of the most memorable winter experiences in BC.
Wine Country in Winter
Many Okanagan wineries stay open through winter. Swap your ski boots for a wine glass and explore the valley floor between powder days — it’s a genuinely unique combination.
🏡 Real Estate + Winter Lifestyle
Living where you ski
One of the most compelling reasons people relocate to the Okanagan isn’t the beaches or the wine — it’s the fact that world-class skiing is 30–60 minutes from home. Buyers who relocate here are often surprised by how much lifestyle they get for their dollar compared to Whistler or Revelstoke.
Browse the community guides below to get a feel for life in the towns closest to each resort — then let’s talk about what a move here could look like for you.
Kelowna
Gateway to Big White
⛷️Penticton
30 min to Apex
⭐Vernon
Base camp for SilverStar
🌲Oliver
Closest town to Baldy
Ready to make the Okanagan your home base?
Browse available homes across the valley, or check out my Buyers Guide to understand how the buying process works in BC.
📞 Let’s Connect
Thinking about living here?
I’m Rico Manazza — a REALTOR® with eXp Realty serving the Okanagan Valley. Whether you’re looking to relocate close to the slopes, buy a vacation property, or just want to understand what the market looks like in different communities, I’m here to help with no pressure and honest advice.
Rico Manazza · REALTOR® · eXp Realty · Licence RE603392 · (236) 457-4230
Rico Manazza
REALTOR® · eXp Realty