Winter Family Fun in Vernon
Are you tired of being cooped up in the house? Are the kids bouncing off the walls and you just don’t know what to do? Whether you are a Vernon local or just in for the weekend there are so many winter activities within a short drive of Vernon.
First stop on our itinerary was finding a spot to pull out the snowshoes. There are so many wonderful trails to explore around Vernon. It all depends on the scenery or terrain you are searching for.
A few of our go to spots include Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park which offers gorgeous views and a variety of terrain for all abilities, The Okanagan Rail Trail is more of a leisurely trail which runs along Kalamalka Lake perfect for stretching your legs or towing your little one with Thule carrier behind you. If you are looking for more of a secluded feel, surrounded by trees then both Sovereign Lake, with its 14km or SilverStar Mountain with its 16km trail networks will fit that bill!
For those who don’t own their own snowshoes there are a few shops within Vernon that have you covered. If you plan of visiting SilverStar Mountain or Sovereign Lake no need to worry, they have rentals available on site!
Attridge has you covered for all of your ski and board needs. It is our ‘go-to’ local shop when purchasing winter gear. Not only do they have friendly, knowledgeable staff, but they also offer Junior Ski packages and Junior Half Back Program which is so helpful when investing in gear for kids who are continually growing. With their program you can trade in your outgrown gear for half of the purchase price for 2 years. With 4 kids who seem to outgrow their gear every season right now, I know we are not the only family who can truly appreciate this!
This weekend we headed to Sovereign Lake first and chose one of their blue trails which offers a 2.7km loop and is easy enough for our 4-year-old to keep up with the pack.
Sovereign Lake Nordic Club is a great choice if you are looking to have a different day on the snow. They offer lessons, rentals and 50kms of maintained trails to suit all experience levels. Their knowledgeable staff will size you for gear as well as recommend the right trails to make your day as easy and enjoyable as it should be.
After giving our legs a stretch on the trails we continued up to SilverStar Mountain Resort where we had rented a condo through Silver Star Stays. They boast 110+ units which accommodate anyone from families travelling for a weekend or a couple with their pooch in tow.
We opted for a ski out condo at the bottom of the chair which made for the perfect spot. We were able to whip up lunch in our adorable kitchen while the older kids continued to stretch their legs on the ski run across the laneway. Our condo boasted a bunkroom which was perfect for the kids and within walking distance to the center of the resort and tube town.
On the days we didn’t feel like cooking in the condo we opted for eating at the Red Antler. They offer a wide variety of options including a kid’s menu along with Vegan/Vegetarian options. SilverStar Mountain offers something for everyone, whether you are looking for something more upscale or quick casual dining. You have your pick between more then 10 dining locations on the mountain and of course it is a quick trip to Vernon for even more variety.
Our family loves everything about Vernon, it truly is an outdoor lover’s paradise with all the amenities of a big city. What more could parents (or kids) ask for?
Article and images by the Roelofs Family
