 Silver Star Mountain Resort
Highlights:
Apex Mountain Resort: A family-friendly resort close to 56 km (35 mi) of trails.
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Big White Ski Resort: A prime location for cross-country skiing near Kelowna.
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Kane Valley: Try backcountry skiing close by civilization.
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Larch Hills: A major cross-country ski area near Salmon Arm.
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Logan Lake: Experience groomed trails, rolling terrain and scenic routes.
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Mount Baldy: A gem of a family mountain in the South Okanagan Valley.
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Silver Star Mountain Resort: Named "One of the Top 3 Nordic Ski Resorts in North America."
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Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre: Known for early-season skiing, plentiful snowfall and hosting of World Cup events.
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Sun Peaks Resort: Access 28-km (17.4 mi) track-set trails and 12 km (7.5 mi) backcountry trails.
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Wells Gray Provincial Park: Wilderness skiing in one of BC's more remote parks.
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Apex Mountain Resort
The cross-country skiing at Apex is great. How great? Let's just say that the Swedish National Team has trained here. The cross-country trails are actually located 7 km (4.4 mi) away at the Nickel Plate Nordic Centre. Here, there are 56 km (35 mi) of trails, groomed for both classic and skate skiing. The majority of runs are green (easy), although there are enough blue (intermediate) and black (advanced) trails to challenge even the most expert of skiers. The centre offers numerous programs for cross-country skiers of all abilities, including kids and beginners. There is also a heated lodge on site with a waxing room and kitchen facilities.
Apex is a 35-minute drive west from Penticton.
Attributes
- Trails: 56 km (35 mi) of trails at the Nickel Plate Nordic Centre
- Average annual snowfall: 6 m (19.6 ft)
- Operating season: late November to early April
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Big White Ski Resort
Big White Ski Resort is a key destination in the Thompson Okanagan for cross-country skiing. The mountain is surrounded by captivating scenery, which skiers can enjoy from the myriad trail systems at the resort. This is a great sport to introduce to the kids - another good reason to head to Big White, which welcomes families with open arms. Even more attractive, the cost of Big White's mountain, food and lodgings adds up to an affordable vacation. Cross-country ski lessons are available at the snow school. For those wanting to explore more of the area, a local Nordic ski club maintains a further 72-km (45 mi) of trails around Kelowna.
Big White is a 45-minute drive southeast from Kelowna.
Attributes
- Trails: 25-km (15.5 mi) groomed trails; a local Nordic ski club maintains an additional 72-km (45-mi) of trails around Kelowna
- Annual snowfall average: 7.5 m (24.5 ft)
- Operating season: late November to mid April
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Kane Valley
If you like backcountry skiing that keeps you close by civilization, Kane Valley may be your ideal destination. The Nicola Nordic Ski Club maintains an expansive trail system here, with a focus on "safe wilderness." Ski trails follow old logging roads through the forested valley. The 2-km (1.2 mi) Kane Trail, short on steep inclines and sharp turns, is recommended for beginners. Trail maps, shelters and firepits are located throughout the trails, with map boards at major trailheads. Merritt, the closest community, offers accommodations and restaurants.
Kane Valley is a 20-minute drive south of Merritt.
Attributes
- Trails: over 50 km (32 mi) in total
- Average annual snowfall: varies
- Operating season: November to March
> Kane Valley website
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Larch Hills
Larch Hills is a major cross-country ski area near Salmon Arm. It offers 125 km (78 mi) of trails that vary in ski styles - from classic to skate to backcountry. While the central core of trails is track set, more adventurous skiers can spend days exploring remote areas through old-growth forests. Trails offer numerous viewpoints of the surrounding mountains, valleys and Lake Shuswap. Look for moose and lynx as well as animal tracks en route. The Reino Keski-Salmi Loppet in January is one of the largest and most celebrated loppets in the province.
Larch Hills is a 20-km (12-mi) drive from Salmon Arm.
Attributes
- Trails: 43 km (27 mi) track set + 82 km (51 mi) ungroomed trails
- Length of trails: under 1 km (0.6 mi) to 11 km (7 mi)
- Average annual snowfall: varies
- Operating season: November to March
> Larch Hills website
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Logan Lake
Thanks to dry snow and exhilaratingly open spaces, Logan Lake is fast-gaining a reputation as one of the top cross-country ski areas in BC. Groomed trails here are a mix of classic and skate styles; en route, look for moose, deer, coyotes and black-capped chickadees. The rolling terrain along the edge of the lake is appealingly surrounded by lodgepole and ponderosa pines, aspens and Douglas firs. Logan Lake is close to other cross-country skiing trails; there are 45 km (28 mi) of trails just 20 minutes east at Stake Lake. Kane Valley, also nearby, offers developed trails, too.
Logan Lake is a 45-km (28-mi) drive north from Merritt.
Attributes
- Trails: 36 km (22 mi) classic + skate trails
- Length of trails: under 1 km (0.6 mi) to 8 km (5 mi)
- Average annual snowfall: varies
- Operating season: mid December to March
> Logan Lake website
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Mount Baldy
Mount Baldy is a gem of a mountain situated in the South Okanagan Valley. The family-friendly resort is a wonderful cross-country skiing destination, offering 20 km (12 mi) of ungroomed cross-country trails (shared with snowshoers). The Nordic Centre, new this season, offers an additional 20 km (12 mi) of track-set and groomed trails, which were once used for the BC Winter Games when they were held at the mountain in the 1980s. Trails are interconnected, and often lead to great views of Mount Baldy and the valley. Routes of note include The Gruel's Pool, a loop that leads around the backside of Mount McKinney. Look for old trail signs from when the mountain first opened in 1968 and signs left over from the BC Games.
Mount Baldy is a 35-km (22-mi) drive east from Oliver.
Attributes
- Trails: 20 km (12 mi) groomed trails; 20 km (12 mi) ungroomed trails
- Average annual snowfall: 6.5 m (21.5 ft)
- Operating season: early December to mid April from Thursday to Monday
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Silver Star Mountain Resort
Silver Star is a world-renowned cross-country skiing destination. Everyone from families to Olympic athletes make tracks here to experience over 60 km ((37.3 mi) of classic and skate trails, many reached directly from lodgings. The runs, groomed each night to ensure optimal conditions, loop over a variety of terrain, while the area maintains a consistent, average temperature of -5º C (23º F). The resort hosts the Silver Star 75, at 75 km (46.6 mi), the longest cross-country ski race in North America. No wonder Snow Country magazine called Silver Star One of the Top 3 Nordic Ski Resorts in North America, while Ski Canada magazine declared it the Best Place to Take Your Nordic Skiing Significant Other. The resort itself is also magical, set against an enchanting storybook village of charming Victorian architecture, vibrant storefront displays and rustic boardwalks.
Silver Star is a 30-minute drive northeast from Vernon.
Attributes
- Trails: 60 km (37.3 mi) classic and skate trails
- Average annual snowfall: 7 m (23 ft)
- Operating season: late November to mid April
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Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre
Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre is located in Silver Star Provincial Park, near Vernon. This cross-country ski destination, operated by the Sovereign Lake Nordic Club in cooperation with BC Parks, offers groomed trails, a large, full-service day lodge, ski school, rentals, 3.5 km (2 mi) of night skiing and two biathlon ranges. The trail system here is legion. Combined with Silver Star Mountain Resort next door, there are more than 100 km (60 mi) of interconnected trails, with terrain to suit skiers of every ability. Sovereign Lake is known for its early-season skiing, plentiful snowfall and hosting of World Cup events. The ski and snowshoe school offers lessons, tours and clinics.
Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre is a 22-km (14-mi) drive north from Vernon.
Attributes
- Trails: 50 km (30 mi) groomed trails
- Length of trails: 5 km (3 mi) to 60 km (37 mi)
- Average annual snowfall: 7 m (23 ft)
- Operating season: early November to mid April
> Sovereign Lake website
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Sun Peaks Resort
Imagine endless, cobalt-blue skies. The steady swish of skis gliding along a freshly groomed track. The glorious silence of a wood gracing a fresh carpet of snow. This is the captivating world of cross-country skiing at Sun Peaks. The resort is home to 28 km (17.4 mi) of superbly groomed, cross-country ski trails as well as 12 km (7.5 mi) of enticing backcountry routes - both suitable for every level of skier. A notable trail has skiers striding from the top of the Mt. Morrisey Express to the warming hut at McGillivray Lake. Or try an exhilarating glide around the Village Loop. Lessons and rentals are available.
Sun Peaks is a 45-minute drive northeast from Kamloops.
Attributes
- Trails: 28-km (17.4 mi) trackset trails; 12 km (7.5 mi) backcountry (ungroomed) trails
- Average annual snowfall: 5.6 m (18.3 ft)
- Operating season: late November to mid April
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Wells Gray Provincial Park
Wells Gray is a large, remote park; cross-country here means wilderness skiing. There are two areas with trails: Candle Creek, just outside the park boundary, is well maintained and groomed; within the park, there is the groomed Loppet Trail system plus seemingly unlimited backcountry trails and terrain. Most runs mix gentle plateaus with steep ridges, with huts along the way. Those with little backcountry experience are advised to explore the park through guided tours; outfitters offer multi-day, hut-to-hut backcountry treks along high alpine meadows. The Birchleg in late February is a re-enactment of the cross-country ski trip made by two Viking warriors in the 13th century.
Wells Gray Provincial Park is a 35-km (22-mi) drive north of Clearwater.
Attributes
- Trails: Candle Creek - 35 km (22 mi) trails; Loppet - 80 km (50 mi)
- Length of trails: 1 km (0.6 mi) to 30 km (19 mi)
- Average annual snowfall: varies
- Operating season: December to late March, with higher elevation in the backcountry from November to April
> Wells Gray website
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