Penticton is well known for its summer fun and activities, but here are five reasons why this city is becoming recognized for its unforgettable winter experiences.
Magical lights display
Take a walk through the light tunnel at Gyro Park in downtown Penticton, featuring 30,000 lights stretching for 180 feet. The park is also decked out with interactive lights displays including a light box, where you can design your own images, and a tree that lights up with you stop or sing.
Outdoor skating
The outdoor ice rink near Gyro Park in downtown Penticton is now open, offering free family skating on odd calendar days and shinny hockey on even days. A volunteer group, Activate Penticton Society, opened the outdoor facility to the public in 2022 and the free experience has been a hit ever since. Get the full schedule and details on their website at activatepenticton.com (no skate rentals on-site).
Also, Penticton Lakeside Resort offers a private ice rink with views of Okanagan Lake, available for guests and the public. Contact the resort to book your ice time (skate rentals not available).
Another must-do experience is the adventure skating loop at Apex Mountain Resort, where you can skate through the forest in a spectacular setting. The loop is maintained by a Zamboni and skate rentals are available from the resort’s rental shop.
Valley First Frost Fest Winter Carnival
This three-day carnival offers plenty of free entertainment, including a hot air balloon display, a full day of family-friendly activities, skating and hockey with the Penticton Vees, snowboarding tricks in downtown Penticton and a polar bear swim.
There will also be some ticketed events, including a glitzy gala dinner and a family-friendly movie night at the Cleland Theatre, both as community fundraisers. Get the full details at penticton.ca/frost-fest.
Downhill skiing, boarding and tubing
Apex Mountain Resort is a slice of snowy paradise, with powdery slopes located just 40 minutes from Penticton. The resort offers great skiing and boarding, plus ice skating, a hockey rink and a tube park promising epic squeals as you zip down the slope, with a magic carpet to carry you back up. The bunny hill is a perfect spot for beginners to hone their skills. The village also has restaurants, shops and a café, with more details at apexresort.com.
Snowshoeing or cross-country skiing
Picture blue skies, endless mountain vistas and absolute quiet as you coast through the forest at Nickel Plate Nordic Centre. This stunning spot offers one of the longest ski seasons in Canada and is just 45 minutes from downtown Penticton. It offers 56 km of groomed trails for classic and skate skiing and 22.5 km of marked snowshoe trails. Equipment is available for rent on-site.
Other popular spots for snowshoeing include the Carmi trails and Chute Lake Lodge. Hoodoo Adventures offers guided snowshoe tours.
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