Ski Towards a Healthier Winter
While the Okanagan summer offers an unlimited array of activities throughout the valley, the winter months aren’t without their health benefits. Skiing and Snowboarding can burn up to 3,000 calories during six hours of skiing, you can lose up to five pounds of weight in a week, tone your stomach muscles, boost your immune system, and even relieve depression!
On average, the Okanagan experiences up to 25 feet of snowfall on the local slopes in a single season. This year, thanks to a passing snowstorm, Kelowna was hit with a record amount of snow, breaking the original record that was set over 40 years ago. With record-breaking amounts of the white stuff hitting our mountains, the winter playground in the Okanagan is bigger than ever this year!
These three local resorts all provide their own share of winter fun, exercise, and snow . . . lots and lots of snow:
Silver Star is located just outside of Vernon with 3,269 skiable acres ranging from easy to extreme terrain that will challenge experienced skiers but also provide lots of terrain for the less adventurous.
The Silver Star Mountain Resort is family oriented and set against a beautiful Victorian-style village. The mountain provides a number of activities outside of skiing and boarding including skating, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and tubing.
Apex Mountain Resort is located just 30 mins out of Penticton and features some of the best extreme skiing in the valley thanks to naturally steep terrain and cooler temperatures. Apex features a full-service resort, great weather, and a friendly, welcoming atmosphere.
The mountain itself hosts 3 terrain parks, 1112 acres of skiable terrain, and a high speed quad chair that takes riders up the mountain, 2000 feet, in under 7 minutes. If you’re looking to test your skills and challenge yourself, Apex is a great mountain to visit this winter!
Big White Ski Resort is the second largest ski resort in BC and is located 30-45 minutes outside of Kelowna. The mountain boasts 7,355 acres of skiable terrain, 16 lifts, and can transport 28,000 skiers per hour up the mountain.
With accommodations strategically placed around the mountain there are any number of ski-in/ski-out options available. Big White is famous for its ‘champagne powder’, mild temperatures, and large resort village. Other activities on the mountain include ice climbing, snowshoeing, tubing, dog sledding, snowmobiling, and spa activities.
No matter what your lifestyle, winter activities and exercise can have countless health benefits. Don’t be afraid of the cold weather, get out there and enjoy yourself!