3-Day Big White/Silver Star Wine & Ski

Summary
Itinerary
What's Included
Accommodations

3-Day Big White/Silver Star Wine & Ski

Explore world-class ski resorts and wineries all within a two-hour drive!

"Champagne powder" skiing simply doesn't get any better than at these two family-friendly resorts, located less than an hour from Kelowna International Airport. Panoramic mountain vistas, endless cruising runs, snow-choked glades and bowls, and two state-of-the-art Telus Park terrain parks draw skiers and snowboarders from all over the world. To top it off, you don't have to wait for the spring to see some of our fabulous wineries nearby! Set aside a day to visit and taste to your heart's content.

Days 1 – Travel to Big White Ski Resort (45 minutes from Kelowna)

  •  Nestled in the Monashee Mountain range, Big White Ski Resort (www.bigwhite.com) is both 'big' (2765 acres) and 'white' - blessed with 24 feet (750 centimetres) of world famous champagne powder. The variety of terrain is immense with over 118 runs for all abilities, complemented by numerous powder bowls and skiing and boarding in the frozen 'snow ghost' trees. The mountain is serviced by one of the most state-of-the-art largest lift systems in Canada, including four express quad chairs, an eight-passenger gondola, and the Snow Ghost Express, Canada's longest six-seat chairlift. Big White Ski Resort is a convenient, picturesque village with overnight accommodation for 15,000 guests. 
  • Other winter activities include snowmobiling, dog sledding, sleigh rides, ice skating, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, spas, and the Mega Snow Coaster tubing park. Enjoy your stay!
  • Alternative accommodation is available in Kelowna with off-season rates and ski/stay packages are often in effect. Suggested hotels/lodges include:
    • Grand Okanagan Lakefront Resort (www.grandokanagan.com)
    • Hotel Eldorado (www.eldoradokelowna.com)
    • Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott (www.marriott.com)
    • Lake Okanagan Resort (www.lakeokanagan.com)
    • The Cove Lakeside Resort (www.covelakeside.com)

Day 2 – Kelowna area wineries & attractions

  • This day will be devoted to visiting several wineries around Kelowna and tasting some of their award winning wines. There will also be time to see historical attractions with close ties to the wine and fresh fruit industry of the Okanagan.
  • Your first stop is Summerhill Pyramid Winery (www.summerhill.bc.ca), Canada’s most visited winery and largest certified organic vineyard for a    vineyard lunch and VIP tour. The property also features a four story high, 8% replica pyramid of Egypt used scientifically for aging their wines.
  • Not far down the road, your next stop is CedarCreek Estate Winery. It all started at Cedar Creek in 1986 when apple orchards were replaced with quality European varietals including Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. As they say, “the rest is history” for the Fitzpatrick family who originally settled in the valley in 1913, as the winery has been named Canadian winery of the year for the second time in five years!
  • Across the Okanagan Lake lies Westbank and this is where you will head next to taste the wines at Quails’ Gate Vineyards Estate Winery (www.quailsgate.com) and Mission Hill Family Estate overlooking Okanagan Lake. Both of these properties have outstanding views to go along with their award winning wines.
  • Journey back across the floating bridge to downtown Kelowna to visit Calona Vineyards for a winery tour and tasting. This is B.C.’s original winery established in 1932! Interesting memorabilia, wines and ciders, along with other local products are sold in their gift shop.
  • The remainder of the afternoon is yours to discover Kelowna’s downtown Cultural District (www.kelownasculturaldistrcit.com). Visit the Wine Museum, the BC Orchard Industry Museum and the Kelowna Museum . Once the centre of the Okanagan’s fruit packing industry, this six-block area has been revitalized into a creative hub of musicians, artists, and performers. While in the area, take a relaxing stroll along the shores of Okanagan Lake where’s there’s plenty of benches to rest and take in the view.
  • For your first dinner in the Okanagan, we suggest Fresco Restaurant. Located in a 90-year-old brick building, every seat in the house has a view of the kitchen to witness their magic pairings of wine and seasonally organic cuisine.
  • Overnight in Kelowna. Suggested accommodations include:
    • Grand Okanagan Lakefront Resort (www.grandokanagan.com)
    • Hotel Eldorado (www.eldoradokelowna.com)
    • Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott (www.marriott.com)
    • Lake Okanagan Resort (www.lakeokanagan.com)
    • The Cove Lakeside Resort (www.covelakeside.com)

Day 3 – Travel to Silver Star Mountain Resort (1 hour)

  • Storybook charm, warm friendly staff, legendary powder, and 2,725 skiable acres. Welcome to Silver Star Mountain Resort (www.skisilverstar.com)!  Silver Star's charming, pedestrian-only village offers convenient ski-in, ski-out access to Silver Star's hotels, boutique retail shops, restaurants, and cafes. Silver Star's magical village offers a great selection of hotels across a wide variety of price ranges, award-winning vacation homes, suites, and condos each with their own unique style and warm hospitality.  The Victorian-inspired, mid-mountain village provides ski-in, ski-out access from every doorstep. Thanks to the Okanagan valley’s unique microclimate, Silver Star receives over 23 feet annually of the lightest and driest snow in the world. Over the next few days, enjoy over 112 runs on two very different mountain faces - the Vance Creek for families and Putnam Creek for the more adventurous.
  • With over a hundred kilometres of cross country trails at the resort and adjacent Sovereign Lakes Nordic Centre, Silver Star’s cross-country trails are truly world class – indeed, many Olympic athletes have trained here! The Tube Town park offers endless family fun. Go on a professionally guided snowmobile or snowshoe tour, take the whole family on a sleigh ride or enjoy a massage at one of the on-site spas. How about ice skating on Brewer's Pond, or an indoor rock-climbing lesson? You can even snowshoe to the rustic, warm Wild Horseman's Cabin for a fondue dinner!
  • Alternative accommodation is available in Vernon, approximately twenty minutes west of Silver Star. Off-season rates and ski/stay packages are often in effect.
  • Suggested mountainside accommodation includes:
    • Holiday Inn Express (www.vernonexpress.com)
    • Vernon Lodge (www.bestweesternvernonlodge.com)

For additional accommodation suggestions, visit http://totabc.com/trellis/accommodations_all

For additional city information, visit