Exploring Vernon in the Winter
With a mix of indoor and outdoor activities, a visit to Vernon is a great way to spend a winter weekend.
A Mix of Indoor & Outdoor Activities Makes Vernon a Great Place to Visit in the Snowy Season
While the Okanagan is beautiful in all seasons, the short days of winter, along with the occasional cloud inversion, can have a person searching for blue skies, or a fun indoor activity! Fortunately, if you are in the Vernon area, there are plenty of things to do to escape a grey, chilly day!
One of our favourite things to do in Vernon is head to the Okanagan Science Centre. The Science Centre is a great place to bring kids, allowing them to learn and blow off some steam. With multiple themed rooms, rotating exhibits and workshops, there are endless ways to enjoy the Centre. We love letting the kids loose in the activity room, whether it’s climbing the rock wall or seeing how far they can jump (in comparison to different animals) there’s lots for them to do! It’s also an affordable family activity.
Locals tip - If you purchase a season’s pass, you can use it at almost any Science Centre across North America, including Science World in Vancouver! Or, if you’re travelling from Vancouver or Edmonton and have passes to Science World, you can use them here!
Another great indoor activity is a visit to one of the breweries, wineries or cideries. One of our favorite spots to stop is BX Press Cidery on East Vernon Rd. It’s a cozy tasting room with tons of local art and goodies to shop for. The staff are super accommodating and excited to give you a history lesson on the cidery and the region it lives in. BX Press does their best to keep all the ingredients local, seasonal and creative. I recommend the Hostler for a nice refreshing sip - but try them all!
For the weekend warriors, looking to get some blue sky in their day, there is often a wonderful escape. Head up the hill, get above the clouds and enjoy the bluebird skies and snowy hills of Silverstar Mountain Resort. Only a 25-30 minute drive from downtown Vernon, this local gem is a great place to take a family. With affordable prices and plenty of non-skiing options, Silverstar a great choice. We love taking the kids for a skate or a zip on the tubes at Tube Town. There are great places to eat or to have a hot chocolate by a fire when you’re done flying down the hills. There is also a great shuttle service from lower parking lots, ensuring you will be able to get to the Village quickly, as well as Tube Town and Brewer’s Pond.
While you’re in the area, a stop at the Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre is a must. With 105km of beautifully groomed trails, it’s a paradise for anyone who likes to cross country ski, or snowshoe. You can rent gear right there, as well as take part in regularly scheduled lessons and workshops. Keep an eye out for wildlife and some stunning sunsets while you’re in the area. Yearly memberships are a great way to get your family out, but if you’re in town for a brief visit, a day pass is great way to go, and very affordable.
Be sure to catch at least one day of the Vernon Winter Carnival. This unique 10-day festival runs February 1 - 10 this year and has been serving the North Okanagan for over 50 years. This year’s theme is “A Pirate’s Carnival,” and will feature a large Chili Cookoff and the 10th annual Winter Carnival Blues Festival, as well as the ever-popular hot air balloons flying high above Vernon. There’s no question that regardless of your age, you’ll find something to enjoy. The energy is contagious, the joy is infectious and the community coming together is inspiring. Tickets for the big events are on sale here.
For more information and to plan your next trip to Vernon visit: TourismVernon.com.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Matt Ferguson is a BC born and raised photographer, currently living in Kelowna. When his camera isn't strapped to him, you can usually find him at the beach with his family, skipping rocks or if it's cold enough, strapping on some skates and hitting a frozen pond.
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IG @mattfphotography
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Festive Season in the Thompson Okanagan
They call it the “most wonderful time of the year” for a reason. The snow, the food, the get-togethers with family and friends, the food, holiday parties, the food, and of course all the bells and whistles and lights that come with the it!
‘Tis the Season
They call it the “most wonderful time of the year” for a reason. The fun snow, the food, get-togethers with family and friends, the food, holiday parties, the food, and of course all the bells and whistles and lights that come with the it!
Having two young kids means we get in the spirit early and swiftly! No three and six year old kids want to wait, it’s too exciting. Luckily, the Thompson Okanagan has events going all season long. Indoor and outdoor, extravagant or subtle. No matter how you celebrate the Holidays, you’re bound to find fun things to do.
We have a few favorites of our own, and there are plenty we still need to check off the list.
Holiday Markets & Winter Light Ups
My favourite way to start the Season off is to head to one of the many holiday markets that pop up. Anywhere from Oliver, up to Salmon Arm, there’s a good chance you’ll find something fun. We like to hit the East Kelowna Farmer’s Market as well as the Downtown Winter Street Market. There are great light ups and Markets in Salmon Arm and Summerland as well. A great way to buy from a local company, reduce your waste and have a unique gift for a loved one.
CP Holiday Train
Another classic event is the CP Holiday Train. With stops in Kamloops (Tk'emlups), Salmon Arm, Savona, Sicamous, Chase and Canoe there are plenty of stops for anyone living on the north end of the Thompson Okanagan!
Wildlights Festival
Staying in the Thompson area, there are two great events close to Kamloops, one being a great family event, while the other caters to the 19+ crowd!
The BC Wildlife Park in Kamloops is a fun trip on a normal day. Under the lights of over 600,000 lights, it changes into a whole new experience! With the mini train, a nutcracker maze, an ugly sweater contest, cookie baking contests and of course all the cool animals, the Wildlights Festival is a crowd-pleaser. It runs from December 14-January 6, so you have plenty of time to check it out.
Winter Okanagan Wine Festival
Speaking of crowd pleasers, if you haven’t been up to Sun Peaks before, I highly suggest it! It’s a beautiful hill to ski and a great little village to hang out in. Everything is close, within walking (or skiing) distance. We love it there at all times of the year. However, the big event to get to is the Winter Okanagan Wine Festival, running January 11-20. What’s not to love about a great day on the hill followed by one of the many fun events put on over the week?
Festival of Trees
Finally, an event we checked out last year during its inaugural showing, the Festival of Trees at Mission Hill Winery in West Kelowna. With proceeds going to the BC Children’s Hospital, it’s a great way to check out the lights, while doing something good! With beautiful views inside and out, it’s very high on my suggestion list!
However you celebrate the holidays, do it safely, think of others, try to keep things local and get out and enjoy the chilly weather!
Header image by Preserved Light Photography
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Matt Ferguson is a BC born and raised photographer, currently living in Kelowna. When his camera isn't strapped to him, you can usually find him at the beach with his family, skipping rocks or if it's cold enough, strapping on some skates and hitting a frozen pond.
W mattfphotography.com
IG @mattfphotography
FB Matt Ferguson Photography
Craft Breweries to Visit in the Thompson Okanagan
Local businesses, local practices and local ingredients mean better beer.
Local businesses, local practices, local ingredients - better beer
A few years ago, my family and I lived in Victoria. Along with the beach and bustling downtown, some of my favourite places to visit were the many breweries in town. Lots of options, lots of flavours. When we decided to move back home I was a little worried I would miss the many tastes I had gotten used to sampling.
Well, as it turns out, the Thompson Okanagan craft beer scene is thriving. Small, dedicated craft brewers have popped up, from the Similkameen to the Shuswap (Secwepemc).
While the Thompson Okanagan region is well-known as wine country, the Ale Trails have become a huge hit, big enough for a craft enthusiast like myself to no longer miss the flavours of the coast!
Breweries in the Thompson Okanagan
No matter where you are in the Thompson Okanagan, from Firehall Brewery in Oliver, to Barley Station Brew Pub in Salmon Arm, or as far north as Three Ranges Brewing Co. in Valemount, you’re never far from a sip of local craft beer.
Central Okanagan
The big guys are still kicking and making great beer, like Kelowna Beer Institute, Cannery Brewing and Okanagan Spring.
The smaller guys in the craft beer scene have exploded in the past five years, with new joints like BNA Brewing Co. and Red Bird Brewing in Kelowna, Red Collar Brewing Co. and Bright Eye Brewing in Kamloops (Tk'emlups) and Marten Brewing Company in Vernon (Nintle-Moos-Chin) opening up to the public. All great places to grab a cold beer and a good conversation.
One of the fastest growing craft markets is found in Penticton (Sn'pink'tn) - home to Cannery Brewing, Bad Tattoo Brewing Company, Highway 97 Brewery and The Tin Whistle Brewing Company as well as the Barley Mill Brew Pub.
All of this tradition and growth recently crowned Penticton as the #2 Beer Town in Canada (just behind Vancouver) and they sure deserve it. Whether you grab a Naramata Nut Brown from Cannery or an award-winning Los Muertos Cerveza Negra and pizza from Bad Tattoo, any trip to Penticton should include a stop at one (or a couple) of these awesome spots!
Local Beer, Local Ingredients
As with anything, buying beer from local companies - especially those that use local ingredients like the amazing Crannóg Ales in Sorrento - means less impact on the environment and better, fresher beer.
Beer Festivities
Penticton also holds the highly reviewed Fest of Ale every spring and Oktoberbest in the fall.
Kelowna (Kilawna) is home to the Great Okanagan Beer Festival in May. Each September, find favourites, new and old, at Hopscotch: The Festival of Whisky, Beer & Spirits in Kelowna.
In October, Kamloops hosts the Bavarian Oktoberfest.
Beer on Tap at Local Restaurants
On top of all of the breweries, most local restaurants have adopted these newcomers and keep their brews on tap for thirsty patrons. A few places like Mission Tap House in Kelowna and Hop N Hog in Clearwater have great rotating taps, as well as Kelowna’s new Craft Beer Market - home to over 100 beers on tap.
Here are some of my favourite Thompson Okanagan beers for you to watch for:
Thornless Blackberry Porter - Cannery Brewing
Earl Pale Ale - BNA Brewing Co.
Back Hand of God Stout - Crannóg Ales
Thompson Okanagan Ale Trail Trip Planning
Check out the BC Ale Trails website to plan your next trip to the Thompson Okanagan Ale Trails.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Matt Ferguson is a BC born and raised photographer, currently living in Kelowna. When his camera isn't strapped to him, you can usually find him at the beach with his family, skipping rocks or if it's cold enough, strapping on some skates and hitting a frozen pond.
W mattfphotography.com
IG @mattfphotography
FB Matt Ferguson Photography
Disconnecting to Reconnect in Wells Gray Park
Sometimes you need a change in pace, a quiet spot to forget everyday life and soak in nature. Somewhere where there’s no cell service, limited amenities, spotty-to-no-wifi and very little traffic.
No technology, no excess, no stress
Sometimes you need a change in pace, a quiet spot to forget everyday life and soak in nature. Somewhere where there’s no cell service, limited amenities, spotty-to-no-wifi and very little traffic. A place you’re as likely to see wildlife as you are another person. Wells Gray Park, only a few minutes out of Clearwater, BC provides those, while being only a short distance from civilization.
Bear crossing in Wells Gray Park
Photographer: Matt Ferguson
A gem of a park, mostly known for the amazing breadth of waterfalls (39 named, countless others), holds many other secrets. An amazing place for anyone to go, whether you are looking for an adventure or some quiet time away with someone special, there’s something for everyone. There are plenty of beautiful B&Bs to stay at during the fall season, or if you’re well equipped and can brave a little cold, try out one of the campgrounds. We choose to live it up a little and stay in a cozy B&B, the Blue Grouse Country Inn (worth a trip for the breakfast alone, not to mention Regina’s incredible hospitality) right in the middle of the park.
Amazing breakfast at Blue Grouse Country Inn
Photographer: Matt Ferguson
Amenities in the park are limited, so grab some groceries in Clearwater before heading into the park. There are plenty of ways to check out the park aside from driving. There are over 200 km of hiking trails, many great bike trails, endless opportunities to get out on the water (anything from rafting to a slow canoe trip) and even horseback riding! All of these options can help lessen your carbon footprint while visiting.
Clearwater Valley Road
Photographer: Matt Ferguson
The park lends itself to opening up to nature - all five senses are touched.
Sight - Put your phone and camera down for a while and use your eyes! Huge vistas, incredible colour palettes and if you’re lucky, amazing wildlife viewing opportunities.
Helmcken Falls, Wells Gray Park
Photographer: Matt Ferguson
Touch - The coolness of fog, the crunch of frosty grass, the mist running off the falls. Always be respectful of what you are touching - the plants are rugged, but fragile, the animals are accessible but wild, and trails and fences are there for a reason!
Wells Gray Park
Photographer: Matt Ferguson
Smell - Take a deep breath as often as you can. Leaves decomposing, sweet moss and mushrooms growing in the forests, the occasional waft of late season berries.
Sound - Don’t just hear; really, really listen. Rustling leaves, the crash of a cascading waterfall, the rush of the river. Absolute quiet in the dark.
Milky Way, Wells Gray Park
Photographer: Matt Ferguson
Taste - Cool spray from the falls landing on your lips, forests so green you can taste the freshness when you breath in deep. Hop n Hog for dinner.
Hop N Hog, Clearwater
Photographer: Matt Ferguson
Come visit Wells Gray. Put your phone away (unless you’re taking photos of course), spend time talking to someone, or just listening to nature. Put your hand in the creek, touch the dewy moss, skip some rocks and breath in deeply. Enjoy unbridled nature. No technology, no excess, no stress. Take nothing but photos, leave nothing but a little piece of your heart.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Matt Ferguson is a BC born and raised photographer, currently living in Kelowna. When his camera isn't strapped to him, you can usually find him at the beach with his family, skipping rocks or if it's cold enough, strapping on some skates and hitting a frozen pond.
www.mattfphotography.com
IG @mattfphotography
FB Matt Ferguson Photography