Winter Adventures

Winter Adventures

With all the snow that has fallen this year in the Okanagan, it is easy for one to decide to hibernate until the first signs of spring! The winter weather shouldn’t be a deterrent for hikers to get out into the fresh air. With some precautions, hikers can get out and enjoy the local trails, while taking in a breath taking winter wonderland landscape. Hikers should ensure that they dress in layers, with a moisture wicking under-layer, wear a hat, have good boots, and pack water for longer treks. Don’t let the cold weather fool you! It’s easy to work up enough of a sweat and have to remove a layer and develop a thirst! Additional supplies, like spikes for boots and poles, can come in handy for longer adventures.

Winding through the hills above Lake Country is the Spion Kopje trail system. The system provides a great location for winter hiking, and a variety of trails to suit different ability levels. Be mindful of the summit trail during snow, as it consists of loose shale underneath. Various viewpoints open onto vista of Okanagan Lake, Kalamalka Lake, and Woods Lake.  Trails are relatively well marked with signage, but can easily be followed in the snow by usage.

In the John Family Nature Conservatory is the Lebanon Creek trail. A 4.03 km trek in one direction (2 hours round-trip), it will bring you up Cedar Mountain. From the top, hikers can take in the snowy winter landscape of Kelowna and the Okanagan Valley around a firepit with stone chairs.

Waterfalls are a favourite of many…so why not venture to check out the wintery waterfall at Mill Creek? If it’s cold enough, frozen waterfalls are awe-inspiring as the water freezes in tendrils down to the churning water below. Be careful of slippery and icy paths as they aren’t maintained in the winter months. The hike will take hikers approximately 1 hour round-trip, and it’s important to note that it was substantially damaged by the 2017 floods.