Feed Your Soul: Wellness Experiences in the North Okanagan

— By Amber Turnau

Spring unfolds quietly in the North Okanagan, one blossom and one sunny afternoon at a time. While snow still lingers on the mountains well into May, the valley orchards stir to life with blooming apple, cherry, and peach trees. Trails reopen, lakes shimmer a little brighter, and communities reawaken with a burst of energy. The season brings soothing experiences, from spa days and outdoor adventures to scenic tastings and cultural connections.

In this corner of BC, spring is more than just a seasonal shift, it’s an invitation to reconnect with yourself. To trade urgency for ease. To breathe deep and move gently. To feed your soul.

Here’s how to do just that in the North Okanagan this spring.

Immerse Yourself In Nature

Savour the in-between season before summer heats up. The outdoors deliver easeful excursions, from mountaintop to valley. Wander the landscape in Greater Vernon, known as the Trails Capital of BC. Spend a morning Nordic skiing at Sovereign Lake and SilverStar Mountain Resort, Canada’s longest continuously groomed cross-country ski network. As the valley warms up, take a hike on the Grey Canal Trail in Vernon with birdsong as your soundtrack. For a two-wheeled adventure, hop on an e-bike and cycle the Okanagan Rail Trail from Coldstream to Lake Country, where the breeze carries hints of orchard and lake. 

Round out your stay on the back nine of sun-dappled Predator Ridge Resort, a peaceful haven with contemporary luxury accommodations. A perfect way to cap off your day on the greens, you’ll want to visit their onsite restaurant, RANGE restaurant, bar + patio, to indulge in BC wine and regional flavours. 

Soak, Steam & Soothe

If spring is about renewal, the North Okanagan’s spa offerings are where your senses go to recalibrate. Begin your wellness journey in the mountain village of Silver Star, where the Elevate Spa boasts alpine-inspired Aveda treatments for post-ski recovery. 

Perched above Vernon, Sparkling Hill Resort & KurSpa is a destination in its own right. The glittering lodge is adorned with Swarovski crystals and the spa includes expansive saunas, infused steam rooms, and pools that overlook Okanagan Lake. For a more intimate experience in the heart of Vernon, Cedar & Soak invites you to reset in their Nordic-style cold plunge and red light therapy sauna studio.

Just 20 minutes away in Enderby, Indigenous-owned Tranquil Temperatures offers a cedar sauna and cold plunge therapy in a serene rural setting.

Nourish Your Soul & Your Appetite

Great food fuels the soul, especially when shared with those you treasure most. In April, celebrate the return of warmer weather on the patio of family-run Cambium Cider Co. Their selection of ciders is crafted from apples grown on site, and the elevated menu is inspired by the flavours of the North Okanagan.

Perched atop the slopes overlooking Okanagan Lake, The Rise Resort is both a golf haven and a culinary powerhouse. The Edge Restaurant & Bar serves up an award-winning mountaintop dining experience that pays homage to the Okanagan’s culinary heritage and internationally renowned wine scene.

Just 30 minutes north, Armstrong is the heartbeat of agriculture in the North Okanagan. Swing by Farmstrong for a cider and comfort food in their big barn-style tasting room and restaurant. In April, the town hosts the annual Big Cheese Festival, which brings local cheese and pairings to the forefront.

Continue north to Baccata Ridge Winery in Enderby, a charming stop to sample cool grape, honey, and fruit wines. 

Connect with Culture & Community

True wellness comes from connection: with people, with stories, with the land.

Join a guided experience with Ancestral Heartbeat Tours in Enderby to see the land through the stories of First Nations who have cared for it since time immemorial. Opening in early June, Indigenous experiences in Vernon are an invitation to learn and engage. K’nmalka? Senqalten (Kalamalka Indigenous Garden) introduces visitors to Indigenous plants and knowledge systems that are deeply rooted in place. If your June visit overlaps, the Komasket Powwow, hosted by Okanagan Indian Band, is a chance to witness the strength and beauty of art, dance, and music from local and visiting Indigenous Peoples.

Take it from goggle tans to a rockin’ apres, and soak up Silver Star’s thriving mountain culture. The SEISMIC mountain culture festival and Sovereign2SilverStar Ski Marathon arrive on scene in March and April, bringing live music, sports action, and plenty of good vibes.

Whether you’re immersed in a eucalyptus-scented steam room, walking beneath apple blossoms, or sipping something bold on a sunny deck, the North Okanagan beckons you to come as you are, and leave feeling a little more like yourself.

Ready to slow down and reconnect this spring? Start planning your getaway at explorenorthokanagan.com/spring