Spring Things to Do

Adventure Blooms Across the Valley

Spring arrives right on time in the North Okanagan. The grass greens up in the valley, so adventurers can turn their attention to trails and fairways, while remaining snow in the high country opens the door to spring skiing or multi-sport days. These activities are set against a backdrop of leafing trees, blossoming orchards, and newly planted fields that hint at the sunny season ahead.

Get Active Outdoors

There’s still snow up in the mountains for avid riders, but longer days and warmer weather in the Trails Capital of BC means it’s time to lace up the running shoes, fill the bike tires with air, and hit the driving range.

Spring Skiing into April

Locals know spring is the best season to hit the slopes at SilverStar Mountain Resort, thanks to a big base of snow, blue-sky days, and après-ski on a sunny patio. Pair riding on forgiving corn snow with events like the SEISMIC Spring Festival for more slopeside fun.

Spring Skiing

Hiking

With hundreds of kilometres of pathways, the Trails Capital of BC has a hike for everyone. Tackle trails that lead to pretty lake views, take the kids to a thundering waterfall, or walk the pathways at Thomas Hayes Ecological Reserve to look for red-breasted nuthatches and lazuli bunting.

Discover Spring Trails

Biking

Get your wheels spinning along the Okanagan Rail Trail, a wide recreation pathway that hugs Kalamalka Lake between Coldstream and Oyama, and continues south down the valley. Mountain bikers can hit the singletrack by April, too, with fast and flowy trails connecting Predator Ridge with other areas, like Ellison and Kalamalka Lake provincial parks.

Find Biking Paths

Golfing

There’s no bad tee time during a North Okanagan spring, with cool mornings, mild afternoons, and spectacular lake and mountain views. Practice your swing at one of Vernon’s five courses that appeal to beginners and pros alike.

Swing into Spring

Hang Gliding & Paragliding

Soar above the valley in Lumby, one of the best places in Western Canada to go hang gliding and paragliding. The village boasts safe launch sites and great thermal lift, and a flight school that offers lessons so newbie gliders can try the sport safely.

Take to the Skies

Trail Running

Lace up your trail runners to try one of Canada’s fastest growing sports in Vernon, the Trails Capital of BC. Enjoy short, scenic loops in Kalamalka Lake or Ellison provincial parks, or go the distance on a longer section of the Okanagan Rail Trail or High Rim Trail.

Find Running Trails

Spring Events

Celebrate the promise of long days and flower-scented evenings at festivals and events that pair outdoor fun with music, food, nature, and culture.

Sovereign2SilverStar Ski Marathon

Challenge yourself by classic or skate skiing between Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre and SilverStar Mountain Resort during this Nordic event held over two days in early April. Choose between a 21 km ski and a 40 km ski, and get ready to glide to the after party in Silver Star Village.

Event Information

SEISMIC Spring Festival

Chase spring skiing days with beer garden afternoons during the SEISMIC Spring Festival, held at Silver Star over 10 days in early spring. With themed ski days, sporting events, live music, wine-paired dinners, art workshops, and more, this week of slopeside vibes is fun for everyone.

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The Big Cheese Festival

Armstrong’s heritage as an artisan cheese producer takes centre stage to show off its gooey goodness during this annual celebration. The dairy farm-to-table showcase features cheese tasting and pairings, cheese seminars, and opportunities to try inventive takes on grilled cheese.

Explore the Festival

Komasket Powwow

Get ready to be wowed by traditional dance, music, food, and arts and crafts, at the Komasket Powwow, an Indigenous cultural celebration hosted by the Syilx People of the Okanagan Nation.

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Guided Trail Tours

Join guided tours all spring and through the summer at the Allan Brooks Nature Centre to learn about the birds, mammals and reptiles that thrive in this grassland environment. After, stop in to the Interpretive Centre to learn more about the North Okanagan’s ecology and wildlife.

Explore Tours

Explore North Okanagan

Slow down and veer off the beaten path in five welcoming communities connected by lakes, forests, mountains, and hundreds of kilometres of trails. Armstrong, Enderby, Lumby, Silver Star and Vernon welcome adventurers in all seasons to play, rest and refuel. Find your happy place in the great outdoors, at a community event, or with family and friends at a farm-to-table restaurant.

Vernon

Greater Vernon’s trail network entices paddlers, skiers, runners, hikers, and cyclists to go the distance in the Trails Capital of BC. Pair your adventures with events, great food, and fun attractions in all seasons.

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Silver Star

This colourful mid-mountain village is famous for the light Okanagan powder that settles on its downhill ski slopes in winter, but Silver Star welcomes adventurers in all seasons.

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Lumby

The village of Lumby is close to crystal-clear lakes, enchanting forests with old-growth trees, and the rugged peaks of the Monashee Mountains.

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Enderby

This small community is close to mountain trails and a growing number of wineries, as well as the winding Shuswap River.

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Armstrong Spallumcheen

Connect with the land in Armstrong, a city that embraces agritourism with farm-fresh food and events that nod to its ranching and agrarian heritage.

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