Winter, Outdoors & In

Snow Seekers - Chris Wheele

Above the clouds

| Come on up for a visit!

In winter the landscape becomes tranquil around Oliver…but it merely covers layers of activity beneath it. Truly, a winter visit to Oliver must include a day or two at Baldy Mountain Resort, the nearby ski hill that is perfect for families and snow buffs. Baldy is set on a vast and rugged landscape of hills and grasslands that invite hiking, mountain biking, and wildlife viewing if you’re not into winter sports and visit during another season. But it shines in winter. Rent your equipment, sign up for ski school, and hit the slopes. They even have ski and snowboard camps for the whole family. Other suggestions in the area - Nordic Skiing groomed trails, snowshoeing, ice fishing, snowmobiling and winter camping.

The Mckinney Nordic Ski Club is a nonprofit volunteer organization. The ski area is located 27km from Oliver and 8km from Mt. Baldy. The 11 km of novice and intermediate ski trails are groomed and track set for both classic and skating. There are also several km of snowshoe trails. The trails are open to the public year round by donation and there are three shelters and outdoor toilets conveniently located throughout the area.

TRIVIA

Mt Baldy Facts

Mt Baldy - Eagle Chair

Peak Elevation: 7557ft/2303m Base Elevation: 5665ft/1726m Top of Chair: 6965ft/2123m Vertical Drop: 1293ft/394m

Mt. Mckinney - Magic Carpet

Vertical Drop: 592ft/180m Magic Carpet: 56ft/17m 400ft in length

Sugar Lump - Quad Chair

Vertical Drop: 742ft/226m 35 runs & 360 acres of trails 240 acres of Glades & Trees Average snow fall of 650cm/21.5ft Average Temperature -5C/23F Slope Rating: Easier 33% Intermediate 46% Difficult 21%

Why Fly South? Why fly south when Oliver and the surrounding area offers a recreational paradise, sunny skies - most of the year - and a wealth of things to do, tastes to try, and culture to experience during the cooler days of the year?

Darren Robinson Oliver Parks & Rec

Ice fishing, a freezing frenzy

Cold enough for you? Grab a thermos full of java from a local coffee shop, your favourite tackle, and wait for the big one to come along. Wave a friendly hello to your fellow ice-fishers on Ripley or Vaseux Lake. Take your skates and stick out for a game on natural ice, when it’s safe to venture out.

More to do

The cool silence of winter is broken by the sounds of a concert or play down the street, friends gathered at an art show or a local theatre - the Frank Venables Theatre is a gem with artistic performances and special events. Troupes of actors walking the planks of the stage make for a perfect entertaining end to a winter’s day of exploration.

Warm up after a day outside with dinner and a show,The South Okanagan Concert Series perhaps. Explore galleries and historical sites, take in films at our classic, “retro” movie theatre, or learn something new, like Crokinole.

Stay active at the community centre with a yoga class, or test your strength in the weight room. Take up badminton or figure out what exactly pickle ball really is. In the arena it may be cool but you will keep warm when you rediscover skating or take part in a game of drop-in hockey. Join our enthusiastic local curlers in a chorus of “Hurry Hard”.

Family Friendly Unbeatable Value Breathtaking views Amazing Powder 35 runs 600 skiable acres Minimal lift lines