The Penticton Position: basecamp to Apex, Mt Baldy, Okanagan brewery scene
Penticton, BC Two ski resorts, seven craft breweries, 80 wineries, tasty restaurants all sandwiched in between two lakes… this is your basecamp to powder, après and maybe even a polar bear swim in Penticton, BC.
Here's a city with a vibrant pulse and a perfect position. Considering Apex Mountain Resort to the West (about 30 mins away) and Mount Baldy (45. mins away), Penticton's position allows for snow seekers to basecamp themselves in the city and score two resorts over a two- or three-night stay.
HIT PLAY on a Penticton winter adventure, here's your preview
"We offer an authentic City with two authentic ski resorts," says Jeff Plant, Manager of Recreation, Culture and Events for the City of Penticton. "Both the city and the ski resorts are in between little and major league."
Post a recent visit, I can confirm Plant is right as both resorts—Baldy and Apex—carry an authentic vibe that pairs so well with what the basecamp of Penticton offers.
Not some big city, but still a city with a unique geography and an array of cultural offerings.
Penticton, seen from above on the bench. Weather here is more temperate than some ski destinations, lending to more casual outings and adventure options.
Your "Penticton Position" Itinerary
Night 1: arrive & settle in
Check in across the street from Okanagan Lake—there are tons of quality motels across from the lake, giving the option for a polar bear swim at some point in the stay?!
Imagine: it's your toes that hit the water first, and as you go deeper, it's time to consider the ultimate polar dip—going under three times satisfying your past, your present and your future—to kick off an epic Penticton trip.
Day 1 - Apex Mountain Resort
Don't miss out on their Wildside offerings, tons of runs with strong fall lines! Hit Toilet Bowl if you are looking for a run with solid banks of POW to work the flow.
Head up above Penticton to Apex for powder turns.
Or shred the runs Essendale One and Two (go for number two on the right side, for a steeper pitch and likely fresh tracks).
Position yourself in Penticton
for winter adventures, apres and events
After, soak up the view of Apex Mountain while you take in some suds at their legendary Gunbarrel Bar and Grill.
Be sure and pack your skates for this adventure, Apex offers its signature "Adventure Skate Loop" that will take you through the trees on a skateable loop through the forest.
APEX ADVENTURE SKATE LOOP?
Night 2: après across Penticton
Here the question becomes "how thirsty are you?" given you can create your own pub crawl through town.
The pace you’ll carry through a Penticton ski or ride trip is complimented with seven craft breweries that will take you through downtown.
Seven craft breweries, 80 wineries and tons of dining options fill out a strong apres scene.
“Here you walk into a new bar, and it’s not locals turning around going 'who are you' in a cliquey way. Rather, you're met with a friendly vibe of 'where are you from, welcome' and an invite to join us,” explains Ian Dyck owner of the Cannery Brewery.
For an easy pub crawl, connect the Yellow Dog Brewing Co. (where profits from the brewery go back into the BC SPCA) with a one-minute walk to Neighbourhood Brewing, then a five-minute walk to the Cannery with Highway 97 Brewing across the street.
Between breweries, check out the more than 200 cultural events that hit the city each year.
Sure, we can talk endlessly about all the craft brewery options, but also, how about the EIGHTY wineries that are all within a 20-minute drive of the city (11 of them with tasting rooms open through winter).
Day 2: brekkie and Mt Baldy
Start off right with an Okanagan Morning smoothie and a Harvest breakfast bowl from Wayne & Freeda (post your polar bear swim, right?).
Then up to Mount Baldy, where it's just big enough to make it feel like a resort, but not a mega place where you're fighting through major line-ups to score more vertical.
Photo:
Blake Ford
Looking our over Mt Baldy.
Pack your disc, as après at Baldy can include a round of disc golf while you are still in your snowboard boots!
Celebrate winter without the deep freeze
Time your visit towards the end of January and click into the City's "Frost Fest", organized by Plant and his team.
Now in its third year, the annual Festival is the chance "to celebrate and bring together the winter sports options in the area," explains Plant.
Penticton isn't like other ski destinations, "it's very skier-friendly around here," says Yellow Dog Brew Co's Bethany Tourand,
"The city rarely sees snow, so after your time on the slopes, you can still go on hikes. In other parts of Western Canada, it might be -30, while here its plus two. It's easy to stay winter active, not have to deal with the cold and get up and into the snow on your own terms."
Tourand went to school in Penticton, left to go teach in Northern Alberta, but came back to live in Penticton because of its position.
"Locals and visitors are not in a rush here; we have a very chill pace of life."
When you Go
Frost Fest happens over the last weekend in January, join about 1,000 snow and festival seekers for a big rail jam, home to a beer gardens, DJ's, "Frosty Toes" Polar Bear swim and plan to come score a free hot air balloon ride. Get festival details here.
Plan your après adventures along Penticton's "Beer Blocks" here.
Getting here
From Vancouver, Penticton is about a 4.5-hour drive along the well-maintained Coquihalla Highway. WestJet offers regular flights and the airport is within 30 mins of Apex.
Where to stay
The folks from Visit Penticton will help you make your accommodation booking here.
Get social with us
Let us know what you find, be sure and tag @visitpenticton and @snowseekers in your posts so we might share your stoke on our social media channels.
