Kelowna in winter is magical. Imagine it: the surrounding mountains, farmlands and ponderosa pines are covered in a light dusting of snow, the air is crisp but mild, and you’re looking forward to starting your day on a mountain and ending it with a meal overlooking the lake.

This two-day itinerary is filled with seasonal experiences, dining, and Kelowna winter attractions to help you make that scene a reality. Use it for inspiration as you plan your winter itinerary in Kelowna.

 

Day One of Your Kelowna Winter Itinerary

Morning: Powder, Trails, and Mountain Views

In Kelowna in the winter, the early bird gets the fresh powder. So bundle up, grab a hot drink and a bite to go from Deville Coffee (there are two locations in Kelowna, so choose the one that’s closest to you) and kick off your day with a winter activity.

Visit Telemark Nordic Centre or Kelowna Nordic Centre for Nordic skiing—also known as cross-country skiing—and snowshoeing, or enjoy the quiet trails on a winter hike.

Cross off a Kelowna winter bucket list item by heading to Big White Ski Resort or SilverStar Mountain Resort. Both offer day passes for skiing, snowboarding, tubing, and snowshoeing, as well as lessons for downhill beginners.

To get there, you can rent a car or hop on a shuttle from the Kelowna International Airport. If you’re travelling light, Telemark Nordic Centre, Big White Ski Resort and SilverStar Mountain Resort all offer a variety of equipment rentals.

 

Afternoon: Sip, Shop, and Savour Kelowna’s Winter Warmth

After a morning outdoors, a casual but heart lunch always hits the spot. Kelowna’s North End, also known as the Brewery District, is the place to go if you want lunch with a side of local craft beer. It’s home to several of Kelowna’s microbreweries, including Railside Brewing, Rustic Reel Brewing and Kettle River Brewing.

If you want to explore Lower Mission, Lakeshore Road is lined with great sit-down lunch options like Shore Line Brewing, Hugo’s Mexican Kitchen, Diner Deluxe, and South St. Burger.

Once you’ve eaten, take some time to browse independent boutiques and specialty shops. Bernard Avenue (near the Brewery District) and Pandosy Village (in the Lower Mission) are both great for an afternoon stroll. If your visit is before the new year, you might also be able to find a holiday market to explore.

 

Evening: Cozy Dinners and Kelowna After Dark

After a busy first day, a cozy pause over dinner and drinks is in order. Bouchons Bistro offers French comfort classics, Derrick’s Steakhouse serves beautifully prepared cuts in an upscale setting, and Waterfront Wines highlights local flavours with care.

Or if you like the idea of getting hands-on, book a cooking class at Mission Hill Family Estate Winery, Lakehouse Kitchens Cooking School, or The Okanagan Table.

Later on, Kelowna’s arts and entertainment scene comes alive. Catch a comedy show, take in live music, see a Ballet Kelowna or theatre performance, or end your night with a bit of excitement at one of Kelowna’s casinos, such as Chances Casino.

Big White Ski Resort

  • 5315 Big White Road

Canada's largest totally ski-in/ski-out resort village, located one hour from the Kelowna International Airport, has everything you…

Railside Brewing

  • 1186 High Rd, Kelowna

Craft Brewery right on the Kelowna's Rail Trail! Opened by long-time friends, Rob and Matt, in 2022, Railside has quickly become the…

Bouchons Bistro

  • 105-1180 Sunset Drive

Bouchons is a delightful French Bistro that opened in 2004 in the heart of Kelowna's Cultural District. Owner Stéphane Facon offers…

Derrick's Steakhouse

  • 1560 Water Street

Derrick’s Steakhouse is Kelowna’s premier destination for steak lovers, offering an elevated dining experience built on quality…

Waterfront Wines

  • 104-1180 Sunset Drive

Under the direction of Chef & Sommelier Mark Filatow, Waterfront Restaurant & Wine Bar has developed a fresh, continually evolving…

Mission Hill Family Estate

  • 1730 Mission Hill Road

Mission Hill Family Estate offers visitors an exceptional experience in a setting of unparalleled natural beauty and extraordinary…

Chances Casino Kelowna

  • 1585 Springfield Road

Come enjoy our world of entertainment! With over 340 slot machines, live table games (including Blackjack, Ultimate Texas Hold’em…

Shore Line Brewing

  • 116 - 3477 Lakeshore Rd

Locally owned and operated, Shore Line Brewing Co. is a place where we make great craft beer, delicious food, and value strong…

Day Two of Your Kelowna Winter Itinerary

Morning: Start the Day with Breakfast or Brunch and a Lakeside Stroll

If you want to keep things central, get breakfast or brunch at the Bohemian Café & Catering Company or Sunny’s Modern Diner, then walk the Downtown Kelowna Waterfront Promenade, or lace up some skates at Stuart Park. Rentals are available right next to the rink.

To explore West Kelowna, try Kekuli Café or The Landing Kitchen + Bar then walk the Gellatly Bay Park promenade.

Or begin your day in Lake Country at The Jammery, Wooden Nickel Cafe, or Norman’s Diner, followed by a quick drive to the waterfront section of the Okanagan Rail Trail.

Regardless of where you want to start the second day, there are plenty of inviting cafés, diners, and lakeside trails to enjoy.

 

Afternoon: Art, Culture and Winter Wellness

Spend the afternoon exploring or unwinding—whatever you need most.

Visit the Kelowna Art Gallery’s collection of contemporary Canadian art, the Okanagan Wine and Orchard Museum, and the Okanagan Heritage Museum, which are all within walking distance of one another. In West Kelowna, hear from sylix voices share the living traditions of the land at the Sncewips Heritage Museum, or visit the Westbank Museum for a glimpse into the area’s pioneer history. There’s also the Lake Country Art Gallery over in Lake Country, which is free and open to the public.

If you’d prefer to recharge, plan a relaxing afternoon instead. Go for a sauna and cold plunge on Okanagan Lake at Löyly Floating Sauna, unwind with a treatment at Damara Day Spa at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Grand Okanagan Resort, or sit in the Himalayan salt cave at Room + Pillar Spa.

 

Evening: Wine, Flights, and Fine Dining

Wind down your second day with a pre-dinner wine tasting or beverage flight. Winter is ideal for wine experiences. The slower season makes for quieter tasting rooms and more time to connect with educators and winemakers. With Wine Spots in West Kelowna, Lake Country, South East Kelowna and along Lakeshore, there’s no shortage of areas to explore. Kelowna also has many breweries, cideries and distilleries where you can order tastings or flights of craft beverages.

Then, close out your visit with a memorable dinner overlooking the water. Home Block at CedarCreek Estate Winery, Maestro's Mediterranean Restaurant and Terrace, and King Taps all offer lakeside dining with seasonal menus.

Or, book a dome dining experience at Frind Winery or Oak+Cru Social Kitchen & Wine Bar. These heated, glass-enclosed domes let you enjoy the lake views and winter scenery in complete comfort. 

Sunny's Modern Diner

  • 235 Bernard Avenue

Sunny’s Modern Diner is the newest inspired restaurant in the RauDZ Creative Concepts Ltd (RCC) portfolio. Owned by Chef Rod Butters…

The Jammery

  • 8038 Highway 97 N

Jam Factory - Gift Shop - Restaurant. You can view our jam production area from the viewing window in our gift shop. Taste our…

Gellatly Bay Park

  • Gellatly Rd

The Gellatly Bay Waterfront is West Kelowna’s go-to spot for people-watching, lakeside play, and laid-back adventure. This scenic…

Okanagan Rail Trail

  • Central Okanagan Multi-modal Corridor

Stretching between lake and land, the Okanagan Rail Trail is a gently graded, multi-use pathway that will eventually span 52 km…

Kelowna Art Gallery

  • 1315 Water Street

Located in the heart of Kelowna's Cultural District, the Kelowna Art Gallery offers visitors four different exhibition spaces to…

Sncewips Heritage Museum

  • 260 - 525 Highway 97 South

The Sncewips Heritage Museum began as a repository after Westbank First Nation achieved self-government in 2005. As our collection…

Löyly Floating Sauna

  • 238 Queensway

Nestled on Okanagan Lake in downtown Kelowna, Löyly Floating Sauna offers a one-of-a-kind wellness experience. Inspired by Finnish…

Experience Kelowna in Winter

Experience winter in wine country for yourself. Start planning by checking out our events calendar, browsing things to do in Kelowna in winter, and looking for your perfect place to stay in Kelowna.

If you’re considering a spring or summer trip instead, explore our 48-hour itinerary for warmer seasons.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Cover Image: Frind Winery. Photo: Ken Hagen