A Diamond in the Okanagan Rough

Since becoming a mom, I’ve found there to be a special place in my heart for the various family vacation destinations I visited as a child. My family, along with our close family friends spent annual Christmas vacations slope side at Apex Mountain Resort. So the idea of escaping the hustle and bustle of the city to experience the peaceful serenity of Apex Mountain with my family was a no brainer.

Apex Mountain is located a quick 30 minutes west of Penticton, BC., and only a 4 hour drive from Vancouver – take off after work on Friday and be at the hill in time for dinner. But a word of warning, while the menu at the GunBarrel Saloon is amazing, if it’s not busy the kitchen may close early, so be sure to call ahead and make sure you don’t go hungry. I highly recommend the Homemade Mac & Cheese – it’s to die for!

GunBarrel Saloon Mac & Cheese

Plenty of ski in/ski out accommodations are available to suit every budget, whether it’s a cabin, self contained condo, or a simple hotel room at the Inn, there’s something for everyone at Apex. If staying on hill isn’t your thing, no worries – for $20 round trip you can take the Apex Mountain Resort Snow Bus from Penticton for a stress free ride to and from the hill.

With an average temperature of -4°C and approximately 600 cm of dry champagne powder falling annually, conditions at Apex can’t be beat. Don’t be fooled by the mere 77 runs and 4 lifts, what Apex lacks in quantity, it makes up tenfold in quality. Whether it’s steep chutes, glades or bowls you’re after, or uniform corduroy for days, you can find it all within the 1112 acres of skiable terrain. Meet up with a mountain host, have a passionate local show you the ropes, or just go explore one of the only hills I’ve ever been to where it’s possible to have fresh tracks all day long. With skiiers and boarders flocking to some of the bigger hills you’ll find the lift lines short, and the fall lines long, just the way it should be!

Apex Mountain Resort

Hone your freestyle skills as bumps and jumps are a plenty. Throw some big air, or just spectate at one of the many terrain parks (including a night park!), moguls courses, or ski/board cross found on the hill. There’s even a mini park off of the bunny hill for the mini freestyler in your family.

If alpine skiing’s not your jam, Apex boasts 56 world class cross country trails at the Nickel Plate Nordic Centre. Release your inner child or your actual child, riding day and night at the Tube Park located just to the side of the bunny hill. Make sure to pack appropriate footwear as ski boots are not allowed in the Tube Park. Relax and reconnect with nature through a guided snowshoe tour, or skating on the 1 kilometer night lit adventure skating loop or get your adrenaline pumping playing Canada’s favourite pastime – hockey, on the regulation sized outdoor rink.

tubing

Getaway to Apex Mountain Resort for a low key and stress free vacation that you wont soon forget.