Chill Adventures: Exploring Kamloops Winter Outdoor Activities
Stake Lake Ski Trail
Overlander Ski Club
Tamra Jaeger
Ah, winter wonders - wondering when the driveway will finally be clear, when your furry friend will stop tracking snow in, and when you won't have to dress like an Arctic explorer just to take the garbage out.
Wait, not that frosted drudgery, we’re talking about the ‘cool’ side of winter. The adrenaline-pumping, rosy cheek-inducing, hot chocolate-sipping, adventures that have Kamloopsians yearning for snow year after year.
Typically spanning from December to March, winter in Kamloops is a time to play. From breathtaking snowy landscapes to family friendly activities, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy the season. Embrace the local charm and make the most of winter in beautiful British Columbia.
Alpine skiing and snowboarding
Sun Peaks Ski Resort
If gravity-assisted gliding is your winter activity of choice, Kamloops has downhill skiing and snowboarding that takes thrill-seekers from cloud-nine to base level in no time. Sun Peaks Ski Resort is the second-largest ski area in Canada. Navigate your way through the easy green, right up to the challenging black diamond trails, and enjoy world-class resort amenities when you’re relaxing after an exhilarating day on the slopes.
Harper Mountain Resort
For a more intimate and community-oriented choice, make a beeline for Harper Mountain. Having celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2023, Harper strikes an ideal balance between thrill, affordability, and a cozy atmosphere. They even have night skiing on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, which, in our opinion, is one heck of a way to start the weekend!
Sun Peaks Resort
Destination BC/Reuben Krabbe
Harper Mountain
Dylan Sherrard
Cross-country skiing
Ski Resorts
Swap velocity for tranquillity with cross-country skiing. Both Harper Mountain and Sun Peaks provide a variety of epic trails perfect for seeing a new side of these resorts.
Overlander Ski Club
Another option is Stake Lake, managed by the Overlander Ski Club. This area boasts a whopping 60 km of groomed Nordic trails—even lit night ones and some for your trusty pup! Beginners can nurture their potential with rentals and lessons, while seasoned skiers can take on guided skis, leagues and races.
Stake Lake Ski Trail
Overlander Ski Club
Tamra Jaeger
Snowshoeing
A new generation of winter warriors are swapping skis for snowshoes, proving that you don't need elevation or breakneck speeds to have a great time. Unlike the tennis rackets used back in the day, modern snowshoes are small and lightweight, meaning you can cover more terrain with less fatigue.
Maintained Snowshoe Trails
Stake Lake, Harper Mountain, and Sun Peaks each offer maintained snowshoeing tracks, great for novices as well as those who want to take advantage of après (i.e. everyone!). Sun Peaks, in particular, takes it up a notch by providing several guided tour options, ranging from moonlight fondue experiences to wildlife tracking tours. All three of these locations require a trail pass, and each offers rentals directly on site—how convenient!
Public Snowshoe Trails
The beauty of snowshoeing, however, is that you can blaze your own trail. Bring your own snowshoes, or rent a pair from Runners Sole, and visit Kenna Cartwright Nature Park, McConnell Lake, Peterson Creek Nature Park, or the Bush Lake Area. The best part, your pup can come along on these pet-friendly trails!
Don't have snowshoes? Ditch the gear and opt for winter hiking instead!
Harper Mountain
Mary Putnam
McConnell Lake Provincial Park
Hike Kamloops
Fat Biking
Enter Fat Biking. These beefy bikes defy the season, boldly bringing summer joy into winter—ideal for those who just can't part with their two-wheeled steeds.
Isobel Lake
Housing over 30 km of groomed trails, the Isobel Lake Recreational Trails are located roughly a 40-minute drive from downtown Kamloops. Maintained by a team of awesome volunteers, these unsung heroes dedicate their time and energy to keeping these wild winter routes in tip-top shape for you to ride. Although there's no official fee attached to the pleasure of these trials, a little generosity goes a long way in preserving the pristine state of this riding area. The Bicycle Cafe happily accepts any donations made – a version of 'pay it forward' that we like to call, 'pay as you ride'.
Kenna Cartwright Park
For a closer-to-town option, Kenna Cartwright Park has a wide array of non-maintained trails.
Kenna Cartwright Nature Park
Sean Jenkins
Snowmobiling & Dog Sledding
Porcupine Ridge & Tranquille Bonaparte Plateau
For those craving more speed, snowmobiling should be top of your list. The primary snowmobiling area is Porcupine Ridge and the Tranquille Bonaparte Plateau, where you'll find thousands of hectares of sub-alpine low-slope terrain. Here, you’ll find nine warm-up shelters and numerous groomed trail loops thanks to the Kamloops Snowmobile Association. With its low to zero avalanche danger, this region is a snowmobiling haven for families.
Ready to ride? Kamloops Snowmobile Adventures offers guided tours that showcase the best of the region—prepare for snow-covered vistas and breathtaking mountain views.
Todd Mountain
Todd Mountain at Sun Peaks offers some fantastic snowmobiling options, too. Regularly groomed access routes and shorter family-friendly trail loops make this an ideal destination for an epic day out. Please note that Daily Trail Permits or memberships must be acquired through the Kamloops Snowmobile Association to visit each of these winter wonderlands.
Embark on a guided tour with Mountain Man Adventure Tours and explore Sun Peaks' backcountry, where BC’s legendary powder awaits!
Now, if you’re thinking, “Shoot, I don’t have a snowmobile,” well, hold onto your toques because there's another way to charge through our snowy outdoors... dog sledding! With Mountain Man Adventure Tours, you can explore Sun Peaks’ stunning landscapes led by a team of furry four-legged athletes. Experience this bucket-list activity that brings together speed, beautiful scenery, and of course, good boys.
Kamloops Snowmobile Adventures
Sun Peaks
Mountain Man Adventure Tours
@mmadvdogsled
Ice Skating
Just as the Scandinavians own Nordic skiing, we Canadians own ice skating—okay not really, but we like to think so! Seriously though, we've mastered the delicate art of gliding on ice - whether it's perfecting our pirouettes or sniping bardown.
Outdoor Skating Rinks
Kamloops has outdoor skating rinks at every corner of the city. Check out Westsyde Centennial Park, Juniper Park, Thompson Park, Valleyview Centennial Park, Len Haughton Park, or Pineview Valley Park. Note that these community rinks are maintained by heroic, cold-resistant volunteers, so not all of them will always be operational.
Frozen Lakes for skating
For a more scenic skate session, take to the wild ice! Albert McGowan Park, Inks Lake, Little Heffley Lake, Shumway Lake—pick a favourite or make your way to one of the many lakes within BC’s Land of Hidden Waters. But don’t stop at just skating—our frozen lakes are also home to some of the region’s best ice fishing spots.
Remember, ice safety is no joke. Be AdventureSmart when stepping onto any frozen surface. Here are some pro tips: always use a drill and tape measure to check ice thickness, avoid patches of open water, the darker the ice, the safer it is, and seek advice from the local authorities’ ice safety assessments.
Indoor Skating Rinks
For those who like their fun a little bit... warmer, McArthur Island Sports and Events Centre, Memorial Arena, Sandman Centre, Valleyview Arena, and Brock Arena are indoor rinks that offer heaps of skating fun without the numbing toes.
Inks Lake
Olsen Imaging
Kamloops in winter
Who says you have to 'get through' winter? Here, we're busy getting into it! During chilly season, Kamloops transforms into a snowy haven for outdoor lovers of all ages.
Keep us in the 'Loop with your outdoor adventures! Tag @tourismkamloops or use #ExploreKamloops to show us your perfect place for winter fun in the Thompson Valley.
