Vernon, BC is the largest city in the North Okanagan and one of the best-kept secrets for year-round activity. From SilverStar Mountain Resort (skiing and mountain biking) to Kalamalka Lake ("the lake of many colours"), Kal Beach, Ellison Provincial Park, the Vernon Farmers' Market, and a busy year-round events calendar, Vernon offers a slower-paced Okanagan experience with all the wineries, food, and outdoor recreation of the larger cities.
25 minutes east of downtown Vernon, SilverStar is one of BC's top ski resorts (winter) and a major mountain biking destination (summer). The mountaintop village is family-friendly and hosts festivals, races, and concerts throughout the year.
Vernon sits between two of BC's most beautiful lakes. Kal Beach, Cosens Bay, and Ellison Provincial Park are summer favourites; the Rail Trail runs the full 50-km lakeshore from Coldstream to Kelowna.
Vernon's central park hosts summer concerts, community events, and the annual Canada Day celebration. Home to the Japanese Gardens and a busy summer schedule of festivals.
A restored 1867 pioneer ranch just north of Vernon, running heritage events, cattle drives, harvest festivals, and Halloween haunted-house events each fall.
One of Western Canada's largest winter festivals — 10 days of parades, snow sculptures, hockey tournaments, and community events every February.
The Vernon & District Performing Arts Centre hosts touring concerts, theatre, and dance. Cambium Cider Co and other North Okanagan venues run live music, tap takeovers, and food-truck nights. See Vernon concerts for upcoming live music and Vernon nightlife for what's on tonight.
The North Okanagan wine tier stretches south from Vernon through Lake Country. Vernon wineries and Lake Country wineries — 50th Parallel, Gray Monk, Arrowleaf, Ex Nihilo, Intrigue — produce some of BC's finest cool-climate whites and Pinot Noir.
Winter — SilverStar skiing, Vernon Winter Carnival, indoor concerts. Spring — hiking on the Rail Trail, blossom season. Summer — Kal Beach, farmers markets, outdoor concerts, Downtown Sounds weekly free concert series. See Vernon summer events. Fall — harvest at O'Keefe Ranch, wine country in Lake Country, hiking.