Everywhere you go in British Columbia, nature plays a part of the adventure. Vernon is no exception to the rule.

Surrounded by three lakes and mountains that produce some of the finest powder skiing in North America, check out Vernon with a vacation rental from FlipKey.

About Vernon

Found 440 kilometers’ northeast of Vancouver, Vernon was home to the Okanagan people, a tribe of the Interior Salish. Fur traders were responsible for the first European settlement in the region which grew after the discovery of gold in Cherry Creek.

Mining gave way to cattle ranching and fruit orchards spurred on by the arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1891.

Today, Vernon offers everything you could want from a major city or a vacation destination.

Known for its lakes, beaches and golf courses during the summer, and skiing and ice hockey in the winter, Vernon is a year-round resort attracting people from Vancouver, Calgary and beyond.

What to do

Vernon is all about keeping you active by promoting a healthy lifestyle that includes plenty of outdoor activities. Be it taking a leisurely bike ride along one of the many trails or flying through the trees on the Okanagan zip lines.

Learn to water-ski on Kalamalka Lake, or try your hand at stand-up paddle boarding while keeping your balance out on the water. Rent a kayak or canoe to explore the many hidden coves and inlets while hoping to get a glimpse of the Ogopogo lake monster.

Vernon is also home to several championship golf courses including “Predator Ridge”, one of the most breathtaking courses in North America, and Fred Couples challenging “Rise” course in the Okanagan Valley.

Vernon’s biggest asset is, of course, the famous champagne powder found at Silver Star Mountain Resort, located a short 22 kilometers from downtown.

Top Vernon travel tips

For a great day out in the summer, head to Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park. Hike along the Crest Trail to the end of the peninsular for spectacular views before heading back down for a day at the beach.

Learn all about the area’s rich history with a trip to the O’Keefe Ranch as you become a cowboy for the day while taking a horseback tour.

If you’re heading to Vernon and plan to spend your time up at the Silver Star Resort, stock up on beer, wine, and food while in town and make sure your car has got snow tires for the drive up the mountain.

As one of the best towns in Canada to live and retire, Vernon appears to be doing things right. The Silver Star Mountain resort has plenty of accommodation available for rent on FlipKey and is the perfect ski resort for making lifetime family memories.