In collaboration with family-owned WARDS Cider, this list is inspired by fond memories of outdoor winter activities followed by a glowing fire and steaming mugs of traditional spiced apple cider.
Read on for some great ways for you to enjoy our Okanagan outdoors this winter.
Then if you’d like to follow up with some delicious hot spiced cider, reach for WARDS Picker's Hut Winter Spice Cider which has been premixed for you. All you have to do is warm it up in a pot over a fire, on the stove, or simply pour it into a mug and heat it up in the microwave.
Either way, it emanates inviting, feel-good aromas and tastes yummy.
Designed out of necessity, snowshoeing has evolved into a Canadian pastime that’s a relatively safe and inexpensive recreational activity.
Snowshoeing remains one of the easiest ways to get out and enjoy the winter scenery; this active adventure will make that rewarding warm Picker's Hut Winter Spice Cider you’ll have afterWARDS, all the more enjoyable.
Now it may not be as easy as a walk, it’ll feel a bit more like a hike, so you’re going to want to put on some warm boots and dress appropriately – and if you work up a sweat, you can always enjoy your Pickers Hut Winter Spiced Cider cold.
If you need snowshoes, you can rent gear from Fresh Air Concept and MEC and you might even be amazed at how far snowshoe technology has come from the old wooden pairs you’ve seen mounted in cabins. Pro tip: try out a pair with ratchet bindings, they’ll provide greater control and stability while floating on snow — thus, greater enjoyment!
Now that you’ve got your gear and you’re ready to go snowshoeing, you can take a trip to the Kelowna Nordic Ski and Snowshoe Club, located in the hills, 20 minutes east of Kelowna B.C. Here, you can explore an array of marked trails for anyone from beginner to experienced, just take a look at their map of snowshoe trails.
AfterWARDS, on the way home from the Kelowna Nordic Ski and Snowshoe Club, you can visit Wards Cider at The View Winery to enjoy a tasting in their vintage apple packinghouse, just follow this trail.
The View wine shop and Wards cider bar are open every day noon to 5 pm throughout the winter and for even more outdoor fun, join them on weekends for their Slip and Sip snowshoe tours.
You knew skating would be on this list, but here in this warmer climate, finding an outdoor rink is a little more challenging than other provinces, which is why we’ve prepared a couple of nearby skating rinks for you to enjoy this winter.
Lace-em up and go for a glide at Stuart Park.
This downtown Kelowna community rink is a beautiful place to go for a date or family outing. Open daily from 6 am to 11 pm, Stuart Park skating rink is located just an apples throw away from Okanagan Lake and it’s one of our favourite places to take in some free winter fun. If you don’t own skates, no problem. There are rentals available at the rink.
After a leisurely skate on this family-friendly rink, it’s the perfect time to warm up or cool off with a Picker's Hut Winter Spice Cider.
To see the Stuart Park rink conditions, take a look at the KelownaNow webcams.
For those who are looking to experience the outdoors on a bigger rink or play a little bit of hockey, Big White Ski Resort has Canada’s highest elevation skating rink located near the village — which looks like a real-life winter wonderland.
Speaking of Big White Ski Resort, the season is now open!
Downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, tubing, skating and more, Big White Ski Resort makes the perfect winter getaway, and after a day on the mountain, Après ski warm cider makes the perfect treat.
AfterWARDS, when you get home from a day of enjoying anything from freshly groomed corduroy to Okanagan Champagne Powder, put your feet up and cozy up with a Picker's Hut Winter Spice Cider.
Located in Armstrong, this unique winter activity is a professional outdoor theatre that’s fun for the whole family. This season, the outdoor theatre will be showcasing the Nutcracker.
The Winter Sleigh Ride Show ‘The Nutcracker’ re-imagined for the outdoors by the director, Manon Beaudoin, is the spectacular retelling of Tchaikovsky’s Holiday Classic that will be available from December 10th to January 4th.
Caravan Farm Theatre has crackling fires, hot chocolate and magnificent horses who will take you from scene to scene in a peaceful sleigh ride.
Dress accordingly, bring blankets and anything else that will keep you and your family warm — and then afterWARDS, you can pour the kids some hot chocolate and have yourself a Picker's Hut Winter Spice Cider warm or cold, however, you prefer.
Depending on how you look at it, for those of us lucky enough to get snow, building a fort is a great way to spend time with your family or build a hangout place with friends.
To keep things interesting, you can add a twist by making some creative rules!
Here are some suggestions:
Rule 1: You can not use contractions in this fort
Rule 2: There must be at least 20 snowballs on hand
Rule 3: Music choices must predate the Millenium — and Rule 1 remains, so no song names with contractions allowed. Sorry Aerosmith, but it looks like we are going “...to miss a thing” (Don’t want to miss a thing).
Snow forts are always fun and building a Quinzee snow shelter (you’ll need a lot of snow), can be a great place for a Picker's Hut Winter Spice Cider. AfterWARDS, light a candle and paint the inside of your snow fort using colouring while you enjoy an adult beverage.
Enjoy the winter fun, be safe and afterWARDS, celebrate with the seasonal favourite, WARDS Picker’s Hut Winter Spice Cider.
Available at The View Winery and WARDS Cider as well as in B.C. Liquor Stores and private liquor stores throughout the province.
WARDS cider apples are grown on a 5th generation family-owned orchard settled over a century ago. Located in South East Kelowna at 1-2287 Ward Rd overlooks Okanagan Lake and the City of Kelowna and is home to The View Winery and Wards Cider.
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