It is one winter season sport in which the whole family can participate. From Mom and Dad to Grandpa and Grandma to the teenagers together with the little tykes - all can enjoy the significant benefits of getting outdoors and enjoying the sport of skiing. Regardless of whether it is the downhill, the cross-country variety or both, it is a skill to be learned and enjoyed throughout one's active sporting life. Skiing also provides transitional opportunities for those of us who are moving into our advanced years. From the daredevil Black Diamond whiz kid and show-off mogul dancer one slowly devolves through the cruising slopes to the bunnies and finally down to the beginner area from where we once began. However, that matters not just as long as we are able to continue to take advantage of our wintering opportunities.

We who are blessed to live in The Okanagan in our Supernatural BC have the best of natural terrain that lends itself to the promotion of outdoor activities. When we combine our terrain with our moderate winter climate and significant snowfall we have skiing opportunities that just aren't available anywhere else. BC is home to no less than 12 world-class skiing areas. In the Okanagan there will be at least one ski resort within easy commuting distance for a day trip. With the recent ski resort development particularly in the South Okanagan, it seems that on site accommodation will be coming within economic reach of most seniors and families.

Apex Mountain a 30-minute drive west of Penticton offers families an impressive variety of ski and snowboard terrain. Also available are an NHL-size, outdoor skating rink plus 1 km skating loop; a tubing park, horse-drawn sleigh rides and snowmobile tours. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails are easily accessible at Nickel Plate just 7 km from the resort.

Big White a 45-minute drive southeast of Kelowna welcomes families with downhill ski and snowboard terrain. It offers a full range of activities, including 25 km of cross-country skiing, night skiing, tubing, skating, snowshoeing, snowmobile tours and sleigh rides. Happy Valley offers cross-country skiing, tubing and ice-skating.

Silver Star Mountain located 22 km northeast of Vernon has two diverse features. Vance Creek provides groomed runs with open spaces and uncrowded slopes. Putnam Creek provides deep powder snow, huge terrain and steep fall line runs. It also offers snowboarding, cross-country skiing; tubing, snowshoeing, ice skating and snowmobile tours.
Sun Peaks 45 minutes northeast of Kamloops has a variety of ski and snowboard terrain, as well as 28 km of cross-country trails. Also available are skating, dog sledding, sleigh riding, snowshoeing, snowmobile tours, snow biking and cat skiing. Harper Mountain 23 kms northeast of Kamloops provides downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, Tube Park and skating pond.

Mount Baldy 40 kms from each of Oliver and Osoyoos offers 1500 vertical feet of terrain, 20 km of marked snowshoe trails, non-groomed cross-country trails and 20 km of groomed cross-country skiing trails.

Whatever brings you out to the slopes while you remain an active senior; being out in the hills, savouring the freshness of air, the scent of pine, the rush of the trees as you descend (not too fast), communing with nature and enjoying the active life-style - please remember to bring and wear your helmet. Enjoy!

Jerry Flaman     This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it