If you are dreaming of escaping this winter to experience Christmas or the holidays away from home, a small town might be just the place you are searching for. The charm of the villages and towns throughout the province calls out to those who want a different experience this season. Wintery wonderlands await those who want to head to the mountains.
Experiences and activities abound, no matter where you go. The markets, special activities, and shows that happen at this time of year are so much fun to experience outside of your home area. Whether you want to escape on your own, or share your holidays with friends and family, Christmas fun awaits!
Revelstoke
As a winter getaway, Revelstoke is always a great choice but add in the small-town Christmas festivities and charm and you couldn’t ask for a more perfect place to spend the holidays.
Nestled into the Selkirk Mountains, the scenery here is spectacular, and of course, the mountains offer up some amazing opportunities to get out into the snowy wonderland. Ski or snowboard at Revelstoke Mountain Resort, which is famous for its powder conditions and features the most vertical run in North America.
If that isn’t adventurous enough for you, there is always backcountry, cat, and heli-skiing available. Of course, you could choose to spend your time cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, dog sledding, skating, or snowmobiling as well. But the choice to spend Christmas here opens up other opportunities as well – the Christmas Eve fireworks in the village, skiing with Santa, breakfasts with Santa, craft markets, concerts, ballet, and a Christmas Eve Block Party, among many more activities.
Whistler
There are few other places where you can go skiing while enjoying views of the Pacific Ocean. Of course, you don’t have to be “on the slopes” goer to enjoy Christmas in this tiny village.
This is one of those magical places that make you feel as if you have stepped into a Christmas movie.
Along with the slope sports, you can spend time skating, tobogganing, snowshoeing, shopping, or enjoying the culinary treats here. It’s easy to find a Christmas or holiday package from the hotels and resorts including your snow sports, and there is plenty to keep you busy throughout the holidays. You will find Santa on the slopes, or making his way around the village, so no worries that you will miss him this year.
Golden
Situated in the gorgeous Rocky Mountains you will find this tiny town of just under 4,000 residents.
Of course, those who love winter sports will find a paradise here at the Kicking Horse Mountain, but for those who are just looking for some relaxation, you will find peace and quiet here during the holidays. The beautiful backdrop of the mountains gives the downtown area a surreal feeling.
If you want a quiet Christmas, check out Mount 7 Lodges that sits on over 60 private acres less than 7 km south of Golden.
Spend a special Christmas Eve at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort with an evening service and Christmas Feast. If you are still around the resort for New Years, usually the festivities are fantastic – Rail Jam, torchlight parade, fire shows performances, live band and a fireworks display.
Fernie
The beautiful mountain town of Fernie is situated in the southern part of the province, right along the Alberta border. You can find some of the country’s best snow conditions here, along with world-class skiing.
Stay at the resort here for an absolutely special Christmas or holiday season, taking advantage of the ski-in ski-out feature. Not to mention that you can ski with Santa on the 23rd and 24th. Surround yourself with the wintery beauty of the mountains while you enjoy outdoor sports and indoor comfort.
If you want to experience something different, book yourself a private sleigh ride (up to 11 people) to enjoy being pulled on a traditional horse-drawn sleigh through the winter scenery.
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While specific holiday events are still being planned and updated on the website, we know from past years that there will be special moments throughout the holiday season to enjoy.
Panorama
Tucked in the stunning Purcell Mountains, if you haven’t yet been to Panorama, then perhaps this is the winter to go. Although this is a four-season resort area, this area is well known for the amounts of snow it receives during the winter season, making it the perfect destination to hang out over Christmas and the holidays.
You can’t get more Canadian than spending Christmas in the mountains, surrounded by a wintery wonderland, soaking up the small village atmosphere and everything that comes along with it. There is excellent skiing, ski-in ski-out accommodation options, a multitude of restaurants to enjoy, along with many other outdoor sports.
Of course, relaxing in the hot tubs should be a part of your daily routine here. Check their website in December to see all the special Christmas events that will be happening.
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Harrison Hot Springs
Located in a lovely spot on the banks of Harrison Lake, Harrison Hot Springs is a tiny town with a fantastic resort. During the Christmas season, you can marvel at the pretty Sasquatch-themed Lights on the Lake event, which provides visitors with an array of lights and decorations all themed on the local legendary character.
Spend some time gliding around the Starlight Skating Rink, which is functioning from mid-October to the end of February! You can even rent skates here from Thursday to Sunday from November 14th and January 13 (2021).
Of course, the biggest draw to the area is the chance to spend some time soaking in the mineral hot springs. The hot pools are only available for hotel guests at the moment (due to COVID-19), so make this a true Christmas getaway and enjoy the hotel, marvellous restaurant and the hot springs. An escape here will make for a relaxing holiday season.
Penticton
Only a four-hour drive from Vancouver, Penticton is well known as being a destination during the summer months.
A lovely place to take some time out over Christmas and New Years, there are some lovely places to strap on a pair of snowshoes or cross-country skis to get out to experience some winter adventures. Perhaps you are more inclined to have a less adventurous outing, so why not enjoy some wine tastings from the surrounding vineyards and wineries!
The Penticton Lakeside Resort converts their private beach into a great outdoor ice rink for the winter months, which provides yet another opportunity to be outdoors. The Resort is also quite famous for their holiday spirit, decorating to the nines and hosting their own Santa.
Pender Island
Step away from the wintery white scenes and head to the Gulf Islands to experience a different type of Christmas and holiday season. The serene quietness of Pender Island will give you a sense of otherworldliness.
Pender Island really consists of two islands – North Pender and South Pender, which are separated by a narrow canal connected by a one-lane bridge. Here you can wander one of the beaches in the rain or explore the lakes, hills, farmland, mountains or coves.
The sub-Mediterranean climate means that winter here is not as harsh as some other areas in the province although rain is common and frequent. There are numerous art galleries, shops, and restaurants to enjoy and outdoor activities abound if you don’t mind getting a bit wet. The hotels decorate beautifully for the season and you will find some cozy comfort in the nice accommodations available.
Fairmont Hot Springs
This gem of a village in the Rockies is just down the road from Invermere, and adjacent to the village you will find the beautiful Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. Spend some time skiing or boarding here, or simply wander around the mountain lodge decorated with twinkling holiday lights and melt into the spirit of the season.
Take the opportunity to enjoy the outdoor light displays, a visit with Santa, or fun activities for all ages. Fun family activities throughout the season, such as Photos with Santa Campfire & Marshmallows, Scavenger Hunts, Letters to Santa-Workshops, Christmas Market, Cookie Decorating & Christmas Ball Painting, Ice Carving Demonstrations, New Year’s Eve Family Fireworks and Celebration and much more. Check out the town of Invermere, which has a 30-kilometre skating pathway that even beginners will enjoy.
Of course, the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort is the perfect place to stay, especially because guests get special access to the largest natural mineral hot springs in Canada!
With special menus and meals, the Christmas season is the perfect time to explore the area. This may well turn into your new holiday tradition.
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Kaslo
The cute little town of Kaslo is located in the Selkirk Mountains on the West Arm of Kootenay Lake.
This pretty village is a great place to spend the holidays. In fact, you may even want to head there in early December to experience the region as they are ramping up to Christmas. There are Christmas Light Ups to enjoy, along with all the celebrations in the communities along Kootenay Lake, such as the lovely heritage city of Nelson.
Mother Nature often adds a beautiful white touch to the historic downtown streets of these small towns. The quiet winter months and small crowds also make for one of the best times of year to enjoy a relaxing dip at Ainsworth Hot Springs, located just twenty minutes away from Kaslo.
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Smithers
With the normal Alpine vibe that Smithers has year-round, add in some sparkling lights and friendly people and you get the perfect place for the holidays.
There is a magic in the air here that visitors can’t get enough of. Strap on some snowshoes or cross-country skis and go exploring in the fresh, snowy wilderness of the valley and the mountains.
Christmas events start early here, with the Christmas in the Valley evening taking place on November 29th. You can enjoy the downtown streets beautifully decorated, along with the shops being open until 11 pm. There are horse and wagon rides, pictures with Santa, hot dogs and hot chocolate to be served by the Fire Department, carolers and more.
In December there are concerts and markets to visit. On Christmas Eve, visit one of the many churches in town. There is usually an open air sing along in the town center, date pending for this year. Stay at one of the lovely hotels in town, which decorate to the nines. Spend your days drinking coffee, skiing on Hudson Bay Mountain, or simply relaxing.
Peachland
An extremely popular destination in the summer and fall, the Peachland area is home to more than 200 wineries and microbreweries, not to mention the pretty landscapes.
Early in December you can enjoy breakfasts with Santa and the holiday Light Up for Peachland. On New Year’s Day you can participate in the annual Polar Bear Swim.
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Drive the short 20 minutes to Kelowna to view the sparkling lights of their Candy Cane Lane. Mission Hill Winery normally has an incredible Festival of Trees display until the beginning of January. Visit the Gasthaus Christmas Market right in Peachland and wander the waterfront to enjoy the lights display.
Osoyoos
Wine country doesn’t stop serving in winter, in fact, sometimes it is the best time to enjoy the sometimes snow-covered vineyards and less visited wineries for tastings and tours.
This is Canada’s only desert, so winter months look different here, and for those who spend all winter in deep snow, this may be a good choice for your holiday season. There is plenty to keep you busy, including outdoor sports and indoor history. There are Christmas markets, lovely lights, and special events to bring you into the holiday spirit.
Of course, in the area, there are other places to visit, such as the historic town of Keremos, located only 35 minutes away. This opens up the possibilities to enjoy Christmas fun in several towns! Mt Baldy is only 45 kilometers outside of town, so for those looking for downhill fun, this may be a good place to spend some time.
This is a hidden treasure where there is plentiful powder to enjoy. Baldy Resort is the 3rd highest elevation ski area in the province and the 6th highest elevation ski area in Canada.
Castlegar
The West Kootenays have a lot to offer visitors and the town of Castlegar is a much-underrated destination in the province. This is one of the best places for cross country skiing, mostly because the temperature really doesn’t get that cold here.
Take a walk through the downtown area to experience the Sculpture Walk, where you can enjoy artworks from both local and international artists. Otherwise you can consider strapping on a pair of skates and hitting the outdoor rink or take any kind of sled and enjoy the three places that offer up free tobogganing.
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Take a road trip to Nelson, which is just half hour away, to enjoy the heritage main street there, or continue farther to Kaslo. All the communities along here have beautiful light displays and special Christmas features. The best thing here, though, is the quiet and calmness that you may be looking forward to for the holiday season.
Creston
Located along the Crowsnest Highway, about halfway between Castlegar and Cranbrook, in the Kootenays, you come across the enchanting little town of Creston. Also known as The Valley of the Swans, the Creston Valley is a breathtaking with its snow-capped mountains, lakes and wide-open spaces.
The mild climate here means that this is a different winter experience. This area has exceptional backcountry skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling during the snowy months of winter. There are wineries in the area to be enjoyed or check out the history of the town and area by visiting one of the local museums or sites.
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In December there is usually a Santa Claus parade and Winter Festival to be enjoyed. This is a Christmas getaway that is more for the peace and quiet and the beauty of the area than for the activities.