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Not Luxe ☼ Travel
  • ABOUT NICK & RAYCHEL
  • WHY “NOT LUXE”
  • Cambodia
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okanagan winter

    Winter in Vernon BC Canada

    Things To Do During Winter in Vernon BC

    by Nick & Raychel March 17, 2021

    Vernon, BC is a small city of only 40,000 people in the Okanagan region of Canada – but for it’s small size, it packs a punch! There are many things to do during winter in Vernon, and we are about to give you some of our favourite winter activities in this article. 

    Vernon is roughly 45 minutes from Kelowna, BC – so needless to say, the winters in Kelowna are not that different from the winters in Vernon! One of our favourite parts about living in the Okanagan is that you really experience the diversity of all four seasons. So what is there to do in Vernon, BC in the winter? Let’s dive into it here!

    If you’d prefer to watch us hang around Vernon in the winter, you can do so on our YouTube channel here!

    Visit Kalamalka Lake (& bring your skates just in case)

    Technically it’s in Coldstream, but Kalamalka Beach is one of the most popular spots in the Vernon area for a reason. It’s absolutely beautiful! If when you think of the beach, you think more on the cusp of sunnies and flip flops – think again. Kalamalka Lake actually froze over this year, and we were able to skate and play hockey right near Kal Lake’s famous dock. 

    Note: When attempting to ice skate on any natural body of water, be sure to check the ice’s thickness and consult the local authorities in the area.

    Kalmalka Lake Frozen over in winter in Vernon BC

    If the lake isn’t frozen over enough to skate on this winter in Vernon, don’t worry! Grab a hot chocolate from up the road and take a meander onto the dock. The views are absolutely stunning all year ‘round.

    Snowshoe through a winter wonderland at Sovereign Lake Nordic Club

    One of the best things to do during winter in Vernon is to take up snowshoeing! If you don’t have your own, you can always rent a pair up at Sovereign Lake. Walk through snow-covered trees and (surprisingly) break a sweat up in this winter wonderland located right in Vernon. 

    Tickets sell for as little as $8.00 CAD and you’ll be sure to get that gorgeous Instagram shot. If you’re lucky enough, maybe you’ll even run into some wildlife. 

    Note: Sovereign Lake Nordic Club also offers night skiing and other winter activities too! 

    Visit the animals & learn about some history at O’Keefe Ranch

    The Historic O’Keefe Ranch is a great place to visit, even in the winter in Vernon. Something that many people don’t realize is that the grounds are always open, even outside of tour times! 

    The ranch was founded in 1867 and was a completely self-contained community. Now, you can wander around the historic buildings and visit the farm animals that live there.

    If you opt for a self-guided off-season tour, don’t forget to drop a donation in the provided donation boxes at the ranch.

    winter at o'keefe ranch in vernon bc

    Head up to Silver Star Mountain Resort

    If you ski or snowboard, you will absolutely love Silver Star Mountain Resort right here in Vernon, BC. Silver Star is Vernon’s winter playground, with your obvious activities like skiing & snowboarding and other less expected ones like tubing, ice skating, and even horse-drawn sleigh rides through the snow.

    One thing is for certain – if you’re looking for winter activities in Vernon, you will be sure to find an abundance of winter activities at Silver Star. 

    Don’t ski, snowboard, or like slipping down hills? No problem! While your daredevil family members go to play, you can take up my favourite winter activity – drinking a frosty beer in the village! All jokes aside, the Silver Star mountain village is absolutely charming, and you’ll be sure to have a great time.

    winter in vernon bc at silver star mountain resort

    Grab a cup of joe at a local coffee house downtown Vernon

    Once you’re done playing in the mountains, head downtown and see the quaint and gorgeous downtown Vernon has to offer. For a city on the smaller side, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by all of the lovely, local shops. Our favourite coffee house is Triumph Coffee – 10/10 recommend!

    downtown vernon bc in the winter


    If you’re about to enjoy your first ever winter in Vernon, make sure to layer up and stay warm. Like we said, we love the diverse seasons in the Okanagan – but we talk more about that in this article here.

    Are you going to be around for summer in Vernon? We have a blog post on that too! You can check that out here.

    So, what do you think? Are you excited for another winter in Vernon? Let us know in the comments what you love to do!




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Nick & Raychel
Nick & Raychel

In 2018, we sold everything we owned and moved to Cambodia to teach English.

Let’s make this clear: this journey didn’t start with money. This journey started with a desire to see the world and to do something different for a change.

We’re not going to fool you with photos of floating breakfasts and private jets. We know what it’s like to be on a budget. Although we like to take pretty pictures, we aren’t going to wake up at an ungodly hour to give you unachievable travel jealousy. We aren’t going to censor ourselves or lie to you.

What we are going to do is stay in cheap hostels, find ways to make money, give the advice that we would want to hear, and share our experiences with you honestly.

Are you in?

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ABOUT NICK & RAYCHEL

About Us Hi! We’re Nick & Raychel, the Canadian travel couple behind the brand ‘Not Luxe’. Far before we were married (and on a mission to see the world), we were working…

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Instagram

  • Working to TRAVEL✈️🚐

If you’ve been following along with our vlogs and stories, it will come as no surprise to you when I say that our days are long right now. When we chose to start travelling, we signed up for a work-save-travel-repeat cycle and have been living in for the past 4.5 years. 

We chose this life.
But we still get tired. 

And between fixing up the van, preparing for our next adventure and working full time in that Southern Ontario heat - it’s a lot. But our minds are set on travel, on exploration, on adventure, culture, and learning. So we adapt to the seasons and understand that this point in the cycle is  just that - a season -  and we are so damn grateful to be doing it together.

📍 Traditional territories of the Erie, Neutral, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee and Mississaugas.
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Tags: #notluxe #worktotravel #travelcouple #vanlifecouple #traveldiaries #vanlifediaries #travelgram #livetoexplore #vanlifeculture #budgettravel #worktotravel #traveljobs #travelblogger #vanlifestyle #vanliving
  • **CLOSED** GIVEAWAY!! 🎉

We are giving away a Bluetti EB70 portable power bank. Having a power station on hand is a sweet backup for those who are already set up completely for off-grid living and/or a good start for weekend campers looking to try out van or camper van life. We are stoked to have another way to work outside, charge more appliances and get out adventuring.

The winner will win ONE Bluetti EB70 power bank & charging cables. 

Specs:
• 716Wh capacity and 800W rated wattage
• The ultra-stable LiFePO4 battery chemistry,2500+ life cycles
• 4*110V AC outlets, 2*100W PD ports, 2*5V/3A USB-A ports, 2*regulated 12V/10A DC outputs, 1*12V/10A car port,1*15W wireless charging pad.
(Note: does not come with solar panels)
-

HOW TO ENTER:

1. Like this post 
2. Must be following @nickandraychel & @bluetti_official
3. Tag a friend in the comments below (more tags = more entries)
4. Bonus entry - share this post to story for 5 extra entries! 

Open to USA & Canada residents. Giveaway closes on June 22, 2022. 
Winner will be announced on 06/25/22. 

-

Disclaimer: No purchase necessary. Giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Instagram.

The contest period will run from 06/15 to 06/22 2022.

— 

Tags: #vanlifecouple #vanlifeing #notluxe #vanlifediaries #vanlifegiveaway #campinggiveaway #campervan #vanconversion #camperliving #tinyliving #tinyhomeonwheels #tinyhomes #vanlifenewbie #vanlifers #livinginavan #livingoffgrid #offgridliving #vanlifedreams #travelinspo
  • Slowing down 🚐 

The whole appeal of van life and many alternative living options is the freedom to take a go at your own speed.

But sometimes it feels like you just want to see it all.
And we’ve seen SO much in the past twenty months. 

Especially in the past six.

As Canadian travellers, I find that our slow season is the opposite of others. We escape the cold weather and have been abroad for many Christmases and snowfalls. During those times, we’re cliff jumping, waterfall hopping, cruising, skatepark hunting, friendship building…

Then, when lake season rolls around we’re ready to take on a more conventional work schedule, to save up to do it all again.

But we have to tell ourselves to relax, to enjoy the downtime, to take in the peaceful moments just as much as the epic ones. To soak up the sun, to drink water, to slow down.

It’s a constant learning process.

📍Traditional Hohokam, Patayan, and Yavapai land ⁣

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Tags: #vanlife #vanlifeshot #vanlifemeetup #vanlifemoments #vanlifemovement #vanlifemagazine #vanlifestyle #vanlifeculture #vanlifecouple #vanlifeconversions #campulance #campinggirls #campinglife #rvliving #camperlife
  • But how do you SHOWER? 😅

This photo is from the most ridiculous YouTube thumbnail we’ve had to date. We took so many funny photos this day, we couldn’t NOT share. Or maybe we could. Oh well.

But let’s answer the question while we’re at it.

🚿 We primarily go to Anytime Fitness which is a little pricier than Planet Fitness. In our opinion, however, the equipment is way nicer, there are usually less people, they’re all over Canada & the US, it’s open 24/7, and the showers are private.

🚿 When we’re not near an Anytime Fitness (this has only happened one time when we were in Quartzsite), we find a truck stop shower to go to.

🚿 And that’s about it. We bought a camping shower at the beginning of van living and only used it one miserable time.

Do you think a shower is necessary in a van build?

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Tags: #vanlife #vanlifeshot #vanlifeshower #vanlifecamper #campinglife #campingtrip #vanlifebuild #vanlifediaries #vanlifegirls #vanlifetravel #vanlifetravels #vanlifestyle #vanlifeexplorers #campinggirls #outsideisfree #outsideshoot #vanlifeculture #vanlifecommunity
  • We have been doing so much stealth city camping lately that we felt like we needed a break. When we first moved into our van, we set off to Vancouver Island, where we were constantly surrounded by nature - and even though we had no idea what we were doing, it was just easy to be outside.

As you guys know, we’ve lived all sorts of van life. From brick & mortar jobs, to off-grid living, to city dwelling, to full-time travelling. Lately, we’ve seen A LOT of cities and while we’re grateful to have covered so much ground, we knew we needed nature. 

So we nestled ourselves into Starved Rock State Park and reset.
Full video is on YouTube. Link in bio.

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Tags: #vanlife #vanlifecouple #vanlifediaries #vanlifers #vanliving #ambulanceconversion #vandwelling #vandweller #camperlife #campervan #camperconversion #campingbackpack #campinglife #campingtrip #illinois #starvedrockstatepark
  • “The life you have led doesn’t need to be the only life you have” – Anna Quindlen

I can’t imagine committing to being the person I was 5 years ago for the rest of my life. I can’t imagine committing to one mindset or one way of life. 

It would be impossible to put into words how much we’ve changed through travel and meeting people. And as we start to hype ourselves up for our next big journey, we’re excited to dive head first with an open mind. 

Whether you’re building a van, starting a new job, buying a plane ticket, or even walking out of the house every morning - you have no fucking idea what’s in store.

Travel has a special way of changing you. 
And the best thing you can do is allow it. 

📍 Traditional Kumeyaay land
___ 

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