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Not Luxe ☼ Travel
  • ABOUT NICK & RAYCHEL
  • WHY “NOT LUXE”
  • Cambodia
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  • Travel
  • Teaching ESL
  • Move Abroad
  • Travel Insurance

things to do in vernon 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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  • This summer has been filled with a lot of hard work so we can continue the adventure.

Working odd jobs and picking up work that we aren’t necessarily *passionate* about (sorry to break it to you, Santa, I didn’t love being a Christmas elf at the mall during the holidays) isn’t always easy.

Working hours at the office, doing data entry, reception, and cleaning out the fridge every Friday isn’t exactly my idea of fun. Nick doesn’t love driving a truck for 11 hours a day, or getting home at 1am. 

But we are committed to the cycle, we are passionate about alternative living, and we want to see the world.

We don’t work hard so that we can have a margarita at the beach (although that’s fun too), we work hard so that we can experience different cultures, try different cuisines, learn about different climates, connect, and grow as people.

Travel to us is more than bright blue waters and aesthetic IG photos, it’s about the experience, and we can’t wait to see more.

__

➟ follow @nickandraychel // full-time van life & budget travel 

Tags: #notluxe  #camperlife #camperlifestyle #vanlifeproject #vanlifeculture #tinyhome #tinyliving #vanlifediaries #travelgram #livetoexplore #vanlifeculture #budgettravel #worktotravel #traveljobs #travelblogger #vanlifestyle #vanliving #livingoutdoors #campinglife  #vanlifevirals #vanlifeideas #vandwelling

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  • Yeah, the first ever “odd job” I took in order to afford travel was as a Christmas Elf at the mall.

I worked this job on top of my regular 9-5 so that I could afford to pay off my existing credit card debt and move to Cambodia. It was my first step away from the ‘big girl jobs’ I was used to working, but I had a dream to live abroad and a bank account that didn’t match, so I had to do something about it.

The next few jobs I’ve done either part or full time over the years.

💻 REV: I’ve worked as a transcriber on Rev for a few years now. The pay isn’t great, but I’m a super fast typist (80 wpm who!?) so I figured it could be a way to pass the time & earn extra income.

🐶 Rover: This summer, we’ve ventured into caring for dogs on Rover. While we can’t do this in our van, we are currently staying with my brother and between all of us, there’s always a dog here. If I had learned about Rover prior to moving out of our apartment, I would have definitely offered my services years ago.

👩‍🏫 Teaching English online: Many people know that we taught English overseas - but only long-time followers of the YouTube channel would know that teaching ESL was my job beyond that. Unfortunately there were major pay cuts within the company that I worked for (PalFish) so I quit, but I still teach on Cambly and Outschool (more on that in part 2).

We don’t have a lot of money but we have expensive dreams, so we’ll do anything to make it work. What odd jobs have you done to earn some extra cash?

➟ follow @nickandraychel // full-time van life & budget travel 

Tags: #notluxe #vanlifecouple #vanlifecouples#tinyhome #vanlifers #vanlifevirals #vanlifemovement #vanbuildout #vandwelling #vanlifediaries  #vanlifemovement #vanlifeexplorers #traveljobs #vanlifejobs #workontheroad #digitalnomad #budgettravel 

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  • Anyone who knows our story knows that we have been working throughout our entire travels. Seasonal / temporary work has afforded us a lifestyle filled with travel and adventure. ✈️

We have explored temp agencies, Craigslist ads, used websites like Airtasker (Australia) and Kijiji to find our temporary/seasonal jobs. But in the US specifically, there are some websites designed specifically for this type of work. 🌲

Here are 3 websites designed for seasonal work (mostly U.S. based):
1. Vagajobs: a resource for seasonal & year-round work with a heavy focus on travel/adventure jobs. Some jobs posted on Vagajobs include staff housing.
2. CoolWorks: job opportunities in great places - from national parks to ski resorts, summer camps, to national parks. Some jobs posted on CoolWorks include staff housing.
3. Occupation Wild: job board for the outdoor / adventure and travel industry. Hiring all sorts of positions at ranches, camps, resorts, conservation areas and national parks. 

Outside of the U.S.? Same (kinda). Our main go-to in Canada is Indeed (search by job type & select contract / seasonal)

Do you have any seasonal job boards to add to the list?
Drop ‘em here. ⬇️

➟ follow @nickandraychel // full-time van life & budget travel 

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  • If you’re in Ontario, you don’t want to miss this next year ✨ 

This was our first time visit the Hamilton night market and it was so worth the visit. Come along with us! @hhnightmarket 

Have you tried stinky tofu? ⬇️ 

—

➟ follow @nickandraychel // full-time van life & budget travel 

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  • Shoutout to anyone who does these tiny (or big) builds on your own 🤦🏼‍♀️

We all have different strengths, right?… 

What’s your most dreaded part of DIY? ⬇️ 
_

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  • Saying goodbye is the hardest part about travelling.

We have said dozens and dozens of goodbyes throughout our 20s. We have met countless new faces, made a ton of connections, and have shed a lot of goodbye tears.

Even a visit ‘home’ comes with the looming feeling of saying goodbye again.

We wish we could take everyone we love and put them in our pocket.
But we know that everybody has a different dream, a different life. 

When we take our next flight or fill up the gas tank to our next stop on the road, they go off on to see the world for themselves, to raise their families, to chase their career goals, love lives, or whatever else.

And we are so stoked to be able to stay in touch online.
But it’s definitely the hardest part of living nomadically.

➟ follow @nickandraychel // full-time van life & budget travel 
__

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