BC skiing out of Vernon

**StuntCok** · 04-01-2019, 09:51 PM

after 25 years living abroad, I am finally moving “home”. I haven’t ever adulted in Canada and have a million questions, ranging from what car to buy to what cable package has the best tentacle porn, but my most immediate concern is spring skiing. Where do Okanagan residents get their spring skiing fix? Am I gonna want to buy a sled? Does anyone need a reasonably competent touring partner who can ski weekdays? I’ll ask my other questions in the padded room. Thanks

**mcski** · 04-01-2019, 09:59 PM

Naniiiiii? Why u leaving house of the rising sun?! First thing that comes to mind is that I never experienced culture shock when I lived in Japan, but when I came home to the US...aye caramba! Be prepared to feel a bit shellshocked for a while

**reckless toboggan** · 04-02-2019, 08:01 AM

There's a tonne of really, really good quality back country skiing and sledding out of Vernon.

Just head west out of town a bit, until you reach Pemberton.

**cmcrawfo** · 04-02-2019, 08:13 AM

You are gonna want a sled... that said, there are few close by options that you will be able to drive to in the late spring. When do you get to town?

If you need a realestate agent, I know a guy.

**ex-powderbroker** · 04-02-2019, 08:15 AM

Originally Posted by reckless toboggan

There's a tonne of really, really good quality back country skiing and sledding out of Vernon.

Just head west out of town a bit, until you reach Pemberton.

or just use the uber pool heli option

**el hefe** · 04-02-2019, 10:01 AM

Originally Posted by reckless toboggan

There's a tonne of really, really good quality back country skiing and sledding out of Vernon.

Just head west out of town a bit, until you reach Pemberton.

Yeah good call, nothing to see here. All desert, white sun glasses and murse bros every where. Pemby and Revy are where its at!

**Ted Striker** · 04-02-2019, 10:03 AM

Originally Posted by reckless toboggan

There's a tonne of really, really good quality back country skiing and sledding out of Vernon.

Just head west out of town a bit, until you reach Pemberton.

I was going to say go north on 97, turn right when you hit 1.

**el hefe** · 04-02-2019, 10:07 AM

Seriously though, we have some super fun stuff within a 1 to 1.5 hr from grabbing a coffee to sledding into the goods.

There was a thread not too long ago about this here: https://www.tetongravity.com/forums/...and-Silverstar

All the cool kids will say go somewhere else and I hope it stays that way. I get mine every winter and still make it home for dinner and putting kids to bed every time.

The west side of this is visible from the Hwy between Vernon and Kelowna but I think most people don't have the imagination or curiosity to make it happen. Hit it 2 weeks ago, fun times - https://www.instagram.com/p/BvKNgreB...qOYLwuEvExNo0/

**kalisto** · 04-02-2019, 04:43 PM

Holy shit, there's a name I haven't seen in a while. welcome back!

**StuntCok** · 04-02-2019, 10:13 PM

Thanks all! I am currently in the airport taxi on my way home. I already own my house in Vernon so no need for a re agent but thanks anyway. I will peruse the threads hefe put up later, but it looks like I'll need a sled. I'm not too worried about peak season winter skiing as I will retain my house in hakuba for japanuary but am keen to explore the spring touring and the mtbing. I am bringing my Enduro bike and just bought a dh bike. I am keen to be part of the mtb community and get involved in volunteer trail work as I am semi retired at the moment. So I will look into that. I look forward to seeing you guys on the trails/hils

Sent from my SOV34 using TGR Forums mobile app

**StuntCok** · 04-02-2019, 10:14 PM

Originally Posted by kalisto

Holy shit, there's a name I haven't seen in a while. welcome back!

Hey there! You still in van?

Sent from my SOV34 using TGR Forums mobile app

**kalisto** · 04-03-2019, 09:04 AM

^ yep. ping me when you're around!

**el hefe** · 04-03-2019, 10:01 AM

Originally Posted by StuntCok

Thanks all! I am currently in the airport taxi on my way home. I already own my house in Vernon so no need for a re agent but thanks anyway. I will peruse the threads hefe put up later, but it looks like I'll need a sled. I'm not too worried about peak season winter skiing as I will retain my house in hakuba for japanuary but am keen to explore the spring touring and the mtbing. I am bringing my Enduro bike and just bought a dh bike. I am keen to be part of the mtb community and get involved in volunteer trail work as I am semi retired at the moment. So I will look into that. I look forward to seeing you guys on the trails/hils

Sent from my SOV34 using TGR Forums mobile app

Hmmmm..... tradesies for japanuary for showing you around????

**StuntCok** · 04-03-2019, 12:45 PM

Originally Posted by el hefe

Hmmmm..... tradesies for japanuary for showing you around????

I think we can come to an arrangement, kind sir!

Sent from my SOV34 using TGR Forums mobile app

**LeeLau** · 04-03-2019, 01:10 PM

Originally Posted by StuntCok

Thanks all! I am currently in the airport taxi on my way home. I already own my house in Vernon so no need for a re agent but thanks anyway. I will peruse the threads hefe put up later, but it looks like I'll need a sled. I'm not too worried about peak season winter skiing as I will retain my house in hakuba for japanuary but am keen to explore the spring touring and the mtbing. I am bringing my Enduro bike and just bought a dh bike. I am keen to be part of the mtb community and get involved in volunteer trail work as I am semi retired at the moment. So I will look into that. I look forward to seeing you guys on the trails/hils

Congrats on semi retirement! You won't regret it!

**StuntCok** · 04-03-2019, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by LeeLau

Congrats on semi retirement! You won't regret it!

Thanks leelau, you helped with the inspiration

Sent from my SOV34 using TGR Forums mobile app

**el hefe** · 04-04-2019, 11:19 AM

^^^ where is your place in town? Mtn biking is good at Ellison. Some skiing still to be had, hoping we get some more snow for the weekend.

**Dr. Crank** · 04-04-2019, 06:29 PM

I like Vernon and there are a lot worse places to be as a skier. Owning a sled seems fairly key but then again I know a few people living in the Okanagan sans sleds who get plenty of touring days in. They're just driving more and missing out on a lot of options, which the guys here seem to be hitting more consistently.

Mountain biking is top notch and when you get bored of the local stuff, drive 40 min north or south for a lot more.

**StuntCok** · 04-06-2019, 05:04 AM

Originally Posted by el hefe

^^^ where is your place in town? Mtn biking is good at Ellison. Some skiing still to be had, hoping we get some more snow for the weekend.

My place is near silver star elementary school, though I am currently in MB hanging at my Dad’s while my container of goods clears customs. I think I’ll be in bc in a week. I am going to need to buy vehicles ASAP as well.

On a related note, what kind of sled should I be looking at? I’ve only ever sledded in Japan’s deeeeep snow and used long track mountain sleds (my current sled being an rmk 163).

**garyfromterrace** · 04-07-2019, 12:07 PM

Originally Posted by LeeLau

Congrats on semi retirement! You won't regret it!

Yeah, same here StuntCok and welcome home. Speaking for one retiree, it's fucking great.

**el hefe** · 04-08-2019, 09:59 AM

Originally Posted by StuntCok

but my most immediate concern is spring skiing. Where do Okanagan residents get their spring skiing fix? Am I gonna want to buy a sled? Does anyone need a reasonably competent touring partner who can ski weekdays?

This was adequate yesterday. 10k vert and back for dinner, not bad for April 7th!

**powdork** · 04-08-2019, 10:51 AM

^that was fun

**el hefe** · 04-08-2019, 11:03 AM

Originally Posted by StuntCok

My place is near silver star elementary school, though I am currently in MB hanging at my Dad’s while my container of goods clears customs. I think I’ll be in bc in a week. I am going to need to buy vehicles ASAP as well.

On a related note, what kind of sled should I be looking at? I’ve only ever sledded in Japan’s deeeeep snow and used long track mountain sleds (my current sled being an rmk 163).

I have a 2013 skidoo XM 800 154" that I am putting up for sale. Prob asking $4000. High km but new crate engine on warranty at 5000km. With cheetah rack.

**StuntCok** · 04-09-2019, 04:10 AM

Ok, that video has me stoked. In all truth, I was keen to move to Rossland or the like but my grew-up-in-an-Asian-mega-city wife vetoed tiny towns. I was content with Vernon more for the summer activities but now feel even better about my life choices. Anyway, i will consider looking at sleds as soon as I can but I don’t think my wife will be pleased if I do before other things like, say, a bed for the kid...

**LeeLau** · 04-09-2019, 08:33 AM

Originally Posted by StuntCok

Ok, that video has me stoked. In all truth, I was keen to move to Rossland or the like but my grew-up-in-an-Asian-mega-city wife vetoed tiny towns. I was content with Vernon more for the summer activities but now feel even better about my life choices. Anyway, i will consider looking at sleds as soon as I can but I don’t think my wife will be pleased if I do before other things like, say, a bed for the kid...

Good call then. Vernon's close enough to the highway to get to Van or Calgary but seems to strike the right balance and the community spirit there is real strong. You know all of this already though.