Ski, snowshoe, snowmobile, skate, hike, stay overnight, spa, sip wine and craft beer, dine in a dome or order in.
Staycation and daycation options in the Okanagan abound.
True, there's no turquoise ocean, the temperature isn't 30C and the palm trees aren't swaying as they would be in Hawaii or Mexico.
However, while COVID travel restrictions rule out a tropical paradise this winter, a rejuvenating mini-break, be it a couple of hours, weekend or week, in the Okanagan is oh-so doable.
"We all have to do things differently this winter," admits Vincent Pouget, the general manager at Walnut Beach Resort in Osoyoos.
"But that doesn't mean you can't have fun. For instance, Osoyoos is the warmest and driest place in Canada, even in the winter, so a luxurious stay at Walnut Beach, a day skiing at Mount Baldy, some winery visits and restaurant meals would make for a great staycation."
Such attributes also mean Osoyoos has become more than a daycation and staycation destination.
It's attracted snowbirds from elsewhere in B.C., Alberta and Saskatchewan who are calling the South Okanagan town home for the winter since they can't make it as far south as Arizona and California.
By the way, the outdoor pool at Walnut Beach is heated year-round, so it's perfect for a January dip.
Frind Winery in West Kelowna isn't letting the pandemic get it down.
"We're going to clink to the end of COVID and beyond," says general manager Ruth Hanbury.
"The winery is open for tastings daily and we have 10 of these new, supercool beachfront dining domes where you and up to five other people in your bubble can have happy hour, high tea or a five-course dinner."
That's right, the domes look like stylish, clear igloos and are heated, lit and elegantly set with a table for six.
Hanbury may be biased, but her perfect daycation is typically wine-and-food-centric.
"You can definitely make a day of visiting wineries and enjoying seated tastings and lunch or dinner," she says.
"The hospitality industry in this Valley is doing such a good job during COVID."
For many, Okanagan winter is synonymous with skiing on mountains blanketed with champagne powder snow.
And it's proving true even more so this year.
"If you can't go to Hawaii, Palm Springs, Mexico or Phoenix, then definitely go skiing instead," says Michael Ballingall, vice-president of marketing at Big White Ski Resort.
"We're filled up with locals and domestic holidayers who are coming for the day, or overnight, or for a week, buying real estate and bringing multi-generations. Our ski-in, ski-out accommodations and 2,700 acres of space really gives us an advantage."
Big White also has the cachet of Kelsey Serwa as an ambassador.
Serwa grew up learning to ski at Big White and went on to win the ski cross Olympic gold medal at the Pyeongchang Games in 2018.
See the story, also in this issue of Level Up, on what else Serwa is up to these days.
Big White is part of Okanagan Bucket List, a group that’s been touting world-class experiences to locals and visitors alike for years.
The other members are Sparkling Hill Resort and Predator Ridge Golf Resort, both near Vernon, Eldorado Resort in Kelowna and Mission Hill Winery in West Kelowna.
Sparkling Hill Resort has done a remarkable job marketing itself to locals for winter staycations.
As such, it's full most of the time with guests ensconced in stylish suites and bathing in tubs with a view placed right in the living room.
Guests also opt for pampering at KurSpa, dine at PeakFine and Barrique and splash in the indoor-outdoor infinity pool.
Yes, Sparkling Hill is the $122-million architectural marvel owned by the Swarovski crystals family with a front entrance that resembles an upturned gem and incorporates 3.5 million crystals into the hotel's decor.
Even if you have just a few hours, daycationing allows you to indulge in a change of scenery, get some exercise or feed your body and soul.
So check out the scenic winter hikes on Knox Mountain, at Bear Creek or the Myra Canyon.
Snowshoe at Telemark or Kelowna Nordic clubs, take a turn at the skating rink at Stuart Park (currently closed) in downtown Kelowna and cap it off with lunch, dinner and-or drinks at a favourite restaurant or an eatery you haven't tried before.
