Jamie Skinner
A drone shot taken from Dallas-Barnhartvale Nature Park looking towards Sunrise Mountain, Barnhartvale just outside of Kamloops.
Words by Tom Skinner
Ranked as the second sunniest city in British Columbia, Kamloops makes for an ideal winter getaway to enjoy several activities under clear blue skies, providing a great escape from the gloomier weather that’s common elsewhere in the province. No matter your game – be it downhill or cross-country skiing, biking, hiking, photography, or wildlife viewing – an RV trip here when the snow flies offers a great off-season adventure, allowing you to further appreciate all that Kamloops has to offer.
Kamloops is known as “the Tournament Capital of Canada,” which was termed in 2001 as a result of being a popular sporting community for many years and the city taking advantage of the region’s ideal weather and location. In fact, it receives an approximate average of 2,080 hours of sunshine annually, and is second only to Victoria, which receives an annual average of 2,203 hours.
Jamie Skinner
Ice skating can be enjoyed by all ages on many of the frozen lakes in the area.
Skiing, Ice fishing, Fat Biking, and More
In addition to the local ski hills, which include the popular Sun Peaks Resort and Harper Mountain (a local-favorite), Kamloops has an abundance of nearby lakes with a reputation for great fishing. Come winter, ice fishing is also always popular. Locations such as Monte Lake, Red Lake, Roche Lake, Jacko Lake, and Heffley Lakes are commonly suggested to winter visitors looking for some serious action.
Snowmobiling, cross country skiing and fat-tire biking are other great ways to enjoy the outdoors. Excellent cross-country ski trails are located in and around Sun Peaks Resort as well as Stake Lake (30 minutes from Kamloops), while you don’t have to go far from the city to take in some winter fat biking. Locations like Kenna Cartwright Park in Kamloops and Isobel Lake Winter Recreational Trails (17 km (11 mi) from the city) combine to provide more than 80 km (50 mi) of accessible trails, and are great opportunities to enjoy this growing pastime. Local fat bike rentals are available.
Jamie Skinner
Having some fun on the winter trails.
If you enjoy long brisk walks, designated walking/hiking trails of varied distances are found throughout the area. You’ll want to visit Waterfront and Riverside Park in downtown Kamloops, which has a 2.8 km (1.7 mi) loop, or even drive a short 90 minutes for a day trip to Wells Gray Provincial Park. This scenic attraction is home Helmcken Falls - the fourth largest waterfall in Canada - and stunning Dawson Falls. Other great day trips include drives to nearby Merritt and Logan Lake, which are about an hour from Kamloops.
Birds, Bighorns and Hoodoos
Located where the North and South Thompson Rivers converge, Riverside Park is the perfect area to view and photograph Trumpeter Swans, Canada Geese and various species of other water fowl. Kamloops is also well known for its large Bighorn Sheep population. According to the BC Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, all species near Kamloops Lake and along the South Thompson River are California Bighorns. Or, if you venture towards Chase, there’s a chance of spotting Rocky Mountain Bighorns.
Jamie Skinner
California Big Horn Sheep in North Kamloops.
The north bank of the South Thompson River, near Lefarge Canada, is another great location to view wildlife. For instance, if you head from the local cement company, Lafarge, towards The Big Horn Golf and Country Club along East Shuswap Road, you’ll encounter Trumpeter Swans, ducks and even eagles. You’ll also see hoodoos along the edge of the road, so be sure to bring your camera to capture the stunning scenery. Tranquille Wildlife Management Area is another area to explore and offers excellent wild life viewing. It’s just 15 minutes from Kamloops.
As its geographical location and climate makes Kamloops an ideal winter getaway, there’s more than just outdoor activity here. Pond Country Market offers an array of artisan foods and is now home to the Smoking Duck Eatery, where the service is good, the food is great, and the staff friendly. More dining and shopping options can be found downtown Kamloops with its array of locally-owned businesses and restaurants.
Tom Skinner
Trumpeter Swans, Mallard Ducks and Canada Geese at Riverside Park.
Visiting Kamloops in the winter can be an exhilarating experience with all the outdoor activity and accommodating weather. Before departing it’s always best to check road conditions (especially if you have an RV in tow) and once here, you’ll most likely want to plan a return trip later in the season or even the warmer months to discover more activities.
For more details walking/hiking trails, snowmobiling, bike trails, snowshoeing, skiing and skating visit www.tourismkamloops.com.
Winter Camping Options
Are there winter camping opportunities in Kamloops? Of course. While services may vary during the cooler months, they’ll offer a great escape for winter adventure. Here are a few of them:
Copper Quarter Campground
Mount Paul Centre Way, Kamloops
camp@copperquartercampground.ca
www.copperquartercampground.ca
Kamloops RV Park
9225 Dallas Drive, Kamloops
Knutsford/Kamloops RV Campground
10-2741 Hwy 5A south, Knutsford, BC
http://www.knutsfordcampground.ca
Tom Skinner
Canada Geese coming in for landing also at Riverside Park.