Get ready for a romantic weekend away in BC’s newest wine region, the Thompson Valley, where you can sip and savour wines in leisure, stock up on seasonal tipples, and enjoy festive events together this holiday season.
Day One
Morning
Start with a snowshoe adventure
Start the day with a snowshoe adventure at Harper Mountain Ski Hill, just a short drive from downtown Kamloops. Crunch through the snow on a quiet and tranquil trail; choose from 11km of groomed trails that cover everything from a mountaintop trek to a leisurely 1 km forested loop. Trail passes cost $6 and rentals are available. Trails are open Thursday, Friday, and Saturdays 9am-9pm from December 3 for the season.
Afternoon
Mull it over at Privato Vineyard & Winery
Ready to warm up after your active adventure? Cuddle up around the bonfire with a warming mulled wine at Privato Vineyard & Winery and visit during their free Holiday Open House weekend on November 26th and 27th (11am-5pm) to enjoy s’mores around the bonfire, Christmas trees in Candy Cane Lane, seasonal limited time deals, and complimentary wine tastings.
Witness West African culture
Spend some time enjoying the cultural side of Kamloops with a trip to Kamloops Art Gallery, which is also a great place to pick up handmade gifts and discover local and international art.
Visit before December 31st to see Witnessing, an exhibit of African-American artist Alicia Henry’s latest work. Known for her two-dimensional figures and unconventional approach to portraiture, her most recent exhibition takes inspiration from her own memories and heritage, media images, and her personal collection of West African masks that bear witness to personal and social histories, while reflecting racial trauma, but also the confidence and strength.
Evening
Get in the Christmas Spirit
Delve further into the arts scene at Christmas at the KSO on Saturday December 17th (2pm and 7.30pm) or Sunday December 18th (2pm). The Kamloops Symphony Orchestra Chorus and harp soloist Naomi Cloutier will perform classic Christmas melodies including Handel’s The Messiah, Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker, and Britten’s Ceremony of Carols.
Day Two
Morning
Holiday Open House
Take in the Kamloops Wine Trail Holiday Open House and visit Harper’s Trail and Monte Creek wineries for complimentary wine tastings, hot mulled wine, festive treats, and special holiday shopping and pricing on select items during the free Holiday Open House weekend on November 26th and 27th. Visit Privato Vineyard and Winery and Monte Creek on other holiday weekends (or week days) between 11am-5pm for a leisurely tasting in festive surroundings.
Collect a stamp from each of the three wineries during the weekend for a chance to win a Holiday Six Pack of wine, which features two wines (a red and a white) from each winery and a resusable wine tote. If you’ve got too many bottles to carry you can order the six pack online for delivery to your home instead ($161.99 plus tax).
Afternoon
Shop local this season
Shop artisan gifts at pop-ups like Far & Wide, which will be showcasing different local makers every week in the run up to Christmas. Looking for locally made artwork? Head to The Art We Are Cafe for a warming beverage and to pick up handmade pottery, prints, and other arty presents. Boutiques like Lori-Ann’s Gifts & More, female-owned Crooked Crown, or Castles and Cottages are the places to visit for unique gift ideas from home decor items to jewellery.
Evening
Indulge in al fresco igloo dining
Brrr, al fresco dining in winter? Cocoon yourself in one of ROMEOs Kitchen + Spirit’s special igloo dining domes and you can enjoy a cozy, romantic meal outside any time of year. Available Monday to Sunday (12pm, 2pm, 5pm or 7:30pm), the pods seat up to six people so you can celebrate with friends or snuggle up with the blanket and your beloved by the gas fireplace. Reserve a pod via TOCK with a $25 non-refundable deposit.
Ski under the stars
If you’re visting on a weekday, you can burn off your lunch, or dinner, with a cross-country ski under the stars at the Overlander Ski Club at Stake Lake. Keep cozy in the lodge after exploring 6.5km of lit trails on skis (rent some if you don’t have any with you) and bask in the glow of a warm fire and a day spent enjoying the best of the Thompson Valley.
Coming on a weekend? Give your legs a rest and try tubing at Harper Mountain for a (literally) laidback, fun way to swoop down the slopes under the stars.
Enjoy seasonal deals
Treat yourselves to a weekend away in wine country at a relaxed pace. Take advantage of the Winter In the Vineyard Offer at Delta Hotels by Marriott Kamloops, which starts at $179 for a booking between November 20 – December 18. Enjoy wine tasting at Privato and Monte Creek, a welcome gift holiday chocolate bundle, a complimentary appy with the purchase of two entrees at Cordo Resto Bar, and late check out (2pm) as part of the package. Book at Marriott.com/ykade with promo code EB5.
