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A Family-Friendly Travel Gem in British Columbia

Vernon, B.C. is worth a visit for skiers, hikers and families—and mark your calendars for its 2020 Winter Carnival

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This article originally appeared in the January 2020 issue of Seattle magazine.

This article appears in print in the January 2020 issue. Click here to subscribe.

Vernon, British Columbia, rests nestled between the northern shores of Okanagan and Kalamalka lakes. It’s not a sleepy small town, but an active one, particularly in the winter. Vernon is the closest town to SilverStar Mountain Resort, known for its 132 runs on powdery snow and nearby, a daily-groomed cross-country skiing network, the largest in Canada. Those who aren’t skiers or snowboarders can take a hike along the Okanagan Rail Trail, a nearly 50-kilometer walking path converted from a discontinued rail corridor connecting Vernon and Kelowna. Also worth noting: 2020 marks the 60th year of Vernon’s popular Winter Carnival, a citywide celebration with more than 100 different events, from craft beer and cider tastings to a parade, and even hot-air balloon rides (February 7–16). This Canadian destination is a family-friendly winter gem, barely unearthed.

A New Perspective on the Oregon Coast

A New Perspective on the Oregon Coast

Beyond the usual suspects like Astoria and Cannon Beach lie 300 miles of open road.

The Oregon Coast is a beguiling drive year-round, but autumn is when it feels most vital. The colors deepen, whales loiter in the shallows, and kites swoop against gray skies dappled with bursts of sunlight. At Tillamook Bay, Highway 101 veers inland through fifty miles of old-growth forest before re-emerging along the water. On this…

Inn at Langley: Where the Shore Meets the Sky

Inn at Langley: Where the Shore Meets the Sky

After a property-wide redesign, the Whidbey Island retreat reopens with a locally inspired take on vacationing in the Pacific Northwest.

Michelin-star chef Johnny Spero never planned to end up in the Pacific Northwest. A lifelong East Coaster born and raised in Baltimore, he began his culinary career at 16, working for a series of big-name chefs and restaurants before opening his own establishments in Washington, D.C., including Reverie, which earned him his Michelin star in…

The Northwest’s Gateway to Wine, Culture & Adventure
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The Northwest’s Gateway to Wine, Culture & Adventure

Escape the crowds. Slow down. Savor fall in the Lewis Clark Valley. As autumn paints the hillsides in gold, crimson, and amber, the Lewis Clark Valley becomes a picture-perfect place to slow down and savor the season. Where Washington and Idaho meet, fall brings crisp days, colorful landscapes, harvest among the vines, and plenty of…

Meet West Seattle’s “Freelance Beaver Detective”

Meet West Seattle’s “Freelance Beaver Detective”

A group of urban beavers helped Pamela Adams through a tough time. Now she’s returning the favor.

Pamela Adams was living in Port Townsend when her marriage fell apart. Little did she know at the time that she would soon find love again while doggedly pursuing the Five Families—not the ones of Mafia lore, but a four-legged sort living along the Longfellow Creek Watershed. Prior to moving to Washington, Adams resided in…