There’s a very particular kind of romance that only winter in Canada can inspire. The air turns crisp, fireplaces glow, and every snowflake feels like an invitation to slow down and savor life with someone you love. For me, December has always been my favorite time to escape routine and dedicate time to my relationship—time to rediscover, reconnect, and create shared memories.
This year, instead of going to the usual destinations—Vancouver, Banff, or Montreal—I wanted to seek a place with subtlety. Somewhere less obvious, more intimate, and layered with corners to discover. That search led me and my partner to Kelowna, British Columbia.
Most Canadians know Kelowna as a summer paradise: vineyards sprawling in golden sunlight, Okanagan Lake shimmering with boats and paddleboards. But in December, the city transforms. It becomes quieter, gentler, and profoundly romantic. While the ski resorts bring energy and adventure, what struck me most were the hidden corners—those tucked-away parks, snow-covered vineyards, intimate cafés, and boutique hideaways where love doesn’t just survive but thrives.
This is the story of our romantic journey through Kelowna’s hidden corners—a week in December filled with snow, laughter, warm wine, and the kind of quiet joy that lingers long after the trip ends.
Planning the Romantic Escape
Romance begins with intention, and for me, that means careful planning. My partner and I wanted something more than just sightseeing—we wanted experiences that felt personal, cozy, and intimate. Here’s how we set everything up:
- Flights: We used Skyscanner.ca to compare options, eventually booking a direct WestJet flight from Toronto to Kelowna International Airport (YLW) for \$640 CAD per person round-trip. Other good platforms included Expedia.ca and AirCanada.com.
- Accommodation: I was determined to avoid chain hotels. On Booking.com, I found a charming lakeside boutique inn, while Airbnb.ca offered a cedar cabin with its own outdoor hot tub. Prices averaged between \$220–\$400 CAD per night, depending on amenities.
- Car Rental: Essential for reaching Kelowna’s hidden gems in December. We used Rentalcars.com to secure a compact SUV with snow tires at \$92 CAD/day.
- Restaurant Reservations: We booked all romantic dinners in advance on OpenTable.ca to avoid disappointment during the holiday season.
- Activities: For wine tours and outdoor adventures, I relied on Viator.com and GetYourGuide.com.
Our total budget for 7 days as a couple was around \$4,300 CAD—a balance of indulgence and thoughtful spending.
Hidden Corner #1: Bertram Creek Regional Park
Location & Atmosphere
Bertram Creek Regional Park lies about 20 minutes south of downtown Kelowna, along Lakeshore Road. Nestled at the base of gently sloping hills and hugging the eastern shore of Okanagan Lake, the park is known for its summer picnics, wedding photoshoots, and lakeside gatherings. But in December, it becomes something else entirely—a secret sanctuary blanketed in snow.
The morning we visited, the air was still and crisp, the kind of cold that paints your breath into clouds. Every tree branch was frosted white, bending gently under the weight of snow. The shoreline of Okanagan Lake stretched out before us like a silver ribbon, calm and reflective beneath the muted winter sky. Not a single soul crossed our path, and for a moment, it felt as though the entire world had hushed itself for us alone.
Our Experience
We wandered the winding paths, our boots crunching softly in the snow, fingers laced tightly together inside warm gloves. At one point, we paused near a patch of frozen reeds, leaning into each other for warmth. The waves of the lake lapped gently against icy stones, creating a rhythmic soundtrack to the silence.
There was no agenda, no activity to tick off a list. The romance of Bertram Creek lay not in spectacle but in simplicity. Just standing there—snowflakes falling on our shoulders, our cheeks flushed from the cold—we felt the rare kind of connection that only nature’s quiet can inspire. It wasn’t about “doing” something. It was about being together.
Costs & Tips
- Entry: Free.
- Parking: Free.
- Tips: Bring a thermos of hot chocolate or mulled wine, along with a blanket. Even though the benches and picnic tables are snow-covered, sitting wrapped together overlooking the lake is more romantic than any café.
- Booking Platform: None required—simply search Bertram Creek Regional Park on Google Maps for directions.
Hidden Corner #2: Mission Hill Family Estate Winery in Winter
Location & First Impressions
Mission Hill Family Estate sits in West Kelowna, about 15 minutes from downtown. In summer, it’s buzzing with tourists. In December, it becomes a sanctuary.
The moment we stepped through its dramatic stone archways, snowflakes drifted in the air. The bells of the tower stood silent, the amphitheater quiet. It felt like we had entered a castle designed just for us.
The Experience
We booked a Winter Wine Tasting for \$45 CAD per person via MissionHillWinery.com. Inside, by a roaring fire, we sampled Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, our glasses reflecting the golden glow. We lingered, talking about dreams, future travels, and the silly little memories only couples share.
Costs & Tips
- Wine Tasting: \$25–45 CAD per person.
- Private Experience: \$60–100 CAD per person.
- Booking Platform: MissionHillWinery.com or Viator.com.
- Tips: Ask for a window-side tasting table—it’s worth the request. And always book a driver if you plan to indulge.
Hidden Corner #3: Knox Mountain Lookout
Location & Overview
Only five minutes from downtown Kelowna, Knox Mountain Park is often overlooked in winter. Yet, it offers some of the city’s most romantic views.
Our Experience
We drove up to the Apex Lookout just before sunset. From the wooden platform, Kelowna sparkled with holiday lights, and the lake stretched out like a mirror framed in snow. The horizon blushed pink and purple. We hugged tightly against the wind, whispering that this was one of the most beautiful moments we’d ever shared.
Costs & Tips
- Entry: Free.
- Tips: Wear proper boots—snow and ice make the trail slippery. Bring a small lantern if you’re arriving late.
- Booking Platform: None required.
Hidden Corner #4: Quails’ Gate Winery & Old Vines Restaurant
Location & Ambiance
Nestled in West Kelowna, Quails’ Gate is smaller than Mission Hill but more intimate. Its Old Vines Restaurant offers an unbeatable view of the snowy vineyard rows.
Our Romantic Dinner
Through OpenTable.ca, we booked dinner for two. Seated by a window, with snow drifting softly outside, we ordered roasted duck breast (\$42 CAD) and a bottle of Pinot Noir. The candlelight, the wine, the quiet conversation—it was everything a romantic dinner should be.
Costs & Tips
- Dinner for Two: \$160–200 CAD with wine.
- Wine Tasting: \$20–30 CAD per person.
- Booking Platform: QuailsGate.com or OpenTable.ca.
- Tips: Request a window seat well in advance.
Hidden Corner #5: Myra Canyon Trestles
Location & Beauty
About 40 minutes from Kelowna, the Myra Canyon Trestles stretch along the historic Kettle Valley Railway Trail. In December, snow blankets the bridges, and silence fills the air.
Our Adventure
We rented snowshoes from Fresh Air Kelowna (\$25 CAD/day) and set out across the trestles. Pausing on one of the bridges, we looked down into the snowy valley. The quiet was almost spiritual. My partner squeezed my hand, and I thought: if love had a sound, it would be this silence.
Costs & Tips
- Entry: Free.
- Snowshoe Rentals: \$25 CAD/day.
- Booking Platform: FreshAir.ca or GetYourGuide.com for guided tours.
- Tips: Go early in the day—sunlight is short in December.
Hidden Corner #6: Boutique Cabin Stay with Outdoor Hot Tub
The Experience
We booked a small cedar cabin overlooking Okanagan Lake on Airbnb.ca. It came with a private hot tub. On our first night, after a snowy walk, we slipped into the steaming water, glasses of local wine in hand. Snowflakes fell around us, and the lake stretched out below. It felt like the world had disappeared, leaving only us.
Costs & Booking
- Price: \$280–350 CAD per night.
- Booking Platform: Airbnb.ca.
- Tips: These cabins book out months in advance—reserve early if traveling in December.
Hidden Foodie Gems for Couples
- Bouchons Bistro (Downtown)
- Candlelit French dining.
- Dinner for two: ~\$160 CAD.
- Booking: OpenTable.ca.
- Raudz Regional Table (Lawrence Ave)
- Locally inspired, creative dishes.
- Dinner for two: ~\$140 CAD.
- Booking: Raudz.com.
- Bean Scene Coffee Works (Bernard Ave)
- Cozy loft, artisan lattes.
- Coffee & pastries: ~\$20 CAD.
- No booking needed.
Other Romantic Winter Activities
- Ice Skating at Stuart Park: Free, with skate rentals for \$7 CAD.
- Couples Massage at The Wellness Spa: \$220 CAD for two.
- Snowshoe Picnic with Okanagan Outfitters: \$180 CAD per couple, includes a private picnic.
Essential Booking Platforms
Here are the services I found most useful for planning our journey:
- Flights: Skyscanner.ca, Expedia.ca, AirCanada.com, WestJet.com
- Accommodation: Booking.com, Airbnb.ca, Hotels.ca
- Car Rental: Rentalcars.com, Enterprise.ca
- Dining Reservations: OpenTable.ca
- Tours & Tickets: Viator.com, GetYourGuide.com, Liftopia.com
- Local Info: TourismKelowna.com
What Love Found in Kelowna
Looking back, our December in Kelowna was more than a holiday—it was a rediscovery. The hidden corners of this city offered us something no crowded tourist hub could: privacy, intimacy, and moments that belonged solely to us.
It was in the silence of Bertram Creek, the candlelight of Old Vines, the golden glow of Mission Hill, and the steaming waters of that lakeside hot tub where we found what romance really means.
Kelowna in December is not flashy. It is subtle, tender, and deeply moving. And for couples seeking to write their own love story, its hidden corners might just be the perfect setting.
