Mountain Review: Apex
MOUNTAIN SCORE
CATEGORY BREAKDOWN
See our criteria
8
Snow:
7
Resiliency:
5
Size:
5
Terrain Diversity:
7
Challenge:
6
Lifts:
9
Crowd Flow:
4
Facilities:
7
Navigation:
5
Mountain Aesthetic:
GOOD TO KNOW
1-Day Ticket: $90 USD ($128 CAD)
Pass Affiliation: Indy Pass
On-site Lodging: Yes
Après-Ski: Limited
Nearest Cities: Kelowna (1.5 hrs), Kamloops (3 hrs)
Recommended Ability Level:
+ Pros
Laid-back, uncrowded atmosphere
Snow quality
Surprisingly extensive base village
– Cons
Small size
Limited above-treeline terrain
Lower natural snow totals & lack of snowmaking
MOUNTAIN STATS
Lifts: 4
Trails: 85
Beginner: 13%
Intermediate: 37%
Advanced/Expert: 50%
Mountain Review
Apex Mountain Resort flies under the radar compared to British Columbia’s massive destination mountains, but that’s part of its charm. Situated just outside Penticton in the Okanagan region, Apex offers a compact, uncrowded ski experience that punches above its weight in snow quality, terrain variety, and overall convenience. While it lacks the sheer vertical, acreage, bowl skiing, and storm totals of the province’s more famous resorts, Apex provides a laid-back alternative for those who value solitude, sunshine, and solid skiing over scale.
Apex’s main Quickdraw lift provides top-to-bottom access to nearly the entire mountain.
Apex’s defining strengths come from its combination of short lift lines, high-quality snow, and approachable yet varied terrain. The resort’s top-to-bottom high-speed lift gives access to nearly everything on the mountain, while the smaller Stocks chair and beginner area round out a well-balanced footprint. With surprisingly good ski-in/ski-out lodging and an easy drive from Penticton, Apex delivers an experience that’s far more complete than most mountains of its size.
Size and Terrain Layout
By British Columbia standards, Apex is small. The mountain spans 944 skiable acres and 1,867 feet of vertical, from a base at 5,269 feet to a 7,136-foot summit. Above-treeline skiing is extremely limited—just a few turns on the upper front face before ducking back into the trees—but the compact footprint means efficient laps and easy navigation. Apex may not rival the region’s behemoths, but it makes the most of its scale with a surprisingly diverse set of trails and aspects.
Apex is laid out around a single main peak, with several ridges defining its zones. The south-facing “Wildside” terrain contrasts with the steeper, shadier runs that dominate the mid-mountain. The mountain’s main high-speed quad climbs nearly base to summit, while the lower Stocks chair serves mellower runs ideal for intermediates and beginners. Long traverses can make certain laps tedious, but the logical layout keeps most terrain within quick reach.
TRAIL MAP
Beginner Terrain
Beginners have decent options at Apex, but there are some better mountains. A dedicated carpet serves the learning area at the base, and the Stocks chair provides access to a range of forgiving green and mellow blue runs. That said, the green Grandfather Trail from the top is not the most beginner-friendly, as it’s more of a long cat track than a run truly designed for less-experienced guests; as a result, heading up to the peak won’t be all that fun until you reach intermediate proficiency.
Intermediate Terrain
Intermediates will find plenty to like, especially off the Stocks chair, where wide, flowing cruisers dominate. The upper mountain also offers a handful of steeper blue runs, which may be a bit much for lower intermediates, but provide some fantastic views and higher speeds, though these runs have some of the most congestion at the resort. The two runs that go from top to bottom at the resort on each border, named Grandfather and Grandmother trails, are quite flat and not recommended for those looking for enjoyable cruisers, though they are the easiest ways down from the summit.
The intermediate runs off the summit of Apex provide some of the best views at the resort.
Advanced and Expert Terrain
Advanced skiers will appreciate the resort’s character. Much of Apex’s upper and mid-mountain terrain consists of steep bump runs and tighter glades. The north side is filled with narrow mogul lines that hold consistent pitch from top to bottom, though the long traverses required to access and exit them can make repeat laps a slog.
For true experts, Apex delivers a few gems. Runs like Tooth and Tusk live up to their reputation, while the Mini-Colorado and Great Wall zones hide cliffs, chutes, and sneaky drops. Gromit, Gunbarrel, Twenty-Two, and Peashooter are standout bump lines with serious gradient. That said, the resort is pretty mellow beyond those signature runs, and those looking for a truly big expert playground may find better luck at some other resorts in the region.
Apex has a variety of steep tree runs in upper mountain areas, but they’re not long.
Terrain Parks
Apex maintains multiple terrain parks featuring small to large features. When the t-bar is operating, it makes lapping the park quick and easy, giving freestyle riders plenty to work with despite the mountain’s modest size.
RECOMMENDED SKIS FOR APEX
NOTE: We may receive a small affiliate commission if you click on the below links. All products listed below are unisex.
Recommended intermediate ski
Recommended advanced ski
Recommended high-alpine ski
Recommended powder ski
Snow and Resiliency
Apex’s snowfall totals aren’t impressive by British Columbia standards, although the quality is excellent. The Okanagan’s dry climate delivers light, chalky powder when storms hit, and the mountain’s higher elevation helps preserve it. Still, Apex simply doesn’t get the same volume of snow as the best coastal or interior ski resorts, so those chasing deep days may want to look elsewhere.
With a relatively high base elevation, Apex generally enjoys decent snow preservation. However, the resort has almost no snowmaking, so sustained warm spells or dry periods can limit its reliability, particularly early and late season.
Apex’s lack of snowmaking can hold it back when natural snow doesn’t come.
Navigation
Apex’s simple footprint makes getting around simple enough, but there are a few annoyances. You’re unlikely to get lost at the resort; the trail map is straightforward, and it’s easy to orient yourself on the mountain. However, the main drawback is the number of long traverses, which can make returning to certain lifts or runs more time-consuming than expected.
Lift Infrastructure and Crowds
The lift network is efficient for a mountain this size. The main high-speed quad covers almost the entire vertical, allowing for quick laps on a majority of Apex’s runs. However, some terrain funnels into the slower Stocks chair, lengthening the cycle time for those zones. Still, crowds are almost never an issue at Apex. Even on peak weekends and holidays, the mountain’s lifts rarely see meaningful lines.
Apex’s base village is more extensive than one would expect for a resort of its size.
On-Mountain Facilities
Apex lacks on-site lodges outside its base area, but the base village compensates nicely. There are a few dining options, a lively local saloon, and even a small general store, making for a surprisingly comprehensive setup given the mountain’s size and price point.
RECOMMENDED SNOWBOARDS FOR APEX
NOTE: We may receive a small affiliate commission if you click on the below links. All products listed below are unisex.
Recommended intermediate board
Recommended advanced board
Recommended high-alpine board
Recommended powder board
Mountain Aesthetic
Apex’s views are a mixed bag. On one hand, the surrounding Okanagan peaks and glimpses of distant lakes are striking, especially on the resort’s frequent sunny days. On the other, nearby logging and mining operations detract from the otherwise beautiful setting. The net result is pleasant, but not pristine.
Getting There and Parking
Accessing Apex is straightforward. The resort sits about 30 minutes from Penticton, a lakeside city of roughly 50,000 residents, via a fully paved road. The short drive and decent winter maintenance make it one of the easier mountain approaches in Interior British Columbia. For those coming from Coastal BC, Apex is almost 5 hours from Vancouver, making it a bit far for a day trip but more compelling for a weekend trip.
Parking is free and located in an unpaved base lot, with an additional smaller ski-in/ski-out lot higher up the hill. It’s simple, functional, and rarely full.
Apex has multiple lodging options at its base.
Lodging
Lodging is a strong suit for such a small resort. Apex’s village includes a mix of hotels, condos, and full homes, many of which are ski-in/ski-out. Penticton offers a much broader range of accommodations, often at very reasonable prices since the town caters more to summer tourism than winter crowds.
Après
Après at Apex is lowkey. The Gunbarrel Saloon serves as the resort’s social hub, hosting live events most weekends, while the rest of the base village remains more family-focused, with attractions such as a skating loop, tubing park, and skating rink. In addition, a few short runs are open for night skiing, though these are limited to the bunny hill, the terrain park, and one blue run off the t-bar. Night skiing and night tubing only run on Fridays and Saturdays. For a more lively scene, Penticton’s wineries and bars provide plenty of off-mountain entertainment options just a short drive away.
Despite some drawbacks, Apex is a solid choice for a more low-key Canadian ski trip.
Verdict
Apex may not have the big-mountain wow factor of British Columbia’s headline destinations, but that may be precisely what makes it special. Its snow, while not always the deepest, is high-quality, its crowds are light, and its terrain, while compact, is packed with decent variety. For those who prioritize a family-friendly footprint and short lines, the resort isn’t a bad way to go.
Pricing
Apex’s lift tickets and lodging tend to be much cheaper than major BC resorts, aligning with its local, no-frills character. Day tickets max out at $128 CAD for the 2025-26 season, which is around $90 USD. Apex Mountain is also on the Indy Pass, which allows for two days of skiing at each of its over 200 partner resorts, and includes no blackout dates at Apex on either tier of pass.
