If you’re searching for where to go winter glamping in BC, you’ll find all kinds of options: coastal cabins, domes, and remote backcountry yurts that start to feel a little less like glamping after a day in the snow. I’m writing from what we know best: winter at Tin Poppy Retreat in the Shuswap Highlands ~ winter as something luxurious instead of something to hibernate through. A Tin Poppy we celebrate this season.

Winter glamping is about being able to experience the frosty wild and luxuriously niveous nature in the wintertime without sacrificing comfort.

At Tin Poppy, winter glamping means exploring ice covered forests, sipping Prosecco in cozy cabins, king-size beds with down duvets, wood-fired saunas, and the feeling of being tucked in safe and sound under a blanket of pristine white snow and sparkling stars above.

Here! Tin Poppy Retreat is located in the Shuswap Highlands, between Salmon Arm and Enderby, BC.

We are often covered in snowy magic when the valley bottoms are still green. Because we are up in the Larch Hills area, winter tends to arrive earlier here and stay longer. It is quiet, private, off-grid, and surrounded by snowy forests.

Getting here feels a bit wild, and remote, there are no power lines as you drive in, and the last stretch is a winding forest service road. But we are still only about 25 minutes from Salmon Arm and about 25 minutes from Enderby, so you are not actually that far from civilization, it only feels that way.

Tin Poppy Retreat has three year-round cabins: Violet, Wild Rose, and Lavender.

Each of these cabins has its own private wood-fired sauna.

Violet and Wild Rose are our smaller unplugged glamping cabins. When we say unplugged, we mean no electricity and no running water. They are beautiful little log cabins, and both are fully set up for a cozy winter stay. Violet was built on the property using wood from the land, and Wild Rose was built by a local Salmon Arm builder before being moved up here.

Lavender, also built using timber from our property is our larger solar-powered cabin. It has electricity, hot and cold running water, full bathrooms, a large kitchen, and spectacular views over the North Okanagan Valley.

Yes. The cabins are very warm in the winter.

Our cabins are heated with wood, and wood for heating your cabin is included in your stay. The cabins have large wood stoves that can be damped down and kept going for hours, so when you come back from snowshoeing, skiing, or wandering around the property, your cabin can be nice and toasty.

Yes, all of the cabins have kitchens.

Violet and Wild Rose have modern propane stove/ovens, propane lights, BBQs on the decks, and coolers provided in the winter for groceries. These cabins do not have electricity or running water, but we provide clean water for your stay in 5-gallon jugs.

Lavender has a full country-style kitchen with a fridge, freezer, electricity, hot and cold running water, a gas range, kitchen sink, pots, pans, and everything you need to cook properly. It also has a very large dining table, very Downton Abbey style, which makes it a great cabin for families and larger groups.

Yes. Each of our year-round cabins has its own private wood-fired sauna.

The sauna can be added to your stay, and when you book the sauna, sauna firewood is included.

Yes. We have 14 km of on-site snowshoe trails.

The trails are signed and move through the forest, with beautiful views over the North Okanagan Valley. You can spend a whole weekend just exploring the property without leaving Tin Poppy. Our trails are also geo referanced so you can download the map and see where you are on our trails at all times.

You can also bush ski some of the trails, but for proper groomed cross-country skiing, Larch Hills Nordic is very close by.

Yes. Larch Hills Nordic is about 10 minutes away and has over 50 km of groomed classic and skate ski trails. Have a look at their map here :

They also have a 5 km lit loop for night skiing, and a canine loop as well.

On the way to the ski trails, you can stop at John’s Ski Shack. They rent cross-country skis, skate skis, and snowshoes, and they also sell gear, wax, mittens, toques, and other good winter things. Lessons are available there too.

Your stay ~ bring warm clothes, good boots, and snowshoes if you have them. If you do not have snowshoes, you can rent them at John’s Ski Shack.

If you are staying in Violet or Wild Rose, headlamps are very handy, especially for late-night outhouse trips, also if you want to explore the non lit ski trails up at Larch Hills Nordics in the evening, some nights we like to take Kleabo and Maple up for quick loop on the canine trails.

Bring the food you plan to cook, cooking oil, your toiletries, a good book, and whatever else makes you happy. We provide salt and pepper, dishware, cookwares, dish soap, dish towels, and complimentary tea.

All of the cabins also have games, board games, and cards.

Yes, there is cell service at the cabins, although depending on your provider, you may need to step outside or onto the porch.

Telus generally works better than Rogers up here.

Violet and Wild Rose are true glamping cabins, so the shower situation is very simple and very old school.

We use shower bags. You fill the bag with water at whatever temperature you like, then hang it outside near the sauna.

Very complimentary with the sauna. Sauna, snow roll, rinse off. Very refreshing. Very glamping.

Lavender has full indoor bathrooms with hot and cold running water, showers, and bathtubs…boring:)

Violet is one of our cozy unplugged cabins. It sleeps up to five people and has a private sauna, the nicest one on the property folks say..small families and adventurous outdoorsy couples like this one.

Wild Rose is also unplugged and sleeps up to four people. It has its own private sauna and is a beautiful little winter cabin for couples or small groups, our “romantic cabin” couples love Wild Rose.

Lavender is our large solar-powered cabin. It sleeps up to 10 people and has 2 full bathrooms, a large country kitchen, a private sauna, electricity, hot and cold running water, and spectacular views. It is popular with families, groups, and guests who want a more traditional house feel while still being off-grid. We close Tin Poppy Cabin, the namesake of the retreat, March-October.

Yes, we are pet friendly.

A lot of our winter guests have dogs, and of course dogs love it out here. Lots of to explore, trails to wander, snow to bounce through, and plenty of forest smells to investigate.

Even though Tin Poppy feels remote when you arrive, we are still close enough to head out for a little winter exploring.

Larch Hills Winery is about a 20-minute drive and is a lovely place to visit for a tasting.

Green Croft Farm Store in Grindrod is also wonderful. Check their hours before you go, because they change seasonally, but when they are open they often have organic vegetables, bread, meat from their farm, wool from their Icelandic sheep, soaps, and beautiful local gifts.

Salmon Arm and Enderby are both about 25 minutes away if you need groceries, restaurants, or anything else during your stay.

We also have a small on-site boutique tucked into the forest, just a short walk from the cabins.

It runs on the honour system and has hand-blended sauna oils made by us, as well as teas, useful cabin items, and a few unique gifts and local things.

Winter is where we shine. We know winter well here at Tin Poppy, and we know how to fully embrace and enjoy the season. The snow stays on the trees, the forest goes quiet, and with no light pollution, the stars can be incredible. Winter here is cozy wood heat, private saunas, campfires, board games, books, and snowshoe trails right from your cabin. For cross-country enthusiasts , Larch Hills Nordic is just down the road, with early morning skis, late evening skis, and beautiful rolling winter trails.

It’s a winter adventure with a bit of spa energy, forest magic, and a shitload of quiet. You can check out our winter availability here, and we hope to welcome you to the forest soon.