Apex Mountain to turn up volume with inaugural Inversion Festival
Published 11:30 am Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Apex Mountain will be alive with the sound of music at the end of March with the inaugural Inversion Festival.
The day-long March 28 event will bring two sets of experiences to the mountain in what is traditionally a slower end to the season.
The festival is the brainchild of Jesse Ritchie, owner of the Gunbarrel Saloon at Apex and the man behind the return of Shaughnessy’s Cove.
“In late March, you have this incredible window where families are still skiing, locals are coming up for the day, and the valley is just starting to feel like spring,” said Ritchie. “We wanted to create something that speaks to everyone, snow lovers, music fans, families during the day and then give adults a curated patio experience later in the afternoon.”
The festival kicks off early in the morning, with a demo village to give people a chance to try out some of the latest gear from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Two stages will bring the party to the mountain peak and the Okanagan slopestyle park, each with its own DJ, from noon until 2 p.m. At the park, there will also be a public jam with prizes and sponsored riders.
The early events are fully open to the public and for all ages.
“The goal was never to create something closed off,” said Ritchie. “If you’re at Apex that day, you’re part of it. That inclusivity matters.”
Starting at 2:30 p.m., the ticketed events begin with a concert at the Gunbarrel Saloon, headlined by multiple award-winner RUMPUS, and local talents including Kelowna’s own STUND.
While the saloon’s stage will be ticketed, the public will be able to watch and enjoy the show from various locations outside.
The day’s long lineup of events comes to a close with a 19+ showcase starting at 8 p.m. inside the Gunbarrel.
Organizers describe the event as mountain-rooted rather than metropolitan, blending winter sport culture with spring energy in a way that feels authentic to Apex and the Okanagan lifestyle.
Tickets for the Inversion Festival and the full event details are available at thegunbarrelsaloon.ca/inversion-festival. Festival tickets also come with the option of purchasing discounted lift tickets and passes for Apex.
