THE OKANAGAN VALLEY

The Okanagan Valley is British Columbia’s largest wine producing region, and one of North America’s emerging wine regions of note: Sherman's Travel named it one of the Top 10 Emerging Wine Regions in the world as well as one of the Top 10 Places to Go in  2008, and Frommer’s named it a Top Travel Destination in 2007.

Wine tours provides the perfect way to explore the region - just follow the signs on the well-marked Okanagan Wine Route.  Many wineries have opened restaurants with award-winning chefs crafting innovative menus around the winery’s vintages. Several of these chefs offer culinary workshops in the spectacular surroundings of the vineyards.

Local Okanagan Wineries:

• Mission Hill Family Estate
• Mt Boucherie
• Summerhill Winery
• CedarCreek Estates
• Greata Ranch Vineyard Estates
• Rollingdale Winery

For winery listings click here.

Dining in the Okanagan Valley features a fusion of orchards and vineyards, as well as restaurants and chefs dedicated to innovative, locally-sourced cuisine.  Restauranteurs and culinary enthusiasts are flocking to the region, described as "a chef's ultimate playground", forging close partnerships with local growers and food producers.  The result is innovative, often award-winning cuisine that pairs local produce and specialty foods with a variety of regional wines.

Local Restaurants:

• Bonfire Restaurant and Bar
• Bouchons Bistro
• Gasthaus Restaurant
• Raudz Regional Table
• Rotten Grape Restaurant
  
• Vanilla Pod
• Waterfront Wines

For restaurant listings click here.

Big White Ski Resort on Big White Mountain, one of the highest peaks in the southern Monashees, truly lives up to its name, with well over 100 marked runs fanning out from the summit of Big White. There is tremendous bowl skiing on top, wide-open glades at mid-mountain, and great fall-line cruising virtually everywhere.

Silver Star Mountain Resort is the most northerly winter playground in the Okanagan Valley. The park and resort are located north of Vernon on Hwy 97, then east on well-marked Silver Star Road, for a total distance of 14 miles (22 km). Skiers and snowboarders will find a year-round resort here, built on a 1890s Gaslight Era theme in keeping with architecture found in the north Okanagan Valley a century ago.

Crystal Mountain Resort north of West Kelowna offers downhill skiers and snowboarders some awesome terrain, a friendly staff, and affordable prices that allow the whole family to ski within their budget.

Apex Mountain Resort near Apex Mountain Provincial Recreation Area is located 20 miles (32 km) southwest of Penticton off Hwy 97. Justly renowned in western Canada as one of the three prime ski and snowboard destinations in the Okanagan Valley, it's fast becoming a popular destination for summer hikers and mountain bikers.

The Okangan Valley is also known for pristine, sandy beaches; many parks and beaches are found along the shores of the lake, which make boating and swimming very popular activities. The lake is home to several species of fish, including rainbow trout and kokanee. It is said by some to be home to its own sea monster - a giant serpent-like creature named Ogopogo.  Okanagan Lake is 135 kilometres long and is drained by the Okanagan River at the South end, near Penticton.

Peachland offers a variety of beaches and marine parks for everyone. Visitors enjoy nearby stores, restaurants, pubs and much more.

Pentowna Marina and Peachland Water Sports. Boats, personal watercrafts and water toys available. The only public marina between Kelowna and Penticton.

Peachland Day Use Wharf. Breakwater. Enter with care. Very good shelter from south and north winds. Large dock. No overnight moorage. Located Downtown Peachland across from many shops and restaurants.

Peachland Yacht Club. For members only. The moorage basin has two visitor mooring slips. There is no clubhouse and a locked gate assures member visitation only, but washrooms and water can be accessed from the road.

Pincushion Bay. A nice bay with pebble beaches. There is a double cement boat launch in the south end of the bay. Provides shelter from north winds.

Trepanier Creek Inlet and Bridge. Do not enter the creek inlet. Sandy beaching areas for one half mile north and pebble beaches for one half mile south of the point. A public boat launch lies north beside the two green docks. There is a marked swimming area.

On the other side of the lake....

Okanagan Mountain Park. Marks the south end of the park. Good overnight camping with shelter from north winds. Secluded sandy beaches with picnic tables, fire pits and hiking trails. Places to explore are Commando Bay, and Wild Horse Canyon. Note: At August 2003 all of Okanagan Mountain Park has been devastatingly consumed by fire which started from a lightning strike. Link to www.castanet.net for photos of the fire.

Rattlesnake Island. Not recommended to go between the island and the shore for the depth of the channel is shallow. The island has a small bay on the south side for refuge of small boats only. Very rocky shore so beach with care. Watch for rocks close to the surface on the north/west corner of the island. Divers... there are small caves on the west side with rock formations and sheer drop-offs. There are old docks on the north side.

Squally Point. Native legend has it that Okanagan Lake's great sea serpent "Ogopogo" makes its home in a cave here. Small animals were carried to Squally Point in canoes to appease the serpent. Stay clear of the rock walls and watch for south winds the can appear suddenly. Good shelter is provided from north winds in the south bay. No beaching for 1/4 mile south or north. Divers... qualified divers only. A cavern entrance that can be explored lies 100 feet from the point and 20 feet down. Take lights and be cautious.