Five fabulous things to do in the Okanagan this season
The Okanagan really is a place where you can enjoy four seasons of fun. Once your plane touches down at YLW, a world of indoor and outdoor adventure awaits.
HEAD TO THE MOUNTAINS
Of course you can ski here, but there’s so much more to do on the mountains! Take your pick of three ski resorts in the Kelowna area. SilverStar Mountain Resort near Vernon has a shuttle that meets people right at the airport, whisking them away for a day or more of pure snow fun. There are dozens of events and activities to do at SilverStar from rock climbing to taking a sleigh ride in the snow.
A mere hour from the airport in central Okanagan is Big White Ski Resort. Noted for having some of the best champagne powder in the world, Big White offers events and competitions right up until the very last ski day. Try your hand at climbing an amazing tower of ice, or check out fat biking. The Big White bus shuttles directly between the airport and the ski resort’ village area.
In the south Okanagan, there’s Apex Mountain. This family friendly mountain has lots of great group activities, including cosy family bonfires and robust hockey games. Their shuttle runs once a day from Penticton to the mountain.
Let’s Go Transportation has shuttle buses that run from YLW to Big White, SilverStar, downtown Vernon and downtown Penticton. All shuttles require advanced booking. Check their websites for more information.
ALMOST SPRING GOLFING
Yes, it is true, you can ski in the morning and golf in the afternoon in the Okanagan. Get in a round of golf while the rest of Canada is still waking up from winter. Th e pocket desert area Osoyoos/Oliver/Penticton) in the south Okanagan has crazy-early opening dates for golf, and some, like Skaha Meadows in Penticton, are open year round as long as there’s no snow on the course. Skaha’s affordable winter rates run until February 28.
The Penticton Golf Club and the Osoyoos Golf Club open their courses mid-February to early March, depending on the weather, and most other golf courses in the central and north Okanagan open from late April to early May — also weather dependent.
GET INTO THE SPIRITS
The Okanagan is well-known for its wines; however, you may be surprised to discover they also make exceptional spirits here. Grab your friends and make a day of tasting some of the finest
spirits around. Okanagan Spirits has two locations, one in downtown Kelowna and one in Vernon. Chat with the staff and taste some of their unique and award-winning spirits and liqueurs. After
the tasting, get cosy in the lounge and relax with a house-craft ed cocktail. It’s a great way to warm up, inside and out. Both locations have a lounge and distillery. Urban Distillers + Winery is in Kelowna and is the largest craft whiskey distillery in British Columbia. Take a tour and then settle in for a taste experience like no other.
LONG TABLE DINNERS
There’s nothing like sitting down to a table filled with great food, laughter and good conversation. Long Table Dinners can be experienced with a group of friends or family; or you can go alone and meet a great new group of people.
Start Fresh Kitchen hosts a long table dinner every second Sunday in February and March. Each dish comes with a story and is created by some of Kelowna’s finest culinary talent.
At Quails’ Gate Estate Winery on the west side, Wednesday is the day for Communal Table Dinners at Old Vines restaurant. Each meal explores a different theme or region of the world.
Book ahead to make sure you have a seat at one of these fantastic dinners.
ESCAPE REALITY
When life gets to be too much, it’s time to escape reality and get lost in one of Kelowna’s escape rooms or virtual reality lounges.
Kelowna Escape Games has some great rooms that use sounds, motions sensors, weight sensors and lasers to create an authentic experience. In the new Throne Room, you have 60 minutes to find a hidden crystal and restore balance to the land before you are attacked. They also have some great virtual reality games where you can shoot zombies or experience what it’s like to come face to face with the creatures of the sea.
Exit Kelowna is billed as the ultimate in room escapes. Choose from castles, cellars, take part in black ops or get trapped in a mummy’s tomb!
Over at Arcadia Virtual Reality you can do everything from fighting off waves of alien droids to taking a tour around the world and visiting cities and monuments without leaving the room.
Whichever you choose, you’re sure to enjoy your little break from the real world.
Story By Darcy Nybo
Photo Credit (left to right): Big White Ski Resort, Destination BC/Blake Jorgenson, and Destination BC/Blake Jorgenson.