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Okanagan

Home to pristine lakes, rolling vineyard-laden hills and even the highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies, in the Okanagan you’ll get a feel for what life might have been like in the old west while experiencing all the modern comforts you could imagine. Wine and dine your way through the region which is home to over 120 world class wineries, many with luxury guest rooms. Relax on the shores of the great Lake Okanagan or jump right in for waterskiing and sailing. Golfing, spas and even skiing are never far away when you’re in BC’s gateway to the Rocky Mountains. Truly a unique region of Western Canada, the Okanagan is quickly becoming one of its most popular and diverse destinations.

Highlights

  • One of the warmest regions in Canada. 
  • Home to over 120 wineries, 8 world class golf courses, and several ski resorts. 
  • Home of many top VQA wineries. 
  • One of Canada’s premium wine valleys, quickly gaining recognition as a top world producer.

Location

The Okanagan Valley is located in south-central British Columbia and covers an area of over 95,000 square kilometres. It is defined as the area surrounding Lake Okanagan and the Canadian portion of the Okanagan River.

Size & Population

The total population of the Okanagan Valley is approximately 515,000. The major centers are Kelowna (113,000), Kamloops (86,000), Vernon (35,900), Osoyoos (4,295) and Penticton (31, 900).

Geography & Climate

The Okanagan valley lies west of the Columbia Mountain Range. The Valley was formed by glacier activity over 10,000 years ago when mile-thick ice layers receded leaving behind mineral rich sedimentary deposits and a system of lakes and rivers. The largest of these lakes is Okanagan Lake which is 111 km's long and ranges in width from 3.2 to 6.4 km’s. Other popular lakes in the area include Osoyoos, Skaha and Vaseux Lakes to the south, and Wood, Swan and Kalamalka Lakes to the east. 

The Okanagan is also home to the BC Cascades mountain range, which are an extension of the mountain range from California. The BC Cascades are made up of three smaller ranges – Hozameen, Skagit, and Okanagan.

In winter the average temperature in the valley level is 0° Celsius however, the surrounding mountains average approximately minus ten (-10°). In summer (May – September) temperatures average about 29° Celsius and are amongst the warmest in Canada. The region is known for its dry, sunny climate, and arid landscapes which provide the ideal conditions for wine grapes.

Attractions & Things to Do

  • Wine Tours. Discover some of the best wineries in Canada and the world. Enjoy lush vineyards and wineries, each with a unique character ranging from a 120 year old log home to stone houses. Destination 48North can arrange guided wine tours in this spectacular region.
  • VQA Wine Region. The Okanagan is home to many VQA gold award winning wines. The Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) of Canada awards the VQA designation only to wines that meet or exceed their appellation standards, with the gold medallion being awarded to wines that show exceptional quality. With the VQA system, Canada has developed a body of regulations that set a high standard of quality for our wines.
  • Skiing. The Okanagan is home to three major ski resorts – Sun Peaks (Kamloops), Big White (Kelowna) and Silverstar (Vernon). Each one offers world class skiing in winter and operates a mountain bike park during summer months.
  • Golf. The Okanagan is home to 7 world class golf courses including: Okanagan Golf Club – Quail and Bear, Predator Ridge, Gallagher’s Canyon, Harvest Golf Club, Tobiano, Rivershore, the Dunes, and Sun River’s Golf Club.

 

Explore Other Destinations - Vancouver Island,  Gulf Islands & Sunshine Coast,  Vancouver,  Whistler,                               BC Rockies,  Northern BC Coast,  Northern BC,  Banff & Jasper,  Calgary