Sundance Resort at Big White Ski Resort

Stunning Lakeside Setting

by Blatherwick

Kelowna is most notable for its incredible views of Okanagan Lake and year-round recreational pursuits. With a really nice beachfront park and plenty of marinas, there's no problem finding watersports. Boating, camping, and hiking dominate the summer month activities. Also, Kelowna produces wines that have a worldwide reputation and there are many vineyards that can be visited. During the winter, skiing at the nearby Big White Ski Resort is popular. Basically, this is where people who live in the Vancouver area go to get away from it all.

Big White Ski Resort

by Kindra

If you come in the winter, the water sports won't be available to you but something else will be. Located about a 45 minute drive from downtown Kelowna, Big White is one of the most spectacular ski destinations in North America. It has ski terrain and lifts comparable to Whistler, but is less expensive, touristy and crowded. The mountain features one 8 passenger gondola and 4 high speed quads plus 7 other lifts. It has over 200 runs for all different levels of skiing. The powder chair (pictured) features some of the best skiing (according to me) with 90% black diamond runs (advanced) that are ungroomed. Shakey knees and goat's kick (on the Ridge Rocket chair) are my personal favorites. Exercise caution when bushwacking in between runs (this is also some of the best skiing and still in bounds) as they are not marked and I knew someone who broke his back when he flew over a 15 foot rock face that he didnt know was there until it was too late.

Summer night parties at...

by KajGranholm

Summer night parties at 'Clothes optional' Wreck Beach in Vancouver, B.C. Fresh powder snow at Big White Ski Resort on a bright sunny day

Kelowna, British Columbia

by andreajones

I moved to Kelowna in 1984, directly from South Africa. If it wasn't for the winter one would think that Kelowna is a tropical location. In the summer months the temperatures range into the high 30's (C) and sometimes higher! Thank goodness that the Okanagan lake is there to swim in! The huge lake stretches the length of the Okanagan area of BC and on the shores there are orchards and wineries galore. All water sports are available in Kelowna and there are tons of restaurants to eat at when you have worked up an appetite.

Loch Ness has Nessie the Lake Monster and the Okanagan Lake has Ogopogo! Many people say that that they have seen him and numerous film crews have visited trying to catch Ogopogo on film!

In the summer time, the only place to be is on the water, by the water or in the water!

In fall and winter, there is plenty to do in Kelowna, from visiting the local wineries and sampling their products, to skiing in the mountains surrounding Kelowna. Big White Ski resort is about a forty five minute drive from Kelowna and has already opened this year. To find out more about them check out http://www.bigwhite.com .

One of the best fishing lakes in the Kelowna area is Pennask Lake. Even if you don't fish and just want to take a boat ride in the wilderness, it's possible to see moose, bear and cougar around the lakeshore!

Look carefully and you can see the cougar that just climbed out of the water!