Spring has sprung in the Okanagan and it’s a great time to pack your hiking boots, sunglasses and adventurous spirit and breathe in that warm air off Okanagan Lake. As one of the only West Kelowna pet-friendly hotels, we at the Best Western Wine Country Hotel and Suites welcome you to bring along Fido, or Fluffy, and make sure to take in these 5 pet-friendly adventures.
1. SKI-SNOWSHOE ALONG K9 TRAILS AT TELEMARK
You and your pooch can enjoy some late-spring cross-country skiing, snowshoeing at Telemark Nordic Club, located west off Highway 97 on Glenrosa Road, just 13 kilometres from our West Kelowna hotel rooms. The resort has 3 kilometres of ski trails suitable for both skate and classic skiing and a 3.3-km snowshoe trail. Rentals and passes are available in the ski chalet. Check the Telemark Nordic Club website for spring hours.
2. EXERCISE THOSE PAWS
Looking for a place to let your furry friend run, and swim, free? West Kelowna is home to a number of off-leash dog parks and beaches. The closest one to our accommodations in West Kelowna is Gellatly Bay Dog Park, which offers access to Okanagan Lake via a dog-friendly beach and also has a picnic area, washroom facilities and free parking. Other dog friendly off-leash parks include:
Shannon Woods Park
Westbank Centre Park
Kalamoir Regional Park
3. ENJOY THE VIEW FROM MOUNT BOUCHERIE
Known for the wineries that lie around its base, this dormant strato volcano is located just northeast of our hotel in West Kelowna, BC. There are numerous hikes where you can take your dog on a leash up to the summit to catch the spectacular 360-degree views of the surrounding lake and mountains of the Central Okanagan.
4. SIP LOCAL LIBATION AT WEST KELOWNA’S PET-FRIENDLY WINERIES
After your hike up Mount Boucherie, why not relax afterwards with a glass of local vino at nearby Rollingdale Winery or Quail’s Gate? Located near Okanagan Lake hotels, including the Best Western Wine Country, these wineries offer dog-friendly areas (on-leash), where you can sip to your heart’s content while enjoying beautiful scenery. Rollingdale tasting room hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. April to October (closed April 22, 2019). Visit Quail’sGate for its wine shop hours.
5. TAKE YOUR POOCH TO BIG WHITE
Just an hour’s drive from our hotel in West Kelowna, Big White Ski Resort is known as one of the most pet-friendly resorts in North America. Open for winter until April 22, there is a ton to do here in late spring and when the resort reopens for summer. Climb aboard the pet-friendly gondola to hit some of the terrain at Happy Valle, which offers dog friendly trails. You can also enjoy snowshoeing, skijoring (cross country skiing while pulled by your pet) as well as hiking and mountain biking in summer.
Visiting our pet-friendly West Kelowna hotel in the near future? Read our blog on how to Prepare for Pet Emergencies when Travelling.
The Best Western Wine Country Hotel and Suites offers pet-friendly accommodation in our Pet-Friendly King Room and Pet-Friendly Junior Suite Queen Room, which are both conveniently located on the main floor and provide easy access for your pet’s bathroom breaks. Enjoy a complimentary goodie bag, with pet treats, waste bags, and a map to local dog parks, when you register your pet.
