A vast region with mountains, lakes, grasslands, and forest, the Okanagan also includes urban centres and agricultural land as far as the eye can see. Ripe for exploring, the North Okanagan is a fine example of this diverse landscape and is an easy 40-minute to one-hour drive from your West Kelowna hotel.
Visit the beautiful wine region of Lake Country, travel the Okanagan Rail Trail and see the “Lake of a Thousand Colours.” Cap off your visit with a trip up Silver Star Mountain to hit exhilarating ski and bike trails.
WINE N’ DINE IN THE PROVENCE OF THE OKANAGAN
Similar to the region of France known for its bounty of food and wine producers, Lake Country is becoming known as the Provence of the Okanagan. Many of the area’s wineries are perched on hillsides overlooking Okanagan Lake and offer stunning views from their patios.
Area wineries include:
Grey Monk Estate Winery
Arrowleaf Cellars
Intrigue Wines
Ex Nihilo Vineyards
50th Parallel Estate
Blind Tiger Vineyards
The Chase Wines
Ancient Hill Estate
Out of places to stay in West Kelowna, the Best Western Wine Country Hotel and Suites offers Okanagan wine tour packages that take you to this incredible region, where you can sip delightful varietals and indulge in some delicious culinary delights.
RIDE THE NEW RAIL TRAIL
With the opening of the new Okanagan Rail Trail officially underway, Okanagan Valley hotel guests are encouraged to bring or rent bicycles or walk all or part of the 48.5-kilometre stretch that takes you from downtown Kelowna to Vernon in the North Okanagan. View incredible scenery along this graded and flat trail, which travels alongside Duck and Wood Lakes to one of the gems of the North Okanagan, Kalamalka Lake (aka Kal Lake).
SEE THE LAKE OF A THOUSAND COLOURS
Known as the Lake of a Thousand Colours, Kalamalka Lake turns an iridescent turquoise in warmer weather due to the reflection of calcium carbonate suspended in the water. The lake is also home to a number of public beaches as well as 3 parks, including:
Kalamalka Provincial Park, located in the District of Coldstream. Popular for mountain biking, hiking and kayaking
Kekuli Bay Provincial Park, located just south of Vernon on the Okanagan Rail Trail. Features a boat launch, dock and small swimming area
Kaloya Regional Park, located on a peninsula in Oyama. Features a grassy picnic area and protected beach and swimming area
VISIT THE NORTH OKANAGAN’S PLAYGROUND
Open in winter and summer, Silver Star Mountain Resort is located just 25 minutes from downtown Vernon. It is worth the trip from West Kelowna pet-friendly hotels, as it offers dog designated cross-country ski, walking and snowshoe trails as well as downhill and cross-country bike trails, alpine and Nordic skiing, and much more.
Explore 1,328 hectares of terrain on skis or snowboard down 132 green, blue and black diamond runs and 12 gladed areas serviced by 10 lifts, including the new gondola, which takes you from the resort’s colourful village to the summit. Enjoy 55 kilometres of Nordic ski trails, some of which connect with the nearby Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre. Your kids will also love skating on the frozen pond at Tube Town, where you can also sail down a hill on an inner tube.
For more West Kelowna tourism tips, why not read how you can Explore the South Okanagan from Our West Kelowna Hotel. Or check out the Route 97 website for other worthwhile pit stops on your road trip!
The Best Western Wine Country Hotel and Suites is one of the West Kelowna hotels TripAdvisor reviewers recommend for its location, friendly and accommodating staff, complimentary hot breakfast buffet, indoor heated swimming pool, 24-hour fitness room, business centre, and clean and modern West Kelowna hotel rooms with views of Okanagan Lake and the Two Eagles golf course. We are also one of the only pet-friendly hotels in West Kelowna, British Columbia.
