Mark your calendar for the third weekend of February this year. The BC Government has pushed the statutory winter Family Day holiday one week later to Monday, Feb. 18 in order to match it with the other Canadian provinces. Families looking for a long weekend away can enjoy all the Okanagan has to offer from hotels in West Kelowna such as the Best Western Wine Country Hotel and Suites.
Here are just some of the West Kelowna tourism activities and events you can experience this Family Day weekend:
BRING YOUR SNOW NINJA TO BIG WHITE
With it only being an hour’s drive to Big White Ski Resort from the Best Western Wine Country hotel, your family can participate in one of the most fun Family Day weekend events around. Presented by Family Channel, Big White’s Snow Ninja Challenge happens Feb. 18 from 2:30 pm. to 4 p.m. and is like TMNT (that’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) on skis. Kids under 9 to 16 can challenge their inner ninja by racing through an obstacle course that includes a snow wall, maze gate, and rope line crawl, with prizes given in each age category. Those interested can register at the Concierge Desk in the Village Centre Mall. Competitors must meet at 2:15 p.m. in the Happy Valley Adventure Park to sign in.
SLIP AND SIP WITH YOUR FOUR-LEGGED FAMILY MEMBER
As one of the best West Kelowna pet-friendly hotels, you’ll also want to check out some events where you can include your precious pooch in the fun.The View Winery and Vineyard in Kelowna has just the event with its Slip @ Sip event Feb. 16 and 17 from noon to 3 p.m. Canine friends (on leash) are welcome to join you on a snowshoe or hiking tour through the vineyard, followed by a tasting in the View’s wine shop. Choose from an unguided or guided educational tour led by The View Winery’s president Jennifer Molgat. Registration is required.
MAP OUT A GREAT FAMILY DAY AT THE KELOWNA ART GALLERY
Located on Water Street in downtown Kelowna, just across the William R. Bennett Bridge from the Best Western Wine Country Hotel and Suites, the Kelowna Art Gallery offers regular Family Sunday programming from noon to 4 p.m. On Feb. 17, your little artist can create a personalized map using a diverse range of drawing materials, inspired by the gallery’s current exhibition The Poetics of Space. The gallery is also hosting a special Family Day activity on Feb. 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
CELEBRATE LOCAL NK’MIP CULTURE THROUGH A CHILD’S EYE
More than 75 works of art made by children and youth who attended the Inkameep Day School near Oliver during the era of the Second World War will be on display at the Okanagan Heritage Museum. Listed as one of the top 25 TripAdvisor West Kelowna attractions, the museum is hosting a Family Drop-in Program entitled Our Lives Through Our Eyes, Feb. 18 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Kids and their caregivers can partake in special activities, storytelling and more while exploring the drawings, paintings and photographs from the Nk’Mip exhibition. Admission is by suggested $10 family donation.
LARGE FAMILY? NO PROBLEM.
The Best Western Wine Country hotel’s Family View Suite is like having an all-in-one West Kelowna hotel family package. Not only is the suite perfect for families of up to six people, with two separate bedrooms, one with a king-size bed and the other with a queen bed, there is also a common room with sofa bed suitable for young children as well as a private balcony that gives you incredible views of Okanagan Lake and Mount Boucherie. Your family will also enjoy hotel facilities such as:
Indoor pool, waterslide, and jetted hot tub
Complimentary daily hot breakfast buffet
24-hour fitness room
Free Wi-Fi/Internet access
Are you looking to have more fun in the snow this Family Day weekend? Read our blog on where to go Skiing Near your West Kelowna Accommodations.
The Best Western Wine Country Hotel and Suites offers the perfect accommodation for families with an array of rooms, including our Pet-Friendly Junior Suite Queen Room and our ultra spacious Family View Suite. All rooms are equipped with amenities such as a mini-fridge, microwave, coffeemaker, hairdryer, in-room safe, work desk, and wireless and wired Internet access.
