With four season recreation, an enviable climate and vibrant economy, Kelowna and the Central Okanagan are not only a popular tourist destination, but also fast becoming the preferred choice to conduct business or call home.  Seasons are pompously displayed and beckon your recreation.

   The advent of spring brings blossom to cherry, apricot, peach, pear, plum and apple trees in surrounding orchards.  Hikers welcome the “Okanagan Sunflower”, Kelowna’s Official Flower, as it showers a golden haze across hillsides and mountainsides. To every golfer’s delight, springtime begets “Tee Time” and for wine connoisseurs, the Okanagan Spring Wine Festival calls for tasting of the previous year’s harvest.

  July marks the beginning of fruit harvest beginning with cherries through to apples in September.  Sample the harvest from local markets or experience picking for yourself.  The long hot summers make Okanagan Lake a popular choice for summer fun and relaxation. Kelowna receives 2,000 hours of sunshine annually and only 11 inches of rain.  Average daytime temperature in the summer months is 27º C (80.6º F) and winters are temperate. 
Tour orchards and vineyards, wine and dine, golf and swim or shop to your heart’s content.

  The Okanagan’s annual Fall Wine Festival continues to be ranked as one of the top 100 events in North America and precedes fall grape harvest. Events scheduled throughout the area offer education and entertainment. Grapes are also harvested in winter in temperatures of -10º C (14º F) or lower producing Icewines of international distinction.

  For snow enthusiasts, Big White Ski Resort located just 56 km (35 miles) southeast of Kelowna, is a world class ski resort with 118 runs and 15 express chairs.  Recently the resort added the “Snow Ghost Express”, the longest six person chairlift in Canada.  Excavation for the “Chateau Blanc”, a new $200 million 17 storey hotel is underway.  Crystal Mountain is another popular skiing area located just 15 mins. from Westbank offering 21 runs or try some cross country skiing at Telemark.

ANY SEASON ENJOY YOUR STAY...YOU MAY NOT WANT TO LEAVE!

STATS AND FACTS:

  The Central Okanagan Valley is comprised of 4 communities including Peachland, Westbank, Kelowna, and Lake Country with a total estimated population of 175,000 and trading area of over 500,000.  According to BC Stats, about 30% of the population is aged 55 plus.

  Kelowna’s Westside community with a population of over 40,000, is commonly referred to as Westbank. In June, 2007 the westside community voted 51% to 49% in favour of creating their own municipality, although a large contingent continues to lobby for amalgamation with the City of Kelowna.

  Kelowna is the largest City in the Central Okanagan encompassing 212 sq. km. (82 sq. mi.) with an airport elevation of 430 m. (1,410 ft) above sea level and a growing population of approximately 110,000.  Kelowna lies on the east side of Okanagan Lake which stretches 270 km (168 miles) along the shoreline from Penticton a short distance south, through to Vernon a short distance north.

  Driving time is approximately 4 hours from Vancouver and 7 hours from Calgary.  Kelowna International Airport is one of Canada’s 10 busiest airports with over 1 million passenger volume. Non-stop service is available from Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, Victoria, Toronto & Seattle. Due to continued increasing passenger volume, plans for a new concourse accommodating international flights are underway.

  The Okanagan Lake three lane bridge which opened Canada Day in 1958, is now being replaced by a new five lane bridge with elevated lift span for ease of marine traffic. Construction is on schedule for opening Canada Day, 2008.  The new $144.5 million bridge, named after former B.C. premier Bill Bennett, is expected to relieve Hwy 97 traffic congestion.