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November 16, 2009 | Tips from Travellers > Kelowna, Skiing (Downhill)
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Wow is all I can say....what a great weekend. All fresh snow and fresh faces. It's hard to recognize friends from last year due to all the new suits. The voices & laughter are the same but all the gear is different. Couldn't have asked for better snow. Ran into Davey D today and he's my inspiration for this year...The Goal is simple Ski everyday and rip every run. I've skied a lot of places on this glorious earth of ours but I've yet to find anything as consistant as the mountains of BC. Specifically the interior of British Columbia and even more specifically, Big White Ski Resort. It really is named aptly when they called it Beautiful British Columbia! Now if only the cute girl from the UK would meet me for an icey cold bevvie, my world would be complete. I've been to about 17 "home" openers at Big White and I can honestly say that this one was the most incredible, fabulous, wonderful...did I say incredilbe yet? out of all of them...HANDS DOWN!
September 20, 2009 | Tips from Travellers > Kelowna, Swimming Pools
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H2O is somewhat of a clichéd name for a swimming complex but also rather cool at the same time (yes, I am aware that this is a total contradiction). My designer side thinks that naming a water complex ‘H2O’ is rather obvious – but I also feel that the name will really resonate with the target audience. It is also a short and easily branded name which is cool.
My design ramblings aside, the pool was BRILLIANT. It was costly at $19 for two adults, but you could stay in there for hours.
They had two large swimming pools (one which was reserved for lane swimming), diving area, three slides (one of which was in total darkness which was lots of fun) and an adult- only hot tub.
There was another hot tub reserved for families; a kids slide and play area; a wave pool and a large strong-current section.
My favourite ‘attraction’ at H2O was the surfing ‘pool’, where people could surf a man made wave. It was great watching people with all levels of ability from the super- tanned buff guys standing up on the board to some larger heavier males pulling some quite clever tricks on the body board.
Upstairs there is a gym which overlooks the whole water complex and there is a juice bar and snack area too.
On the way back to the car we also noticed that the exterior lighting around the building utilized solar panels to gain their power, a really eco-friendly system to recommend.
Was it worth $19, well if you are used to paying $12 for two then the little extra is definitely worth it especially for the occasional visit.
August 10, 2009 | Tips from Travellers > Kelowna, Breweries, Distilleries & Cideries
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The Kelowna area is known for its many fine wineries, but for those who prefer their liquids to be of the barley, hops and malt variety, take note: Tree Brewing has a cold one (or six) waiting just for you.
A stop at Tree Brewing wasn’t part of our original Kelowna plan, but we spotted a sign so we hung a left and checked it out.
Their chilly beer cooler room was stocked with a fine selection and served as a welcome break from the sweltering Kelowna heat (I’m a coastal wimp and melt in anything above 25°C). Beer samples were available to help parched visitors make up their mind about what to purchase.
As nice as it was in the cooler room, my favorite part of the visit was actually on the outside of the building: huge hops vines scaled the white bricks, all the way to the roof. Hops, one of the crucial elements of a fine brew, are known for growing very tall – and very quickly.
The Tree Brewing staff told us that hops could grow about one foot per day, and the vines out front reached the roof of the building in just three weeks! Very cool to see beer ingredients in their raw form.
May 7, 2009 | Tips from Travellers > Kelowna, Other
The start with I found the bussle far less then a big windy city (Toronto, Edmonton, Ottawa etc) and the 'natives' are very helpful and friendly. We spent 4 wonderful weeks there from mid August until mid September 2008.
The wineries, the view of mountains and lakes, the boating, and the attitude of people in accomodating tourist was very relaxing and was so attractive that we are now looking for property in order to build.
We stayed in Lake Country just NW of Winfield and welcomed the access to the hills (my legs still hurt at the thought) and the history (such as the origins of the vinyards and of the deserted railroad in the mountains South East of the city of Kelowna).
Amenities (like the YMCA) were convenient and very clean and efficiently run as were the theatres, the Bee facilities (near Vernon I think) and the ski hills at Big White (we were there in Jan 07) and the artistic exhibits. Also what wonderful architecture and waht appears to be sensible city planning.
There is a most welcome atmosphere of cooperative pride and cautious friendliness that lets a visitor feel very comfortable and welcome without feeling harassed.
Next visit I would like to meet more of the local leaders and to be able to experience more of the local culture such as the outdoor live music concerts near to Winfield. They were a major hit for our brief stay.
February 19, 2009 | Field Reports > Kelowna, Skiing (Downhill)
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I went searching for the classic Big White ski run, i was recommended a run to try out but didn't find it. I still had a great time exploring the resort and looking for my own classic run.
January 10, 2009 | Field Reports > Kelowna, Bars, Nightclubs & Lounges
After a long day on the slopes at the Big White Ski Resort I wanted to find a recommendation for a good place to relax and enjoy the Apres Ski scene. Some locals suggested Snowshoe Sams and they were right. The food and drink were great and the place filled up quickly. Definitely the place to be for Apres Ski!
January 10, 2009 | Field Reports > Kelowna, Snowmobiling
This is absolutely the best way to check out the rest of the valley and the incredible views around the Big White Ski Resort. It takes about 5 minutes to learn how to ride the snowmobiles, and then you're off. Hang on tight though, its a bumpy ride!
January 10, 2009 | Field Reports > Kelowna, Tubing / Tobogganing
The skiing is great at Big White, but if you need a break or you want to try something a little easier for the whole family then you definitely have to try "tubing". All you have to do is grab an inner tube, get hitched up to the lift for a ride to the top and then hang on as you spin your way back down the hill. There's even a fire pit with hot chocolate nearby!
October 27, 2008 | Field Reports > Kelowna, Wineries & Vineyards
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You can't go to the Okanagan without visiting a winery! Tourism BC Field Reporter, Kelli Corscadden has a great afternoon after following a recommendation to Summerhill Pyramid Winery.
October 20, 2008 | Field Reports > Kelowna, Buildings & Structures of Note
I follow a local's recommendation to the Kettle Valley Rail Trail, an abandoned railway. The trail snakes through the Okanagan but this portion start at Myra Canyon near Kelowna, BC.
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