Imposing mountain ridges and sparkling freshwater lakes characterize the 250-kilomentre-long (124 miles) Okanagan Valley. Located in the southern interior of British Columbia, the region stretches from Vernon in the north to the U.S. border town of Osoyoos in the south. It is one of the warmest places in Canada, receiving more than 2,000 hours of sunshine per year and an average annual rainfall of just 12 inches.

This idyllic climate is perfect for the orchards and vineyards that line the hillsides bordering Okanagan Lake, a stunning body of water that spans 85-kilometres (53 miles) and as such, is a defining feature of the Valley.

Easy to Get To

Kelowna International Airport is serviced by Air Canada, Horizon Air and WestJet airlines.

• Wilderness trails, parks and sandy beaches are perfect settings for recreation and team building

• Chefs create unsurpassed culinary experiences married with the Okanagan's award-winning wines

• Three world-class ski resorts - Apex, Silver Star and Big White

The Okanagan Valley is an exhilarating meeting and incentive travel destination. With its pristine wilderness backdrop, a blend of recreational, cultural and culinary experiences combine to create the ideal base from which Shop the Valley™ builds memorable events of all descriptions. Winter, spring summer or fall, the region is a haven for invigorating, yet relaxing events and is ideal for executive retreats.

Kelowna & Central Okanagan

The Central Okanagan is filled with the rich fragrances of the orchards, vineyards and gardens that grace the landscape. In the midst of this oasis is Kelowna, the international gateway to the Okanagan Valley. The airport is the 9th busiest in Canada, offering daily direct service to major cities, including Seattle, Toronto, Vancouver, Victoria, Calgary and Edmonton.

Located on the shores of 85-km long (53-mile) Okanagan Lake, Kelowna's downtown waterfront boardwalk leads to casual andfine dining restaurants, expansive parks and sandy beaches. Named a Cultural Capital of Canada, this city is home to numerous art galleries, museums, display gardens, a great variety of performing arts and a growing number of eclectic shops.

The chic downtown setting of Kelowna is also the starting point for a great number of other adventures. It's just minutes to world-class ski hills and golf courses, orchards, vineyards and hiking trails. A bustling metropolis, paired with easy access to a near-endless list of outdoor recreation opportunities, makes Kelowna the perfect setting for meetings and incentives, any time of the year.

Peachland is a picturesque lakeside town 46 km (21 miles) southwest of Kelowna. Founded in the late 1800s it is renowned for its beautiful lakefront setting, fruit orchards, vineyards and towering Ponderosa pine trees. A little further south, the heritage town of Summerland is reminiscent of an old English village, complete with Tudor architecture, wrought iron lampposts, colourful flower boxes - even a Town Crier.

 

South Okanagan

Extending from Summerland in the north, to Osoyoos in the south, the southern Okanagan's museums and heritage sites tell the stories of settlers lured her by precious metals and the promise of agricultural bounty. Here lies the tip of the Sonora Desert, Canada's only desert environment.

Penticton, a local Salish word meaning "a place to live forever," is the largest urban center in the south Okanagan with a population of 35,000. Located 60 km (40 miles) south of Kelowna, between Okanagan Lake and Skaha Lake, gardens and vineyards are dramatically perched against expanses of waterfront.

The Penticton Trade & Convention Centre offers more than 60,000 square feet of versatile meeting space. And it's a food and wine lovers' paradise, featuring more than 80 restaurants. Graced by desert, mountains and vineyards, the nearby town of Oliver is the official "Wine Capital of Canada", boasting 10 percent of Canada's wineries and 25 percent of its finest grape growing acreage. The city was named after John Oliver, a BC Premier who correctly believed that an irrigation canal would bring prosperity to this desert tip. Today, visitors can travel a stretch of road called "The Golden Mile," which is reputed to be the best place in the Okanagan Valley to grow grapes.

Osoyoos (O-sue-use), is a local Aboriginal word meaning "the narrows" or "place where two lakes meet". Set at the foot of the Cascade Mountains, on the northern tip of the Sonora Desert, the region is characterized by a hot, dry climate, that has resulted in its very own climate zone called the "Osoyoos Arid Biotic Zone". This zone has Canada's lowest annual precipitation, warmest average temperature and warmest freshwater lake. It is home to Canada's only native-owned winery, N'Kp Mip Cellars, the stunning Osoyoos Golf and Country Club and the newly expanded Desert Heritage Centre.

North Okanagan

The north Okanagan is a lush, sweeping passage of fertile soil and verdant green fields and forests. Landscape vistas extend from Enderby to Oyama, highlighted by sparkling turquoise lakes and gently sloped hills dotted by wildflowers. With its charming backroads, small town intimacy and warm hospitality, your group will delight in the charisma of the north Okanagan.

Vernon is located 46 km (29 miles) north of Kelowna, is the largest city center in the north Okanagan. Surrounded by three lakes - Okanagan, Kalamalka and Swan Lakes, Vernon is the oldest community in British Columbia's interior. Originally inhabited by the Salish people, the area attracted miners and cattle ranchers with the discovery of gold and the growth of bunchgrass in the 1860s and 1870s. By the turn of the century it grew into a major ranching and orchard center.

Today, Vernon celebrates its culture and history with walking tours of its tree-lined streets showcasing heritage buildings and homes. While the setting is serene, year-round activities abound and include one of Canada's largest winter carnivals and some of the country's finest skiing and snowboarding at nearby Silver Star Mountain Resort.

The townships of Enderby, Armstrong and Coldstream are also important regions of the north. The riverfront community of Enderby is located on the banks of Shuswap River. Coldstream is home to Kalamalka Provincial Park with great hiking trails and beaches. The community of is set in the fertile dairy and ranch land of the Spallumcheen Valley. Dutch immigrants settled here after the Second World War, and today, Armstrong is well known for its quality cheese production.

 

 

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