Photo: Stephanie Tracey © Photography West
With four season recreation, an enviable climate and vibrant economy, the Central Okanagan is not only a popular tourist destination, but also becoming a preferred choice to conduct business or call home. Four distinct seasons beckon your recreation. The advent of spring brings blossom to cherry, apricot, peach, pear, plum and apple trees in surrounding orchards. Hikers and bikers welcome the “Okanagan Sunflower”, Kelowna’s Official Flower, as it showers a golden haze across mountainsides. To every golfer’s delight, springtime begets “Tee Time” and for wine connoisseurs, the Spring Wine Fest calls for tastings of the previous year’s harvest. July marks the beginning of harvest starting with cherries through to apples in September. Sample the harvest from local growers or experience picking for yourself! The long hot summers make Okanagan Lake a popular choice for fun and relaxation. Kelowna receives 2,000 hrs of sunshine annually and only 11” of rain. Average daytime temperature in the summer months is 27º C (80.6º F) and winters are temperate. Tour orchards & vineyards, wine & dine, golf & swim. The Okanagan’s Annual Fall Wine Fest coincides with fall grape harvest and continues to be ranked as one of North America’s top 100 events. Over 150 events scheduled throughout the area offer education and entertainment. Grapes are also harvested in winter in temperatures of -8º C (18ºF) or lower producing Icewines of international distinction. Big White Ski Resort located just 56 km (35 mi) southeast of Kelowna, is a world class ski resort with 118 runs and 16 lifts (6 high-speed). Crystal Mountain Ski Resort located just 15 mins. from West Kelowna offers 21 runs & 470 acres of trails. 10
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STATS AND FACTS: The Central Okanagan Valley is comprised of 4 communities including Peachland, West Kelowna (formerly Westbank), Kelowna, and Lake Country with a total population of approximately 184,000 and trading area of over 500,000. Kelowna is the largest City in the Central Okanagan encompassing 212 sq km (82 sq mi) with an airport elevation of 430 m (1410 ft) above sea level and a growing population of approx. 120,000. Kelowna lies on the east side of Okanagan Lake which stretches 270 km (168 mi) along the shoreline from Penticton to the south, through to Vernon to the north. Driving time is approximately 4 hrs from Vancouver and 8 hrs from Calgary. Kelowna International Airport is Canada’s 10th busiest airport with close to 1.5 million passenger volume. Non-stop service is available from Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, Toronto & Seattle. Due to continued increased passenger volume, a $50.5 million expansion is underway including the recent runway extension to accommodate direct international air services. On Canada Day, 2008, the region celebrated the opening of the William R. Bennett Bridge, a new five lane bridge. The new bridge, named after former B.C. Premier Bill Bennett, replaced a three lane bridge opened Canada Day 1958. Since UBC Okanagan was established five years ago, more than $400 million has been invested in new academic and student residence construction including a new Engineering-Management building, Health Sciences Centre, and Arts & Sciences building. Enrollment is expected to reach 7500 by 2012.
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ANY SEASON ENJOY YOUR STAY... YOU MAY NOT WANT TO LEAVE!