Penticton & Wine Country Snowbirds Guide

Warm up to Winter in

PENTICTON & WINE COUNTRY

A winter stay location that is dry, mild, and in Canada. Experience the charm of a small town in the heart of wine country with all the activities and services you need for your winter away.

www.visitpenticton.com

7 Degrees Celsius is the average winter daytime temperature

2,100 Hours of sunshine per year

15 Millimeters average total precipitation in winter months

11 Centimeters average snowfall in winter months

Lifestyle Penticton lies nestled in the heart of the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia’s world renowned wine region. The dry and mild winter seasons here make Penticton & Wine Country the perfect retreat for escaping more unforgiving climates, without having to worry about foreign medical insurance, currency exchange or expensive travel.

Average winter daytime temperatures are a balmy seven degrees and there is typically lots of sunlight and very little rain or snow in the valley. It’s easy to enjoy the outdoors in winter here and easy to get around for shopping and the many activities and events that Penticton and neighbouring Summerland have available.

Penticton offers the best of both worlds, having a relaxed and friendly small town atmosphere while retaining a level of activities and services you would expect to find in a much larger centre.

The city is home to the regional hospital, an efficient public transportation system, several shopping centres and many entertainment venues all located between the picturesque shores of Okanagan and Skaha Lakes.

11 Local festivals during the winter season

Entertainment There is always something going on in Penticton. You will be spoiled for choice between touring concerts and shows at the South Okanagan Events Centre; champion Junior A Hockey league games; a full casino; and the newly completed seven screen movie theatre.

For lovers of the arts The Penticton Art Gallery hosts several international exhibits and downtown you will find the works of local artists and artisans on display in a variety of micro-galleries and specialist shops. Enjoy an evening at the theatre watching one of the popular productions of The Many Hats Theatre Company or take in a music act in the cosy surroundings of a local venue.

Penticton is known as Festival City and winter is no exception with events such as: the Downtown Winter Festival with Santa Claus Parade and Light Up, The Kiwanis Music Festival and winter sporting events, which this year includes the BC Winter Games.

The neighbouring town of Summerland also offers plenty of entertainment with their annual Festival of Lights and Light up the Vines events.

5 Hockey games and other sports per month

4 Venues for performing arts

7 State-of-the-art movie screens

3 Waterfront walks right in town

10

Activities (OUTDOOR)

Easy biking routes in town

As winter in Penticton is so dry and temperate, many outdoor activities continue right through the year.

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Fresh air enthusiasts will find many year-round walking and cycling trails along the lakeshores, creeks and rivers right in town as well as easily accessible trails through the nearby vineyards and open grasslands. Local outdoor clubs meet regularly for winter bird watching, wildlife hikes and for simply enjoying the lakes and mountain scenery.

Off Leash areas for dogs

5 Outdoor activitiy clubs

Golf ends late and starts early in Penticton with two local courses and a driving range plus more courses a short drive away in Summerland. Fishing in the region is also year round and Yellow Lake often has ice fishing during some winter months.

Although the snow is light on the ground in the valley the surrounding mountains get a substantial dusting. Just 25 minutes from town, the local ski area offers snowshoeing, ice-skating and cross country and downhill skiing all accessible by shuttle buses.

3 Indoor pools

Activities (INDOOR) Keeping active and fit through the winter in Penticton is easy with the newly built Community Centre and Pool complex.

The Centre’s indoor pool area features a lap pool, hot tub and recreation pool as well as steam rooms and saunas. The gym and recreation rooms feature programs for seniors including dancing, aquafit, Zumba, yoga, tai-chi and pickle ball. Curling and ice skating have their own dedicated rinks in town as well.

The Penticton Seniors’ Drop-Centre has a full weekly calendar of participatory activities and social events both during the day and in the evenings. These include activities such as cards, playing music, quilting, and dancing lessons, as well as many weekly social mixers, dinners and dances.

Penticton and Summerland are renowned for their fantastic local produce and throughout the winter months you will find several indoor markets displaying the very best seasonal offerings and artisan creations. You may also be surprised to learn that several of the regions wineries, craft breweries, and spirit distilleries remain open for tours and tastings.

7 Arts and cultural galleries

2 Regular winter markets

1 Seniors’ Center with full activity schedule

2 Scenic lakeshores

2 Surrounding mountain views

Accommodation

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You have your choice of accommodation for extended winter stays in Penticton between hotel or motel suites, off-season vacation homes or suite rentals, and year round RV facilities.

Minutes to get across the city

4 Buses per day between Summerland and Penticton

You can choose to live by the lake, near walking trails, downtown or in a neighbourhood. Everything in Penticton is just ten minutes from anywhere else, so it is always easy to get to stores, walks, restaurants, appointments and events.

To get information on available winter accommodation options in Penticton or Summerland and maps of where activities and services are located: Visit www.visitpenticton.com or www.tourismsummerland.com Or contact the local Visitor Information Centre: Penticton 1-800-663-5052, Summerland 250-494-2686

15 Minutes north of Penticton

Summerland A vibrant community of just over 11,000 people, Summerland is perfectly situated on Lake Okanagan between Penticton and Kelowna.

Just like our larger neighbors, we have every amenity to make your stay perfect and most of it is within walking distance of our lovely downtown shopping area.

We know that the quiet season has its own charms. We visit in our cozy cafés serving locally roasted coffee, enjoy treats from the organic bakery, attend a philosopher’s conversation, a theatre production or concert, create hand painted street banners at the arts centre or spend a restful afternoon at our state of the art, brand new library.

No matter how you spend your day, Summerland provides an authentic small town experience for those looking for the charm that only winter in the Okanagan can provide.

35 Minutes south of Kelowna

Home To the historic Kettle Valley Steam Railway, the Summerland Ornamental Gardens and Giant’s Head Mountain Park.

Visit us at www.tourismsummerland.com www.summerlandchamber.com Or Phone us at 250-494-2686

Okanagan Lake’s p lac e t o c a l l h o m e this winter

Great extended stay rates. Incredibly comfortable fully equipped suites and superior resort amenities.

Stay central in the Okanagan— 15 minutes north of Penticton on Lake Okanagan

Extended Stays starting at $650/mo

877.494.8111 · summerlandresorthotel.com

Located right on the shores of Okanagan Lake.

Close to the downtown core, skiing, golfing, wineries, casino, cycling trails, and community centre.

All Rooms Include: Fully stocked kitchens, high speed internet, cable and phone, laundry facilities on-site, 24 hour on-site staff, weekly light housekeeping.

BOOK TODAY 1-866-492-8769 | stay@tikishores.com | www.tikishores.com

• After hours auto check-in • Modern air-conditioned rooms, all with patio doors, fridges, flatscreen TV’s, Free WiFi, cable • Kitchen suites • Courtyard • Laundry facilities • All non-smoking • Pets welcome

Hwy 97 South Summerland (250) 494-4444 | 1-877-245-4406 www.summerlandmotel.com

Ideally situated, the Sandman Hotel Penticton is just minutes from the sandy beaches of Okanagan Lake and walking distance to a host of amenities (Cob’s Bakery/Quality Greens Market/Tim Horton’s/Starbucks/Curling Rink/Penticton Community Pool).

Enjoy a swim in our indoor atrium style pool, a visit to our fitness centre or relax and unwind in the whirlpool. Onsite laundry, complimentary Wi-Fi and parking as well as our 24 hr Denny’s.

Completely Canadian owned and operated.

Always the smart choice.

939 Burnaby Ave West, Penticton, BC (250) 493-7151 | reservations@sandman.ca www.sandmanhotels.ca/hotels/penticton

Penticton Lakeside Resort Convention Centre & Casino

pentictonlakesideresort.com 250.493.8221 1.800.663.9400 lakeside@rpbhotels.com

Snowbird Rates October – April, from $350/wk

Whether you’re visiting for a day or a week, coming to hike, bike, ski, and stroll through the area’s breathtaking scenery, the Coast Penticton Hotel is your perfect launching point. A place where newly renovated rooms have a mini-fridge, with select rooms featuring jetted tubs and rain showers. Once you experience the view from Penticton, with its lakes and mountain slopes, it can be tough to leave.

Call us today at 250.492.0225 | Email manager@coastpenticton.com | Visit us online www.coastpenticton.com

Eat

Relax Sleep

Play

YOU DO YOUR THING. LEAVE THE REST TO US. One Bedroom Kitchen, Living room, and Fireplace Suite starts at $1500/month (October - April) • Kettle Valley Station Pub - Fresh Flavours, Local Wine, & Craft Beer • Next to the Penticton Golf & Country Club & the Channel Parkway with access to many walking trails • One block to South Okanagan Events & Convention Centre • Three blocks to Lake Okanagan • Book a wine tour - pick up is in front of our lobby ...Or just relax and enjoy the 2 Acre Garden Courtyard

CALL DIRECT NOW: 1-800-665-4966 www.pentictonramada.com

We offer a boutique retro vibe, with fully stocked one bedroom kitchen suites, free WiFi and cable, weekly linen exchange, free on-site parking, and coin operated laundry.

$725/MONTH STAY 5 MONTHS GET 6TH MONTH FREE!*

BOWMONTMOTEL.COM 1-800-811-1377 *some conditions apply

For more information on how to find your perfect winter getaway contact Tourism Penticton. www.visitpenticton.com | 1-800-663-5052

24/7

Services Penticton is home to the main regional hospital for the South Okanagan with medical and paramedic emergency services available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, as well as full diagnostic and care capacities. There are numerous pharmacies, including most of the major Canadian chains, and a full range of medical specialists and health care practitioners are available.

There are RCMP detachments based in Penticton and Summerland as well as professionally staffed fire departments. Penticton is also home to both Federal and Provincial government services outlets for assistance with pension, taxation, health care and other government programs.

In Penticton and Summerland you will find multiple retailers specializing in supplies and equipment for health and mobility needs as well as major outlets for consumer goods, hardware and automotive services.

The Penticton & Summerland Visitor Centres are centrally located and open year-round for information, directions, day-to-day needs and local services.

Hours and days of the week that the Emergency Department at Penticton Regional Hospital is open

3 Firehalls with professional firefighters and paramedics on duty 24/7

2 Government service centres Federal and Provincial.

25 Local pharmacies

Location

Prince George

Edmonton

B RITISH COLUMBIA

AL BER TA

Kamloops Vernon

Calgary

Kelowna

Vancouver

Summerland

Penticton Osoyoos

Victoria

Seattle

Canada – U SA Border

Penticton is easily accessible, whether you choose to travel by road or air. Penticton is located in the South Okanagan between Kelowna and the US border.

FLYING

DRIVING

DRIVING DISTANCES

Penticton has its own airport serviced

by Air Canada from Vancouver, and WestJet from Calgary.

Centrally located on the Highway 97 Wine Route, Penticton is easily accessible from the Trans Canada Highway and other major BC and Washington state highways.

Calgary, AB: Edmonton, AB: Saskatoon, SK: Winnipeg, MB:

CONTACT INFO Penticton & Wine Country Visitor Information Centre: 1-800-663-5052 www.visitpenticton.com

415 miles (7:43 hrs) 595 miles (10:17 hrs) 793 miles (13:28 hrs) 1,249 miles (20:14 hrs)