Okanagan

Okanagan (Often refered to as the Okanagan Valley) is a region of British Columbia, in Canada. It borders the Shuswap region to the north, West Kootenay region to the east, Similkameen region to the west, and the American border to the south. The focus of this region is the 155km long Okanagan lake which runs north-south from Vernon to Penticton. The region is bordered on both the east and west by mountains.

Regions

North Okanagan includes Vernon and area.
Central Okanagan includes Kelowna and area.
South Okanagan includes Penticton and area.

Cities

Large

Small

Other destinations

Winter

Silver Star Resort -- Alpine and nordic skiing outside of Vernon. Some summer activities.
Big White Resort -- Alpine and nordic skiing outside of Kelowna. Some summer activities
Apex Alpine Resort -- Alpine and nordic skiing outside of Penticton. Some summer activities
Crystal Mountain -- Small ski hill outside of Westbank.
Mount Baldy -- Small ski hill outside of Oliver/Osoyoos.

Summer

Cathedral Provincial Park -- Hiking and camping in rugged mountain terrain. Guided tours.
Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park -- Hiking and Camping.

Understand

Weather is generally mild in the winter, with snow at the upper elevations and rain in the lower cities. In summer the region is quite hot and dry, and in fact this region contains Canada's only true desert in Osoyoos.

Talk

The predominant language in the Okanagan (as with the majority of British Columbia) is English. You may hear French accents from the many Quebecers who come to the region for seasonal work at the many wineries, orchards, and ski resorts. However, as the number one industry in the region is tourism, you may hear any world language spoken by the thousands of visitors that make their way here every year.

Get in

From the south

Highway 97 crosses the USA-Canada border at Oreville(USA)/Osoyoos(CAN). The border crossing is open 24 hours.

From the north

Highway 97 travels south from Kamloops. Highway 97A travels south from Salmon Arm. Highway 97B travels south from Sicamous.

From the west

Highway 3 travels east from Hope and Princeton. Highway 5/97C travel east from Hope and Merritt.

From the East

Highway 6 travels west from Lumby and Nakusp. Highway 33 travels northwest from Rock Creek. Highway 3 travels west from Rock Creek.

By Plane

The airport in Kelowna services a number of Domestic/US flights. The airport in Penticton services only domestic flights. International passengers (other than from the USA) will generally alight in Vancouver and either transfer flights, or use alternate transportation into the region.

By Bus

Greyhound has frequent coach service from almost all points in British Columbia and beyond into the cities and towns of the Okanagan. The relatively sparse population of this region makes any sort of rail infrastructure (as Europeans may be used to) unrealistic.