Plein Aire in the Okanagan

It’s Friday today and Friday is the regular meeting day of the Westside Plein Aire Art Group. “Plein Aire” is a French expression that when translated means ‘open air’. It has also come to mean a style of painting where artists paint outdoors.

We are very fortunate to have a group of artists who meet on a weekly basis throughout the months of May to September to paint the scenic vistas of the the area. Each Friday morning they meet at a different predetermined location in West Kelowna, Westbank and Peachland. From time to time the group does venture a little further south and will meet to paint a scene in Summerland (August 12^th) or Osoyoos (July 29^th).

The Westside Plein Aire Art Group invites the public and visitors to the area to paint or visit the group on site this summer between the hours of 9:30 and 1 pm. Stop by the West Kelowna Visitor Centre to find out the week’s location.

Upcoming Locations:

June 10^th – Quails’ Gate Estate Winery, West Kelowna
June 17^th – Bear Creek Provincial Park, West Kelowna
June 26^th – Peachland Farmer’s Market, Peachland
July 8^th – Dogwood Nursery, West Kelowna
July 15^th – Gellatly Heritage Park, West Kelowna
July 22^nd - Peachland Inner Harbour Area, West Kelowna
July 29th - Nk’mp Desert Cultural Centre, Osoyoos
August 7^th – Peachland Farmer’s Market, Peachland
August 12^th – Sun Oka Beach, Summerland
August 19^th – Gellatly Nut Farm, West Kelowna

Hiking in the Okanagan Valley (West Kelowna area)

Spring is a great time to get out and explore some trails as the weather is not as hot and the spring flowers are in abundance along the paths.

What is one of the nicest things about the trials in West Kelowna is that they are so easily accessible from the town centre as well as from the hotels and resorts. Some hotels and resorts even have trail heads right next door to them!

Casa Loma Resort is next door to Kalamoir Regional Park, the Holiday Inn can be found next to Glen Canyon Regional Park and Lake Okanagan Resort actually has a network of trails on their property. Download a Westside Trail Guide from Tourism Westside’s website or stop by the West Kelowna Visitor Centre to pick up a hard copy. The helpful staff at the Visitor Centre can give you more details about each of the trails and where to find them.

There is so much to discover in West Kelowna & Westbank, from Mt. Boucherie which is a dormant volcano that is prominently seen throughout the town, to a waterfall hidden away just a few blocks from the highway. Happy Trails!

Westside Wine Trail - the Okanagan's Newest Wine Trail

There is a new wine trail in the Okanagan and it is called the Westside Wine Trail. Situated in West Kelowna, this wine trail is home to some of the most accomplished winemakers in the Okanagan Valley. With nine distinct wineries to explore, oenophiles are sure to find a new favourite wine to enjoy.

All nine wineries just within minutes of each other, with some even being close enough to walk to each one. The wineries range from the large and grand to the small and quaint. The Westside Wine Trail is home to well known wineries such as Mission Hill and Quails’ Gate as well as to several which focus on organic practices such as Rollingdale, Kalala, Beaumont and Meadow Vista. It is along this trail where one can find multi-generations working at the winery and these include Mt. Boucherie, Volcanic Hills and Little Straw Vineyards.

The Westside Wine Trail offers a pleasant and scenic drive through gentle rural roads that showcase spectacular lake views and vistas. Not to be missed along the trail are roadside fruit stands, artisan studios and hiking trails.

For more information on the trail and links to the wineries visit their website at www.thewestsidewinetrail.com.

For information on West Kelowna & Westbank visit http://www.tourismwestside.com/

Peachland Spirit Festival of Arts and Culture

Come to beautiful Peachland in February and enjoy the Peachland Spirit Festival of Arts and Culture. Exciting arts events are happening daily from Monday, February 14 to Sunday, Feb 20. Check out the schedule of events 
for details.

Enjoy musical performances, art demonstrations, art workshops and artisans' showcases. Highlights include a Luminaire Family Workshop and Parade, Native Drumming and Dancing, as well as an Evening of Art, Photography, Pottery, Quilting, Fabric art and Music by Papa Thom, Blues Brothers Too and Country Nights City Lights. 

Anyone and everyone who enjoys the Arts will be thrilled with all of the events taking place at various venues around Peachland. While you are enjoying the Arts, be sure to take a walk along the new Peachland walkway that extends from downtown to 13th Street.

A Decade of Bells Celebration

If you love bell towers, you have to visit Mission Hill Family Estate winery in West Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia. It is home to the only known winery bell tower in the world and it is magnificent.

Recently, Mission Hill Family Estate held a “Decade of Bells” celebration. Special events were planned at restaurants throughout BC, as well as onsite at the winery. The day at the winery saw live ice sculpturing, bell cookie decorating, rare vertical Icewine library tastings, and bottle signings with Winemaker John Simes. The day ended with a performance by handbell ringers and a celebratory presentation with Proprietor Anthony von Mandl.

It was a special day that seemed to have a storybook feel to it. When Anthony von Mandl gave his presentation the snow started to fall and created a magical presence. It was very interesting to learn a bit more about the bells that I so often hear. The bells were handcrafted in France and listening to Anthony von Mandl tell the story of what the bells meant to him as a young boy growing up in Europe, you could not help but be entranced by the story. The bells hold a special meaning as each bell is dedicated to a family member. Every day the bells chime from a 12 story tower that adorns the hillside of Mt. Boucherie. It really is a must see stop in the Okanagan.

It is hard to believe that it has been a decade since the bells sounded for the first time back on December 10, 2000. The wine industry in the Okanagan has come a long way since then. The grape harvest in the valley has doubled in size, the number of wineries has more than tripled, the local population has increased by nearly 20% and the tourist traffic in the valley totals over 1.2 million visitors annually.

Here’s to another decade of accomplishments. Congratulations to Mission Hill!

Some pictures of the celebration:

West Kelowna Wineries

Mission Hill Family Estate winery is part of the Westside Wine Trail in West Kelowna. In total there are nine wineries that can be found along the Westside Wine Trail. Mission Hill Family Estate is open year-round for tours and tastings.

Hope to see you soon! ~ Salina

Skiing & Snowshoeing Fun

Big hills such as Apex, Big White and Silver Star receive lots of attention, but there are also some smaller hills in the Okanagan that are true hidden gems. They may not promise the extreme runs, but what they do offer is convenience due to their close proximity to town, family friendly atmosphere and most of all good old fashioned skiing. Crystal Mountain Resort is just 15 minutes off of Hwy 97 in West Kelowna. There are 21 runs with the majority of the runs being rated moderate to easy.

Just down the hill from Crystal is Telemark Cross Country Ski area. There are 14 ski trails and four snowshoe trails with varying levels of difficult. If you are finding yourself wanting to try some snowshoeing or cross country skiing, but you didn’t bring your equipment, no need to worry as rentals are available.

How to get to Crystal Mountain & Telemark:

Take the Glenrosa exit off of Hwy 97 in West Kelowna. The exit is 35 minutes from Penticton and 15 minutes from Kelowna. Telemark is a mere 10 minutes from Hwy 97 and Crystal Mountain is just 5 minutes past Telemark.

~ Happy Travels - Salina

Winter Wonderland

O- The weather outside is frightful but my it is beautiful! We are winding down for 2010 here at the Summerland  Chamber and the stunning snowfall is making it hard to concentrate. I look out the window and all I see is a winter wonderland. The bare tree branches in the orchard across the street are all dusted with snow... gorgeous.

What a town. Here I am in the Chamber office and across the street is an orchard. The perfect description of our town! Business friendly, people friendly and family friendly.

Back to work! Lisa