BC1 - Calgary Herald · BC1. BC2 BC3 Final inventory release of Shuswap lakefront condos ......

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Final inventory release of Shuswap lakefront condosOnly five 2-bedrooms remain – from $225k

This is it!

Call Today: 1.866.656.0291 | LEGACYONMARALAKE.COM

Silver Star owner/president Jane Cann discusses the challenges of running a ski resort, and the tips she learned along the way growing up in the business.

From mountain and desert to ocean settings, there’s a B.C. golf course tailor- made for every golfer.

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Leave the personal devices at home and get reconnected at one of B.C.’s many rejuvenating spas.

Vancouver, Coast and Mountains region is the place for families and foodies this summer.

Get packing for your action-packed vacation in the Kootenay Rockies region. There’s so much to see and do.

is a special publication of the Calgary Herald

Special Projects Department

Project co-ordinator: Jennifer Worley

[email protected] 403-235-7119

Cover photo: Jane Cann, president

and owner of Silver Star ski resort. Photographer: Klaus Gretzmacher

Wineries are opening their doors to more than just tastings, for guests who want to overnight and enjoy fine cuisine.

Vacations often lead to real estate buys for frequent B.C. visitors. Industry experts say the climate is right for a property purchase.

Stand-up paddleboarding is making waves as a summer activity in the Okanagan, giving paddlers an appreciation of the beautiful setting they are in.

inside

Too often we look back and say, ‘if only…’

Life moves quickly, children grow up too fast and summers turn frosty all too soon.

Well, no more. The final units from Sable Resorts are being offered at the stunning Legacy on Mara Lake development located in the town of Sicamous. With only five, two-bedroom and five loft units left, there are great deals to be had in this gorgeous lakefront development.

Summers will be spent sitting poolside while the kids play in the separate chil-dren’s pool. Entertaining guests around the summer kitchen with burgers on the barbecue will be a breeze, and spending mornings on one of the many golf courses nearby is all just part of the routine.

“We have a ton of families from Alberta who, as soon as the kids are done school, pack up and head out to spend their sum-mer at the lake,” says Kevin Blackwell, sales director for Legacy on Mara Lake. “We also have a bunch of retired couples who love to spend four months in Calgary, four months at the lake and four months in a really hot climate. It’s the best of all worlds for them.”

For boat junkies, considerable time and effort has been put into the design, produc-tion and installation of Legacy’s marina. After years of environmental impact studies and review by numerous government bodies, Sable created the marina complete with a protective engineered breakwater system. A fence-and-gate system with pro-grammable keys limits unauthorized access

at the marina’s entry. The building’s construction, in particular,

is what draws many to this development. It is made of concrete and steel, and features a green-technology hydrothermal heating and cooling system that uses lake water to heat and cool the building.

Luxury finishes and designer landscapes are paired with eco-friendly features that

not only protect the natural environment but also make the building more efficient and sustainable.

The Shuswap area is one that attracts laid-back types. There’s no Starbucks, no rush hour and casual attire is not only rec-ommended, but expected. A four-season destination, there are a variety of outdoor and indoor activities for every kind of weather. Spend the day cycle touring, go on a wine tour or watch a salmon run. Tour the farmer’s markets tasting fresh, farm-to-table delights, and then indulge in a little retail therapy at one of the many artisan boutiques or galleries.

With 400 feet of sandy beach right on the lake outside the door of Legacy on Mara Lake, if you choose to do nothing, that’s just fine, too. Kids will ditch their game systems for fresh air and beach volleyball while you get caught up on a good book.

“It really is about making the most of the time you have,” says Blackwell. “This is a lifestyle choice and it’s one that revolves around quality, relaxing time with loved ones.”

For more information, go to www.lega-cyonmaralake.com

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Legacy on Mara Lake – This is it!

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PAGE 4 Saturday, June 8, 2013 DISCOVER B.C. CALGARY HERALD

Hiking five miles through a blizzard, suitcase clutched in her hand as her family made its way up a closed road to Australia’s Mount Hotham may have been 12-year-old Jane Cann’s first inkling that the family business was just a little bit different than others.

Her father, Australian entrepreneur Des-mond Schumann, had just bought the ski resort, and the family was making its first trip to the mountain.

“I was not impressed,” says Cann, now 57 and owner and president of Silver Star ski resort in Vernon.

She may not have been impressed as an adolescent, but it was one of the first examples of the tough mindedness needed to take on a business in an industry largely dependent on the whims of Mother Nature.

Asked what the biggest challenge is in operating and owning a resort, Cann is succinct: “Making a return on your invest-ment.”

While she gives “persistence, patience and trust in your product,” as the most important traits for someone in her position, she is clear “it is a business and one has to recognize this because it is very easy to let passion influence your decision making. The results of this can be disastrous.”

Cann, however, is equally clear on what the greatest joy is in running a ski resort.

“The thrill of making a difference … turn-ing someone’s day around.”

To ensure that return on investment, Silver Star has expanded beyond being just a winter destination, with the addition of mountain bik-ing, hiking, specialty camps, conferences and weddings from late June to mid-September.

This summer, Silver Star is partnering with the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society on Mile High Wine, an event that will feature 100 wines, and include outdoor wine tastings and live entertainment Aug. 10.

Taking on operation of a modern ski resort business is clearly in Cann’s blood. Schumann Resorts transformed Mount Hotham from a one-rope-tow area to a major resort. In 1985, it bought Kelowna’s Big White in a receiver-ship sale, and in 2002 acquired Silver Star.

All along, Cann, a woman in a sector more traditionally led by men, has been pulled into the family business.

“After leaving business college, I travelled

to Europe with a Eurail pass and $800,” she says. “I returned that June, the beginning of the Australian season, went to work at Mount Hotham and basically never left until moving to Canada.”

And while Cann says she had discussed with her father going to university, “his response was something to the effect that I would learn a lot more at the University of Des Schumann.”

And it seems she did. Cann and her then-husband ran the ski school, retail arm and ski rental operations at Mount Hotham until moving to Big White to assume similar operations.

She oversaw the expansion of the hill’s retail and dining facilities, In 2002, when Schumann bought Silver Star, Cann relocated to Vernon to assume the presidency of the resort.

The family launched a $75-million upgrade to Silver Star — the largest single season expansion ever undertaken at a B.C. resort. It included new lifts, 240 additional ski hectares to the existing 1,100 hectares, and the $60-million Snowbird luxury lodge.

When her father died in 2012, Cann stayed with Silver Star, and her brother, Peter Schumann, took on Big White, with each resort operating independently.

Is the pair competitive?“We both had the same teacher, so I

guess there is a bit of sibling rivalry,” says Cann.

“Mostly, our interests have led to differ-ent areas of the business. I have been more involved in the day-to-day operations and Peter has been more focused on outside operations, particularly real estate. His suc-cesses are clear to see when looking at Big White.”

But she says when her and her brother had a disagreement, “Dad, always the judicator, made it very clear that we should not take ourselves too seriously and that we were only ‘caretakers’ of the resort — that our time too would pass and our judge would be his-tory.”

While Cann claims she is “not as good a skier as I should be,” she knows her snow at Silver Star.

Persistence, patience and a little help from Mother Nature are Silver Star ski resort owner Jane Cann’s secrets for success By Barb Livingstone; photos by Klaus Gretzmacher

star attraction

See KNOWS SNOW, Page 6

It’s no secret that B.C. boasts some of Canada’s most breathtaking scenery and once-in-a-lifetime nature experiences.

Narrowing down the field in terms of where to search for these magical “a-ha” moments can prove a little more elusive.

For those looking to vacate the hustle and bustle of the urban grind during their holiday, there are plenty of unique retreat options in the lesser explored corners of the province.

Sparkling Hill Resort & Spa

Though the name should be a giveaway, Sparkling Hill doesn’t just incorporate a few shiny objects into its design. Instead, 3.5 mil-lion Swarovski crystals are featured in every element of this awe-inspiring property.

“Sparkling Hill is designed for guests looking to unwind from their hectic lifestyle, renew their well-being and reconnect with beauty and nature,” says Wendy Patriquin, the resort’s sales and marketing manager.

Sparkling Hill’s European approach to whole body wellness is still a new concept in Can-ada. The resort’s integrated medicine clinic, KurSpa, specializes in detoxification, anti-aging and healthy weight-loss programs.

Boasting 48 treatment rooms, seven aroma-therapy steam and sauna rooms, salt-water pools and more than 100 treatments, this spa menu can treat whatever is ailing you.

sparklinghill.com

Rockwater Secret Cove Resort

One of the Sunshine Coast’s most luxuri-ous addresses, Rockwater offers top-notch waterfront accommodation equally suited to a romantic getaway as a holiday with friends and family.

While the traditional rooms are lovely, it’s the tenthouse suites that make for a truly inspiring stay. Experience the feeling of camping in an Arbutus grove without losing the feeling of a finely dressed king-size bed, book an ocean-side massage and yoga class, rent bikes to explore the coast or shuttle over to nearby Thormanby Island. This is “glamping” at its best.

rockwatersecretcoveresort.com

Quantum Leaps Lodge

If the escape you seek is more down to earth, but no less majestic, look no further than the extremely unique Quantum Leaps Lodge, near Golden.

Set on 4.45 hectares of pristine wilder-ness near Golden, the treatments offered at Quantum Leaps are more along the lines of fire-walking ceremonies, shamanic drum-ming workshops, craniosacral therapy and naturally occurring mud baths.

“The vibration of the land itself, as well as the various ceremonies we hold, make

the lodge a pretty remarkable place to spend time,” says Annette Boelman, who has owned the property with partner Brian Olynek since 1987.

“The beauty of 360 degrees of moun-tains, the Blaeberry River flowing right in front of the property, the acre of gardens and orchards and the pure wilderness be-tween the cottages makes connecting with nature—and yourself inevitable here.”

quantumleaps.ca

Ancient Cedars Spa

Best known as a foodie destination thanks to the many accolades The Pointe Restaurant has collected over the years, Wickaninnish Inn’s Ancient Cedars Spa should not be overlooked.

Two- and four-night spa packages allow guests to indulge in some serious “me” or “we” time, and take advantage of signature offerings such as the Hishuk Ish Tsawalk Awakening Treatment (adapted from the traditional cleansing ceremonies of the local indigenous people) and Lomi Lomi (a full-body massage technique favoured by Hawaiian shamans and healers).

The unbridled beauty of Clayoquot Sound, combined with a holistic approach to pamper-ing and a sensorial approach to dining, means this is one holiday you won’t soon forget.

wickinn.com

B.C. spas offering travellers needed reprieve from hustle and bustle By Meghan Jessiman

Sound the retreat — Sparkling Hill Resort & Spa

BC6 BC7

With more than 250 courses available throughout the province, B.C. offers golfers plenty of options

Get linked inCALGARY HERALD DISCOVER B.C. Saturday, June 8, 2013 PAGE 7PAGE 6 Saturday, June 8, 2013 DISCOVER B.C. CALGARY HERALD

“Seven metres of incredibly dry, champagne powder each year. It’s not wet, heavy snow like is often found nearer the coast. There is no snow-making as there is no need for it. Our European visitors comment on the fact that they rarely ski on all-natural snow these days.”

Then there’s the resort village, with its colourful main street buildings.

“There’s an intimacy about Silver Star — it comes from the people, the architecture, the mountain itself. You don’t catch a bus to get around; its real ski-in, ski-out.”

And while Silver Star targets international markets, it also sees Canadian visitors — particularly those

from B.C., Alberta and Ontario. So why do Albertans, surrounded by

their own mountains and resorts, take the trip down to Vernon?

It may have something to do with the all-season lifestyle attractions not only at Silver Star, but also in the sur-rounding Okanagan area.

In summer, Silver Star opens to mountain bikers. Vacationers can also take trips to the rest of the Okanagan with its warm tempera-tures, myriad wineries and water lifestyle.

“In winter, Albertans enjoy our ski-ing because our average temperature is around -5 C. The snow is light and dry … no ice.”

The Silver Star president says the resort offers great value with its

all-inclusive My One Pass that means visitors don’t pay extra for activities like snowshoeing, alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, skating, tubing.

The ski business continues to be a family affair. Cann’s daughter Milli is guest service manager at Silver Star, and son Robbie has 13 years in the industry, now working for a heli-skiing company.

And it is likely the next genera-tion will be heeding the three things Cann says she learned from her father:

“A sense of humour, persistence and always keep the windows clean.” The clean windows refer not only to her father’s fastidiousness, but also to “living as you say you are…with integrity.”

The Mile High Wine festival will be held at Silver Star ski resort in Vernon, B.C. Aug, 10. It will feature 100 wines from about 30 wineries from around the

Okanagan. There will also be food and entertainment on the main street at Silver Star. For tickets or more information go to:

www.summer.skisilverstar.com or www.thewinefestivals.com

For more information about winter activities at Silver Star go to http://winter.skisilverstar.com.

To book accommodation on the hill, call 1-800-663-4431.

With more than 250 golf courses sprinkled across the province, British Columbia is truly a golfer’s paradise.

Even better is the variety of golf course styles, from mountain courses and desert links-style courses to ones that hug the rugged coastline.

There are also some golf courses with rather unique attributes that add to the enjoyment of a golfing vaca-tion in B.C.

At the Victoria Golf Club, founded in 1893 and the oldest course in B.C. still in its original location, there are stories of a ghost that haunts the waters next to the course. An apparition has been seen floating over the churning tidal pools in an area where a woman was found murdered on the beach in the 1930s. Visitors hoping to see the ghost will have to play as a guest at the members-only club.

In the Shuswap, you can golf in the shadow of an ex-tinct volcano made of basalt that has several still-warm spring ponds on its flanks. The Salmon Arm Golf Club is located by looming Mount Ida, a worn volcano that dominates the skyline and serves as a backdrop on many vistas of the Les Furber-designed course. A bonus is the par-4 11th hole is considered by some golfers to be the most difficult single hole in B.C. golf.

For a taste of golf that looks more like the California coastline than Canada, play a round at Furry Creek Golf & Country Club north of Vancouver on the highway to Whistler. The course hugs the edge of Howe Sound with amazing views over the water to B.C.’s Sunshine Coast region. Its signature 14th hole is a gem, and has been repeatedly called the most scenic hole in the province.

When it comes to water features on a golf course, there’s plenty of competition for Furry Creek, such as Golden Golf Course’s beautiful 11th hole that is split by the raging waters of Holt Creek. The 17th at Olym-

pic View Golf Club near Victoria, meanwhile, has a stunning 45-foot waterfall tumbling directly behind the green. Golfers also walk past elegant Japanese gardens on the way down the fairway.

There’s something about island greens that brings out the best, or worst, in a golfer’s game. There are several in B.C., including the 5th hole at Black Mountain in Kelowna. Somewhat unique is unlike many island greens that are par-3s, Back Mountain’s is a par-4, meaning the pressure is on for both a well-placed tee shot and calm nerves for a second shot on to the green.

While golf is often a game of subtlety and touch, some-times it feels good to reach a hole where you can just grip it and rip it. One of the greatest holes to do that is on the famed Fairmonster 4th hole at Fairmont Moun-tainside golf course. With a hugely elevated tee box, and facing 600 yards of fairway to the green, it’s time to throw caution to the wind and let the big dog eat.

On a nice summer day, many golfers like to play a round, then take off and enjoy another activity the re-mainder of the day. That’s easy to do at the Anglemont Estates Golf Course, which is located minutes from a marina on the Shuswap Lakes. Golfers can arrive by boat, be picked up by a shuttle from the course, play a round, then head back out on their boat for some wake boarding or other water adventures.

The history of some B.C. golf courses is interesting, none more than that of St. Eugene Golf Resort near Cranbrook, home of the Ktunaxa Nation and the St. Eugene residential mission school that operated during much of the 1900s. After the school closed, the Ktunaxa turned the page on this often sad part of its history, and created a golf resort and casino that now brings economic benefit to its people. The original mis-sion building remains an elegant and iconic backdrop on many holes on the golf course. — Furry Creek Golf & Country Club on Howe Sound, Tourism B.C.

KNOWS SNOW, From Page 5

Mile High Wine Festival

Summer is music festival time in B.C., with every style of musical gather-ing taking place, from

the classy Vancouver International Jazz Fes-

tival to the peace/love vibe of electronic-music Shambala Fes-

tival near Salmo. The Robson Valley Music Festival has grown in popularity by leaps and bounds since starting in 2005, and this year’s event Aug. 16 to 18 again has a stellar lineup of multi-genre performers.

A highlight of Parks-ville’s annual Beach Festival is the Canadian Open Sand Sculpting Competition, this year taking place July 13 and 14 at the Community Park Beach. Competitors from around the world create creative sand sculptures that remain in place for five weeks to allow public viewing even after the event is over.

Fans of fireworks will want to attend Vancouver’s Celebration of Light that an-nually attracts about 400,000 spectators to

view free fireworks shows on English Bay for three

nights: July 28, Aug. 1 and 4. Countries competing this year are Vietnam, Brazil and Italy. The event is in its 22nd year

and has become the biggest offshore

fireworks competition in the world.

Bring your appetite to Taste: Victoria’s Festival of Food and Wine July 25 to 28. with tastings, seminars and other cuisine-related events. Taste kicks off Thursday with local cuisine and tasting of more than 100 B.C. wines.

The spirit of Elvis lives on at the 12th annual Penticton Elvis Festival June 28 to 30 with performances by dozens of tribute artists on outdoor stages next to Okanagan Lake. In addi-tion to an Elvis artist mu-sical competition, there is a performance by event headliner Chris Connor at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre Saturday night.

Festivals

By Gerald Vander Pyl

BC8 BC9

CALGARY HERALD DISCOVER B.C. Saturday, June 8, 2013 PAGE 9PAGE 8 Saturday, June 8, 2013 DISCOVER B.C. CALGARY HERALD

Feed your adventurous spirit with a trip to the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains Region of British

Columbia. The region has amaz-ing things to see and do, allowing fun-loving families and foodies the chance to work up an appetite.

One of the best ways to make the most of your time in the region is to take a tour. Why not combine sight-seeing with a culinary experience?

For those visiting Vancouver, there are many great tours available.

Start out on Granville Island, known for its bustling Public Market, live theatre performances, unique shops and art galleries, as well as beautiful views of False Creek and

the Vancouver waterfront. Edible Canada offers chef-guided

tours of the Granville Island Public Market. Learn about the market’s best-kept secrets while sampling regional foods on this two-hour tour.

For those looking for more of an international taste, Edible Canada also offers tours in historic China-town, North America’s third-largest Chinatown.

Here, you’ll discover important buildings and heritage landmarks as you visit herbal stores, meat shops and bakeries to sample teas, barbe-cued meats, exotic fruits and more.

If you’re staying right in the heart of downtown Vancouver, consider

spending an afternoon with Vancouver Foodie Tours.

On the World’s Best Street Eats Tour, you’ll be introduced to Japadog, a Japa-nese-style hot-dog cart that has become the pride of Vancouver. Its most popular hot dog includes teriyaki sauce, mayo and seaweed. You’ll also visit a food cart with two built-in tandoor ovens that are used to make fresh Indian naan bread daily.

On the Guilty Pleasures Gourmet Tour, you’ll walk over two kilometres down-town, sampling some of the best food the city has to offer.

The amazing cuisine you’ll try includes pork and prawn dumplings at Kirin Chi-nese Restaurant, a pulled-pork sandwich at Hubbub Sandwiches (it will knock your socks off) and some delicious Domaine de Chaberton Bacchus produced in Langley, B.C.

There is so much more to Vancouver than just food though. A great way to familiarize yourself with the city is by taking a sightseeing tour.

Big Bus offers hop-on, hop-off tours on a double-decker bus with commentary from great guides. You can purchase a one- or two-day pass and ride the bus around town, stopping wherever you see fit.

Many visitors purchase a two-day pass and spend the first day taking in sights and the second day visiting attractions

and streets along the way. Some of the highlights include stops

at the Vancouver Art Gallery, Granville Island, English Bay Beach and Stanley Park.

Outside of Vancouver you’ll discover more great ways to explore the region. Located approximately 50 kilometres east of Vancouver, Langley is one of sev-eral communities in the Fraser Valley that offer self-guided Circle Farm Tours.

Each stop on the tour is related to ag-riculture and the area’s farming heritage. Maps direct you to a variety of specialty farm-gate vendors, markets, eateries, heritage sites and more.

Travel by car or bicycle at your own pace, and customize your itinerary ac-cording to what your interests are and how much time you have.

The Langley Circle Farm Tour includes stops at places such as Thunderbird Show Park. Thunderbird is situated on 34 hectares and is the largest venue of its kind on Canada’s West Coast, just min-utes from the Trans-Canada Highway.

Bring your family and spend the day enjoying one of the great events that are held at the Park, such as international show jumping and dressage competi-tions.

Make sure you check out the pony rides, entertainment and shopping, as well.

There are also several wineries on the Circle Farm Tour, but you may wish to spend the day just visiting wineries.

Langley is home to six well-established wineries with a seventh winery set to open in 2013. Make sure you stop at Vista D’oro Farms & Winery to try its flag-ship walnut wine. This port-style wine uses pressed green walnuts to extract its signature flavour, and is handmade in small batches.

Vista D’oro also offers a picnic menu that you can pair with a glass of wine and enjoy on their patio or on the grass under a walnut tree.

Another winery you can visit is the Domain de Chaberton Estate Winery, where you can sample wine in the tast-ing room and go on a tour of the winery, weather permitting. The Bacchus Bistro is a restaurant located on site and offers up authentic French cuisine with a West Coast flair. If you went on the Vancou-ver Foodie Tour earlier in your trip, you would have tried the Domaine de Cha-berton Bacchus.

Discover the best of both worlds by combining sightseeing with culinary experiences.

Visit the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains blog at 604Pulse.com for travel ideas, event information and favourite things to see and do. Start planning your trip today.

Vancouver, Coast & Mountains: Dynamic and deliciousThere’s plenty to see and do for fun-loving families and foodies By Crystal Solberg

— Downtown Vancouver, Albert Normandin photo

— Enjoying wine in Langley, Bob Young photo

— Sightseeing Tour, Bob Young photo

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Wildstone Golf Course Entering its second summer of operation, Wildstone Golf Course near Cranbrook has already become an established part of the Kootenay Rockies golf scene, and has made quite an impression on both local and visit-ing golfers.

“We travelled to the Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver golf shows this spring, and we were hearing a lot of positive com-ments from people who had played the course,” says Wildstone Head Professional Dave Linardic.

Linardic says it’s fun to watch someone who is playing the course for the first time walk over to the practice range to warm up.

“A lot of people grab their camera to

take a photo before they grab their pitching wedge,” he says of the surrounding natural beauty of the golf course.

The club is excited to launch the Wild-stone Golf Course App for 2013. It allows users to book tee times on the go, use a digital scorecard, check photos, course details and more. Golfers can find the free App at the App store by searching Wild-

stone. Linardic says it’s a great tool to be able to find the best deals on available tee times at Wildstone.

Wildstone is also joining several other courses — including Trickle Creek, Boot-leg Gap, St. Eugene and Kimberley Golf Club — to draw more tourists through a partnership called Golf Kimberley.

WildstoneGolf.comGolfKimberley.com

Kootenay Rockies – endless summer fun Outdoor adventure, festivals, breathtaking beauty await just a few hours away By Gerald Vander Pyl

Fernie Golf & Country Club

Visitors to the Fernie Golf & Country Club will notice some improvements this season to the already-excellent facility.

New tee boxes were built part-way through last year on holes 4 and 5 that are much larger and more level, which will provide more options for placing the tee markers in an area that is in good shape.

The tee deck at Fernie’s driving range is being expanded to ensure the option of hitting from a grass tee, while additional cart paving on the course will cut down on mud and dust.

Finally, a new washroom was con-structed with surrounding pavement for a better overall experience for golfers.

GolfFernie.com

Mistaya Lodge

Another interesting place to stay is Mistaya Lodge, in the backcountry near Golden.

In addition to offering rooms in

the main lodge, Mistaya now has the WildCat Cabin available for guests, with four bedrooms, one which has been converted into a lounge for relaxing.

The cabin has a full kitchen with dining area, fridge and stove; wood stove for heating, running water, and

a private night-time potty.It’s perfect for families, or couples

wanting more space and quiet time during a stay in the beautiful B.C. wilderness.

Guests can also still make use of the dining facilities at the main Mistaya Lodge, as well as the guided hikes in the surrounding area.

MistayaLodge.com

SkyTrek Adventure Park & Enchanted Forest

One of the first aerial parks in B.C., the SkyTrek Adventure Park, halfway between Revelstoke and Sicamous, has grown steadily over the past six years, and now offers a large number of attractions and challenges.

Included are a three-level High Rope Challenge Course, Kids Tree Ad-venture, Adventure Tower, Sky Drop, Sky Swing, Log Climb and children’s Jungle Gym.

At the same location is the En-chanted Forest, a family park filled with whimsical and fun activities that has been in business for more than 50 years.

EnchantedForestBC.comSkyTrekAdventurePark.com

Enchanted Forest’s tree house. David Gluns photo.

Wildstone Golf Course near Cranbrook.

Fernie Golf and Country Club.

A world of adventure awaits just across the Alberta in the Kootenay Rockies region of British Columbia.

Stretching from Fernie to Fruitvale and Radium Hot Springs to Rev-elstoke, the Kootenay Rockies offers scenic splendour, friendly communities, numerous special events and festivals year round, and almost unlimited outdoor activities.

Visitors can enjoy everything from thrill sports such as white-water rafting, hang-gliding, golfing, boating and bicycling to relaxing activities such as wildlife viewing, touring museums, shopping or just relaxing at one of the region’s many motels, resorts, campgrounds or B&Bs.

As always, there’s new things happening in the Kootenay Rockies this summer.

CALGARY HERALD DISCOVER B.C./KOOTENAY ROCKIES Saturday, June 8, 2013 PAGE 11

For all kids big and small!Explore and Play

Challenge yourself with the HighRopes Course, climbing, free-fallingand swinging from the adventureTower, Kids Tree Adventure &Jungle Gym. Kids and adults, there’ssomething for everyone! Great fun forbirthdays, school groups and teams.

A must see BC attraction for over50 years. Discover the magic! Over350 handcrafted figurines, castle anddungeons, BC’s tallest tree-house, selfguided row boat tours - all situated ina beautiful old growth forest.

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Famed as a winter destination for powder skiers and snowboard-ers, Island Lake Lodge in summer

becomes an outdoor recreation enthu-siast’s dream come true.

From accommodations in three mountain lodges — Red Eagle, Cedar and Tamarack — guests can venture out to explore the resort’s 2,833 hectares (7,000 acres) on a superb series of hiking trails.

“The trail network is the best maintained in the valley,” says Mike McPhee, director of sales and mar-keting manager with Island Lake Lodge, adding all trails are well signed, making it easy for hikers to find their way.

Professional guides are available to lead guests on further hiking adventures.

Another popular pastime during a stay at Island Lake Lodge is angling on one of several great fly-fishing rivers in the Fernie area, including the Elk River, which attracts visitors from around the world.

Island Lake Lodge can customize fishing vacation packages and set up visitors with a professional guide and drift boat for an amazing out-door experience.

Vacation packages can also include white-water rafting, horse-back riding, mountain biking or golf outings in and around the town of Fernie.

The scenic lodges at Island Lake have all the amenities needed, including ensuite bathrooms, out-door hot tubs and a resort spa.

Island Lake Lodge is known for its culinary excellence, with renowned chefs preparing meals that inspired the creation of an Island Lake Lodge cookbook.

Equally famous is the lodge’s 3,000-bottle collection of wines, making for an amazing dining scene.

No wonder Island Lake Lodge is popular as a romantic hideaway. In fact, the lodge hosts many weddings each summers.

For more information about sum-mer vacation packages and accom-modation, visit IslandLakeLodge.com or phone 1-888-422-8754.

Visit Island Lake Lodge

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— Canoeing at Island Lake Lodge.

— Summer camp at Panorama Mountain Village. Jennifer Dykstra photo.

PAGE 12 Saturday, June 8, 2013 DISCOVER B.C./KOOTENAY ROCKIES CALGARY HERALD

KootenayRockies.mobi

Panorama Mountain Village

Panorama Mountain Village’s popu-lar PanoKids programs have been updated new options for summer 2013.

Kids camps of half- or full-day dura-tion include activities such as swim-ming pool games, EuroBungy, bounce castles, climbing walls, arts and crafts, mini golf, lunch and more — all under the guidance of trained camp counsel-lors.

Speciality three-day camps are now being offered for downhill mountain biking, tennis, sports, or arts and drama.

Panorama also offers Wee Wascals child care for the little ones, while mom and dad enjoy other resort amenities.

PanoramaResort.com

Island Lake Lodge

Hiking is definitely a highlight of a stay at Island Lake Lodge, a famed winter cat skiing operation that becomes a summer paradise in the backcountry near Fernie.

Among the many well-maintained trails is Heiko’s, which winds through the valley to end at Island Lake.

Another adventure that can be enjoyed during a vacation to Island Lake is fly fishing, with Island Lake being a destination for fly-fishing enthusiasts from around the world, along with the Elk River that runs through Fernie.

Island Lake Lodge has also be-come known for its fine dining and selection of wines, and this year has dedicated itself to offering more lo-cal and organic products.

IslandLakeCatskiing.com

BC14 BC15

Salmo-Creston Skyway

A celebration of a different sort takes place Oct. 13 to mark 50 years since the official opening of the Salmo-Creston Skyway.

Details are still being decided, but it is expected to include exhibits and activities at the lofty mountain pass that, when it opened, became a significant link between the East and West Kootenays.

Organizations involved are likely to include the Creston Museum, Creston Valley Cruisers Car Club, the local RCMP and Ministry of Transportation.

CrestonMuseum.bc.ca

Yasodhara Ashram Yoga Retreat & Study Centre

The Yasodhara Ashram Yoga Retreat & Study Centre in Kootenay Bay is celebrating 50 years in 2013 with a numbers of special courses, programs,and events, including Anniversary Signature Courses.

Each course combines Swami Radha’s most powerful workshops into a five-day experience, including Power Pack, Calling to the Divine, Who am I?, Key to the Uncon-scious and Body as a Temple.

A 50th anniversary gala and devotional puja is also being planned, so visit the website for more information.

Yasodhara.org

Ktunaxa Legends Night

A unique experience this summer is Ktunaxa Legends Night, taking place at St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino.

The event begins with a tour of the century-old mis-sion school buildings by a former student, including the classrooms, sleeping areas and offices. Along the way, visitors can view photos of students at the school through the years.

Later, guests gather in a teepee for a traditional dinner and storytelling by a Ktunaxa elder about the legends of their nation and Kinnickinuck tea.

Guests can stay in the resort’s luxury hotel rooms or ex-perience a more rustic night in teepee accommodations.

The Ktunaxa Interpretive Centre is also available for visi-tors to learn more about the local culture.

StEugene.ca — Ktunaxa Legends Night at St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino tours the former mission.

— Wildflowers at Kootenay Pass. Chris Andrews photo.

PAGE 14 Saturday, June 8, 2013 DISCOVER B.C./KOOTENAY ROCKIES CALGARY HERALD


Just one hour south of Banff via Kootenay National Park is the place where those in the know seek sanc-

tuary. Tucked under Mount Nelson sits the stunning community of Invermere on the Lake surrounded by some of the best natural beauty in the west.

A typical summer afternoon in this quaint town could range from partici-pating in an art workshop to 18 holes on one of the many world-class golf courses. Water-lovers can rent canoes, kayaks or paddleboats, or catch a guid-ed trip down the Columbia River. From horseback riding to white-water rafting at Panorama to soaking soar muscles in Radium Hot Springs, there truly is some-thing for everyone.

“It’s really a special place for families and people just looking to get away from it all and relax,” says Invermere on the Lake spokesman Ken Wilder. “With so many activities, there’s enough to keep everyone busy.”

This summer in Invermere will fea-ture world-class events such as the 2013 Branch Out Cycling Event from Panorama to Invermere Lake and the Grizzly Ultra Marathon Event at Panorama Mountain Village. The Summerlude Festival features a vari-ety of events including farmers’ mar-kets on Saturdays, as well the Lake Windermere Regatta and Bull Riding in the Rockies.

There are many excellent visi-tor accommodations at Panorama Mountain Village, which offers family, golfing and mountain bike packages. On the lake, Lake Windermere Point offers stunning lake views. Or rent a condo or cabin with High Country Properties, or grab a room at one of the many vacation properties within reach. Great options include the new Copper Point Resort at the edge of town or the Best Western right on Main Street.

From pubs and cafés to fine dining, the culinary scene in Invermere and up at the mountain is also notewor-thy. Check out Strands or live music at Angus McToogals, or maybe the Cafe at the top of the Mile One Quad Chairlift at Panorama.

For more information on Invermere on the Lake or Panorama Mountain Village, go to InvermerePanorama.com.

Stay and play this summer at Panorama,

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BC16 BC17

If you’re looking for a place to com-mune with nature this summer, consider the town of Golden, B.C. Just over two

hours' drive northwest of Calgary, at the confluence of the historic Kicking Horse and Columbia Rivers, this tiny town of 4,000 people offers a surprising repertoire of activities to suit every traveller.

Once known for its railway and lumber production (CP Rail and Louisiana Pacific Lumber continue to be two of the region’s top employers), Golden evolved into a tour-ist destination in the early 19th century when Swiss guides were brought in to help investigate and survey the land for railway development. They brought their families over and were housed in a place called the Swiss Village, which still exists today.

“Golden is a town with a real history and sense of community,” says Joanne Sweeting, marketing manager with Tourism Golden. “It is a place that cares about itself and its people.”

Golden offers myriad adrenaline-laced activities. You can mountain climb; three of the top 50 climbs in North America are close at hand. Consider white-water rafting down the Kicking Horse River. Try lift-accessed downhill mountain biking at Kicking Horse Bike Park, or cross-country biking on the

more than 65 kilometres of Moonraker Trails. World records for speed and distance have been set from Mount 7, a well-known launch pad for paragliding and hang-glid-ing. Don’t want to go solo? Tandem options are available, too.

If you’re interested in a gentler experi-ence, try a scenic float along the upper canyon of the Kicking Horse River, or check out more than 300 species of birds, fish and

wildlife at the Columbia Wetlands, the lon-gest protected wetland in North America, which is located just south of town. The Golden Golf Club is a beautiful and chal-lenging track with no residential develop-ment impeding its natural beauty.

Town accommodations range from hotels and motels to rustic chalets that have private hot tubs and can sleep large numbers.

The Kicking Horse Mountain Resort offers a condo environment popular with winter skiers. It also houses the Grizzly Bear Refuge. Make sure you find time to visit Boo there.

At the top of the resort is the 360-degree-view Eagle’s Eye Restaurant, one of the highest eateries in Canada at 2,347 metres (7,700 feet) above sea level.

For day-to-day dining, there are casual pubs and small bistros in the community offering organic and mountain fare.

This summer, at Golden’s farmers’ markets, purchase healthy fruits and veg-etables, or the creative wares of local arti-sans, as well as enjoy the eclectic music of community bands. Starting in June, the Summer Kicks program hosts a series of free concerts at the downtown’s Spirit Square, which is adjacent to the Kicking Horse Pedestrian Bridge, the longest free-standing timber frame bridge in Canada.

Nature-lovers couldn’t be in a better place. Golden is less than a 40-minute drive from Yoho and Glacier national parks, and natural attractions such as Emerald Lake, Takakkaw Falls and Lake O’Hara.

“Plan for more than one weekend,” suggests Sweeting. “There is so much to do in Golden.”

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BC19

Kootenay Trout Hatchery

The Kootenay Trout Hatchery wants to involve more women in the sport of fly fishing with a new event called Women on the Fly to be held at the Bull River Guest Ranch.

Women on the Fly is a fun introduction to fly fishing, combined with gourmet food, wine, yoga, spa treat-ments and other activities.

For more information on this event or other fishing-related programs promoted by the Freshwater Fisheries Society of B.C., phone 250-429-3214 or email [email protected]

Kimberley Riverside Campground

For a fun round of golf for the whole family, check out the 18-hole putting course that opened late last season at the Kimberley Riverside Campground.

Much more than mini golf, the putting course is land-scaped to look like a real golf course, only in miniature form.

It has water features, including three ponds and two waterfalls, connected by a flowing stream, and actual white sand traps.

A Caddy Shack has been added where visitors can pay their green fees and receive putters and balls, along with offering a concession stand for snacks and other goodies.

KimberleyCampground.com

CALGARY HERALD DISCOVER B.C./KOOTENAY ROCKIES Saturday, June 8, 2013 PAGE 19


— Kimberley Riverside Campground features a new 18-hole putting course.

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KootenayRockies.comCanada

Kootenay Rockies

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British Columbia’s Mountain Playgroundn KootenayR

ockies.com

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tions

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ArtisansCulture

EducationFestivalsHeritageMusic

The Kootenay Rockies family of brochures provides info on all the activities available in British Columbia’s Mountain Playground.

Pick up free copies at any British Columbia Visitor Centre or call 1-800-661-6603





The Kootenay Rockies family of brochures provides info on allthe activities available in British Columbia’s Mountain Playground.


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Calgarians flock to Fernie in the winter to enjoy the powder skiing at Fernie Alpine Resort. But did

you know there is a wonderful array of activities to enjoy in Fernie during the summer months?

“There’s so much more to summer in Fernie than a lot of people real-ize,” says Corien Sieders with Tourism Fernie.

Sieders says a highlight for many people is the fabulous fly fishing on the Elk River, which has been named among the top 10 for fly fishing in North America.

There are a number of local outfit-ters that can provide all the equipment and guidance needed for a great day of fishing, says Sieders.

Other popular pastimes for visi-tors are mountain biking, including lift-serviced riding at Fernie Alpine Resort, along with a new aerial park opened last summer, hiking, golf, raft-ing, canoeing and kayaking and much more.

Many travellers just pass through Fernie on the highway and only see the box stores and fast-food restaurants, so they are surprised to learn about Fernie’s historic downtown core on 2nd Avenue, Sieders says.

Visitors who venture off the highway will be pleasantly surprised to discover many interesting and eclectic shops, services and restaurants.

Two examples include the Clawhammer Letter Press and Gallery, where visitors can watch prints made with a 1916 platen press; and the Beanpod, one of the few chocolate makers in the world where products are still made directly from cacao beans, including a line of Fernie choco-late bars.

Sieders says the Fernie Museum downtown offers walking tours of his-torical Fernie, and has a mining history walk right out front.

Included is a unique sculpture that requires a person to stand in a certain spot, which lines up portions of the sculpture to reveal the face of a miner.

Summertime in Fernie also brings with it many special events, includ-ing Mudd, Sweat & Tears July 6 to 7, a 10-kilometre obstacle course run in thick mud; and the Wapiti Music Festival, Aug. 9 to 10, which focuses on the Canadian indie music scene.

For more information on Fernie, stop by the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Information Centre under the derrick at the east entrance to the town, or go to TourismFernie.com.

Fernie – so much more in the off season

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BC20 BC21


Vancouver’s Food Trucks recently garnered the city a top-three ranking for street

food in North America by Travel + Escape online

magazine, beating both Toronto and New York. More than

100 vendors now dot Vancouver streets, offering everything from hot dogs and ice cream to more sophisticated fare such as El Salvadorian, Greek, Vietnamese, Indian, Thai, Caribbean and French foods.

You’re never far from a farmer’s market in B.C. dur-ing the summer Many markets have their own theme, including the All Organic Farmers Market in Salmon Arm held Wednesdays.

The market has organic foods ranging from produce to

meats, dairy, grains and baked goods.

Wine tourism has become huge in British Columbia, so it’s not

hard to find a tour with a twist. That’s certainly

what you get from Wine Country Helicopter Ad-

ventures, a company offering a variety of helicopter sightseeing flights that just happen to end at a local winery for a tour, tasting and sometimes dinner.

The west coast of B.C. is famous for its many great seafood restaurants. One that is perennially ranked as one of the top restau-rants in Canada is the Bluewater Cafe + Raw Bar. A standout at the restaurant is the dazzling selection of almost two dozen variet-ies of raw oysters from B.C., Washington state and the East Coast of Canada.

Family-run companies making fresh foods abound in B.C., from the Harris family’s Koo-tenay Alpine Cheese Company in Creston to Gwinner’s Country Butcher in Kimberley. One of the most unique B.C.-made products are the artisan salts from Vancouver Island Salt Co. Preservative-free and infused with flavours such as roasted garlic, blue cheese and maple smoke, the salts are the creation of chef and owner Andrew Shepherd.

Culinary

Experiences

Calgarians love to vacation in beautiful British Columbia, and often an enjoy-able trip is a catalyst to look into buying real estate in the province, either for recreational use, investment or future retirement.

So what’s the market like for real estate right now in B.C.?

In the Kootenay region — which in-cludes popular communities such as Fernie, Invermere, Kimberley and Nelson — the market remains slow, according to the Kootenay Real Estate Board (KREB).

Sales in March 2013 were 27 per cent lower than the same period last year, with an average selling price of $264,344.

“Home sales in March 2013 remained at the kinds of subdued levels we saw in February,” says board president Kather-ine Rutherford.

“The average selling price has re-mained above last year’s levels so far in 2013, although year-over-year growth moderated to just one per cent in March.”

According to KREB, there were 26.2 months of inventory at the end of March, up from 19.3 months at the end of March 2012 and well above the long-run average for this time of the year.

In the Okanagan and Shuswap, the real estate markets have shown signs of picking up steam going into summer, re-ports the Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board (OMREB), which covers the interior from Peachland in the south to the Shu-wswap and Revelstoke in the north.

“Following fairly flat first quarter results provincewide, during April the Okanagan Shuswap market saw a bounce up in sales and consumer de-mand compared to this time last year,” says OMREB president Karen Singbeil.

“Now is a good time to buy,” points out Singbeil. “There is still a good selec-tion of properties and great opportuni-ties to get into a home at an attractive price — especially while interest rates remain at historic lows.”

In the greater Vancouver area, several communities that appeal to vacation

property buyers have reached what is being called a more balanced market, although sales remain slow and prices are down from a year ago.

According to statistics from the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV), in Whistler, the benchmark price of a chalet home in April 2013 was $434,000, down 1.6 per cent from March and 14.2 per cent from April 2012.

On the Sunshine Coast, benchmark prices climbed 0.9 per cent from a month earlier, but remain 10.4 lower than a year ago.

Overall, the Vancouver-area market has seen a steadying of prices this spring as supply meets demand.

“While the number of home sales remains below average, properties that are priced right are selling, and we’re seeing greater balance between buyer demand and the number of homes listed for sale,” says REBGV president Sandra Wyant.

“This is having a steadying influence on home prices in the region.”

B.C. still a buyers’ market Great time to invest as prices and interest rates remain low

When it comes to Canadian wine destinations, B.C. is top of mind. After all, the southern part of the province — the Okanagan Valley in particular -— has some of the best wine-growing conditions in the world.

Although it’s at the most northerly latitude deemed possible for wine and the season is short, the days are long and the sunlight is intense.

In the Okanagan, the combination of hot, dry summers (hotter, on average, than Napa Valley) and cold, snowy winters create a growing climate like none other.

Beyond the Okanagan, B.C. serves up superb wineries province-wide.

On Vancouver Island and in the Fraser Valley, a milder, wetter climate and longer season are well-suited to cool climate vari-etals (like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay) and generate unique flavours for these areas.

As unique as the wines are, even the most-seasoned wine enthusiast will admit visiting a winery or vineyard can be as dry as the vino itself. A typical winery experience includes a lecture about the varietal of grapes the vineyard grows, fol-lowed by a tour of the wine-making facili-ties and machinery. It finishes up with a tasting.

Today, some of B.C.’s best wineries and vineyards are finally giving visitors some-thing to raise their glass about. They’re not only serving up a tasty glass or two, but an

unforgettable experience that is as unique as the land its grown upon.

“Wineries are opening their doors for more than just a tasting,” says Janice Greenwood-Fraser, manager of travel media relations for Destination British Columbia.

“They can include overnights showcasing everything from quaint stops to luxurious stays.”

For the ultimate wine destination, check out these sure-to-please places:

Nk’Mip Cellars

In Osoyoos, wine enthusiasts should visit the Nk’Mip (pronounced ‘in-ka-meep’) Cellars, the first Aboriginal-owned-and-operated winery in North America. The wine tour not only includes samples of the award-winning wine, but visitors will learn

about the Osoyoos Indian Band and all of its successes.

But don’t just make a day of it. Make a weekend getaway of the experience. The winery is located within the NK’MIP Resort, a four-season experiential tourism resort destination featuring premium accommo-dation and visitor experiences, including its award-winning winery, gourmet dining, desert golf, a cultural centre and a full-service spa.

Elephant Island

For an unconventional wine tour and tasting, Elephant Island in B.C.’s Naramata Bench, specializes in fruit wines rather than grapes.

Unlike the snooty stereotype often associ-ated with wineries/vineyards, Elephant Is-land welcomes — gasp — kids. In fact, the winery is equipped with a kids’ centre that’s well-stocked with toy cars, paper airplanes, stuffed animals and tea sets.

Want to stay the night? No problem. Here, you can rent your very own tree house. May through September, overnight guests can sip the sparkling apple Pink El-ephant or the almond-and-chocolate Cherry Wine in this tree-top space perched above the winery’s tasting room. The spectacular lakeside views is as refreshing as the wine itself.

Province’s wineries serve up more than just tastings to its visitors

Toast of the town — Nk’Mip Cellars. Calgary Herald Archive

— Nk’Mip Cellars. Calgary Herald Archive

Whether it be Ziplining down Chase Creek Canyon,laying on the beach at Memorial Park, golfing at

Sunshore Golf Course or wandering through ourquaint downtown, there is much to do in Chase!And to cool off you can visit the ice arena, haveice-cream at the sweet shop downtown, orspend some time on the lake and catch a bigfish. Hike the trails of Scatchard Mountain, say“Hi” to wildlife – eagles, deer and big horn sheep.Explore our history by strolling through the

cemetery, take a tour with the Town’s Historian, orvisit our newly renovated museum.

Come to Chase and do it all! And if you likeit so much, you don’t have to leave! Who wants toleave paradise? That’s why we live here!

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By Rachel Naud


BC22 BC23


Once known as a trading post and ranching hub, today, Vernon, B.C. has morphed into a year-round

destination for families and sports fans, spa and food lovers, and connoisseurs of the “good life,” says Michelle Jefferson, manager of Tourism Services for the city.

A small, vibrant city less than a day’s drive from Calgary, Vernon is a natural stop on any westward journey. You can rest easy knowing that if you plan to stay a while, there are accommodations for every-size budget, including wilderness camping and RV parks, modest roadside motels, quaint bed and breakfasts, full-service hotels and luxurious resorts. Just call ahead. Reservations will ensure you don’t miss out on a good night’s sleep.

Once you’ve decided to stay a while, it’ll be easy to fill your days playing in Vernon.

Test your swing golfing Predator Ridge or The Rise, two world-class courses just minutes from downtown. While away the hours fishing for salmon and trout in lakes and rivers that surround Vernon. Watch predator birds soar overhead while hiking or biking endless lake- and mountainside trails that make communing in nature a quintessential part of a Vernon vacation.

Vernon’s heritage is deeply rooted in agri-culture, and evidence of that is everywhere. Taste (and buy) just pulled-from-the-field fresh produce at three weekly farmers markets or roadside stands lining Vernon’s highways. Visit Davison Orchard Country Village to not only learn where your food comes from, but how to preserve and can it at workshops throughout the season.

“So many people are paying attention to

where their food comes from nowadays, it’s a wonderful skill to resurrect” says Jefferson, noting Davison Orchards is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year by giving away a pie a day for the first 80 days of the season.

The Okanagan is known as wine-coun-try and there are more than grapes to sip in Vernon. Take in the micro-distillery scene at Okanagan Spirits; sampling fruit infused fine whiskeys and spirits. Taste

their blackcurrant liqueur or sample Canada’s only authentic Absinthe and you’ll soon understand why Okanagan Spirits was honoured with World Class Distillery, Distillery of the Year and Spirit of the Year awards at the World Spirits international competition in 2013.

For lighter libations, visit Wildcraft Forest Tea Plantation in nearby Lumby, where artist, writer and organic farmer Don Elzer cultivates a wilderness crop of ingredients to make Wildcraft Forest Tea. Hike the outdoor art-gallery-cum-wilderness-trail, meet the artists, imbibe on tea and reconnect with the land, all at once.

Tired after all this sightseeing? Escape to Sparkling Hill Resort to indulge in one-of-a-kind treatments in the 40,000-square-foot KurSpa and the Ice Lab, for three of the most exhilarating minutes of your life in the coldest place on Earth. Designed to reduce inflammation and increase circula-tion this is the only place in North America to experience a Cryotherapy chamber.

Vernon is the place to be this summer. “Come and hit the reset button on your

life, and have a wonderful getaway,” says Jefferson.

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Downhill bikers can let the lifts do most of the work at mountain bike parks located at several ski resorts

throughout B.C., in-cluding Fernie Alpine

Resort, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, Silver

Star Mountain Resort, Panorama Mountain Village, Sun Peaks Resort, and Mount Washington on Vancouver Island. The biggest is the Whistler Mountain Bike Park, with more than 57 trails stretching 200 kilometres in length, and a vertical rise of up to 5,000 feet. Guided tours from the Peak Chair down the mountain were added last summer.

An effort to turn abandoned rail lines into recreational corridors has resulted in numerous “rails to trails” in B.C., such as the Gallop-ing Goose Trail on Vancouver Island and the Northstar Trail between Cranbrook and Kimberley. The most famous is the Kettle

Valley Railway Trail, in particular the portion

near Kelowna that runs through Myra Canyon through two tunnels and over 18 trestle bridges, many which were rebuilt

several years ago after a devastating wildfire.

There is great single-track mountain biking all over B.C., and local bike shops are a great resource to find out the best local riding during a trip through the province. One of the most famous routes is Rossland’s Seven Summits Trail that runs 36 kilometres along the spine of the Rossland mountain range.

Road cyclists have made several circle tours popular in B.C. over the years, including a clas-sic, The Silver Triangle that links Kaslo, New Denver and Nelson in the West Koote-nays. Traversing over several passes rich with mining history, the route also clings to the edges of Slocan and Kootenay Lakes. In addition to sightseeing, there are numerous attractions along the way, from hot springs to restaurants, B&Bs and other accommodation.

Bicycle

Adventures

When you’re in the Okanagan, do as the locals do and spend some quality time on the water. Nothing compares to the sights, sounds and smells you experience, particu-larly when you’re on a stand-up paddle-board.

Not yet familiar with this popular Okana-gan pastime? Stand-up paddleboarding (often referred to as SUPing) is a fun way to literally get up on the water by simply stand-ing on a paddleboard and paddling.

Stand-up paddleboards look similar to surfboards. In fact, that’s how the sport orig-inated, by surfers in Hawaii as a way to train for their sport when there was no surf.

In the last few years, the sport has really come into its own, particularly in the Okana-gan. It’s unquestionably a fun summer activ-ity, but there’s also a unique culture around this environmentally friendly sport that bodes well with the Okanagan lifestyle.

Stand-up paddleboarders believe in taking care of the waters they paddle in, and caring for the environment they play in. They’re keen to welcome newcomers to the sport, whether they’re trying it for the first time or those who want to paddle competitively.

And that’s just one of the great things about stand-up paddleboarding; it is what-ever you make it. Paddle on your own, in a group, with your kids or dog — no matter what your age. It’s a sport, leisurely pastime, effective way to work your core, or idyllic way to get out on the water and experience your surroundings.

I say that from experience. I tried stand-up paddleboarding in March 2011. It was in the pool, under the guidance of Kevin O’Brien and Michelle Mitchell, owners of the Kalavida Surf Shop in Vernon. I’d decided one cloudy, “I’m tired-of-winter” afternoon in February that I wanted to participate in

the 2nd Annual Kalamalka Classic. This fun, two-day event includes short-course and sprint races on the Saturday, followed by an 18-kilometre length-of-the-lake paddle on Sunday.

Within minutes of paddling in the pool, I was hooked. I began paddling on the lake in April (I even paddled one afternoon in the snow), and took part in the Kalamalka Clas-sic in June. I surprised myself with a second-place overall finish. It was good for my spirit, but, more importantly, it gave me a better appreciation of the lake and the beautiful area we live in — something we too often take for granted.

It’s exactly the culture that O‘Brien and Mitchell have been trying to create since opening their shop in 2010. Since then, they’ve built a community around stand-up paddleboarding.

“Vernon is a natural hub for paddle-boarding with all the rivers and lakes,” says O’Brien.

Their shop, the first one in Canada

dedicated to stand-up paddleboarding, has attracted all kinds of people — locals and tourists —who are keen to try the sport.

“People see it, ask, “what’s that?” They then realize, “wow! I can do this.”

He adds the sport has attracted many women because they can manoeuvre a board on their own.

“It’s about independence and free-dom, and it’s not as hard as it looks,” says O’Brien.

In fact, stand-up paddleboarding is easy to master, which is one reason you’ll see SUPers nearly anywhere you go in the Okanagan. You’ll find a variety of rentals, while some shops, such as Kalavida Surf Shop and Sun n’ Sup in Naramata, sell boards, paddles and all the various accessories, not to mention fun summer gear such as hats, flip flops, board shorts and more.

Eileen Meehan, who owns Sun n’ Sup with her husband Peter Gibbenhuck, opened up their shop in Naramata in 2011. Together, they’ve created the same paddleboard cul-ture in the south Okanagan.

“Stand-up paddleboarding definitely has its own culture and following,” says Mee-han. “Once you try it you love it, And those who haven’t are definitely intrigued by it.”

But perhaps one of the best things is it has attracted a variety of people, he adds.

“It has brought in a lot of people who aren’t sports-oriented, particularly women,” says Meehan. “And age doesn’t matter; we’ve had 17- and 18-year-olds, and we’ve had women in their 70s. They’re all looking to try something different.

“When we ask ourselves why we live here, it’s because we want to be on the water. And that’s exactly what most of us do — as often as we can, and always on stand-up paddleboards.”

What’s SUP in the Okanagan?

Go in search of B.C.’s hidden treasures

Explore the Okanagan on a stand up paddleboard

Escape tradition with these things to do that veer off the beaten path

Both Kalavida Surf Shop and Sun n’ Sup offer lessons, clinics and various events throughout the summer. This year, Kalavida will host the 4th An-nual Kalamalka Classic Stand Up Paddle Festival (Canada’s largest stand up paddleboard festival) Aug 30 to Sept 1, 2013. Visit www.kalamal-kaclassic.com for more information. In addition, Sun n’ Sup hosts the Nara-mata Paddle Regatta in September. This is a fun event with some competitive races but with a greater focus on fun. Contact Sun n’ Sup at [email protected] or call 778-514-5594.

British Columbia is famous for its traditional vacation activities, such as golfing, wine tours, hiking, fishing and sightseeing. But the province also has some more unusual things to enjoy on a visit, some downright quirky.

Here’s a look at some out-of-the-ordinary activities to enjoy in B.C. this summer:

Have lunch inside an old beehive burner at the Burner Restaurant & Lounge in

Malakkwa, near Sicamous. The old-style 21-metre-tall sawmill waste burner is one of the few remaining in B.C. It was salvaged from the former Beaumont Mill and reborn as a restaurant and tribute to the province’s forest industry.

There are several historic railways in B.C. that offer train robbery reenactments for passengers, but how about a pirate adventure on a 50-foot ship in the Victoria harbour?

Pirate Adventures leaves from Fisherman’s Wharf for a 75-minute trip that includes the

discovery of a secret map, the ensuing search for treasure, a sea battle with a pirate and captured foes walking the plank. Arrr, all aboard.

Visitors can hike or bike across the tallest wooden railway trestle in Canada near Shawnigan Lake. The recently restored Kinsol Trestle spans 187 metres across a spectacular canyon 44 metres above the Koksilah River.

Built in 1920, the trestle is one of the largest wooden trestles in the world, and,

with its reopening, completes a 200-ki-lometre stretch of the TransCanada Trail in Southern Vancouver Island.

You can walk in the footprints of dinosaurs laid down in mud

100 million years ago near Tumbler Ridge.

The Dinosaur Trackway Tours are offered through the Tumber Ridge Museum Foundation, and include tours at dusk using lanterns, making for an eerie adventure that lets the imagination run wild back to when dinosaurs ruled the world.

Mt. Robson Provincial Park is one of the most scenic areas in B.C., with glaciers spilling down Mt. Robson and breaking off into giant chunks of ice in Berg Lake. While the challeng-ing hike is only for the very fit, there is an option for families with young children or people with disabilities. Robson HeliMagic offers heli-drops to Berg Lake, allowing more people to see the majestic sights of the park.

Imagine driving to the top of a mountain to view wild flowers that don’t bloom until late July or early August because of the lofty elevation. Visitors to Revelstoke National Park can drive their vehicles and then take a shuttle bus up the 26-kilometre Meadows in the Sky Park-way that climbs 1,600 metres to the summit of Mount Revelstoke. A trail through the meadow of flowers runs past the Icebox, a narrow, shaded cleft in the mountainside that preserves winter snow through the summer.

B.C. is home to many ghost towns, as various resource industries boomed and bust over the years. One of the most interesting is the old silver mining community of Sandon, off the

highway between Kalso and New Denver in the West Kootenays. Once a rollicking city of 5,000 with 28 bars and numerous “houses of ill repute,” it suffered devastating floods and fires before going into a final decline. Many relics and several large buildings remain, including one that serves as a local museum. A few dozen people also still inhabit homes amid the ruins of the community.

— Mount Revelstoke National Park. Tourism B.C./David Gluns

— Kalamalka Classic. Photo courtesy Kalavida Surf Shop Vernon, B.C.

By Maureen McEwan


BC24

Vacation Bucket List?What’s onYOUR

DonWeixl

Predator RidgeSteve Austin

Raven AviationSparkling Hill Resort

� Playing golf where cliffside tee shots are only halfthe adventure?

� A romantic escape to a luxurious crystal palace?

� Indulging in creature comforts, savouring the moments?

� Putting some “life” back into your work-life balance?

� Taking a long-awaited family time-out?

1-800-655-0795tourismvernon.com

Then have we got a bucket full of ideas for you!Make the right (or left!) turn at Vernon and discover legendarygolf at Predator Ridge and restorative, one-of-a-kind Kurspatreatments at Sparkling Hill Resort, two of the OkanaganBucket List signature experiences found right in our backyard.

For even more inspiring ways to relax and recharge, visitwww.tourismvernon.com to start checking things off yourvacation bucket list today!

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