Visiting Central & Eastern British Columbia

Central British Columbia is well known for the orchards and vineyards of the Thompson Okanagan region. With spring and summer, over 50 golf courses come alive with scenic backdrops of fertile valleys and majestic mountains. It’s the season to travel the Okanagan Wine Route, discovering your favourite vintners and enjoying the central BC’s scenic outdoors. Head east for the dramatic mountains and valleys of British Columbia’s Kootenay Rockies. Enjoy hiking and outdoor adventures in Glacier National Park of Canada, Kootenay National Park of Canada and Mount Revelstoke National Park of Canada. Time to get out and enjoy British Columbia’s amazing natural resources.

The 2012 North Face Dirty Feet Trail runs kick off with a March race in Kamloops, followed by five additional races in the region through November. Kelowna hosts race number two on June 3rd, with events including a 5K, 10K and Half Marathon. Myra Bellevue Provincial Park is the location for the race, with primarily single-track trails. The course runs along the hills below the Kettle Valley Railway offering spectacular views of the area.

Vernon hosts North Face Dirty Feet Trail Run number 3, on July 15th. The event offers events in the same distances as Kelowna, with the location start in Kalamalka Provincial Park, right outside Vernon’s back door. Ideal for active travelers, plan your visit to the Okanagan Valley. The Dirty Feet trail series returns to Kamloops Kenna Cartwright Park, September 21st.

Wine enthusiasts, this is the season for a getaway to Penticton. The Spring Okanagan Wine Festival is an ideal time to visit Penticton and travel the Okanagan wine route. Laurel Heritage Packinghouse hosts the kick off event May 3rd, where winners of the 2012 Best of Varietal Competition are announced. Through May 13th, wineries surrounding Osoyoos in the south through Penticton and Kelowna and West Kelowna to Vernon in the north, host spring tastings and wine pairing brunches and dinners.

Glacier National Park of Canada is located east of BC’s Thompson Okanagan region. Travel east from Kamloops along Trans Canada Highway 1 through Sicamous and Revelstoke to Columbia Mountains Natural Region. The region is paradise for outdoor activities. Hike and mountain bike the trails of Glacier or Mount Revelstoke National Park, or enjoy paddling the Illecillewaet River or boating on Upper Arrow Lake – it’s the season for outdoor summer fun.

Discover Canada’s Columbia Valley stretching along the Kootenay BC Rockies to the east and the Purcell Mountains to the west. Classic British Columbia towns like Golden to the north and Invermere in the south, fill summer’s calendar with fun events and festivals.

Celebrate the return of migrating birds back to the Columbia Valley at the 16th Annual Wings Over the Rockies, May 7th through the 13th, 2012. Join fellow birders at the festival hub, Pynelogs Cultural Centre, in Invermere. Kicking Horse Mountain Resort in Golden hosts the 2012 Western Open mountain Bike races August 3rd through the 6th. More exciting than ever, events include downhill, dual slalom and cross country races, along with celebrations in the plaza. Mountain bikers, don’t miss the action on the Pioneer Race Course at KHMR.

Central & Eastern British Columbia Hotel Map