North Okanagan Communities

Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the syilx/Okanagan people, the five welcoming communities of the North Okanagan Valley encourage travellers to slow down and veer off the beaten path. The fertile valley and surrounding forests, lakes and mountains invite a deeper connection with nature, and ask that in return, guests tread lightly and show respect for this nourishing land. Each North Okanagan community offers year-round activities to enjoy at your pace, and balances adventure with opportunities for cultural immersion. Brush up on history at an engaging museum, admire Canadian creations on art-themed walking tours, and celebrate sport, music or the great outdoors at an annual festival that brings friends and family together. These less-touristy cities and towns will also feed your belly as well as your soul, thanks to restaurants and craft producers whose food and drink comes from nearby farms, orchards and vineyards.

The North Okanagan’s commercial and cultural hub is home to a thriving arts community as well as a growing food scene, thanks to farm-to-table restaurants and craft distilleries, cideries and breweries. Vernon also boasts 300 kilometres of single- and double-track trails that entice runners, hikers, and cyclists keen to go the distance in the Trails Capital of BC.

This colourful mid-mountain village is famous for the light Okanagan powder that settles on its downhill ski slopes in winter, but Silver Star welcomes adventurers in all seasons. Mountain bike the epic Beowulf Trail and hike in alpine meadows in summer, or try Nordic skiing, fat biking or snowshoeing on its network of multi-use trails in winter.