Tourism

The Kelowna area has developed into an international destination that attracts tourists year round from all over the globe. As a result, tourism is now a major employment and economic contributor to the Central Okanagan. Okanagan Lake and the abundant and accessible beaches, water recreation and parkland have provided the primary draw for summer vacationers for many years.

In addition, the Kelowna area is truly a golf destination with 14 quality golf courses, and more under construction. Dotting the surrounding countryside are 24 wineries where visitors can sample the renowned wines of the Okanagan Valley throughout the year. In Kelowna’s Cultural District, a wide range of galleries, museums, theatres, fine dining restaurants, and unique shops are worth exploring. The Cultural District continues to evolve with Lake City Casino and numerous festivals and cultural events adding to the vibrancy of the area. During the winter months, skiing, snowboarding and other winter activities are available at nearby Big White Ski Resort and several wilderness lodges.

The warm, dry Okanagan summer sees an average temperature of 27 degrees C (86 degrees F) and continues to support the strongest tourism season. Families return to the Okanagan year after year for summer vacation, enjoying the clean, accessible beaches and virtually every kind of water-related activity. In recent years waterparks, in-line skating, trick bike parks and putting greens have been added, and festivals and events take place throughout the season.

Mild winter temperatures - an average of 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit) - combined with proximity to the Monashee Mountains provide ideal skiing conditions and support a strong winter tourism season. Two world-class resorts - Big White and Silver Star Mountain, which recently merged to provide nearly 6,000 acres of skiing and boarding terrain, both serve the area. Both are less than a one-hour drive from Kelowna.

Tourism Sector

Additional information on the tourism industry can be found at Tourism Kelowna, the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association and in our Economic Profile.