Okanagan Valley

Mar 28-31, 2024
AC195 YYZ-YLW, AC192 YLW-YYZ

We always enjoy our time in the Okanagan Valley and decided that Easter weekend should offer both nice weather and should be early enough to avoid serious forest fire risk. For a few years there has been a new Hyatt run resort in the Osoyoos area, but it has been challenging to find availability. When I found two free nights on the Easter weekend we jumped at the chance and built a trip around it.

Mar 29

After our late evening arrival, a night’s rest, and breakfast the next morning, we decided to explore the area just north of Kelowna to Vernon and to loop back on the west side of Lake Okanagan. This took us through some of the most damaged areas of the 2023 McDougall Creek wildfire in West Kelowna, where damage was very evident and rebuilding was still in progress. Back in Kelowna, we checked out of the hotel and headed down through wine country to Osoyoos.

Kalamalka Lake as we head into Vernon

On the edge of Vernon

Clouds reflected on Kalamalka Lake

Old farm buildings in Fintry Park

Shorts Creek Waterfall

Looking down the waterfall from the top of the trail

Looking down at Okanagan Lake from the waterfall top

Some of the damage we saw from the West Kelowna 2023 fire

After checking out of the hotel, stopping on Lake Okanagan near Summerland

Checking out the vineyards

The vineyards outside Burrowing Owl

More of the vineyards and surrounding mountains

Burrowing Owl Winery buildings

Heading down the stairwell to the winery operations

Spirit Ridge Resort reception entrance

Exploring the resort

The Desert Cultural Centre is co-located with the resort

View from our private terrace

At the Spirit Ridge Lodge, we were given a very nice upgrade to a two-bedroom suite with a vineyard view. We took advantage of the extra space to bring in dinner, and enjoyed the view from our terrace and living room.

Mar 30

With a full day in the Osoyoos, after breakfast, we explored the quaint nearby downtown of Osoyoos and then headed into the ski area of the nearby mountain. It was definitely late for ski season, but we did find some snow-packed roads as the elevations on the road climbed. We didn’t ski, but enjoyed some of the scenic views from the snow-capped area and then made our way back down into wine country for a late lunch at Burrowing Owl Winery.

Checking out the Osoyoos Home Hardware, in operation since 1942, serving as a local museum and purveyor of almost everything

Looking back on the winding Crowsnest Highway from the Osoyoos Lookout

Panoramic view of Osoyoos

Finding spring snow as we make our way up Mt. Baldy

The dirt road becomes increasingly snow-packed as we approach the top

Mt. Baldy ski lifts, still operating for the Easter weekend

Looking back down towards Osoyoos Lake in the distance

Making our way down the mountain

Evidence of the desert conditions of the area before we head back into Burrowing Owl for a late lunch

View from Crowsnest Highway heading west towards Vancouver

Spotted Lake, our turnaround point for heading back to the resort

Back at the hotel, we finished the evening with a meal in our suite again and were in bed pretty early.

Mar 31

Unfortunately, we had a fairly lengthy drive back to Kelowna for our midday flight, so didn’t have time for breakfast or much touring on the last day, but did get in a morning sunrise view.

Early sunrise shot from our terrace before heading out

Last sunrise view before the drive to Kelowna

With our rental car back at the airport, we had a bit of time to hang out before our non-stop flight back home to Toronto.