Stop buying gifts that no one wants for the sake of having something to wrap, and give the gift of life experience this year. The Okanagan is so packed full of fun activities there’s definitely something for everyone. Support local businesses and give a unique and adventurous gift this holiday season.
1.
🍺 Brewery tour for the beer lover
Put your feet up and enjoy a few beers and breweries on a guided beer tour in Kelowna. Sage Brush Tours offers a package that visits 3 breweries and includes a flight of beers at each brewery and bus in between for about $100.
You can also create your own walking brewery tour at your own pace and schedule, by checking out the BC Ale trail map and designing your own tour! Just pay for your friend or family’s drinks as you explore the local breweries and it’s the best gift you can give a beer lover. There are also ale trails in Kelowna, Kamloops, Vernon, Shuswap, Fraser Valley, Kootenays, and many other places around B.C. outside the Okanagan.
2.
🐴 Horseback riding for the Hippophile
(hippophile - person who loves horses, I just learned that too)
Delight the horse-lover on your list with a peaceful trail ride at Coldwater ranch. Located in Merritt, you’ll enjoy a horse-back ride through the meadows and forests in the backcountry.
3.
🍲 Foodie tour for the one who lives to eat
Treat the foodie in your life to an afternoon of eating your way through your local foodie tour! Offered in Kelowna, Penticton and Vernon, these tours are good enough to eat.
4.
🌸 Local spa/facial for the self-care lover
The Okanagan has a lot of local businesses that are ready to spoil your loved ones for the day with a facial or spa treatment. Support local while giving the gift of self-care and feel good about making others feel good.
The Dirty Pore in Lavington is not your grandma’s spa! Natural and toxin-free facialist.
5.
🐐 Animal therapy for the animal enthusiast that needs a break
Life is stressful, you know what would help? A little quality time with some horses and farm animals. Arion Therapeutic Farm offers therapeutic farm and equestrian experiences, as well as vegan sanctuary retreats.
6.
🎭 Local shows for the fan of the performing arts
Support the local arts and give the gift of an evening out at the theatre. Check out your local performing arts theatres for more information.
Vernon
Kelowna
Penticton
Kamloops
Armstrong
Salmon Arm
7.
🍷 Winter Wine tour for the wine connoisseur
Qual’sGate - winery tours and Black Out tastings, which is a 45-minute session with a wine educator, that focuses on the smell and taste of 3 wines.
Winterhill at Summerhill - enjoy the bistro, daily wine tasting and cooking classes during the off-season.
Indigenous World Winery - merges modern culture with Indigenous history. Enjoy the wine shop and Red Fox Bistro, their restaurant that combines modern and traditional techniques.
8.
🧟 Zombie Scavenger Hunt for the kid at heart
This 60-minute digital scavenger hunt is a fun activity for a group or adventurous couple who want to spend some time exploring Kelowna.
9.
❄️ Snowshoeing for the nature lover
Telemark Nordic Club, a Nonprofit sports club in West Kelowna rents snowshoes and offers a day pass to use their trails. A day pass and a rental pair of snowshoes are $20, and there are trails that you can bring your dog along.
10.
🛷 Horse-Drawn Sleigh ride/dinner tour for the one that loves winter
A magical Silverstar experience in the pristine wilderness of the mountains. This 45-minute tour takes you by sleigh to a cozy cabin where you can enjoy hot chocolate by the fireplace or a bbq buffet dinner.
11.
🦆 Birding tour for the bird watcher in your life
Vaseux Lake, an hour south of Kelowna, has some of the most diverse numbers in bird species in Canada! Take your bird lover to explore the 205 species (note, best months are April & May, then Sept & Oct.)
