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Westbank is part of the District of West Kelowna in British Columbia, Canada. Located near the shores of the exhilarating Okanagan Lake, Westbank offers its visitors an unforgettable experience. Aside from the magnificent view, it welcomes tourists with its lush orchards and vineyards, lovely beaches, biking trails and hiking paths and even wonderful venues for winter activities.
Make sure to drop by the Gellatly Heritage Park for some local history lessons. It was a residence to the Gellatly Family, then was turned into a park including a restored barn, log home and other buildings. It also includes a picnic area. Then, visit the Gellatly Nut Farm. It is a nut orchard park with an information center that offers a relaxing walk through a series of trails while admiring the picture perfect views. The trails usher the visitors to the shores of Okanagan Lake. These two locations are popular for weddings and other special events. Its lawns, orchards and gardens are perfect for such occasions.
Feel free to take a look at Westbank’s main recreational facility, the Johnson Bentley Memorial Aquatic Centre. It offers a swimming pool, a steam room, an exercise area and a gym. It also has a skateboard park. Another recreation and fitness center you can visit is the Sensisyusten Community Center. It provides soccer fields, a gymnasium and a weight room.
Another activity you might enjoy in Westbank is playing golf. They have two outstanding golf courses: Shannon Lake Golf Course and Vintage Hills Golf Course. Both provide panoramic views for beginners and veterans alike. Or maybe this is the best time, and place, to try out horseback riding. There are tours available that you can choose from. With guides and well-trained horses, this activity is suitable for all ages.
One of the main attractions just outside the main downtown Westbank area is a park surrounding the very old and dormant volcano Mt. Boucherie. It is said to be a 60 million year old volcano that once stood as high as 2000 meters or above. Today, its height has been reduced to almost 400 meters due to years of glacial drift and high winds. One of the highlights of this volcano is the display of different colors created by rhyolite, dacite and andesite rocks. There are also five volcanic rock formations that attract rock climbers to Mount Boucherie Regional Park. You might also find its summit trails fascinating as they lead to some interesting viewpoints overlooking the stunning Okanagan Lake and Kelowna. The hiking trails are well marked and can be easily spotted.
Another park in the greater area of West Kelowna, worth visiting, is Fintry Provincial Park. Prepare to be astonished by deep canyons, wetlands, diverse wildlife and even historical buildings. The park includes a sandy beach, which is perfect for swimming, fishing, kayaking and canoeing. Following the Shorts Creek Canyon Trail - that would mean stair climbing, walking through cottonwood tree forests and wandering through deep canyons – will lead you to cascading waterfalls, a splendid sight you should witness. The park is also home to the California Bighorn Sheep. The Fintry Protected Area has been its habitat for the longest time. Historically significant artifacts can be found in the well-preserved Manor House, a ferry wharf and an odd shaped barn. The park also provides venues for camping, picnics and even scuba diving.
Winter is also a great time to explore the area around Westbank. Skiing, snowshoeing, snowboarding, and even winter hiking are activities you can enjoy on Crystal Mountain in the Glenrosa area. Its ski hills offer runs for newbies, enthusiasts and even experts in the sports. The Black Diamond is the most difficult ski run on Crystal Mountain. Crystal Mountain Resort offers lessons for beginners and intermediate skiers. You can even experience the Ice Tower where you can climb up and descend a 30-ft ice wall. An experienced climber will teach you how to use ice picks and ice cleats and train you to get to the top of the wall and back down. After that, he will let you ascend the height on your own. Sounds thrilling, right?
For some wine experience, plan your travel so you can join the celebrations for the annual spring and fall Okanagan Wine Festival. Okanagan is best known for its wineries. It welcomes visitors to sample world-class wines while taking delight in watching the captivating sceneries of lakes and mountains. Enjoy a wine tour by visiting some vineyards in the area such as Kalala Organic Estate Winery and Arbours Vineyard Estate. |
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