Discover why spring is a magical time to visit the welcoming Thompson Okanagan region
Spring is a magical time in the Thompson Okanagan. As the days get longer and the sun shines brighter, a sense of renewal descends on this inviting region located in the southern interior of British Columbia.
From its mountain scenery and stunning lakes to its welcoming communities of Kamloops, Vernon, Kelowna, Penticton and Osoyoos, there is no shortage of things for LGBTQ2S+ travellers to enjoy in this inclusive corner of the province.
Whether you’re a nature-filled adventure seeker or a lover of urban delights, here is how to experience the best the Thompson Okanagan has to offer this spring.
Adventure awaits outside
Spring can be a mix of moderate days with a sprinkling of rain and sunshine in the Thompson Okanagan—with its higher elevations still enjoying the last remnants of winter snow. This means it might still be possible to enjoy a little end-of-season snowboarding or skiing even in spring.
A short drive from Penticton, Nickel Plate Nordic Centre offers opportunities for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, while faster thrills await on the downhill ski runs at Apex Mountain Resort, where you can also try tubing. Another option is SilverStar Mountain Resort near Vernon, which may still have some of snow on its runs, or Sun Peaks Resort northeast of Kamloops. For more mountain fun, try Baldy Resort, near Osoyoos, offering winter disc golf, tubing and snowshoeing, along with downhill runs.
When it comes to the temperature, spring days in the region usually stay in the lower double digits—perfectly comfortable for outdoor activities such as hiking or biking. While in Vernon, spend time biking in Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park, which features diverse terrains and more than 70 kilometres of trails, or hike to BX Falls and watch the spring runoff. Kelowna’s Hardy Falls Regional Park is another spot where you can hike to a waterfall where its flow has been made even more dramatic by the melting snow. Or Experience some of Kelowna’s 300 kilometres of bike lanes in town, or make the short drive to Myra Canyon, where you can pedal across the 18 trestles, a former train bridge across a picturesque canyon. Bike rentals are available onsite starting in May in the parking lot.
Osoyoos, which is the southernmost destination in the Thompson Okanagan, boasts a desert, with temperatures already hoovering around 20 degrees in April. Plan your visit so you can experience the blossoming of the peach, nectarine, apricot and other fruit trees in this agricultural area, which usually begins around late March. Or, for a more active experience during your stay, you can head kayaking, paddleboarding or boating on Osoyoos Lake. which is considered one of the warmest in Canada.
Find your festival vibe
There are several amazing festivals and events that take place through the spring meant to appeal to everyone from movie fans to wine-loving runners. The fun gets started just as the season is about to switch from winter with the Kamloops Film festival, which sees a mix of classic movies, new releases, award-winning films and foreign cinema screened, from March 5 to 14.
In Vernon, the community celebrates the Seismic Spring Mountain Festival, with 10 days of sport, music, art and mountain fun starting at the end of March at SilverStar Mountain Resort. You can also dress up as your favourite pop culture character for Vernon Comic Con on May 2. The community hosts it’s A Taste of Downtown Food Show on March 14 featuring more than 50 food establishments serving local and international flavours to appeal to all types of foodies.
During the second half of March, Kelowna holds an annual Fringe Festival—with a week’s worth of stage performances—its own comic con, the Kelowna Fan Experience, in mid-April and the Kelowna Beer Festival in May (dates have yet to be announced).
Spring in Penticton starts with the Ignite the Arts Festival from March 27 to 29, with three days of non-stop music, performance, art and workshops across the community, followed by the glass-raising Okanagan Fest of Ale on April 10 and 11, and the Meadowlark Nature Festival that celebrates the spectacular environment of the Okanagan Similkameen—from desert to alpine meadows—from May 14 to 18.
And, in Osoyoos, there are several food-themed events throughout the spring, starting with the Osoyoos Oyster Festival on April 17-18, the Pig Out Festival with local and guest chefs and B.C.’s top butchers from May 1 to 3, and the highly-anticipated Half Corked Marathon—where participants dress up in costumes and run between winery stations dotting the route—from May 28 to 31.
Along with all these events, keep your eyes open for several popular local LGBTQ2S+ activities taking place, like the Rebellious Unicorns hosted Ella’s Naughty Bingo nights which are held throughout the region.
Explore the communities
Equally as welcoming as the great outdoors, the communities that make up the Thompson Okanagan region are a haven of inclusivity, with LGBTQ2S+ and queer-adjacent businesses waiting for you to walk through their doors during a spiring stay.
While in Kamloops, pull up a stool at Bright Eye Brewing, where you can enjoy a craft beer and maybe even catch a drag brunch. For food, try the seasonal offerings at Red Beard Café (it has a dog-friendly patio) or head over to The Noble Pig and try what many argue are the best fried pickles in town – crispy, tangy and perfectly paired with a house brew. And be sure to check The Effie Arts Collective website to see what events it is hosting while you are in Kamloops. It regularly hosts drag shows, comedy nights and other performances.
In Vernon, start your visit at the K’nmaĺka Sәnqâĺten (Kalamalka Indigenous Garden) to learn about the Indigenous heritage of the Syilx Nation before checking out the Vernon Farmers’ Market to meet local farmers and artisans. In the evening, head to inclusive Silverstar Brewing Company, which hosts drag nights, or the community focused Cambium Cider Co., where you can also bite into a wood-fired pizza or other items off its farm-to-table menu.
Begin your exploration of Kelowna by visiting the Okanagan Heritage Museum to learn about the area’s history, followed by the Rainbow Registered Kelowna Art Gallery to admire works by local and provincial artists. April is wine month in B.C., and Kelowna Is home to almost 40 wineries waiting for you to drop in for a tasting. And, if you are in town on a Wednesday or Saturday, be sure to wander the aisles at the Kelowna Farmers Market and explore the diverse offerings from its nearly 200 vendors. Before you leave, spend a night dancing or taking in a show at Unicorn Lounge, Kelowna’s vibrant 2SLGBTQ+ lounge.
Spring is perfect time to experience Penticton and Osoyoos. Located in the heart of Okanagan’s wine country, together they are home to more than 80 wineries that you can explore on your own or on a guided tour. Better yet, visit the District Wine Village between Penticton and Osoyoos, which features nine area wineries, a distillery and a micro-brewery, plus a restaurant, coffee shop, bookstore, and bake house.
This region of the Thompson Okanagan is also an agricultural hub, something you will discover while visiting some of the various farmers’ markets, like the Penticton Farmers Market that starts operating for the year in April. This also means there are several farm-to-table restaurants in both communities, such as Orolo Restaurant and Cocktail Bar, Kin & Folk and Stillfood Bistro in Penticton, or 15 Park Bistro and Indigenous-inspired The Bear, The Fish, The Root & The Berry in Osoyoos.
While in Osoyoos, be sure to also visit the Nk’mip Desert Cultural Centre. The state-of-the-art interpretive centre is built partly into the hillside and includes several exhibit spaces as well as a trail system where you will learn more about the desert environment and the culture of the local indigenous peoples.
To learn more about what is waiting for LGBTQ2S+ travellers to discover in the Thompson Okanagan region this spring, visit travellingout.ca.
