Snowbird's Guide to Wintering in the CANADIAN

Home , Apex Mountain Resort, Kootenays, Osoyoos

Snowbird’s Guide to Wintering in

THE CANADIAN ALTERNATIVE TO GOING SOUTH

Mild, dry winters, lots of activities for seniors & no need for additional U.S. health insurance - just a few reasons why snowbirds across Canada are choosing to spend their winters in this desert haven.

1 CONTACT US TABLE OF CONTENTS About Osoyoos...... 3 Destination Osoyoos www.destinationosoyoos.com Regional Map...... 3 8701 Main St. Osoyoos, British Columbia, Things to Do...... 5-7 Canada V0H 1V0 Osoyoos Map...... 8-9 Toll Free: 1-888-OSOYOOS Community Services...... 10-15 Phone: 250.495.5070 ext. 206 Email: [email protected] Health/Wellness...... 10 -11 Fitness/Recreation...... 12-13 Clubs & Organizations...... 13 Government Services...... 15 This guide was produced by Destination Osoyoos. All material is copyright to Destination Osoyoos and may not be used without written permission of Destination Osoyoos. General Services...... 15

Call 1-888-OSOYOOS or visit destinationosoyoos.com/snowbirds for a full listing of monthly winter rates.

2 An annual winter migration Located on the northernmost tip of the Sonoran Desert (the same desert that stretches to Arizona and beyond, has been set in motion! Osoyoos has a mild, dry winter climate, with pleasing temperatures from October through April and a low There’s an easterly flock average annual snowfall of only 5.4 cm (2.1 inches). of visitors heading to Its ideal location on the United States border allows for quick and easy cross border travel for shopping, dining Osoyoos, B.C. and activities. Positioned at the junction of Highways 97 and 3, the Affectionately known as snowbirds, location also allows for easy travel to Vancouver, the hundreds of Canadians from all points Okanagan Valley, the Kootenays and the United States. east of Osoyoos return every year, Although many snowbirds drive to Osoyoos, the two spending October to April at the nearby airports in Penticton and Kelowna offer an charming lakeside town of Osoyoos in alternative for those who would prefer to fly. Getting the southern Interior of BC. to Osoyoos from either airport is made easy with a regular shuttle service from Penticton and Kelowna – the same service you can hop on for a day of shopping Distance to Kilometers Miles in the city. Vancouver, BC 394 245 Calgary, AB 734 456 Edmonton, AB 1,033 642 Seattle, WA 455 283 Spokane, WA 307 191 Kelowna Int’l Airport 124 77 Edmonton 16 Penticton Regional Airport 62 38 Canada/U.S. Border 5 3 Alberta 2 British Columbia 5

1 Calgary Kamloops 1

Vancouver 5 Kelowna 3 Osoyoos 1 3 3 Canada U.S.

Seattle 97 2 Montana 90 Spokane

Washington Idaho

3 There is so much to see and so much to do in Osoyoos. It is truly a unique destination in Canada and, as proud Canadians, we look forward to many more visits in the years to come.” Doreen Megaffin of Boissevain, Manitoba

4 Dining options include deli cafés, bistros, FAST FACTS fine dining establishments, brew pubs and wine bars offering a Osoyoos and area boasts some pretty variety of cuisines including Chinese, Mexican, unique statistics that make the area Portuguese, Greek, distinct from any other: Italian, French, Indian • Population: 4,845 and the increasingly popular local Native • Elevation: 227m (909ft) American Cuisine. • Home to Canada’s only desert environment • Home to Canada’s warmest freshwater lake - Osoyoos Lake • Home to some of the warmest average temperatures in Canada A variety of aqua fitness summertime: 28C (82.4F) classes are offered autumn: 16.4C (61.5F) including gentle water winter: 1.3C (34.3F) aerobics, Aquafit and spring: 17.9C (64.2F) Aqua Zumba. Several hotels offer public •Home to an average of 2,039 access to their indoor swimming pools. hours of sunshine annually, an average annual rainfall of less than 25 cm (9.8 inches) and an average annual snowfall of 5.4 cm Winter events include (2.1 inches) Winter in Wine Country, • Home to North America’s first Osoyoos Concert aboriginal owned and operated Series, Nk’Mip Festival of Trees and the winery - Nk’Mip Cellars Christmas Lite-Up. Cheer on the Osoyoos Coyotes, the local Junior ‘B’ hockey team at their home games from the fall through the spring. Visits from the grandkids are no problem for snowbirds. The arena, community DID centre, library, BMX track, Osoyoos Desert YOU KNOW? Model Railroad, nearby Osoyoos has one of ski hills and a skateboard park provide lots of the lowest crime rates activity options. in Canada 5 A short distance away from downtown leads to many pastoral hiking and biking trails. Combine breathtaking vistas on the Lakeshore Drive pathway with a rich historical narrative on the Osoyoos Canal Walkway – all possible with easy riding from here to local wineries on the International Hike and Bike Trail. The more adventurous are thrilled to discover more challenging hikes and biking trails in the jaw-dropping beauty of the surrounding desert hills.

Call 1-888-OSOYOOS or visit destinationosoyoos.com/snowbirds for a full schedule of winter activities.

6 Unique and fascinating local desert culture and history can be explored at the museum and art gallery as well as the NK’MIP Desert Cultural Centre.

Cross country skiers and The nearby South Okanagan Events snowshoers can head to Centre hosts many world-class the many trails located entertainment acts year-round that within a 45 minutes drive. appeal to all ages and tastes. Casinos in nearby Penticton and the USA offer vibrant and exhilarating gaming action within an hour’s drive.

A variety of arts groups and classes offer pottery, quilting, wood carving, photography and more.

Unique and stylish boutiques line the streets of downtown Osoyoos offering one of kind clothing, shoes, accessories, innovative gifts, florists, jewelers, baked goods, grocery stores, pharmacies, hair stylists, spas, sweets and treats, health food shops, second-hand treasures, dollar stores and more. Home Hardware which was voted best Home Hardware store in Canada for a very good reason – it is a shopping experience not to be missed.

7 N Legend Hot Tub 1 Coast OsoyoosBeach Hotel Doctor’s Ofﬁce W E [email protected] To Kelowna Pharmacy Pool www.coasthotels.com Grocery Store S Kitchen 250.495.6525 Walking Trail 7702 Main Street 87T H Elk's Park O ST Restaurant K . Sonora Dunes A Lodge N A Golf Course G A N Fitness Room H 2 W Holiday Inn &Suites Osoyoos . Y E 4 Valley V A Housekeeping D Medical N [email protected] 92 Labratory Pets on approval www.hiosoyoos.com Osoyoos Medical Centre Toll Free: 1-877-786-7773 Snowbird Activities 7906 Main Street WY H Canada Pharmasave ST Buy-Low E Post N Foods S Legion Sauna/Steam Room W O Osoyoos Seniors Centre CR

4 3

Desert 5 Lakeview Motel& Suites M T

A Doctor’s H Kobau Lanes IN

To Vancouver ST. Clinic 6 S . T [email protected] R . D D www.osoyooslakeview.com Shoppers O O Drug Mart W 250-495-7641 Family Foods N O TT 6004 89th Street O C

Derrick and Sandra Davies (Owners)

Sonora

. 1 T 2 Centre/ N ST. S MAI Library H R. 4 T D Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort & Spa 9 R 8 E Curling SH FI To Kootenays Rink NG [email protected] KI & Arena www.spiritridge.ca Cactus Centre 250-495-5445 1200 Rancher Creek Road E. 62ND AVE. AV 3 L D AK 2N E 6 SH Tennis O R Courts E Dog D Osoyoos R Park . 5 Lake Walnut Beach Resort [email protected] O.S.S. Mini walnutbeachresort.com Theatre Toll Free: 1-877-936-5400 Osoyoos 4200 Lakeshore Drive Health Centre 5

6 Osoyoos Watermark BeachResort Golf Club O K

N [email protected]

A G watermarkbeachresort.com A N Toll Free: 1-888-755-3480

H Desert W 15 Park Place Y Park 8 To U.S.A Border Crossing N Legend Hot Tub 1 Coast OsoyoosBeach Hotel Doctor’s Ofﬁce W E [email protected] To Kelowna Pharmacy Pool www.coasthotels.com Grocery Store S Kitchen 250.495.6525 Walking Trail 7702 Main Street 87T H Elk's Park O ST Restaurant K . Sonora Dunes A Lodge N A Golf Course G A N Fitness Room H 2 W Holiday Inn &Suites Osoyoos . Y E 4 Valley V A Housekeeping D Medical N [email protected] 92 Labratory Pets on approval www.hiosoyoos.com Osoyoos Medical Centre Toll Free: 1-877-786-7773 Snowbird Activities 7906 Main Street WY H Canada Pharmasave ST Buy-Low E Post N Foods S Legion Sauna/Steam Room W O Osoyoos Seniors Centre CR

4 3

Desert 5 Lakeview Motel& Suites M T

A Doctor’s H Kobau Lanes IN

To Vancouver ST. Clinic 6 S . T [email protected] R . D D www.osoyooslakeview.com Shoppers O O Drug Mart W 250-495-7641 Family Foods N O TT 6004 89th Street O C

Derrick and Sandra Davies (Owners)

Sonora

6 Osoyoos Watermark BeachResort Golf Club O K

N [email protected]

A G watermarkbeachresort.com A N Toll Free: 1-888-755-3480

H Desert W 15 Park Place Y Park To U.S.A Border Crossing 9 COMMUNITY SERVICES

HOSPITAL No need for expensive South Okanagan General medical insurance and Hospital Emergency Dept 911 McKinney Rd, Oliver prescription drugs. 250.498.5000

COMMUNITY HEALTH Osoyoos Health Centre DENTAL OFFICES GENERAL HEALTH/WELLNESS 4816 89th St Dr K G Roberts Ageless Body Wellness Centre 250.495.6433 8714 Main St 8205 Gravenstein Drive Healthlink BC 250.495.4264 250.495.4017 Speak with a nurse 24/7 about Gonzalez Denture Clinic Bonnie Doon Health Supplies your Symptoms; at night, consult 8522 Main St 8515A Main St with a Pharmacist to answer your 250.495.6922 250.495.6313 medication questions – available 5pm-9am everyday. Osoyoos Dental Centre Cactus Centre Drop-in Dial 8-1-1 8524 Main St Wellness Program 250.495.6144 250.495.6562 CHIROPRACTORS Sun Valley Dental Centre First Choice Health Store Osoyoos Chiropractic 6511 Main St 8511 Main St 8317 68th Avenue 250.495.2393 250.495.5320 250.495.5431 DOCTOR’S OFFICES HEARING Osoyoos Family Chiropractic 8127 Main St Desert Doctors Clinic Expert Hearing Solutions 250.495.7922 8305 78th Avenue #108 – 8309 Main St 250.495.6565 250.495.7008 Sunshine Valley Family Chiropractic Osoyoos Medical Centre 8507 74th Avenue 7802 Spartan Drive HOMEOPATHY 250.495.4810 250.495.2661 Classical Homeopathy 8305 68th Avenue 250.485.8333

We really appreciate the ‘at home’ feeling we get when we stay. Osoyoos is a small community, like the community where we come from, and that small town hospitality is what makes us feel comfortable and happy here. Doreen Megaffin of Boissevain, Manitoba 10 MASSAGE THERAPISTS OPTOMETRISTS WELLNESS GROUPS Osoyoos Massage Therapy Waterfront Eyecare Centre Cancer Support Group 8317 68th Avenue #3 – 6511 Main St Alice Partridge 250.495.2273 250.495.2020 250.495.7725 Mood Disorders Association of BC MEDICAL LABORATORIES PHARMACIES Meets at Osoyoos Health Centre Valley Medical Laboratory Pharmasave Health Centre 250.495.6433 #2 – 9150 Main Street 8301C 78th St Parkinson’s Support Group 250.495.2677 250.495.7424 Maureen Olson Shopper’s Drug Mart 250.495.7978 MENTAL HEALTH 8305 Main St Red Cross Medical Desert Sun Counselling & 250.495.6055 Equipment Loan Resource Centre (Oliver) 250.498.6700 (Better at Home, Women’s Crisis PHYSIOTHERAPY South Okanagan Chronic Line, Counselling, Advocacy & Osoyoos Physiotherapy Clinic Disease Program Referrals, Community Kitchen, 8301A – 78th Avenue Osoyoos Health Centre Computer Tutor for Seniors, 250.495.2225 1.800.707.8550 Safe Home project) 250.770.3530 8307 72nd Avenue 250.495.2623 Victim Services Programs 250.495.4704

11 COMMUNITY SERVICES

AQUA FITNESS CLASSES GOLF COURSES RECREATION CENTRES Aqua Zumba classes Osoyoos Golf Club Desert Park Recreation Complex (At Coast Hotel) 250.495.6525 12300 Golf Course Drive 3800 Golf Course Drive Aquafit classes 250.495.7003 250.495.6562 (At Adriatic Motel) 250.495.3250 Sonora Dunes Golf Course Kobau Lanes (bowling) Gentle Water Aerobics 1300 Rancher Creek Road 8404 97th St (At Coast Hotel) 250.495.4653 250. 495. 6112 Call Donna 250.495.5001 Osoyoos Seniors Centre INDOOR POOLS 17 Park Place FITNESS CENTRES (ACCESSIBLE TO PUBLIC) 250.495.6921 Breathe Studio Ltd Adriatic Motel Royal Canadian Legion 173 #232, 15 Park Place 5505 Main St 8310 78th Avenue 250.495.2072 250.495.3250 250.495.7447 Curves Fitness Best Western Plus Sonora Community Centre 7 78 . 4 37. 3111 5506 Main St 8505 68th Avenue 250.495.4000 250.495.6562 Three60 Fitness Studio 8313 Main St Coast Osoyoos Beach Hotel Sun Bowl Arena/Curling Rink 250.485.3228 7702 Main St 9301 Hummingbird Lane 250.495.6525 250.495.7919 Vengeance Fitness Inc 8404 97th St Holiday Inn 250.495.7237 7906 Main St 250.495.7223

Boasting one of the longest golf seasons in Canada, Osoyoos is a golf-lover’s paradise. Courses are open until the first snow fall and reopen mid-February.

12 A visit to the Osoyoos Seniors Centre, the Legion or the Sonora Community Centre is a great outlet for both social and physical activities. Snowbirds are welcome to join the locals for pickle ball, fitness classes, yoga, tai chi, dancing, bingo, lawn bowling, card games and potlucks.

SKI HILLS Okanagan Regional Library Osoyoos Wood Carvers Apex Mountain Resort 8505 68th Avenue Joe Trosky Penticton (98 km from Osoyoos) 250.495.7637 [email protected] apexresort.com Oliver/Osoyoos Naturalists Club 250.495.5079 1.877.777.2739 Carol Boan Osoyoos Quilt Guild Baldy Mountain Resort 250.495.6107 Maureen Wood Oliver (46 km from Osoyoos) Osoyoos & District Arts Council 250.495.4569 skibaldy.com Tina Begg Rotary Club 1.866.754.2253 250.495.3272 Judy Miller-Bennett McKinney Nordic Ski Club Osoyoos Art Gallery 250.485.8876 (Cross-Country Ski Trails) 8714 Main St Royal Purple #240 Amy Encina 250.495.2800 Bonnie Stevens 778.439.2264 Osoyoos Concert Series 250.495.6748 OTHER CLUBS AND Tina Begg Soroptimists International 250.495.3272 Kate Kryst ORGANIZATIONS Osoyoos Desert Bridge Club [email protected] Artists on Main 17 Park Place South Okanagan Amateur Players Ivanna Zita Eileen Currier Nathan Linders 250.495.2546 250.498.0508 250.498.5569 International Curling Club Osoyoos Museum Society South Okanagan Concert Society 9501 Hummingbird Lane 19 Park Place Janet Marcotte 250.495.7733 250.495.2582 250.495.6487 Kiwanis Club of Osoyoos Osoyoos Photography Club Taoist Tai Chi Donna Kelso Greg Reely Debra Holoboff 250.495.7701 250.495.4960 250.495.4576 O’s Own Writing Group Osoyoos Potters Toastmasters Club Sue Whittaker Darlene Fillion Shauna Burbidge 250.495.7664 250.495.7730 250.485.8465 Okanagan Historical Club Larry Shannon 250.498.2452 13 Do Winter! Do Watermark Beach Resort!

Experience your luxurious one or two bedroom suite with stainless steel gourmet kitchen, en suite laundry, complimentary internet access and local calls, private balcony and secured underground parking.

Rejuvinate in the resort’s hot tub, steam room and fitness centre. Stay active with the on site Breathe Yoga and Pilates Studio and soothe your senses at the full service Levia Spa.

Long stay condo rentals in a full-service resort Daily snowbird activities Next door to Osoyoos Senior Centre Steps to all that downtown Osoyoos has to offer Bring Fido! We’re pet-friendly.

Planning a family gathering? We’re booking family reunions all-year-long. Call us for more information on how we can help bring your family together for fun, sun, relaxation and plenty of things to see and do.

14 watermarkbeachresort.com 1.888.755.3480 COMMUNITY SERVICES

GOVERNMENT SERVICES PET SERVICES Osoyoos many pet friendly Canada Post Desert Dog Agility Club accommodations, a large off- 8308 78th Avenue Claudia Sauder 250. 495. 6811 250.495.5075 leash dog park, agility training, groomers, kennels and a Canada Post (At Pharmasave) Mutts on Maple veterinary hospital. 8301C 78th Avenue (Dog grooming) 250.495.7424 6216 Maple Dr Osoyoos Taxi 250.495.2977 Canada Border Services Agency 250.495.7004 1.800.461.9999 Satary Stables South Okanagan Limousine Co. (Dog & horse boarding) Regional District of 250.498.2221 Okanagan-Similkameen 11305 28th Ave South Okanagan Transit System 101 Martin St 250.495.7400 250.495.8054 Penticton South Valley Veterinary Hospital 10412 Hwy 97 250.492.0237 VISITOR INFORMATION 1.877.610.3737 250.495.6760 BC Visitor Centre @Osoyoos Town of Osoyoos TRAVEL AND 9912 Highway 3 8707 Main St TRANSPORTATION (Junction of Hwy 3 & Hwy 97) 250.495.6515 250.495.5410 BC Highways Conditions Discover Osoyoos! GROCERY STORES 1.800.550.4997 @Destination Osoyoos Greyhound Canada AG Foods 8701 Main Street Osoyoos Location 8130 Main Street 250.495.5070 Ext. 206 250.495.6818 250.495.7252 Buy-Low Foods Let’s Go! Transportation 9129 Main St (Express Shuttle) 250.495.5355 778-821-0101