It’s the weirdest thing. You crest Sunday Pass on British Columbia’s scenic Crow’s Nest Highway in the misty shadow of towering spruce and hemlock—dark, lush and green. But on the descent, it all turns to desert: arid hills glowing gold in the hot sun, wafts of pungent sage and ripening apricots in the air. For a minute, it feels like you’ve detoured into Colorado or New Mexico, but no: BC does have a desert and a luscious wine valley called the Okanagan that may one day give California’s Napa a run for its money.
Here’s why: one of the big barriers to transforming the Okanagan into a Napa or Sonoma is that there hasn’t been enough space in the area to host large gatherings. The NK’MIP Conference Centre, opening at tony Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort & Spa in Osoyoos this October, will be the largest event space in the South Okanagan. With reliably toasty weather in the summer months, the region—just a five-hour drive from Vancouver, BC—will undoubtedly become a magnet for large-scale events.
As Vancouver space fills up for the 2010 Winter Games, groups might consider Spirit Ridge. With room for 350, the centre is offering huge incentives for 2010 meetings and events booked by Dec. 31, 2009. Another bonus: the cultural tourism aspect. Spirit Ridge is on Osoyoos Indian Band land; Bellstar Hotels & Resorts developed and manages Spirit Ridge in partnership with the band; and NK’MIP Cellars, tucked just behind the new conference centre, is North America’s first Aboriginal-owned and -operated winery.
A handsome arrangement of Santa Fe-style faux adobes in earth tones accented by fountains and desert flowers, Spirit Ridge is set on a hilltop overlooking Lake Osoyoos and the NK’MIP vineyards. The campus includes the winery, NK’MIP Desert Cultural Centre and walking trails, golf course, villas and condo-esque suites with balconies (owned individually, but operated as a hotel), a new spa, two stylish dining rooms and two swimming pools. The pool adjacent to the new conference centre sports a waterslide, dining patio and private cabanas with sofas, phones and fridges. There’s even talk of a zipline that would zoom down the hillside to White Sands Beach.
Move over, Sonoma, there’s a new kid on the block.
www.hellobc.com
Post a comment
User comments on the CTC Media Centre website are solely the opinion of the comment writer, not that of the Canadian Tourism Commission. We will not post any comments that contain vulgarity, profanity (including expletives and letters followed by dashes), libelous statements and impersonations, nor comments making any false or unsubstantiated allegations.
The Canadian Tourism Commission reserves the right not to permit comments that include personal attacks against other individuals. Comments based on hearsay or reports where the supposed fact or quote is not a matter of public knowledge are also not allowed.
Syntax, however, is up to you. We won’t correct any spelling or grammar mistakes. Please refer to our disclaimer for any further information. Thank you.
Post new comment