Exciting news for curling fans this week, tickets for the 2025 Montana's Brier, which will be hosted in Kelowna, are now available! This will be the first time in over 50 years that Kelowna has hosted this event, and the excitement in the curling community is palpable.  

For those new to the sport, the Montana's Brier is Canada's premier curling championship and sees the men's top curling teams compete for the Brier Tankard trophy and for the opportunity to represent Canada at the World Curling Championships later in the year. The Brier is considered the most famous curling championship in the world and has the highest attendance of any curling event. 

With just under one year to go, now is a great time to start planning your trip to Kelowna, and make the most of this amazing, four-season destination. 

The Event

^{Photo: Montana's Brier and Curling Canada}

The Championship will be held from February 28 to March 9th, 2025 at Prospera Place, Kelowna's premier sport and events arena which seats over 6,500 spectators. Right across the street, just a few minutes walk away, is the Delta Grand Okanagan Resort, where curling fans will be able to revel at The Patch, curling's favourite party place.

Located in the core of downtown Kelowna and just a few feet from Okanagan Lake, both the arena and The Patch are within walking distance of a great selection of amenities. Not only will curling fans be able to stroll the lake boardwalk in between draws, but also find great restaurants, a selection of breweries, and even a winery. There are museums and galleries, guided tour companies, golf simulators, hikes, and shopping, all just a few minutes away. 

What To Expect

Early March is a great time to visit Kelowna. Temperatures are historically mild, trees are starting to bud, the sun is starting to warm, and you can feel spring in the air. However, there is still plenty of snow to enjoy in the mountains. It can be the best of both worlds, you can go wine or brewery tasting one day, and go play in the snow the next day! It doesn't make packing easy, but it is a lot of fun.  

Accommodations

^{Downtown Kelowna Aerial. Photo: Nic Collar Film}

Kelowna has a large selection of accommodations that cater to all types of budgets and needs. There are several options right in Kelowna's downtown core, within walking distance of the arena, such as Delta Hotels by Marriott Grand Okanagan Resort, The Royal Kelowna, Prestige Beach House, Hotel Zed, and Royal Anne Hotel. However, there are many other options available which are just a quick and easy drive from the arena. Click here for a full list of hotels, motels and resorts. 

Things To Do

^{Quails' Gate Winery. Photo: Ken Hagen}

Whether you're looking to add a few days to your Brier trip to get to know Kelowna, or are just exploring the city in between draws, there are some great things to do in the area in early March. 

For those exploring in between draws, downtown Kelowna has a lot of offer.  You can stroll the 2km boardwalk that leads from behind Prospera Place to City Park, or you can visit several museums in the area all within walking distance in Kelowna's Cultural District, such as the Kelowna Art Gallery, the Okanagan Heritage Museum, or the Okanagan Military Museum, among others. For all the foodies in the stands, downtown walking food tours, like A Taste of Kelowna Food Tours, are a great way to learn a little about the history of the city and indulge in some amazing eats. Downtown's North End has become known for its craft beverage scene, with breweries, a cidery, a cocktail bar, and even a winery, it's the perfect spot to indulge in authentic Okanagan tastings. 

Another great area to explore, for those that are limited on time, is the Pandosy Village/Mission area. Only a few minutes' drive south of the downtown, it's a great spot for boutique shopping, tasty treats, local coffee, and exploring some of Kelowna's beaches. Both Rotary Beach and Gyro Beach are only a few minutes away, and whereas it might be a little too cold to swim (cold plunge, anyone?), it won't be too cold to enjoy. Stroll the boardwalk, enjoy the views, or grab some nearby food and enjoy it at one of the many picnic tables.

For those staying a little longer and who want to explore a little further, Kelowna and the Central Okanagan have a lot to offer. The area has over 40 wineries, most of which are now open year-round. There are several distinct wine trails, the Westside Wine Trail, Sip South East Kelowna, Lake Country's Scenic Sip, and the Lakeshore Wine Route. Each one has something unique about them, but they all have one thing in common, fantastic wines. The best way to explore the wine trails is by booking a guided tour, not only can you forget about the driving, but tour guides are full of fun and insightful knowledge of the area.

^{Big White Ski Resort.}

For those who are not ready for spring and are still enjoying winter activities, you'll be happy to know that two ski hills are within an hour's drive of Kelowna and a Nordic club is only about 25 minutes away. Visit Big White Ski Resort or SilverStar Ski Resort for a fun day on the slopes experiencing the famous Okanagan champagne powder, or head to Telemark Nordic Club for snowshoeing or cross-country skiing (all these offer day rentals so no need to pack your gear). 

If the weather is not cooperating and you're looking for some indoor activities, you can start by visiting the fascinating history of the aviation industry in Kelowna at KF Centre for Excellence's exhibit, or work on your golf swing at Simplex Sportszone or one of the other golf simulators.  

These are just a few ideas of things you can do while you're visiting Kelowna for your Brier experience - for your information please visit the Tourism Kelowna website, or reach out to our Visitor & Community Engagement team. 

We look forward to welcoming you in 2025! 

^{Cover Image: Montana's Brier and Curling Canada}