Tourism Kelowna recently hosted its first media familiarization (FAM) tour of the year, highlighting activities in and around Kelowna during the winter. FAM attendees travelled to Kelowna from across Canada and the US to experience outdoor adventure, relaxation, and indulgence through culinary and local sips, with accommodations provided by the Delta Hotel by Marriott Grand Okanagan Resort.
The itinerary included affordable outdoor activities, starting with skating at Stuart Park and a morning of snowshoeing and cross-country skiing supported by the expert team at Telemark Nordic Park. We showcased owling as a new experience hosted by bird expert Kalin Ocaña—birding has become a year-round activity for enthusiasts. The group then took the opportunity to rest and soak in nature at Löyly Floating Sauna, a unique Okanagan Lake experience offered through fall and winter.
Wine experiences included The View Winery Sip & Dip wine-paired fondue, a winemaker-led tasting at Little Straw Vineyards complete with decadent ice wine, and family-style dining paired with award-winning wines at Mission Hill Winery.
While the group enjoyed wine and craft beverage stops, we know there is an increased demand for non-alcoholic options for visitors to the destination. The FAM attendees were given opportunities to sample local juices such as ABC Juice at Little Straw Vineyard, Farming Karma Soda, and MotherLove Ferments kombucha as alternative options for the sober-conscious traveller.
Additional winter activities included:
- Visiting Sncewips Heritage Museum for a guided tour with Coralee Miller to learn about syilx culture and history, following Indigenous bites at Kekuli Cafe.
- A coffee tasting experience at Craft 42 Roasters, one of just two coffee houses in Canada to offer guided tastings.
- A visit to Bernie's Supper Club + Cinema, where movies can be enjoyed at the vintage theatre upstairs.
- A Moroccan tagine cooking class at Lakehouse Kitchens Cooking School.
We thank all the local businesses involved in helping us highlight winter in Kelowna and offering our guests great Okanagan hospitality. We look forward to seeing the stories from this visit, which will promote awareness of Kelowna as a winter destination.
Tourism Kelowna's Travel Media program runs year-round and brings non-local writers and creators to our region to experience what the destination offers. Numerous articles and pieces of content are created from these FAM trips, earning Kelowna and area media coverage that may not have otherwise occurred. Click here for a review of the 2024 Travel Media program.
If your business is interested in supporting future FAM tours for travel media or influencers, contact me at shereen@tourismkelowna.com.
