Spring is a beautiful season in the Okanagan Valley. Almost on cue, the snow melts, the grass greens up, and the leaves and flowers get busy budding and blooming when the calendar turns to April. There’s still plenty of white stuff up in the mountains for avid skiers and snowboarders, but with longer, sunnier days and rising temperatures, spring in Kelowna means it’s time to lace up the hiking boots, embrace the blossoms and book a tee time.
Most Kelowna hiking trails are clear of snow in early April. Head to the Johns Family Nature Conservancy in Kettle Valley for wildlife spotting and pretty views all the way up Okanagan Lake. Take the kids on an easy lakeside hike to Paul’s Tomb at the base of Knox Mountain, close to downtown. For the adventurous, trek up Mount Boucherie, an extinct volcano in West Kelowna, and then stop in at one of the wineries on the Westside Wine Trail for an après-hike reward.
From mid-April to late-May the valley comes to life with blossoming orchards and vineyards. Drive the Lakeshore Wine Route to take it all in, or stop in at Arndt Orchards east of town or Paynter’s Fruit Market in Westbank to admire the pink and white petals. To see more flowers and trees awakening to the season, wander along the manicured paths at Guisachan Heritage Park and Kasugai Gardens.
Duffers and pros alike love Kelowna and they’re eager to get swinging as soon as the fairways green up. The majority of the region’s 19 golf courses open by mid-April, and mild spring temperatures coupled with lingering daylight means there’s no bad tee time.
Tourism Kelowna would like to thank Westbank First Nation and Okanagan Indian Band for the privilege to live, work, and play on the tm̓xʷúlaʔxʷ (land), that is the unceded and traditional territory of syilx Okanagan peoples, the original stewards of these lands and to whom we give thanks to as our hosts