| Just like a Mexican piñata, the small town
of Osoyoos, B.C. is filled with treats and surprises. If you’ve never
heard of the place you’re not alone. Most easterners are a blank page
when it comes to this emerging vacation destination tucked in the
southeast corner of the province, just a mile from the U.S. border and
Washington State. |
|
A recent trip to this charming community on the edge
of Osoyoos Lake (purportedly the warmest lake in Canada) at the lower
end of the Okanagan Valley was a genuine eye opener in terms of its
appeal as a unique Canadian getaway.
Even though it’s surrounded by lush orchards and vineyards,
Osoyoos lies in the midst of a desert environment. That’s right,
a desert with all the desert stuff like rattlesnakes, cacti, scorpions
and sagebrush. I thought I was a pretty knowledgeable globe hopper but
learning there is one true desert in my own country was a big
revelation. In fact, it’s the northern tip of the vast Sonora
Desert that stretches through the western U.S. and Mexico.
The first obvious clue that Osoyoos, a town of a mere 5,000 residents,
is on the cusp of becoming a well known tourist destination, is the new
Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort & Spa, a south-western adobe-style,
four-star establishment that sits on a ridge overlooking the town.
Investors rarely sink big dollars into a resort of this calibre unless
they are confident the area is destined to become a popular vacation
spot.
| I stayed at Spirit Ridge and the one-
and two-bedroom villas that are owner rentals were top drawer - and
located just minutes from downtown and local attractions. Together with
Bellstar Hotels & Resorts, a major partner in the Spirit Ridge
development and future expansion is the local Osoyoos Indian Band that
independently owns the onsite winery (Nk’Mip Cellars), the Sonora Dunes
Golf Course and Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre. |
Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort & Spa,
a south-western adobe-style,
four-star establishment overlooks the town
|
The resort, golf course,
winery and cultural centre are all clustered together in one convenient
compound.
In addition to all the typical resort amenities
including outdoor pool, spa and great dining, the Sonora Dunes Golf
Course is less than a chip shot to the clubhouse and the first tee of
an excellent nine-hole course that embodies a true desert golf
experience. This is a track that demands accurate shot making since
landing on anything that isn’t green falls in a landscape defined by
sand, sagebrush and critters you don’t want to meet up with. However,
when I played the course I’ll admit I never saw a single rattlesnake in
spite of frequent signage warning of their presence.
Adjacent
to the golf course is the winery where there are daily wine tastings, a
retail shop filled with an array of vintages plus special wine and
dinner evenings. A highlight of the resort property is the Nk’Mip
Desert Cultural Centre, a 20,000 sq. ft. interpretative facility that
celebrates thousands of years of Okanagan First Nations life on the
surrounding desert lands. The Centre features numerous displays
including a reconstructed traditional village, artefacts, live
rattlesnakes and just about anything and everything visitors might want
to know about this desert enclave and the Osoyoos aboriginals who have
lived there for centuries.
However,
the attraction of the town of Osoyoos do not end at the Spirit Ridge
property. Visiting the downtown area is like taking a reflective step
back in time to what seems like the 1960s. There are plenty of little
shops and dining spots set in an environment that harks back to the
days when life seemed a whole lot simpler. Overall, the town embodies a
character that Communications Co-ordinator for Destination Osoyoos,
Michelle Jefferson, says visitors really like. “With our town’s growing
popularity we must be careful to maintain the character and assets that
make us special. We have to be careful not to kill the goose that laid
the golden egg.”
With new developments and new vacation
properties springing up around town, it may be difficult to achieve
that balance but in the meantime Osoyoos is a desert oasis that success
hasn’t yet spoiled. There are area wineries galore offering daily
tastings, sailing on Osoyoos Lake, parasailing, hiking, horseback
riding, bird watching, numerous area golf courses and the best small
town museum in B.C. where exhibits include everything from antique cars
to ancient liquor “still” from the Prohibition period.
Overall,
“special” is certainly the word that best describes today’s Osoyoos.
Notwithstanding its plethora of wineries and small town charm, its
desert environment alone makes it one of the country’s most unique
travel destinations. Osoyoos Tourism & Economic Development
Director, Glenn Mandziuk, says that per capita the town is the fastest
growing community in the province and is expected to double over the
next five years. It is to be hoped that in the process its prevailing
character is not lost.
Travel Planner
Getting there:
There are direct flights from Toronto to Kelowna; and Osoyoos is a
pretty two-hour drive south of the airport through the beautiful
Okanagan Valley.
Information: www.destinationosoyoos.com or call 1-888-OSOYOOS
www.spiritridge.ca or call 1-877-313-9463
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