The History Of The Okanagan BucketList
In May 2013, along with Okanagan private sector “leisure brands” and the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA), Predator Ridge founded the Okanagan BucketList, a new tourism initiative promoting the Okanagan as a tourism destination. In 2018, the Hotel Eldorado and Manteo Resort in Kelowna joined the partnership becoming the fifth key player in the initiative.
The Okanagan Bucketlist program highlights four tourism product category leaders in ski, wine, water and golf – Big White Ski Resort, Mission Hill Winery, The Eldorado, and Predator Ridge Resort – each offering an iconic experience unique to the Okanagan.
THE OFFICIAL OKANAGAN BUCKETLIST LAUNCH
The launch of the Okanagan BucketList was revealed at the Kelowna International Airport on Friday, May 3, 2013.
“I’m very pleased to announce this partnership between some of our signature products to promote this region at a higher level,” said Glenn Manziak, CEO at the time for the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association. “This program will raise the level of awareness of our signature products and services and is truly a public/private partnership between the City of Kelowna, the Kelowna International Airport, the business community and the corporate community, together with the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association,” said Manziak.
Through the initiative, founding Partners Predator Ridge, Big White Ski Resort, Sparkling Hill Resort and Mission Hill Family Estate Winery designed initiatives to highlight some of what makes visiting the Okanagan unique. Signs were placed at each gate in YLW showcasing each partner.
At the time of launch, tourism in the Thompson-Okanagan was a $1.6b industry that employed over 15,000 people. These numbers have since increased and the region is one of the key tourism areas within the province of BC.
“Great things happen when great brands and great people come together,” said Brad Pelletier, Senior VP for Predator Ridge Resort. “I truly believe that this program has so much merit, not just for the stakeholders, but for the entire region.”
Kelowna Airport Director Sam Samaddar was also optimistic about the positive effects the program is expected to produce and the role YLW will play. “Approximately 70% of the traffic we see through YLW is tourism-related,” he said. “Being able to welcome passengers into the region, and expose them to tourism experiences as soon as they get off the aircraft is a tremendous opportunity. It sends a positive message to the visitor of what the Okanagan has to offer and creates a win-win relationship with our business partners.”
MEET OUR PARTNERS
BIG WHITE SKI RESORT
Big White Ski Resort is Canada’s Favourite Family Resort, home to Okanagan Champagne Powder and Canada’s largest totally ski-in, ski-out resort village. Locally Canadian Family Owned and Operated, Big White has over 17,000 on-mountain beds, 20 on-mountain restaurants, bars and cafes, 119 runs, five powder bowls and plenty of family friendly outdoor adventure activities – including cross-country skiing, skating, ice climbing, dog sledding and tubing!
Big White Ski Resort receives an average of 25 feet of dry, fluffy powder each season, creating our world-famous snow ghosts and blanketing our long cruising runs. With the second largest lift capacity in all of Canada, you’ll spend less time in lines and more time on the slopes. Check out BigWhite.com to learn more about why we’ve been consistently voted as one of the top ski resorts in the world.
Visit BigWhite.com for more details
MISSION HILL FAMILY ESTATE WINERY
Located in the heart of British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley, Mission Hill Family Estate is world renowned for its award-winning wines, stunning setting and architecture, and Terrace Restaurant that was honoured as one of the Top Five Winery Restaurants globally.
Majestic mountains, scenic lakes and lush orchards encase the winery’s dramatic architecture and culminate in a setting that celebrates wine, food and the arts.
With sustainable practices that ensure care for the environment, and a timelessness that respects the family’s European heritage, guests experience the height of winemaking in an incomparable lakeside mountaintop winery.
Visit MissionHillWinery.com for more details
ELDORADO RESORT
Kelowna’s most prominent waterfront property and landmark boutique hotel dating back to 1926 marrying Europe’s glamourous past with the magical and memorable hospitality of today – from elegant lakeside dining, to award winning lounges and Whiskey Room, to magnificent sun-drenched boardwalk dining with mesmerizing unparalleled panoramic Okanagan Lake and mountain views. Eldorado Resort has 155 guestrooms and suites and boasts the romanticism of two worlds in one resort, stroll along the 1,000 foot lakefront boardwalk and experience the fusion from old world English charm to Mediterranean magnetism.
Adjacent to the resort is Kelowna’s coveted Eldorado Marina and Boardwalk Beach Company offering an array of water activities. Award winning wineries, championship golf courses, walking trails, beaches and shopping are only minutes away. Eldorado Resort – Where Every Minute Is An Experience.
Visit EldoradoResort.ca for more details