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Through the Looking Glass

A wondrous time deep in the Okanagan Valley makes the top seem ordinary

By Sarah Licata

(page 1 of 3)

The characters from our childhood tales got to visit fantastical places—secret gardens, supernatural realms and mystical netherworlds where the greatest of adventures are still available for the taking. We held our breath as they stepped foot on the other side of the mirror or got whisked away by tornadoes. Then we got older and began to think those worlds were no longer accessible for our adult minds, but there is hope: tucked in the southwestern corner of Canada such a world exists, open for adventure with no magic armoire required.

The Thompson Okanagan Valley is a unique spot nestled between Vancouver and Calgary. Due to its surrounding terrain, the climate is atypically mild, allowing for excellent wine, water sports, hiking and amazing golf. I spent a whirlwind week experiencing only a sliver of what the valley had to offer and came away knowing I would never look at the region the same way again.

I arrived in the Okanagan ready to celebrate, and the valley indulged me. We started our tour with nine holes of the Quail Course at the Okanagan Golf Club. A Les Furber design created in 1994, the Quail plays 6,794 from the golds and 4,713 from the reds with slopes of 136 and 116 respectively. Its fairways are wide and forgiving, but the dramatic elevation changes require accurate club selection. For example on Hole 18, a beautiful par 4 finish, if you choose too little a club at the start your approach shot over the pond and up to the green could require Herculean strength—or in my case, scuba gear to fish out the errant balls! Thankfully, respite is not hard to find at OGC, because the clubhouse has excellent fare for replenishing your system.

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