A Quick Stay
Spend a day spying on osprey nests in the sprawling lakeside bird sanctuary. Then retire to the outdoor hot tubs at Prestige Harbourfront Resort for a show of summer lightening across the lake. When the wine is gone, sink into the nine pillows on your bed. 250-833-5800, prestigehotels.ca

A Long Stay Between Shuswap and Mara Lakes, the vacation townhomes at Portside Court come complete with chic fondue sets to help you make use of the region’s embarrassment of artisanal cheeses and seasonal fruits. 250-804-1788, sicamoustravel.com

What to Do
First The Shuswap Trail Alliance has hand-built an accessible network that visitors seem to use mostly for the purpose of developing an appetite. Stock up on provisions beforehand at DeMille’s Farm Market. You can fill your pack with their famous 15-grain bread, the local Gort’s gouda, a bag of charcuterie and ginger beer (the real stuff). And head for the hills. 3710 Trans-Canada Hwy. SW, Salmon Arm, 250-832-7550,
demillesfarmmarket.com

Then The lake itself hasn’t gone out of style. Get a dozen friends together and rent a ’60s-style pontoon boat from Shuswap Marina. First-time captains do fine with these smooth-handling vessels. 250-675-2250,
shuswapmarina.com

Make a Night of It
Salmon Arm is the region’s best bet to grab a bite.
Four-year-old Shuswap Chefs is a bijoux room that does the local/seasonal bit right. Put your trust in chef Rob Sengotta and his partner Darcy. 250-832-5019

Over at Table 24, a made-from-scratch approach to classic recipes-grilled romaine Caesar salad with prosciutto crisp, handmade spaghetti and meatballs with sunflower sprouts-fits a sweet dining room accented with dark woods and local wildflowers. 250-832-2410

Around the corner, the Barley Station Brew Pub is the only restaurant in the area that brews its own beers. Try the hop-focused seasonal IPA or the coriander and orange-infused Talking Dog Wit Beer. 250-832-0999,
barleystation.com

Off the Beaten Track
Up a quiet country road lies Crannóg Ales the legendary organic brewer that creates the amazing dark, chocolate-tinged Back Hand of God stout. 250-675-6847, crannogales.com

Getting There
Step 1 Fly from Vancouver to Kamloops with Air Canada (aircanada.com).
Step 2 Either rent a car or book a helicopter from Kamloops to Chase (lakeheadhelicopters.com).
Step 3 Find local ground or water transportation through Shuswap Tourism.

For more information on the Shuswap area, visitshuswap.bc.ca