Predator Ridge’s signature 6th hole showcases the course’s bounty: steep cliffs, water views and immaculate fairways.

Stay
Even those who’ve never grabbed a club will find plenty to love about Predator Ridge Golf Resort (301 Village Centre Pl., Vernon, 250-542-3436, predatorridge.com), which has spacious, contemporary rooms with kitchen and fireplace from $99 a night (and two- or three-bedroom cottages-including one rumoured to be owned by PGA star Sergio Garcia-from $249 a night). Its amenities, from a fully tricked out fitness center to an indoor pool to golf and tennis in season, put most of the area hotels to shame. And if you’re a duffer, you can now play a marathon 36 holes: the new Doug Carrick-designed18 is ready to bring you to your knees.

Within sight of Predator, the new Sparkling Hill (877-275-1556, sparklinghill.com) is a Euro-style luxe resort owned by Gernot Langes Swarovski, patriarch of the Swarovski Crystal family. With a striking Libeskind-style crystal architectural feature and more than 10 million Swarovski crystals incorporated in the design (including crystal-embellished fireplaces and chandeliers), the upscale health resort has a cutting-edge wellness spa offering unique treatments like cryotherapy (a therapeutic cold sauna), a hot crystal steam and a gemstone facial. Accommodation options at the 152-room resort include 1,200-square-foot penthouses (from $500 a night).

Eat and Drink
To feel like you’re being hosted in the living room of an excellent Italian home cook, reserve dinner at one of the comfy-armchair-equipped tables at Ricardo’s Mediterranean Kitchen (Hwy. 97 to Winfield, 250-766-6810, ricardos.ca). Turn at the kitschy boat-shaped Holiday Park Resort sign and drive through the RV park (you read that right) to find this oasis of twinkling lights and faux grapevines. Spaghetti with meatballs made by Ricardo’s own mama and a blackened rib steak (ask for the spicy cream sauce on the side) were our memorable dishes; choose excellent and inexpensive local wines by the glass.

Charcuterie is newly trendy again, but to taste the authentic legacy that Eastern European settlers brought to the Okanagan, stop at Okanagan Sausage (15050 Hwy. 97, Oyama, 250-548-3564), about 25 kilometres north of Kelowna. From the highway it looks like a humble outbuilding, but this federally inspected facility makes and smokes its own excellent products; we particularly like the lean but juicy ham ring and the honey garlic pepperoni.

A little farther up the road, stop in at Grey Monk Estate Winery for a tasting year-round (1055 Camp Rd., Okanagan Centre, 250-766-3168, graymonk.com). The winery excels at the cold-climate white varietals (ehrenfelser, gewurztraminer, kerner, riesling and siegerrebe) that thrive in this area. Its seasonal Grapevine restaurant (open April to November) is a lovely spot for lunch.
Located right in Vernon, the distillery and tasting room of Okanagan Spirits (2920 28th Ave., Vernon, 250-549-3120, okanaganspirits.com) bring exotic flavours to the region. The makers of Taboo Absinthe also sell all the serving accoutrements-absinthe spoons, glasses, balanciers and fountains-needed to enjoy it. The Calvados-style apple brandy Canados (a silver-medal winner at the 2007 World Spirits Awards) is our favourite tipple, with the new cranberry liqueur tying for second. Distiller Frank Dieter also makes unique aquavit, eaux de vie and grappas. Check out the super-concentrated Fruit Aromas for use in cooking.

Play
A favourite entertainment stop for 30 years, Caravan Farm Theatre (4886 Salmon River Rd., Armstrong, 866-546-8533, caravanfarmtheatre.com) runs year-round productions on an 80-acre farm, ranging from Shakespeare in summer to a sleigh-ride production planned for this winter.

Stop at the Far West Outlet Store (2900 48th Ave., Vernon, 250-545-9048, farwest
.com) to pick up jackets, pants, packs and shirts up to 80 percent off retail prices. The Vernon-based company is known for the outdoor wear it has been making since 1977; it’s warm enough to outlast even the most bone-chilling winter (or a brisk early morning tee time). wl

For more information visit hellobc.com and vernontourism.com.