Masters World Cup Cross Country Skiing 2011
Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre Vernon BC Canada

The Region

Greater Vernon and the Okanagan

Vernon

Ideally nestled between the beautiful Swan, Kalamalka, and Okanagan lakes in the North Okanagan Valley, is the city of Vernon, the oldest community in British Columbia's interior.

Originally inhabited by the Interior Salish People, the discovery of gold and the luxuriant growth of bunchgrass in the valley attracted both gold miners and cattle ranchers to the region in the 1860s and 1870s.

By the turn of the century, Vernon had become a bustling town, and was ideally located for the river traffic and sources of irrigation that caused it to prosper as a major ranching and orchard centre.

Today, Vernon is a major vacation destination for those flocking to the Okanagan Valley, and is one of those rare cities where unsurpassed beauty and an abundance of recreational and cultural activities combine to create an exceptional quality of life enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.

Population: 36,785

Okanagan Valley

The Okanagan Valley is almost dry enough to warrant being called a desert. After even one visit to this spectacularly diverse area, you'll understand why superlatives are constantly used to describe it. Beloved by thousands of visitors and inhabitants alike for the unparalleled variety of its climate and landscape, the Okanagan Valley has something for everyone: hoodoos, orchards, vineyards, mountains, valleys, lakes, highlands, ski slopes, and trails. This is truly one of the most desirable locales in British Columbia for year-round outdoor fun.

  • Silver Star Mountain (back left) looks down on the city and Kalamalka Lake.  Kalamalka Lake Park is the hill right foreground.

View Larger - opens a "lightbox"