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Airport
Penticton's
Wine Country: Gateway to the Okanagan
Valley
by
Angela Warner
 Although
I'm rather embarrassed to admit it, the first time
I visited Penticton from Vancouver, I could not
quite understand why we were headed inland for a
vacation to be spent primarily on the beach,
accustomed as I was to the ocean beaches of Europe,
Australia and Hawaii. But when we arrived at this
town in the beautiful Okanagan Valley, with its
sparkling twin lakes skirted by clean and most
pleasant beaches, it was a scene as yet unknown to
even this seasoned traveller.
Penticton's
Tour
deVine
Here, we were
able to indulge ourselves with all manner of water
sports and activities- swimming, water-skiing and
even paragliding. On one particularly lazy Sunday
afternoon, we took a leisurely float on inner tubes
down the river channel which flows from Okanagan
Lake on the north side of town to Skaha Lake on the
city's southern boundary- one of Penticton's unique
summer pastimes. We were fortunate enough to be
visiting the town at the time of the annual Ironman
Canada event. Guiltily, we sat back at a roadside
hostelry, sipping our excellent local wine and
nibbling on succulent local produce, while
contestants from around the world ran wearily by on
the last leg of grueling the swim/cycle/run event.
Maybe next year.By the end of one far too short
week, I could quite understand why local natives
named this valley "Pen-Tak-Tin"- "a place to stay
forever". No wonder Chatelaine magazine voted
Penticton one of the top ten cities in Canada to
live. Coming soon. Bicycles and Wine:
Tour
deVine
Penticton
- A resort for All seasons
Less than a
50 minute flight from the port city of Vancouver,
Penticton offers visitors a resort for all seasons.
Miles of clean sandy beaches, Lakes Okanagan and
Skaha, lush golf courses, vineyards and orchards
are all natural attractions in vacationers'
paradise.
Penticton is a
clean, safe and friendly community where guests can
enjoy the pastels of orchard blossoms from April
through May and orchard and winery tours from June
to October. Special events include the Peach
Festival in August and October's Okanagan Wine
Festival. Winter skiing at Apex Resort and
year-round golfing make Penticton an all-season
destination.
The area offers a
wide range of luxury resorts moderately prices
hotels and charming bed and breakfast inns.
Beachside cafe's, cappuccino bars, boutiques, open
markets and specialty shops are found everywhere.
Visitors can follow a personal itinerary or join
organized tours. Whether pre-arranged or a spur of
the moment decision, the resort city of Penticton
offers a full agenda of exciting and memorable
experiences. For further information or suggested
itineraries, please contact Tourism Penticton at
1-800-663-5052.
Committed to safety
and service, Penticton Airport is owned and
operated by Transport Canada with year round day
and night flight capability. Scheduled air service
is provided by Canadian Regional Airlines and
AirBC, while charter and sightseeing trips through
nearby canyon and alpine areas is provided by
Canadian Helicopters and Stage Air. Conveniently
located on VFR routes to the Pacific Coast, the BC
Interior and Alaska, Penticton Airport is right
within the city limits. Just a short and economical
taxi or limo ride will whisk you to your
final destination
Penticton
Wine Country Airport welcomes you!
 Penticton
Airport in the heart of the scenic Okanagan Valley,
is strategically and conveniently located on direct
air routes to the Pacific Coast, the British
Columbia interior and Alaska -- a brief 45 minute
flight from Vancouver, BC or Calgary, Alberta.
Currently, there is a single 6000 ft long paved
runway. The airport is presently served by Canadian
Regional Airlines and AirBC/Central Mountain Air
with daily schedules. The airport operates a Canada
Customs service for international
arrivals.
The Penticton
airport provides a full range of passenger
services, including a gift shop, restaurant, car
rental concessions and a flight service station. A
shuttle service operates to the downtown area,
which is less than ten minutes away. A full range
of ground transportation services are available at
the airport.
Airport operation:
Transport Canada
RR #2, Site 5, Comp 2
Penticton BC, V2A 6J7
Airport Manager: Brian Bramah
Manager Resource Management:
Louise Noble
Air Carriers: Air BC, Canadian Regional
Destinations: Vancouver, Calgary, Cranbrook
Car Rentals: Budget, Tilden
For Airport Information
call (250) 492-6042 Fax: (250) 492-6334
E-mail: transcan@vip.net.
Highlights!
Special Events!
• Miles of
sunny beaches
• 30 Lakeview & Mountain Golf Courses
•30 World Class Wineries
• 2 Marinas: Skaha and Okanagan Lake
• 3rd largest Convention Facility in BC
• Ornamental Garden, Parks, Fruit Stands
• Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory
• Canada's Safari: Okanagan Game Farm
• Museums & Art Galleries
• Kettle Valley Railway Train &
Trestle
• Great restaurants and beach side cafes
• Hotels, Motels, Campgrounds, B&Bs
• Boutique Shops, Shopping Centres
• May: Okanagan Fest of Ale
• Spring Blossom Wine Festival.
• Bacchanalia '98
• June: Okanagan Hockey School
• Okanagan Summer School of the Arts
• July: Beach Blanket Film Festival
• Okanagan Ballroom Classic
• Aug: Square Dance Jamboree
• 50th Annual Peach Festival
• Ironman Canada Triathlon
• Sept: Dixieland Jazz Festival
• Oct: Fall Okanagan Wine Festival
• Consumer Wine Tasting
• Nov: Summerland Festival of Lights
 For
Information call or write:
TOURISM PENTICTON
273 Power Street, Penticton, BC V2A 7K9
Visitor Information: 1-800-663-5052
Tel (250) 492-4103 fax: (250) 492-6119
www.pen.org
.....More
airport Information and tourism
contacts.
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