1955 Ice Hockey World Championships
30 Aug 2025
Penticton has long been a hockey town and that goes back before these championship. That season in their league, the Penticton Vees ( men's senior league)won their title Then, they won the Allan Cup which gave them one of the 14 spots at the World Championships representing Canada. The previous year Canada had lost to Russia in the final 7-2. Lots of pressure was riding on the Vees and after going undefeated in the elimination rounds, the Canadians were once again pitted against the Russians. The Vees took the final 5-0 and cemented their place in history.
Posted 6 days ago
Lake to lake: Okanagan Lake.
30 Aug 2025
Penticton is one of two cities in the world to be bordered by two lakes. On the north end of town is Okanagan Lake. It has a smaller area of beach depending on the tide and runs 135km between Vernon to the North and Penticton to the south. Along the lake area, there are several parks ( Gyro park, Rotary park, Okanagan Lake park). This Lake is closer to downtown, two gardens, the bandshell, art gallery, Loco Landing, outdoor skating rink and the Peach. Opposite the lake on the west side are a string of hotels/motels and restaurants including Lickety Splits (ice cream). Fireworks in Penticton are always here. It is very much an activity hub. There are a couple of bbq pits on the beach and boat and water sports rentals. Families come during the day as do people to sit in their cars and eat while people/lake watching. At night it's more of a hang out place.
Posted 6 days ago
Heritage sites: Bike Barn
30 Aug 2025
Once a feed supply store in the 1920's, this famously gabled building has been home to the Bike Barn since 1983. It's construction near the railroad made it easier to transport goods. It's stand out blue and yellow colours as well as its bike service make it a go to for cyclists.
Posted 6 days ago
One of the best
30 Aug 2025
If you want a sandwich made your way, skip going to Subway. Il Vecchio Delicatessen is the place you want to be. You'll wait in line (probably) and have choices then of meats from Canada or worldwide and fresh toppings and sauces served on a fresh kaiser roll. You can add salad or dessert or drinks. The whole shop is full of stuff you can add to your pantry from all across the globe. Please note: they only take cash not debit or credit.
Posted 7 days ago
Things to do: The KVR
27 Aug 2025
Looking back to the late 1880's when silver mines had been discovered and the okanagan was ripe with fruit How to move product and conduct business between Penticton (Okanagan) and the coast. Roads were treacherous and costly. Why not run a train between them? Why not put in a train? It was faster than using trucks/cars and boats. So a project that took 20 years, cost $20 million and ran through 2 mountain ranges was born. Andrew McCullock was brought on to engineer the project and he used every technique to get the job done. Workers (lots of immigrants) toiled day and nighttime blast through the mountains and lay the tracks. By 1915 it was up and running. However the mines started to Peter out. Cars and trucks were faster and roadways were made better. Demand for trains dwindled. The last major run was in 1989. Once section remains preserved in Summerland and people can still ride the Kettle Valley Steamrail on this section. They even have train robberies! Once service stopped, the rails were taken out but as fate would have it, the trails are now used for hiking and biking, etc. Millions of trekkers travel along enjoying the beauty of B.C. on what is now called the KVR trail. Penticton routes go to Naramata, Okanagan Falls and Summerland. Of course you can travel further than that. The routes around here offer some shaded areas and others more exposed. The vegetation changes as does the elevation but for the most part, the bikeability/walkability is excellent. Whether you are riding close to the water or up in the hills, you definitely want to hit these trails.
Posted 10 days ago
What's in your backyard?
15 Aug 2025
Who doesn't like to get away from the winter and go to Penticton? We have mild temperatures here in the winter. The first year here for us, I used a broom to sweep away the snow. Quite the difference from Quesnel's -20 to -40°. Plus the couple of feet of snow that lasted till early-mid May. I like to think that this house might belong to the man in red who spends the off season here before heading back to the North Pole and that he just misses his friends there and so he put these out in his yard.
Posted 21 days ago
Heritage sites
15 Aug 2025
When Penticton was first settled, the houses were built in close proximity to businesses. This cottage at 127 Ellis Street, is a prime example. The house dates back to 1899, quite possibly being the oldest of its kind in Penticton. It would have been close to the wharf, to where the trains arrived, to the Penticton Hotel and across from the first post office. These businesses have been replaced by various others throughout the years but the cottage remains as an insight to the beginnings of our city.
Posted 21 days ago
Wineries
11 Aug 2025
So you like wine? Then Penticton is a great place to visit. Within a 13km stretch, you can find 45 wineries, 2 distilleries, a brewery and 2 cideries. Quite a few are along, or near to the KVR biking trail. Most have tasting rooms and provide something to nosh on. Wine tours have a healthy business here and talk about picturesque! If that is not enough for you, there are many more wineries in the surrounding okanagan area. Your desire for good wines will definitely be satisfied.
Posted 25 days ago
Places to visit -Munson Mountain.
9 Aug 2025
Okay this isn't a huge mountain but rather a hill. Come to think of it, it is actually an extinct volcano, inactive since long before the inhabitants first arrived. Now it attracts tourists from all over who come to make the climb to the top for its fantastic views and see the "PENTICTON " sign. This sign has been around since 1937 (less time than the HOLLYWOOD sign, but larger than that one). It is made of silica pebbles and concrete that volunteers hauled up. The climb is not too bad and there are several benches to sit on along the way. This was the last trip for my grandparents, as all 4 had their ashes spread here.
Posted 27 days ago
Wet again!
8 Aug 2025
Yes. I did indulge my inner child while at Skaha Lake's kids Waterpark. Admittedly, I thought there was more space between me and the dumping water contraption. I was wrong. I did dry off on the ride home so we'll worth it.
Posted 28 days ago
