This multi-regional event brought together nearly 45 Porsche club members from CWR, the BC Interior, and the Inland Northwest Club, which is based in eastern Washington State. Several multi-regional events are held annually between the CWR and American clubs, demonstrating our valued cross-border friendship.

This story was originally published in C2Sky, the Porsche Club of America – Canada West region magazine, in the fall of 2024 (pdf).

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Above photo: Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel

Central Okanagan

Over six days, we travelled over 1,000 km clockwise across British Columbia. We began our tour in Kelowna in the central Okanagan, then headed northeast to Banff National Park in the heart of the Canadian Rockies in Alberta. We then headed south towards the Canada—USA border and swept back up north to conclude our trip in Nelson on the west arm of Kootenay Lake.

On our first day, we woke up early because it was a travel day. We agreed to meet our fellow club members in Hope at 8:30 a.m. before embarking on a 5-hour scenic drive to Kelowna via mountain back roads. The Big Horn tour officially starts this evening in Kelowna with a welcome reception to reconnect with old friends and make new friendships.

Okanagan Lake

Our destination was the Hotel Eldorado, a Victorian-style inn in the Mission area of Kelowna on the east bank of Okanagan Lake. Upon arrival, we observed a lot of activity in the hotel parking lot. It was clear that our Porsches were the stars of the tour. Many owners had diligently cleaned their vehicles earlier, drawing admiration from locals and fellow members. 

The Eldorado, originally the Eldorado Arms Hotel, was founded in 1926 by Countess Bubna, an aristocratic English woman. During the 1950s and 1960s, it was a social hub, hosting British-style garden parties, dog shows, and croquet matches with the town’s political elite.

We found it an intimate property with 53 guest rooms, many with balconies offering panoramic lake views. Our room was spacious and had a quaint old English charm. The hotel offers several restaurants, a spa, a marina, and a short boardwalk along the lake.

Big Horn tour decals

On the second day, we were all invited for morning coffee at August Luxury Motorcars in Kelowna and had our tour decals installed.

We formed a single line upon arrival as we eagerly waited to enter their service building. Once inside, we witnessed over a dozen employees installing our Big Horn tour decals on six Porsches simultaneously. This included a large tour decal on both doors, driver and co-driver names and an August Luxury Motorcars sticker on the rear of each vehicle.

Afterwards, we ventured across the street to the August Motorcars showroom, filled with over 100 used luxury, exotic, and classic cars such as Porsche, Lamborghini, Ferrari, McLaren and more. I admit I did not want to leave without taking a closer look at a red Porsche 356 coupe at the back of the showroom. Special thanks to President and CEO Matt August and his friendly staff for their generous hospitality during our visit.

Winding mountain roads

Today’s Big Horn driving tour took us north along the Okanagan Highway, BC 97, to Radium Hot Springs. It features winding single-lane mountain roads interspersed with brief sections of divided highway. According to the tour book, it spans 438 km and lasts about six hours.

Before noon, we encountered a construction zone, which reduced traffic to an alternative single lane over a small bridge. As we approached the two-lane line-up, I noticed a semi-truck with hazard lights flashing in the right lane. So, I quickly moved into the left lane and was relieved to discover that the left lane continued to move slowly forward.

As we arrived in Revelstoke for lunch, we had not seen any other Porsches from our group that morning. We were nearly one hour behind schedule, so we figured everyone was ahead of us. After a quick lunch, we returned to the highway, continuing north into the Rockies.

Radium Hot Springs

With light traffic, we enjoyed a spirited drive to Radium Hot Springs and checked in at Bighorn Meadows Resort for our two-night stay. To our surprise, we were only the second Porsche to arrive, so I used the car wash station and explored the resort grounds.

Bighorn Meadows Resort is in the Columbia Valley, surrounded by the Rockies and the Purcell Mountain ranges. The luxury suites are on a 9-acre site surrounding the lush green Springs Golf Course. That evening, we all had a casual dinner in the golf clubhouse, where we met members of the Inland Northwest Club.

On day three, we could visit the Radium Hot Springs geological thermal pool, chill at the resort or explore Banff National Park, now a UNESCO heritage site. We decided to visit the town of Banff, so we headed east for 130 km, which takes about 90 minutes one way due to the park’s maximum posted speed limit of 90 km/h.

Big Horn sheep checked out our Porsches

Outside of Radium Hot Springs, we discovered a herd of Bighorn Sheep along the highway. Several large Bighorn sheep were leading younger lambs alongside the rocky hillside above us; we counted over 15 sheep.

I grew up in British Columbia and have visited Banff several times. However, it is no longer the quiet, rustic Rocky Mountain town I remember from childhood. Today, the touristy souvenir shops along Banff Avenue have been replaced by outdoor fashion stores, art galleries, and a more diverse food scene catering to international visitors. I’m delighted to discover that The Spirit of Christmas, my favourite store in Banff, is still open for business in the village. 

Rundle Bar

My favourite stop on the Big Horn driving tour was visiting the Rundle Bar at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, which is on the edge of town. Known as the “Castle in the Rockies,” the hotel was opened in 1888 by the Canadian Pacific Railway as one of Canada’s earliest grand railway hotels.

Located on the second floor, the Rundle Bar was awarded the ‘Best Patio Award 2024’ by Canada’s 100 Best, the definitive guide to the nation’s top restaurants, bars, and chefs.

It offers a breathtaking view of the snow-capped Mount Rundle, named after Reverend Robert Rundle, a Methodist who the Hudson’s Bay Company invited to conduct missionary work in western Canada in the 1840s.

Due to strong winds, we chose a seat inside the bar with views of the mountain range. The interior design resembles a cozy living room, with bespoke furniture and intimate lighting pockets, creating a unique and inviting atmosphere.

One of the greatest pleasures of the tour was spending that afternoon with fellow club members in the bar of a grand hotel. Sharing our Porsche adventures is a memory I will cherish for a long time.

The following day began with a time-distance challenge to Nelson. Our mission was to find Tour Host Francis Chin’s bright orange GT3 ahead on Highway 93 South. During the challenge, Francis made a breakfast stop and took scenic photos. Since we had already had breakfast before departing the Resort, we found him first, about 45 minutes too early.

That morning, our route for day five would cover nearly 400 km in about 4.5 hours. It began with scenic canyon driving, almost reaching the Canada – USA border, and then swept north to Nelson towards the pristine Kootenay Lake.

Nelson is the home to the grizzle bear

Upon arrival that afternoon, we learned that Nelson is home to ancient rainforests and iconic species, including the grizzly bear and Kokanee salmon. 

Our accommodations for the last two nights on tour were at the Nelson Prestige Lakeside Resort. Our room had views of the Lake and mountains and was within walking distance of downtown. 

With a population of only 11,000, Nelson has more restaurants per capita than foodie landmarks such as San Francisco, Vancouver, and Manhattan. That evening, we explored the downtown district and found Marzano restaurant on Baker St. It offers a genuine Italian dining experience with delicious artisan pizza, homemade pasta, and creative desserts.

Kohan Reflection garden

We had more options on our final day of the Big Horn driving tour. We chose a relaxing half-day counterclockwise loop that followed the Kootenay Lake shoreline on Highway 3 North to Kaslo, then east along Highway 31A to New Denver and returning south on Highway 6 to Nelson. 

The day’s highlight was our visit to the Kohan Reflection Garden in New Denver by Roy Tomomichi Sumi, a former Japanese internee at Tashme, Rosebery, and New Denver. He is a renowned master of bonsai and traditional Japanese gardens and an educator, designer, and builder. His Japanese gardens can be found throughout western Canada, and he was instrumental in creating the Nitobe Memorial Garden at UBC.

The highlight of our six-day tour was fully immersing ourselves in our country’s rich history and actively engaging with the locals. I especially relished picturing images of the British garden parties at the elegant Hotel Eldorado and partaking in stimulating conversations with fellow club members in the illustrious Rundle Bar at the iconic Fairmont Banff Springs. We appreciate Roy Tomomichi Sumi for creating the enriching Kohan Reflection Garden. 

We initially signed up for the Big Horn driving tour to drive our sporty Porsches and connect with other members in the magnificent backdrop of the Canadian Rockies. However, this journey has also immersed us in local history, equipping us to forge stronger connections with the places and people we encounter and create enduring travel memories. 

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My visit was part of the PCA-CWR Big Horn Tour, which included over 40 Porsche owners from Canada and the USA exploring Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

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Having visited Banff numerous times, I’ve witnessed its remarkable growth and transformation. On Banff Ave, the main boulevard, you will now find top fashion boutiques such as Canada Goose, Lululemon Athletica, Patagonia and a more diverse food scene. So, it is no longer the quiet, rustic Canadian Rockies town I experienced growing up.

Castle in the Rockies

The Fairmont Banff Springs, also known as the ‘Castle in the Rockies,’ was opened in 1888 by the Canadian Pacific Railway as one of Canada’s earliest grand railway hotels. In 1988, the hotel buildings were designated a National Historic Site of Canada. 

As you approach the main entrance, you enter the eleven-story central tower with steeply pitched roofs, ornate dormers, and gables. It is perched on a lush, green, forested mountainside overlooking a valley towards Mount Rundle.

In 1858, British explorer John Palliser renamed the mountain after Reverend Robert Rundle, who conducted missionary work in western Canada in the 1840s.

Best Patio Award 2024

As you step into the hotel lobby, take one of the curved staircases to the second floor, where the Rundle Bar is located towards the rear of the building. Ask for a table on the outdoor patio, which offers a panoramic view of the snow-capped Cascade mountains, or you can choose a plush seat inside by the fireplace.

Our visit was well-timed, as the Rundle Bar was awarded the ‘Best Patio Award 2024’ by Canada’s 100 Best, the definitive guide to the nation’s top restaurants, bars, and chefs. 

The bar’s interior design is reminiscent of a cozy living room. It features bespoke furniture groupings and intimate lighting pockets, creating a unique and inviting atmosphere.

The Rundle Bar’s lounge is anchored by a magnificent central bar, which connects to double-volume wooden arches that were once part of the original building facade. These arches have been transformed into full-height shelving with custom bronze and wood engraving, preserving the bar’s rich history.

The engraved ‘thistle’ is a common motif in the linenfold, plaster, and stained glasswork found throughout the historic hotel. One of the original arches next to the grand bar has been transformed into a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf with a secret door that leads guests to a posh speakeasy.

Wildflower, Rundle Bar’s signature cocktail

They recently introduced Rundle Bar Gin, exclusive to the bar in partnership with Canmore-based Wild Life Distillery. 

The gin features butterfly pea flower to create a vibrant purple hue when citrus and tonic is added. It is paired with flavorful botanical ingredients including juniper, coriander, lemon and grapefruit peel as well as angelica, orris and licorice root, to create a perfectly balanced floral gin. 

I recommend ordering the Rundle Bar’s signature cocktail, the Wildflower, on your next visit to the Fairmont Banff Springs.

Hotel bars: where unforgettable experiences come to life

Over the years, I have always enjoyed visiting hotel bars with my journalism colleagues. I fondly remember meeting in iconic hotels such as the Savoy in London, the Peninsula in Hong Kong, and the Carlton in St. Moritz.

A haven where I shared indelible life adventures with associates and occasionally with captivating women has genuinely enriched my life. 

As a luxury travel journalist, I’ve discovered that visiting historic hotel bars is one of life’s greatest pleasures. Cheers!

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To promote social-distancing, 100 and 200 blocks of Banff Avenue and Caribou Street are now closed to vehicle traffic creating a large pedestrian zone this summer. With the absence of international visitors and much smaller crowds, we felt very safe during our visit to Banff this summer.

Banff History

The majority of western Canadian towns were built on mining or natural resources but Banff is unique as it was built as a tourist destination in the late 1880’s around the natural hot springs discovered on Sulphur Mountain. 

To protect the Cave and Basin hot springs, as they came to be named, from uncontrolled development, the Canadian government created a reserve around the mountain. The Rocky Mountains Park of Canada, later renamed Banff National Park, was Canada’s first national park.

High in the mountains is the Banff Springs Hotel, a testament to the former might of the Canadian Pacific Railway which was essential to Banff’s development. The CPR brought tourists from across Canada on its railways and made Banff a world-class destination.

Bow Valley Parkway

New this summer is the closure of vehicle traffic along the Bow Valley Parkway, a narrow two-lane road north of Banff that runs parallel to Highway 1 and offers a walking and biking route that gets you up close to mother nature.

Rent a bike in Banff and make a day of viewing the alpine meadows and plentiful wildlife. Explore Johnston Canyon, filled with trails and bridges that take you to waterfalls, spring pools, and jagged rock walls. Dramatic natural beauty to say the very least.

Banff Gondola

One of the top attractions in this tourist hotspot is the Banff Gondola which takes visitors to the top of Sulphur Mountain for majestic views of several mountain ranges. The gondola takes about 8 minutes and places you at 7,486 feet above sea level. 

At the top, a boardwalk takes you to the Cosmic Ray Station, a national historical site and Sky Bistro, the tallest restaurant in Canada. Enjoy the views as well as the interpretive centre, dining options, and hiking trails. Plan to spend a minimum of three hours on the mountain. 

The current Banff Gondola protocol includes a thorough cleaning of each gondola after each use and the use of only every other gondola to ensure guests are able to maintain a safe social distance.

Sky Bistro

Known as the tallest restaurant in Canada, with views of the great Rockies Mountain ranges, the Sky Bistro is a dining experience that must be included during your visit.

With an open dining room concept, the restaurant’s floor to ceiling windows offered us stunning panoramic mountain views on one side of our table for two, making our mountain top meal an unforgettable experience.

To start, I recommend the Chowder full of PEI mussels, pacific salmon, BC prawns and clams, tobiko and bacon. For your entrée, try the Arctic Char which was flavourful yet delicate and came with a large portion of delectable truffle mash.

After exploring the top of Sulfur mountain, a quality dining experience makes for the perfect end to a day in Banff. Sky Bistro’s wine list covers a good selection of whites, reds and sparkling wines, making it a perfect spot for any celebration.

There is a gondola dining package that includes your choice of appetizer and entree and includes gratuities. Making your gondola and dining reservation online in advance, allows you to avoid the line ups. 

Despite the slow summer for tourism and travel, Albertans welcome British Columbians to experience Banff, one of Canada’s great national treasures. With smaller crowds and awesome outdoor adventures, it’s the perfect vacation destination this year.  

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