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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In that spirit, this summer, I decided to spend a weekend visiting the best South Okanagan wineries on a personal Porsche wine tasting tour. As a lover of both good wine and Porsches, I thought I would combine these two interests and see what happened. I was on a mission to discover exceptional wines and to connect with local growers and winemakers for a truly immersive travel experience.

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The South Okanagan stretches from Penticton on Okanagan Lake, to Osoyoos on the edge of the Canada – US border. The area has nearly 200 wineries, producing more than 75 grape varieties, and includes several microclimates with varying soil compositions.

Upon my arrival in Penticton on Saturday at noon, I visited Loki’s Garage, located behind Front St., in the downtown business district. Originally a multi-car garage, it has been converted into a restaurant with large bay doors and plenty of patio seating. Here, I met owner Luke Walsh, who works from scratch with the best local ingredients to create memorable meals. The house- cured pastrami and pickled sauerkraut sandwich was so good that it reminded me of my recent visit to Montreal.

My first winery tasting that afternoon was at Poplar Grove Winery located on the Naramata Bench which offered an astonishing panoramic view of Okanagan Lake and the town of Penticton from their tasting room and restaurant. I was greeted by Daniel Hinchey, tasting room manager, who served me their signature red blend, The Legacy, which has amazing qualities that truly reflect the character of the region. With some of the best red wines and incredible views, Poplar Grove Winery is a must-visit.

Leaving the winery, I continued on to Naramata, a village of only about 2000 residents about 15 kilometers north of Penticton. There I discovered Shades of Linen Clothing. Owner Diane Jensen has been operating from this small shop for the past 16 years, designing and manufacturing resort wear for men and women. Working with natural blend fabrics such as linen and cotton/linen blends, she pre-shrinks the fabric before sewing and clients can order custom tailored pieces; she even ships worldwide. I was reminded by this experience that, when traveling, we make a difference by shopping local.

I then visited TIME Winery which is located within a historic and revitalized movie theatre in downtown Penticton. This elegant tasting bar and restaurant offers the renowned Chronos, Evolve Cellars and the McWatters Collection wines. During my VIP tasting, I learned about sparkling wine production and enjoyed their famous Sabre School experience; I even opened a bottle of bubbly with a quick stroke of a large sabre blade! With a reputation for excellent wines and the best gourmet burgers in the Okanagan, TIME Winery made for the perfect ending to my first day.

For accommodation, I checked into the Penticton Lakeside Resort’s new luxury west wing which is built primarily with sustainably managed BC timber rather than the commonly used steel and concrete. My contemporary sixth-floor room had light coloured wood accents and a spacious private balcony with spectacular views of Okanagan Lake Bench and the Okanagan Highlands. With covered parking for my Porsche, this is certainly my choice of hotel when visiting Penticton.

As a seasoned traveller, I seek out local hang-outs such as Wayne and Freda Coffee Shop where I enjoyed my next day’s brunch. A ten-minute walk from the Penticton Lakeside Resort, the Cafe offers sustainable coffee and a curated menu of breakfast sandwiches. I ordered the Salmon toast with a poached egg and watched the town of Penticton come alive on a warm Sunday morning.

Afterwards, I loaded my Porsche’s trunk with my overnight bag and, with the top down, I headed south towards Okanagan Falls. My driving route was a curvy two-lane road along Lakeside Road on the edge of Skaha Lake away from highway traffic.

It was Sunday morning and I wasn’t looking for a religious experience, but I then came across Blasted Church Vineyards. Located in the hills above Skaha Lake, the entrance greets you with a “Come to Church” sign with “Blasted” graffiti’d in by some mischievous nuns. Beside the sign sat a church pew, over 100 years old, which I learned is from the original Okanagan Falls – based house of prayer that was dismantled and rebuilt in 1929.

Blasted Church Vineyards, with its gently blasphemous stance, are famous for their truly delightful handcrafted wines. I learned from winemaker Evan Saunders that their small lot wines – under 300 cases – have received accolades in Canada and from aboard. My wine tasting experience included various wines, served on their patio, and concluded with a glass of Blaufrankisch Rose, complemented by their tasty cheese and charcuterie plate.

Pointing my Porsche south, my next stop was CheckMate Artisanal Winery in Oliver. Upon entering the parking lot, I discovered two Porsche EV chargers which was a first on my road trips; I had not yet come across any other Porsches on this trip and was delighted to know that other like-minded drivers were enjoying the Okanagan. Alas, my curated tasting experience at CheckMate was presented by Valerio Mariani, who loves Ferraris. Being Italian, he can be forgiven.

From the CheckMate tasting room, furnished with Italian furniture in all black, featuring smoked glass, guests enjoy views of the vineyards. Grown from the oldest Chardonnay vines in BC, I enjoyed the 2018 Queen’s Advantage Chardonnay which explodes in your mouth and yet remains silky with hints of butterscotch, marmalade and barrel spice. Try the 2018 End Game Merlot for a complex aroma with licorice, spice, chocolate, raspberry, deep red fruits and a taste that is rich on the palate with savory notes, raspberry and dark chocolate.

My last visit of the day was at Nk’Mip Cellars in Osoyoos, located beside the Spirit Ridge Resort. Nk’Mip is North America’s first Indigenous owned and operated winery dedicated to crafting premium VQA wines. Here, I met Justin Hall, winemaker, who shared with me his people’s history and his determination to build a successful winery. My private wine tasting included both white and red wines with a focus on the grape, for a more refreshing taste reflecting the terroir of this unique desert climate.

On my final night, I stayed at the luxury Spirit Ridge Resort which embraces the story-telling of the local Osoyoos Indian Band through art, language, food and stories. This resort property has a wonderful pool with views of Osoyoos Lake, a spa, and fabulous dining options.

Spirit Ridge Resort’s signature restaurant, the Bear, the Fish, the Root & the Berry, is named after a Chaptik story of four Chiefs that represent the key elements of indigenous cuisine. The four chiefs are Skemxist (Black Bear), Siya (Saskatoon Berry), Spitlem (Bitter Root), and Ntyxtix (King Salmon). I can highly recommend it, as my evening dinner was a succulent Bison ribeye with wine of course – the perfect ending for my Porsche weekend tour.

Only a five-and-a-half-hour drive from Vancouver, British Columbia’s South Okanagan is one of the great undiscovered wine regions in the country, so pack up your Porsche and visit before the masses arrive.

This story was published in the Porsche Club of America – Canada West Region Timberline magazine, Fall 2022.

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