Outdoors and Recreation

The Vernon Snowmobile Association’s latest grant for $100,000 will allow it to build a new chalet at SilverStar Mountain, replacing the old one (pictured). (VSA photo)

Grant boosts build of new Vernon Snowmobile chalet

New chalet to be constructed at SilverStar Mountain, replacing original chalet built in 1967

 

Pickleball players were out enjoying the country’s – and North America’s – fastest-growing sport at the South Surrey Athletic Park courts during recent warm weather. According to Pickleball Canada, the sport is now growing fastest among players 18-34 years old. (Surrey Pickleball Club/Facebook photo)

Pickleball picking up for players as weather gets warmer

‘It is so much fun! It’s awesome. It will change your life’

 

(Nolan Ulm/Submitted)

NFL, CFL players coaching Kelowna youth football charity camp

The Make It Happen Football Camp runs on June 23 and 24

 

Celebrating a big putt at a 2022 RBC PGA Scramble Regional Final. (Megan Robinson/PGA of Canada)

Amateur PGA events coming to Kelowna courses

The Kelowna golf events are held on May 29, June 27, and July 23

Celebrating a big putt at a 2022 RBC PGA Scramble Regional Final. (Megan Robinson/PGA of Canada)
With Stihl Timbersports athlete Stirling Hart watching, Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce executive director Leanna Kemp fires up a chainsaw and cuts through a log. Hart was in town Monday to promote the Stihl Timbersports National Championship, which is coming to Chilliwack Aug. 12-13, 2023. (Eric J. Welsh/ Chilliwack Progress)

VIDEO: Stihl Timbersports nationals coming to Chilliwack in August

The Chilliwack Coliseum will host a pro and women’s competition featuring chopping and sawing events

With Stihl Timbersports athlete Stirling Hart watching, Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce executive director Leanna Kemp fires up a chainsaw and cuts through a log. Hart was in town Monday to promote the Stihl Timbersports National Championship, which is coming to Chilliwack Aug. 12-13, 2023. (Eric J. Welsh/ Chilliwack Progress)
Myra Van Otterloo, a helicopter pilot from Nanaimo, left, and Jessa Arcuri, a school vice-principal from Penticton, have become the first B.C. team to compete in the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles du Maroc – a nine-day, 2,500-kilometre rally across the Moroccan desert. (Photo submitted)

Rally racers blaze fresh B.C. trail across Moroccan desert’s ‘treacherous’ terrain

B.C. women compete against hundreds of teams at Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles du Maroc

Myra Van Otterloo, a helicopter pilot from Nanaimo, left, and Jessa Arcuri, a school vice-principal from Penticton, have become the first B.C. team to compete in the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles du Maroc – a nine-day, 2,500-kilometre rally across the Moroccan desert. (Photo submitted)
Myra Van Otterloo, a helicopter pilot from Nanaimo, left, and Jessa Arcuri, a school vice-principal from Penticton, have become the first B.C. team to compete in the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles du Maroc – a nine-day, 2,500-kilometre rally across the Moroccan desert. (Photo submitted)

Penticton rally racer navigates Moroccan desert’s ‘treacherous’ terrain

B.C. women compete against hundreds of teams at Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles du Maroc

Myra Van Otterloo, a helicopter pilot from Nanaimo, left, and Jessa Arcuri, a school vice-principal from Penticton, have become the first B.C. team to compete in the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles du Maroc – a nine-day, 2,500-kilometre rally across the Moroccan desert. (Photo submitted)
(Draven Heitt/ Submitted)

‘They have my back on and off the track’: Kelowna BMXer ready to race with new sponsor

Cyclepath Kelowna sponsors local BMX athlete

(Draven Heitt/ Submitted)
A basic adult anglers license in B.C. will increase to $39.56 per year in 2023, then go up to $41.15 in 2024. AdobeStock

B.C. raises freshwater fishing fees, with funds supporting angling and conservation

It will cost a little more to go freshwater fishing in British…

A basic adult anglers license in B.C. will increase to $39.56 per year in 2023, then go up to $41.15 in 2024. AdobeStock
A tiny tick is almost unnoticeable when it’s hidden by an animal's fur (or a human’s hair). It is important to check pets and yourself for the tiny blood-drinkers when returning from enjoying the outdoors. (File photo)

It’s officially tick time in the Okanagan

Blood-sucking arachnids are but there is no need to worry if you’re tick-checking regularly

A tiny tick is almost unnoticeable when it’s hidden by an animal's fur (or a human’s hair). It is important to check pets and yourself for the tiny blood-drinkers when returning from enjoying the outdoors. (File photo)
51 Hotdogs climbed by Stu Smith (Screenshot of Youtube video by Stu Smith)

Hot diggity dog, Kelowna rock climbing route considered a sick send

51 Hotdogs is a 5.11a sport climbing route at Cedar Mountain on Croissant Wall just south of Kelowna

51 Hotdogs climbed by Stu Smith (Screenshot of Youtube video by Stu Smith)
City of Salmon Arm Couns. Louise Wallace Richmond and Kevin Flynn lend a hand with the Shuswap Trail Alliance’s fundraising efforts during the Trails Party at the SASCU Recreation Centre on Friday, Feb. 3, 2023. (Barb Brouwer/Facebook photo)

Shuswap Trail Alliance grateful for more than $70,000 received in fundraising efforts

Funds raised leveraged with matching grants, donations, in-kind contributions

City of Salmon Arm Couns. Louise Wallace Richmond and Kevin Flynn lend a hand with the Shuswap Trail Alliance’s fundraising efforts during the Trails Party at the SASCU Recreation Centre on Friday, Feb. 3, 2023. (Barb Brouwer/Facebook photo)
Early season powder has graced SilverStar Mountain Resort since opening early Nov. 18. (Bree Vanderleest photo)

More mountain, lifts, Tube Town opens at Vernon’s SilverStar

Resort also hosting light-up and BC Winter Games Torch Light Parade

Early season powder has graced SilverStar Mountain Resort since opening early Nov. 18. (Bree Vanderleest photo)
A sign placed on the Okanagan Rail Trail is blocked by a tree near Coldstream. (Contributed)

Guess that sign: Okanagan Rail Trail marker overgrown

Trail users wondering why a sign would be erected behind a tree

A sign placed on the Okanagan Rail Trail is blocked by a tree near Coldstream. (Contributed)
Greg Barber, formerly of Montrose, took four months to complete the 4,200-km hike of the Pacific Crest Trail. Turn to page 10 to see more photos of his epic journey. Photo: Submitted

Kootenay native reflects on 4,200-km trek on pacific trail

Greg Barber hikes from Mexico to Canada over Sierra and Cascade Mountains

Greg Barber, formerly of Montrose, took four months to complete the 4,200-km hike of the Pacific Crest Trail. Turn to page 10 to see more photos of his epic journey. Photo: Submitted
The long-standing trees in Lakeview Park around the Peanut Pool are coming down to make way for the new pool and spray park. (Morning Star file photo)

Aging Vernon park trees cut down

Elms at Lakeview to be replaced, after construction of new peanut pool

The long-standing trees in Lakeview Park around the Peanut Pool are coming down to make way for the new pool and spray park. (Morning Star file photo)
Floaters on the Penticton River Channel needed the fire department to rescue them after they tied together their floats and became tangled around the bridge. (Monique Tamminga - Western News)

Penticton fire department called to rescue floaters on River Channel

The floaters had become tangled around the centre pillar after tying the rafts together

Floaters on the Penticton River Channel needed the fire department to rescue them after they tied together their floats and became tangled around the bridge. (Monique Tamminga - Western News)
The Shuswap River Ambassadors have stocked the Kids Don't Float kiosks with lifejackets for use. (Video still)

Enderby Shuswap River users reminded, ‘Kids don’t float’

Heatwave sees increasing number of people out on river, despite higher-than-normal levels

The Shuswap River Ambassadors have stocked the Kids Don't Float kiosks with lifejackets for use. (Video still)
Kildonan Boat Launch is closed due to high levels on Shuswap River in Enderby. (Shuswap River Ambassadors)

Enderby river floating discouraged following rescues

Shuswap River too dangerous for inflatables/paddling

Kildonan Boat Launch is closed due to high levels on Shuswap River in Enderby. (Shuswap River Ambassadors)
One day after celebrating a very warm Canada Day in Trail on Friday, Brenda Haley and her hiking pals set out on a trek through the snow to take in the majestic views of Kootenay Glacier Provincial Park. Photos: Brenda Haley

Got snow? Summertime in the Kootenays sure does

PHOTOS: Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park is one of the oldest major parks in the provincial system

One day after celebrating a very warm Canada Day in Trail on Friday, Brenda Haley and her hiking pals set out on a trek through the snow to take in the majestic views of Kootenay Glacier Provincial Park. Photos: Brenda Haley