Area Information

OLIVER, BC: Population 4,490 (approximately 9,000 including rural area)

The Town of Oliver is located in the heart of the South 0kanagan Valley - at the northern tip of the Sonoran Desert. An irrigation canal, completed in 1923 and known locally as the "Ditch", transformed the area into a fertile fruit and vegetable growing area and more recently into an award winning wine making region. Oliver is a short 25 minute drive from the US border and 35 minutes south of Penticton. With a desert, lakes, mountains, vineyards and orchards surrounding the town, this is one of the most picturesque places in British Columbia.

Oliver also boasts a wonderful climate year round with an average summer temperature of 29C. Average winter temperature is 0 C with an average snowfall of 51 cm. These balmy winters are making Oliver the new winter destination spot for snowbirds and skiers alike.

Oliver is now calling itself "The Wine Capital of Canada" and the Town has statistics to back up its claim. There are 13 local wineries and several vineyards. 50% Of British Columbia's wine grapes and 15% -25% of Canada's wine grapes are grown between Oliver and Osoyoos.Oliver can account for 10% of Canada's wineries and vineyards. The "'Festival of the Grape", held during the Okanagan' s Fall Wine Festival, is fast becoming a "must attend" event.

Oliver is also the home of Fairview Mountain Golf Course. Established in 1925 and expanded in 1990, Fairview Mountain is widely acclaimed as one of the best in the province. Not to be out done, Cherry Grove Golf Course has recently been extended to 18 holes and has been renamed lnkameep Canyon Desert Golf Course. Both courses, as well as Osoyoos Golf & Country Club, have just completed new clubhouses.

From Spring through Winter, there are activities for everyone. If you are lucky, in the late spring you can even ski in the morning and golf in the afternoon. Hiking, biking, fishing, swimming, skiing, curling, golfing, wine tasting, museums, baseball, skateboarding - You name it ... Oliver has it. Make sure you visit our "'Destination Resort". You just might decide to stay!