Weather:
Vernon showcases four distinct seasons throughout the course of a year. Summer days are hot, dry and filled with sunshine. The average high summertime temperatures of 28°C, make for perfect beach weather. Autumn is abundant with gorgeous colours and fall harvests in full swing, temperatures are still warm in the day, reaching mid 20°C but can get quite chilly come late October. Winters are mild and snowy, the average low temperature is only -8°C, making for excellent skiing conditions. Spring mornings can start cool with a light frost but reach almost 20°C as the day goes on. Greenery and fresh blooms make Vernon bright with the promise of warmer months. The average rainfall is 300mm annually, average valley snowfall is 139.8cm and up to 644cm in the mountains.
Amenities:
Nestled between Okanagan, Kalamalka and Swan Lakes, visitors and locals alike take advantage of Vernon’s 2000 hours of annual sunshine, frequenting the beaches and trails overlooking these stunning bodies of water. Kalamalka Lake is a local favourite for its warm temperatures, crystal indigo blue water and ample sandy beaches such as Jade & Juniper Bay. Okanagan Lake, famous in local folklore for housing the Ogopogo, starts in Vernon and stretches an expansive 135km throughout the entire valley, ending in Penticton. It’s extremely popular amongst boating and watersport enthusiasts, and provides the unique opportunity to explore the Okanagan Valley on the water. Swan Lake’s rural setting offers some of the best bird watching in all of British Columbia, showcasing a variety of birds of prey. It is a winter-time favourite for ice fishing, skating and friendly outdoor hockey games.
Vernon’s one of a kind location within the valley provides a wide variety of activities to suit any outdoor enthusiast. Encompassing a number of amenities, from rolling hills, to snow topped mountains, sandy beaches and vibrant trails. World-class resorts, golf courses, theatre, spas, restaurants, wineries and so much more offer a rich and relaxed lifestyle. Enjoy golfing at a world class course and finish the day with a fine wine from a five-star winery. Explore Silver Star Mountain Resort, just 25 minutes from downtown, with runs to suit every skill level from the beginner to the adrenaline junkie. Voted the number one Nordic Destination by the US National Ski Team in Forbes Travel Magazine, the mountain continues to cater to the many international visitors lured by the friendly atmosphere and dry powder. For the cross-country skiing or snowshoeing enthusiast, Sovereign Lake is an outstanding natural environment with ample snow fall. With a trail system spanning 105km, it is largest network of continuously groomed trails in Canada. High elevation and the perfect climate make Sovereign one of the top cross-country ski destinations in the world.
Transportation:
The average commute in Vernon is just 4.4 kilometres, making it perfectly feasible to forgo the car and take advantage of the ever-expanding cycling and walking paths to reach a destination. The Vernon Regional Transit System and handyDart service provides ample transportation options to residents, with service to Kelowna and other communities throughout the region. If a work commute to the larger industrial parks in the surrounding areas is required, access to recently renovated provincial highways is highly convenient. Highway 97 connects north (Kamloops) – south (Kelowna); Highway 97A beginning in Vernon, going north to Armstrong and Enderby; and Highway 6 connecting east (Vernon) – west (Lumby). Vernon is located just 30 minutes from the Kelowna International Airport by car. One of the busiest airports in Canada, with daily flights to the oil patch, direct flights to major destinations and seasonal service to a variety of sunny vacation spots. The community is located approximately 4 1/2 hours by car from Vancouver and the Pacific Ocean, and 3 hours north of the US border at Washington State.
Food & Drink:
Vernon’s location in the heart of fruit and vegetable country offers a fresh and varied taste of all the ingredients grown locally within the community. The region is rich with boutique wineries, an award-winning distillery and craft cideries and breweries. Local farm to table restaurants and cafes dish up fresh flavours. While weekly farmer’s markets offer fresh fare at low prices for locals to enjoy from the comfort of home.
Housing:
A wide variety of housing options can be found in Vernon. Apartments, townhomes, single-family homes, multi-family homes and acreages are all available. With each Vernon neighborhood offering distinct qualities and amenities, a visit to the area to explore the amazing community is vital when making the decision to move to Vernon.
Adult Communities:
Schools:
The Vernon public school system falls under School District 22, with 14 elementary schools and 5 secondary schools that can meet any child’s needs. Fine Arts & Applied Skills Programs are available to help every student develop to their potential.
Elementary Schools:
Secondary Schools:
Post-Secondary Education:
Events:
Vernon hosts a wide variety of community events throughout the year. Festivals, theatre productions, live music events and so much more keep the community vibrant and active. The Vernon Winter Carnival is a ten day festival with activities and events taking place throughout the entire community. The Funtastic Slo-Pitch Tournament and A&W Music Festival is an event locals look forward to all year, jam packed with live music and slo-pitch events happening throughout the city.