During a magical mid-air moment on my mountain bike (two feet off the ground is kinda my sweet spot) on Tumbleweed (my favourite intermediate flow trail at the Kamloops Bike Ranch), it hit me. Of all the towns I’ve visited in Western Canada, Kamloops is, literally, a perfect match for my tastes. The mountain biking is fabulous. The golf scene is sensational. And the craft beer is tastier than a two-foot birdie putt at Tobiano. So, from the lens I’m looking through, Kamloops is a triple-whammy. A trifecta!
Of course, while Kamloops is king when it comes to mountain biking, golf, and delicious craft beverages, it’s got much more going for it than that. Guided hiking tours, fishing, paddling, beaching, Indigenous tourism, foodie fun, and wine touring are a few more notable examples.
And, perhaps best of all, getting to Kamloops just got a whole lot easier for Albertans. Direct flights from Edmonton to Kamloops with Westjet will return this spring. While you can, obviously, easily make the trip by car, the 1.5 hour flight time is certainly appealing for that quick getaway when time is of the essence. (I’d say visit tourismkamloops.com to plan your trip.)
“Appealing” is a word that doesn’t do it justice when describing my favourite golf course in the Kamloops area: Tobiano. (FYI: The course is now called GreenTee Country Club Tobiano.) With 18 stunning holes that soar atop the bluff high above Kamloops Lake, Tobiano is, from a visual standpoint, as good as golf gets. There are stellar lake-and-mountain views on every single hole! Also, this bold and contemporary Thomas McBroom design features dramatic elevation changes, wildly-creative bunkering, daring go-for-broke shot options, and character galore.
But the golf scene in Kamloops isn’t just a one-shot wonder. There are eight awesome courses in the Golf Kamloops portfolio (check out golfkamloops.com) and there is a ton of variety. For example, Talking Rock Golf Course near Chase is a phenomenal parkland course that parades through the forest and serves up a spectacular finish on the lake. Bighorn Golf & Country Club is a dynamite desert course that tumbles and rolls through an arid landscape near the confluence of the North and South Thompson Rivers. And Rivershore, a storied Robert Trent Jones Sr. track that hugs the banks of the South Thompson River, is a mature, championship-worthy course that is also perfectly positioned near a number of wineries.
While the jump trails, machine-made flow trails, and freeriding at the Kamloops Bike Ranch are what put mountain biking on the map in Kamloops, there are actually a handful of trail networks to ride in the region.
The terrain is vast, variety-filled, and caters to riding of all types. Alpine ridge rides, flowy berm blasts, family rides, technical descents, double-black gnar, easy greens for grommets, freeriding, it’s all there. There are over 1000 kilometers of trails and the topography in-and-around town – think hoodoos, canyons, forests, sage meadows, and more – is phenomenal! Put it this way, there is a reason why Kamloops is always top of mind when Canada’s best mountain biking destinations are discussed.
Not surprisingly, I’ve got plenty of favourite trails in the area. Mesa – a spectacular sunset ride in a desert-like setting in the Kenna Cartwright area – is definitely a go-to ride and a Kamloops classic. I’m also a huge fan of the beautiful intermediate cross-country trails in the Pineview area. (Iron Mask is a winner.)
And, of course, whenever I get to Kamloops I typically head straight to the Kamloops Bike Ranch. It’s the largest municipal bike park in Canada and has everything from ginormous jump lines to mini pump tracks for toddlers. Although I can’t hang with the fearless freeriders who defy gravity and fly down the double-blacks like Evil Knievel gone wild, I’ve almost mastered every two-foot gap, drop, kicker, and table-top on Tumbleweed. I’m hoping to master the two-footers at Tobiano next.
Whether it’s post round or post ride, rest assured, Kamloops boasts plenty of places to whet your whistle and re-energize. Here are a few more spots that won’t disappoint:
Deep-fried pickles and a perfect pint of pale ale, anyone?
A peaceful, tucked-away spot along the river that’s also home to a cidery.
Kamloops’ original winery, family-run since 2005.
A local favourite for a delicious dinner.
Casual dining on the patio? This is your spot.
Multiple vendors in one place. Something for every palette.
