At Spirit Ridge Resort there’s beauty everywhere: the dramatic views of Osoyoos Lake, the ancient mountains, the Sonoran Desert, the verdure of the vineyards enfolding the resort. Look around and it’s easy to understand why the ancestors of the Osoyoos Indian Band considered this area to have curative properties. The landscape here is magical. You can feel the stress of daily life disappearing.
The Okanagan people have lived here in the South Okanagan for thousands of years. Come and learn about their amazing history at the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre situated in the heart of the resort. Nk’Mip (pronounced in-ka-meep) means “bottomland” in English and refers to being located at the southern end of the Osoyoos reservation. The state-of-the-art interpretive centre is housed in an architectural wonder built into the side of a hill. It features hands-on displays, outdoor galleries and education stations designed to highlight the rich living culture of its people.
Relax at the Spa
Once you’ve explored to your heart’s content, relax at the Solterra Desert Spa where the emphasis is on promoting balance and life-long health. It offers an array of therapies, including deep tissue treatments, relaxing scalp-massage, pedicures and everybody’s favourite — hot stone massage.
Taste Award-Winning Wines
Afterwards, wander over to the Nk’Mip Cellars. Not only is this the first Aboriginal-owned winery in Canada, it is also one of the oldest and largest wineries in the Okanagan. Their exceptional wines are known for displaying the complexities of the area’s unique terroir.
Over the years, they’ve been awarded several medals, including those from the Decanter World Wine Awards, All Canadian Wine Championships and the Okanagan Wine Festival Best of Varietal Awards. In 2016, they were the InterVin Canadian Winery of the Year.
Visit the tasting room to try a selection and find out for yourself why wine connoisseurs can’t stop talking about the genius of senior winemaker Randy Picton and winemaker and Osoyoos Indian Band member Justin Hall.
Enjoy Art and Food
Later, hang out and admire the venue’s original artwork. Many of the pieces depict aspects of Okanagan mythology and culture. If you’re hungry, grab a bite at the Patio Restaurant. The delicious food here reflects the agricultural bounty of the region and is prepared using traditional Aboriginal techniques.
Wish Upon a Star
At nightfall, find a seat outside and enjoy the stars. Artificial light pollution is limited in Osoyoos so it’s a great place to sit back and watch for shooting stars. Better yet, dream about your return here. After all, one trip is simply not enough. People have been returning here for millennia.