Shuswap/Sicamous this July long weekend...houseboating or sandbagging?

[FlamesKickAss]

these are pictures from the Waterways facebook page

[freedogger]

The pictures complement their PR's rather well

Based on rareEarth’s market research and client feedback, it was found that many of
today’s buyers are not as interested in the typical large scale resort amenities such as
swim-up pool bars or multi-million dollar penthouse suites. Hummingbird Beach Resort
instead chose to adhere to a simple , low-density development model, focused on
celebrating the Mara Lake tradition of family, community and leisure.

Hummingbird has designed its beach resort to appeal to vacationers who are looking for
an easy, uncomplicated holiday experience that emphasizes memorable family
experiences on the Shuswap lakes. Tucked away from the busyness of life, it is located
near the Town of Sicamous, the houseboating capital of Canada.

“The people that holiday here are not about “appearances” as much as quality of
experience. They don’t want to take an elevator to get down to the lake – they want to
walk out their front door, carrying a air mattress, not worrying about whether or not they
are tracking sand in the hallway.”

http://www.hummingbirdbeachresort.ca...popularity.pdf

[Barnes]

It would be interesting to hear the dock to boat radio. Lot of pissed off hungover people come Thursday. Could you imagine doing the boat return walkathrough.

[Baaarrden]

I was supposed to go houseboating on Monday in the Shuswap too but was just informed tonight that it was cancelled. So I would assume that your trip may also get cancelled if it hasn't already.

[MissTeeks]

I think it depends who you are with. If you're with Waterways then yes, it probably will be cancelled. My mom and dad still live in Sicamous and she said as of this morning Twin Anchors was still planning on letting their boats out. That may have changed since this morning though.

[McG]

i have to travel with a soccer team from edmonton to kelowna; i was planning on going through calgary to salmon arm and down that way and therefore avoiding 97A and sicamous.

or should i travel through jasper to kamloops and then take 97 down; i am concerned about the water at tete jaune on that route.

needless to say, one doesn't want to get turned back on a long trip.

can anyone throw their 2 cents out there please? thanks!

[drewboy12]

Originally Posted by freedogger

The pictures complement their PR's rather well

Based on rareEarth’s market research and client feedback, it was found that many of
today’s buyers are not as interested in the typical large scale resort amenities such as
swim-up pool bars or multi-million dollar penthouse suites. Hummingbird Beach Resort
instead chose to adhere to a simple , low-density development model, focused on
celebrating the Mara Lake tradition of family, community and leisure.

Hummingbird has designed its beach resort to appeal to vacationers who are looking for
an easy, uncomplicated holiday experience that emphasizes memorable family
experiences on the Shuswap lakes. Tucked away from the busyness of life, it is located
near the Town of Sicamous, the houseboating capital of Canada.

“The people that holiday here are not about “appearances” as much as quality of
experience. They don’t want to take an elevator to get down to the lake – they want to
walk out their front door, carrying a air mattress, not worrying about whether or not they
are tracking sand in the hallway.”

http://www.hummingbirdbeachresort.ca...popularity.pdf

Stayed there every summer for 17 years before they develoPed it. Was there during the flash floods in 96? Was pretty scary, almost died.

[red sky]

Originally Posted by fotze

Sounds tamer than a typical houseboat trip:

• Constant threat of catastrophic injury due to booze
• Constant threat of boat damage
• Thrown off seadoo and losing glasses
• Severe dehydration
• Unexpected loss of consciousness
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Food poisoning from burgers dropped in lake
• Loss of $2000 damage deposit
• Questionable water quality
• Living in pure human filth
• Punched in the face by some chick
• $1500 tab for water ambulance
• Ticket for noise
• Bad mushroom trips
• Severe smoke inhilation
• Severe withdrawl symptoms

Sounds great compared to my houseboat trip. Might actually calm it down a bit.

You forgot the bill from the "floating store" for being a little too aggressive with your park job!

[J3FFR3Y]

Me and my team are out in chilliwack helping with the floods and it's getting just as bad. BC is in rough shape all over.

[REDVAN]

This looks bad.

How does one get to Kelowna or Penticton? Can you go easily by Sicamous or do you have to go the long way?

[Locke]

"The Beaches will be open for the Canada Day long weekend!"

[Madman]

Originally Posted by REDVAN

This looks bad.

How does one get to Kelowna or Penticton? Can you go easily by Sicamous or do you have to go the long way?

Go to Salmon Arm and take 97B south.

[Mazrim]

Originally Posted by Madman

Go to Salmon Arm and take 97B south.

This. Many people don't realize it's not that big of a detour using 97B. Don't waste your time going well out of your way if you can avoid it.

[Frequitude]

Me and 25 of my buds had two Waterways boats that weekend. All cars but one got swept away and buried. Can recognize a bunch from the videos and photos. It was f***ing nuts.

Only reason the one car got saved is because a buddy sliced his leg and needed stitches. When they got back from the hospital they happened to park somewhere else.

Don't listen to the whiners in the media. Waterways was top notch. I feel so bad for them. They lost pretty much everything. Their whole business is gone.

Most of our boys will have insurance cheques within a week. Wish I drove.

[Red John]

Originally Posted by Mazrim

This. Many people don't realize it's not that big of a detour using 97B. Don't waste your time going well out of your way if you can avoid it.

That's a better way to go around even in normal conditions.

A few kilometres longer than going around Mara Lake on 97A, but often quicker time-wise because there's significantly more passing lanes.

Going around Mara Lake and Grindrod sucks. Get caught behind a dumb local or a semi doing 60 and nothing you can do about it.

[Russic]

We drove through on Thursday to get to the Okanagan and there was almost no time lost. I too feel bad for Waterways... used one of their houseboats a few years ago and had a blast. Not "eat a burger that fell in the lake" blast, but a blast nonetheless.

[Mazrim]

Originally Posted by Red John

That's a better way to go around even in normal conditions.

A few kilometres longer than going around Mara Lake on 97A, but often quicker time-wise because there's significantly more passing lanes.

Going around Mara Lake and Grindrod sucks. Get caught behind a dumb local or a semi doing 60 and nothing you can do about it.

I do Calgary - Kelowna about 3 times a year, and every so often we take 97B. There usually is no advantage time wise, but a few times it's actually been slower, passing lanes or not. What time of day are you usually going through there?

[burn_this_city]

I'm out here this weekend between Salmon Arm and Sorrento. The lake is higher than I've ever seen it, we drove by a bunch of flooded cabins and businesses in Blind Bay.

[Red John]

Originally Posted by Mazrim

I do Calgary - Kelowna about 3 times a year, and every so often we take 97B. There usually is no advantage time wise, but a few times it's actually been slower, passing lanes or not. What time of day are you usually going through there?

As a local, pretty much any and every time of day.

Even if 97B is longer, it feels quicker since you aren't stuck going 50-60 at points.

As a general rule, take 97B over Salmon Arm whenever you expect lots of tourist traffic (Friday evenings, long weekends, etc.)

If you drive at obscure times or during the week, the Mara/Grindrod route is fine.

[Frequitude]

Apparently the lake is 18ft higher than it was at this point last year.