Looking into a place to stay for IM Canada, along with up to 8 other family members. Looks like most all hotels in Penticton are booked as well as (reasonably priced) vacation rentals. Any thoughts on the best places outside of Penticton to stay that isn’t booked? Thanks
register and post your dilemma on the mile141.com forum under Canada Lodging. I got SUPER lucky one year and found a place to stay for my wife and I in a very nice house with the nicest couple in town for $100 TOTAL for the week.
Ryan, we stayed at the Summerland Waterfront Resort and Spa this past year, and the place was really really nice. Great restaurant, right on the water, very modern rooms. It was about a 15 min drive to get to the race area in Penticton. Its just up the west side of the lake.
Larger groups are tougher. A couple years back I stayed at Galighers (sp?) resort which is about 10Km south of OK Falls. Was inexpensive and a bit rustic (one large room with 2 twins and a small kitchenette) but who knows what they may have left. Good location for some training rides as the IMC bike course goes by the Motel. It may work for spectators - could be in Penticton for T1 and then drive to the Motel (use West side of Skaha?) and watch the bikers for awhile, then back into Penticton to see T2 and final.
Thanks for the suggestions, I’ll look into them. Keep the suggestions coming. Rustic places are fine, doesnt have to be nice. I’d shoot for a home stay but my brother & father in law are also racing and a bunch of family is coming as well. Will be about 8 of us plus a few small kids.
I got a late community spot in 10, so most places were sold out. I found an AMAZING spot in the basement of a private home by posting in the ‘Vacation Properties Wanted’ section of the local Craigslist… IIRC, there were a number of people advertising, as well, and more than one person replied to my request.
Cheers/
Also check out Naramata, Summerland, Okanagan Falls, Kaleden. All towns fairly nearby. After that there is Peachland (45km?) West Kelowna (55km) Kelowna (70km) all accesible on a fairly quick highway. Kelowna is 1 hour, West Kelowna 40 mins, Peachland 30 mins drive.
Try the Best Western in Penticton, they had some spare rooms a month or two prior to IMC last year. There are usually places, you just have to hunt for them a little bit. The main route out of Penticton towards Skaha Lake will be more likely to have spots then the places on Okanagan Lake. Start at that end on Google Street view and then call the ones you see.
Here is your starter 
Although there is the usual ‘everywhere booked’ rumours I have never met anyone unable to actually find somewhere if they looked hard enough and I know a ton of people who get their IMC spots at Oliver or Osoyoss half in May / July and still get a room or two for Augusts IMC.
Good luck.
Apex mountain is a really nice place to say. 30 minutes from the hustle and bustle of town, you get to be up in the mountains, and they rarely fill up until summer. You can get a huge place at a reasonable price. Only thing is that you have to drive up and down a mountain each day. We did one trip in per day and it actually worked out wonderfully. Of course it would have been better to be in town but this was a great alternative.
I called the Rochester Resort today and to my surprise there were two suites available (with kitchenettes). The motel is on Lakeshore Drive and is roughly at the run turn-around-point a couple hundred meters from the finish line.
I booked one of the suites and thus there should be one left. The price was $169.xx with a 7 night minimum. Rather reasonable compared to other hotels/motels (I paid $380/night at the Lakeshore last year (no kitchenette)).
Any reviews of the motel by ST’ers?
Check out this awesome B&B in Kaleden just south of Penticton. Stayed there last year and loved it.
Definitely check out mile141.com Canada/Northwest Lodging
http://www.mile141.com/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=ua1fj4md2gb0p3cqb772afpj60&board=52.0
You can get a lot more for your money by renting from individual owners than by staying at a hotel. Plus then you’ll have more room, garage, kitchen, etc. It’s a perfect option for larger groups.