Kamloops has 100 plus lakes within an hour of the city, many stocked with Kamloops trout. Many folks canoe or kayak on these lakes. Lots of great hiking and backpacking around Kamoops as well. Kamloops and area is famous for its Hoo Doo's. Well Gray Park in Clearwater is beautiful with 40 plus amazing waterfalls and is renowed for its hiking trails.
The South Thompson and Shuswap's are great for boating, waterskiing, kneeboarding, tubing and barefoot skiing. House boat rentals are available to enjoy the Shuswaps, especially if you want to slow down abit.
Kamloops has two ski hills. One Harper Mountain with a tube park, about 29 km from downtown Kamloops. Their lodge is welcoming with a large fireplace in the center of the room and snacks and meals available. Sun Peaks is located 56 km northeast of Kamloops. It has 4270 acres of skiable terrain and a European-style ski through village filled with quaint shops, cafes, eateries and accomodations from hotels to condo stays. There is Nordic skiing, dog sledding, horse drawn sleigh rides and in the summer hiking, biking and golf. Photo shoots are available on the mountain.
The major employers are Interior Health Authority (1452), School District #73 (2200), Thompson Rivers University (1094), Highland Valley Copper (1050), City of Kamloops (760), Domtar (340), BC Lottery Corporation (39), New Gold (610), CN (389) and Arrow Transport (501).
Lots of great choices for schools including French Immersion, Science School, Kamloops School of the Arts, KOOL School, ASCEND Online Distributed Learning, Kamloops Christian School, Sk'elep School of Excellence, St. Ann's Academy, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Sun Peaks School (where skiing is part of the curiculum). Also trades programs starting in grade 10 and International Baccalaureate program for grades 11-12.
TRU is a thriving campus in Sahali. Many programs are offered there such as Accounting BBA, Adventure Studies BTM, Nursing BSN, Tourism, Social Work BSW, Environmental Chemistry BSC, Economics BBA and BA, Business Administration (General) BBA. Also trades programs in Automotive, Carpenter, Electrical, Gasfitter, Horticulture and Horticulture Management, Industrial Mechanic, Instrumentation and Control Technician, Plumber/Pipefitter/Steamfitter, Professional Cook Level 1,2,3, Refrigeration and Air conditioning, Retail Meat Processing, Welder, Welding and Welding Level C and Saw Filer.