Predator Ridge vs The Rise Golf Communities

Short answer: Predator Ridge is a full resort community with two 18-hole courses, a big amenity package and a built-in social calendar, set in the hills south of Vernon. The Rise is a quieter hillside neighbourhood above Okanagan Lake with one Fred Couples signature course, closer to the lake and to town. Choose Predator Ridge if you want the resort lifestyle on your doorstep; choose The Rise if you want golf and lake views with a more “regular neighbourhood” feel.

I get this question a lot, usually from buyers moving from Alberta or the Lower Mainland who love golf but aren’t sure which lifestyle fits. Both are great. They’re just different products. Here’s how I’d think it through.

How is the golf different?

Predator Ridge has two championship 18-hole courses. According to Predator Ridge, the Predator Course (Les Furber, 1991) is known for rolling terrain and long grasses, and the Ridge Course (Doug Carrick, 2010) has big elevation changes, granite outcrops and Okanagan Lake views. There’s also a large practice area with grass tees and Toptracer technology.

The resort runs a daily rotation: one course is reserved for members and the other is open to resort guests and the public. Membership gets you daily access to a private course.

The Rise has one 18-hole, par-72 course designed by Fred Couples and Gene Bates, opened in 2008. It sits about 400 metres above Okanagan Lake, and the views are the headline. The Rise Resort offers public tee times, game packs and memberships, plus simulators in its golf lounge.

If you play four or five times a week and want variety, two courses on site is a real advantage. If you play once or twice a week and care more about the view from the 1st tee, The Rise holds its own.

What’s the lifestyle like at each one?

Predator Ridge is a master-planned resort community spread across a large site in the hills south of Vernon. On top of golf, the resort lists a fitness centre with classes, tennis and pickleball courts with a year-round bubble, restaurants (RANGE and Pallino’s), the Commonage Market, and a trail network that connects to Ellison Provincial Park. The resort says it hosts more than 1,000 events a year. Many owners are part-time, retired or semi-retired, and the social side is a big part of the appeal.

The Rise is a 735-acre hillside development in the Bella Vista highlands above the Vernon arm of Okanagan Lake, according to the Rise Community Association. It feels more like a residential neighbourhood that happens to have a golf course. The clubhouse restaurant, The Edge, has big lake views. Kin Beach and the Okanagan Landing waterfront are a short drive downhill.

Put simply: at Predator Ridge, the resort is the community. At The Rise, the community sits next to the golf course and connects more easily to the rest of Vernon.

Planning to buy in Vernon soon? Get pre-approved first, then text me at 778-363-0542 and I’ll send you new listings that match what you want, or book a 10-minute chat. Quick questions any time: call Sarah, my 24/7 AI info line, at 604-227-4810.

How far are they from downtown, the lake and the airport?

Drive times depend on where in each community you live, the season and traffic, so treat these as rough ranges:

The Rise to downtown Vernon: roughly 10 to 15 minutes via Okanagan Hills Boulevard.
The Rise to Kin Beach: roughly 5 to 10 minutes.
Predator Ridge to downtown Vernon: roughly 20 to 25 minutes.
Predator Ridge to Kelowna International Airport: roughly 25 to 40 minutes. The resort itself says about 25 minutes.

Predator Ridge’s location south of Vernon puts it a little closer to Kelowna and the airport. The Rise is closer to Vernon’s shops, schools and the lake. I cover the whole region in Vernon Drive Times.

What kinds of homes are there?

Predator Ridge offers cottages, townhomes, condos, single-family and custom homes across several neighbourhoods. The developer also builds new homes in phases. Many homes are in strata or bare-land strata, and fees and rules vary by neighbourhood. See current listings and neighbourhoods on my Predator Ridge page.

The Rise has single-family homes, townhomes and building lots, built in phases such as Clearview, Sagecroft, Watermark and, more recently, Ledge at The Rise. Some pockets are strata or bare-land strata; others are freehold. Browse on my The Rise page.

In both communities, don’t assume two similar-looking homes have similar costs. Always compare:

Strata or community fees, and what they cover (landscaping, snow removal, amenities)
Strata bylaws, especially rules on rentals, pets and exterior changes
Any design guidelines or building schemes if you’re buying a lot
Whether a golf membership is included, optional or entirely separate (it’s usually separate)

Does the speculation and vacancy tax apply?

This is a real difference for second-home buyers, so check it carefully.

Both communities are in the City of Vernon, where BC’s speculation and vacancy tax (SVT) generally applies. However, Predator Ridge received a resort exemption from the SVT, announced in the 2025 provincial budget and still in place as reported in January 2026. I’m not aware of a similar exemption for The Rise.

If you’re planning to leave a home empty for part of the year, confirm the SVT status of the specific property with the Province of BC and talk to your accountant before you buy. Rules can change, and every owner’s situation is different.

Short-term rental rules are another area to check before you buy. Provincial rules, City bylaws and strata bylaws can all apply, so don’t rely on what a previous owner did.

Which one should I choose?

Here’s how I’d frame it with a client:

Predator Ridge might suit you if:

Golf is central to your week and you want two courses on site
You want fitness, racquet sports, trails and dining without leaving the community
You’re a part-time resident and the SVT exemption matters to you
You like a busy social calendar

The Rise might suit you if:

You want golf and big lake views, but a quieter neighbourhood feel
Being closer to downtown Vernon, schools and Kin Beach matters
You have kids at home (school catchments vary by street, so check the SD22 locator)
You’d rather pay for golf by the round than build your life around a resort

If you’re also weighing other view areas like Bella Vista, Foothills or Adventure Bay, see Lake View Neighbourhoods in Vernon Compared. For downsizers, Best Vernon Neighbourhoods for Retirees and Downsizers covers both.

My honest advice: book a round at each course, have lunch at each clubhouse, and drive to the grocery store from each one on a weekday. You’ll know pretty quickly which one feels like home.

Frequently asked questions

Is Predator Ridge in Vernon?

Yes. Predator Ridge is in the City of Vernon, in the hills south of the city centre off Commonage Road, roughly 20 to 25 minutes from downtown.

Do I have to buy a golf membership if I buy a home at Predator Ridge or The Rise?

Membership is usually separate from buying a home, but details vary by community and by property. Confirm directly with the club and review any strata or community documents before you remove subjects.

Can the public golf at Predator Ridge and The Rise?

Yes. Predator Ridge opens one of its two courses to the public each day on a rotation, and The Rise offers public tee times.

Is Predator Ridge exempt from the speculation and vacancy tax?

As of 2026, yes, Predator Ridge has a resort exemption. Confirm the status of any specific property with the Province and your accountant before buying.

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Questions about buying or selling in Vernon?

I’m Sean Phillips, a REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker Executives Realty in Vernon, BC. I live in Okanagan Landing, and I help buyers and sellers across Vernon, Coldstream, SilverStar and the North Okanagan.

Text or call Sean: 778-363-0542
Call or text Sarah, my 24/7 info line: 604-227-4810

Book a 10-minute chat with Sean

This article is general information as of fall 2026, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules, fees and conditions change, so confirm details with the appropriate professional or authority before making a decision.

Featured photo by Matthew McBrayer on Unsplash.

Predator Ridge vs The Rise: Vernon’s Golf Communities Compared