Columbia Valley 2023Map Book

Book

Welcome to the valley

The Mountains Shall Bring Peace to the People”

Radium Hot Springs Welcome Sign (est. 1928)

Welcome to “valley time”and the warm side of the Rockies. Life unfolds at its own pace here. Maybe it’s something to do with the magnificent mountain ranges rising up to the east and west, or the majestic wetlands winding along the valley floor. Whatever the reason, it’s magical, and the Columbia Valley beckons with a taste for adventure, wilderness, rural landscapes and tranquility.

Elegance? The Columbia Valley has that too, with internationally renowned resorts and hot springs. A trio of brand new facilities — the Columbia Valley Centre, the Columbia Lake Recreation Centre and the Radium

Hot Springs Centre — have opened their doors in the past few years, offering state-of-the-art capabilities for hosting functions, weddings and banquets.

Add pristine lakes and rivers, numerous provincial parks, outdoor recreation opportunities year-round, as well as cosmopolitan restaurants, cafes and shops, a vibrant arts and culture scene, music festivals, and some of the province’s best farmers’ markets, and you have a truly outstanding place. Stay a while. You may never want to leave.

2023 Columbia Valley Map Book photography, graphics and maps by: Darla Gray and Emily Rawbon, Columbia Valley Pioneer (columbiavalleypioneer.com), Ryan Watmough (@mountainlifestories), Denise Hoffgaard (@d.hoffgaard_photography), and Larry Halverson

The Columbia Valley Map Book is published annually by independently owned Misko Publishing Limited Partnership, Robert W. Doull, President. Misko Publishing also publishes the weekly community newspaper, The Columbia Valley Pioneer. Entire contents are copyrighted and reproduction of all material including maps is strictly prohibited.

Aurora Borealis (the northern lights) over Lake Lillian. Photo by © DHoffgaard Photography

Building a new home or cottage is a big undertaking.

Having the expertise and knowledge of an in-store Beaver Homes & Cottages Design Consultant is invaluable. From plan design to product selection, obtaining permits to scheduling timely deliveries and of course site visits both prior to, and during construction, are all included with every package. Along with that, Home Hardware Building Centre provides these guarantees.

G u a r a n t e e d

P a c k a g e P r i c e *

E a s y

P a y m e n t s *

Q u a l i t y

P r o d u c t s *

M a t e r i a l

Q u a n t i t y *

Aboriginal Nations Shuswap Band:

The Shuswap Band is part of the Secwépemc (Shuswap) Nation, an interior Salish-speaking people who traditionally occupied a vast area in the south-central part of British Columbia. Anthropological and archaeological discoveries, particularly the evidence of “kekulis” (semi-underground pithouses), connect the early Shuswap culture and way of life to the Upper Columbia Valley. The Secwépemc and their neighbours the Ktunaxa share mixed lineage and affiliations that continue to this day, however, the Shuswap Band officially withdrew from the Ktunaxa Nation Tribal Council to re-join the Shuswap Nation in 2006.

The Shuswap Band’s economic development in recent decades includes Eagle Ranch Resort, the Black Forest Heights subdivision, No Frills, Arrowhead Brewing Company, Kicking Horse Coffee, Home Hardware and the rest of the commercial frontage along the north side Athalmer Road, as well as the Kinbasket Water & Sewer Company Ltd. The Shuswap Band Council (consisting of a chief and two councillors) is the administrative and governing body of the band, which numbers 292 members, a majority of them living off the local reserve. Visit www.shuswapband.net.

Akisqnuk First Nation:

The Akisqnuk First Nation are members of the Ktunaxa (pronounced too-na-ha) Nation who, for thousands of years, have lived in their traditional territory throughout the Kootenay region, Alberta and south of the border. The Akisqnuk First Nation (?akis“nuk numbers roughly 300 members and covers more than 8,000 acres, including 14 kilometres of pristine shoreline along Lake Windermere and the Columbia River.

The Akisqnuk First Nation (?akis“nuk) enjoys excellent working relationships with regional partners in both business and government, and is host to ever-broadening business opportunities, such as the beautiful Indian Beach Estates subdivision. The First Nation is proud of its newest facility, the Columbia Lake Recreation Centre. This 22,400 square foot building is one of the premier spots in the valley for indoor sports and recreation. Visit www.akisqnuk.org.

Columbia Valley Métis Association:

The Columbia Valley Métis Association has 125 adult members, and, including children, represents a local Métis community of roughly 300 people. The association is a run by a board of directors, functioning under the Métis Nation of B.C. and other funding streams. The Columbia Valley Métis Association began six years ago. Its mission is to assist its citizens, enhance local Métis culture, and expose the wider Columbia Valley community to Métis culture and history.

The association hosts events such as the annual Metis Kitchen Party and assists its members in various ways. Visit www.columbiavalleymetis.ca’

Traditional territory acknowledgment:

The Columbia Valley Pioneer is located on the traditional territories of the Ktunaxa, Sécwepemc and Métis people and their families. We acknowledge the rich cultural histories that encompass the lands where we now live and are grateful to work.

National Indigenous Peoples Day at Shuswap Band

Photo by © Ryan Watmough

Salmon Fest celebrations at Shuswap Band

Photo by © Ryan Watmough

Featured Artists

Ryan Watmough

Local photographer Ryan Watmough never leaves his house without at least one camera, sometimes two. That, he says, is because in the Columbia Valley you never know what you’ll see. “There are four distinct seasons and each offers abundant opportunities to get out in the many spectacular landscapes we have here” he says. “You always have to be ready. The natural elements are unique to the moment they happen in.”

Ryan focuses his lens not just on the valley’s beautiful environs, but also its deep sense of community. This comes naturally to him, given his role as Simon Fraser University’s Community Economic Development program director. “I help students from across Canada to use images to influence decision-makers and the public to preserve and protect what makes their communities great places to live, work and play, for today and for future generations,” he says. “Sharing images of daily life in the community for those that can’t physically be there or that can’t get outside during inclement weather, maintains and builds their connection with the community.”

Photography is visual storytelling, explains Ryan, and it need not be complex. “Rather than hauling tripods around and multiple lens and extensive editing, I keep my camera gear simple, and focus on image composition. Photography doesn’t need to interrupt a walk,” says Ryan, who makes a point to take regular 10 kilometre jaunts almost every day. Simon Fraser’s Community Economic Development program currently has students in the Columbia Valley, as well as throughout the Kootenay region, and elsewhere in western and northern Canada. Check out Ryan’s images on Instagram at @mountainlifestories

Denise Hoffgaard

Denise Hoffgaard arrived in the Columbia Valley with the idea of staying for a year or two, and creating some memories along the way with her brand new camera to share with friends and family back in her native Germany. Flash forward several years and today Denise is a permanent Canadian resident, the valley is her home, and she has become one of the best local wildlife photographers in the area. Although she loves landscapes, portraits and wedding photography, there’s a magic to making images of animals that appeals to Denise.

To get great wildlife photos “you really have to do your homework, learn a lot about the animals you want to get images of. You have to know their habits, what their food sources are, what their routines are, if you even want to find them in the first place,” she says. “I wouldn’t get up at 4 a.m. just to shoot a sunrise, but I am excited to get up at that time to go out to a new spot where there might be wildlife to photograph.”

Denise has a deep commitment to helping conserve the species she photographs, and last year donated one her images as fundraiser for the Save Our Sheep campaign to help the Radium Hot Springs bighorns. “We need to preserve and protect species.” Check out Denise’s images on Instagram at @d.hoffgaard_photography

Larry Halverson

Larry Halverson has long been one of the valley’s top nature photographers. No surprise, given his decades-long career as a Parks Canada naturalist and his extensive volunteer efforts in conservation with too many local organizations to list. He was one of the key figures in creating the valley’s iconic Wings Over the Rockies nature festival. Through his career, his volunteering and his photography Larry has always aimed to spark a love of nature in other people

“When you realize what’s in your own backyard, it’s amazing. Once you see it, you appreciate it. And when you appreciate it, hopefully, then when it’s threatened, you will stand up to protect it. Nature contributes quite a lot to us. We need to contribute back to nature,” says Larry.

RDEK Area G

Known for peaceful rural settings and a quiet way of life, several small unincorporated communities dot Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) Area G. At the northern extremis of the Columbia Valley is Spillimacheen, home to the seasonal Spilli Bean Cafe, the Beeland Apiary, and the Friends of the Columbia Wetlands Society. Brisco boast numerous ranches and farms and offers amenities including the Brisco General Store, a gas station, a community hall, a riding club and an arena. Edgewater has the Edgewater Community Hall, a Royal Canadian Legion branch, Pip’s Country Store, a gas station, church, elementary school, par 3 golf course, outdoor skating rink, ball park, and the annual Steamboat Mountain Music Festival.

Further south, the historic community of Wilmer still has a few original late-1800s buildings (including the

wonderfully preserved Delphine Lodge) as well as the Kootenae House National Historic Site, the Conrad Kain Cairn and Park (which includes a community hall, a kids’ playground, and an outdoor rink). The community is near Lake Enid and is perched above a scenic stretch of wetlands that encompasses the 787-hectare Wilmer

unit of the Columbia National Wildlife Area. Wilmer’s annual Christmas Eve fireworks and local residents’ outstandingly luminary Christmas light displays are not to be missed.

(Top right) The Kindersley Creek flume in Edgewater.

(Top left) Biking on the Old Coach Trail near Dry Gulch in Area G. (Centre) Rangeland near Lake Enid. (Bottom) Bugaboo Falls. Photos by Ryan Watmough

RDEK Area F

The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) Area F, stretches south from Invermere and the crossroads down to the southern end of the Columbia Valley, encompassing several smaller communities nestled in the mountains or along the lakeshores. In the northwestern corner of Area F, Panorama Mountain Resort is tucked into the Purcell Mountain Range just west of Invermere. Panorama offers year-round recreation opportunities and is a particular delight for skiers, bikers and golfers.

The community of Windermere sits on the east side of Lake Windermere. The public beach in Windermere is one of the most popular in the valley, with pleasant green spaces, picnic tables, washrooms, a playground and swimming areas. There’s a nearby golf course,

several thriving businesses, a community hall, an elementary school, two highway gas stations, a bowling alley, a small grocery store, two farm-fresh produce markets, a smattering of places to eat, and the classic White House Pub. Be sure to check out Windermere’s St. Peter’s Church, also known as the Stolen Church. The building was taken by Rufus Kimpton from Donald, near Golden, at the behest of Rufus’s wife Celina. Dismantled and transported to the valley via rail, wagon and riverboat, the church was reassembled in Windermere in 1900.

Further south are Dutch Creek, Columere Park and a handful of other communities, all offering laid-back lifestyles with excellent access to the great outdoors.

(Top) The east shore of Lake Windermere (MIddle left) Area F is dotted with many beautiful lakes and homes. (Middle right) Coy’s farm at Dutch Creek. Photos by © Ryan Watmough

Radium Hot Springs

Radium Hot Springs is an idyllic mountain town nestled between the towering peaks of the Canadian Rockies and Purcell Mountains, with the Columbia River running down its spine. Visitors enter the Village of Radium through the iconic Sinclair Canyon where they are immediately greeted with pristine views and vistas. At the crossroads of Highways 93 and 95, Radium Hot Springs is also at the crossroads of adventure and relaxation.

Whether you are seeking a journey of heart-pumping adventure or a quiet weekend to recharge in nature, you will find it here. With our friendly faces and open spaces, you’ll be treated like a local in this small mountain village.

The village takes its name from the famous Radium Hot Springs pools. Tucked just within Kootenay National Park, the Radium Hot Springs pools are filled with naturally heated mineral waters nestled in a canyon. Open rock faces surround the pools, and the bighorn sheep can occasionally be seen grazing or wandering nearby. In the colder months, the hot springs pools turn into a magical winter getaway, surrounded by pillows of snow under the starry night sky.

Find endless outdoor activities and adventure in Radium. Hiking trails leading to waterfalls, paddles down the Columbia River, and warm rounds of golf await in the summer months. In the winter months, excellent winter hikes can be found on one of the trails around the village.

Radium has a variety of fine restaurants and establishments to try including signature German-Austrian cuisine, a newly opened brewery, and favourite spots of the locals. Everywhere you go, you will find a cozy environment and friendly staff. Check out locally owned businesses and shops when you pass through, and you’ll be treated like family.

With a wide range of accommodators, Radium suits every traveller’s budget. Luxurious resort rentals, motels, hotels, lodges, cabins, condos, bed-and-breakfasts, and a selection of full-service campgrounds and RV resorts are tucked away in the village.

Take a look at a map, and you’ll find that adventure is closer than you think. For more information, visit the Radium Hot Springs Visitor Centre located on main street or visit www.RadiumHotSprings.com.

is famous for its resident herd of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep.

Radium signature’s public art installation — The Bighorns — sits in the midst of the village’s main roundabout.

Photo by Mitch Winton / Kootenay Rockies Tourism

Radium

Photos © Larry Halverson

Hikers on a trail above Radium Hot Springs.

Photo by Mitch Winton / Kootenay RocKies touRisM

Year-round recreation and events combined with gorgeous lake vistas and outstanding scenic views of the Canadian Rocky Mountains to the east and the Purcell Mountains to the west make Invermere on the Lake a popular tourist destination any time of year. Invermere is both a great place to live and a thriving business centre for the surrounding communities with its central location.

Visitors love the relaxed atmosphere of downtown Invermere, where they can casually stroll between restaurants, cafés, shops, and galleries. Defined by its proximity to Lake Windermere and the Columbia Wetlands, Invermere is a hit with water lovers and sun worshippers for its two large beaches — James Chabot Provincial Park and Kinsmen Beach. The public boat launch next to the Athalmer bridge provides lake access and free parking to boaters. Families love the abundance of kid-friendly amenities, from the outdoor Mount Nelson Athletic Park with its tennis courts, skatepark, pumptrack and fields, to the Splash and

Spray Park at Kinsmen Beach. Even during the colder months, Invermere is a popular destination with an abundance of outdoor activities. Each winter, Lake Windermere transforms into the ideal oasis for hockey, skating, cross-country skiing, ice fishing and even curling. Every winter the Toby Creek Nordic Club maintains a multi-use, world-record holding, 30 kilometre trail on the frozen lake called the Whiteway.

The Columbia Valley Centre in Invermere provides an excellent community gathering space for the entire valley. The main room is capable of banquet seating for 500 people plus retractable theatre seating, a central stage and screen to accommodate live performances, movies and presentations. The Invermere Public Library is in the upper portion of the facility. The Columbia Valley Centre even has a rooftop patio! Visit www.invermere. net for information or to book this public space. To learn more about the many activities, events, dining options and accommodations at your fingertips visit invermerepanorama.com.

(Top)The Invermere Public Library and the Columbia Valley Centre. (Centre) Kinsmen Beach is the site of the Snowflake Festival and the Bonspiel on the Lake in winter. (Bottom left) Pothole Park in downtown Invermere is perfect for picnics all summer long. (Bottom right) Kinsmen Beach also see plenty of events in spring and summer and fall, including the Lake Windermere Aquathlon.

Photos by © Ryan Watmough

Invermere’s James Chabot Provincial Park on a foggy morning.

Photo by ©Ryan Watmough

Fairmont Hot Springs

Beautiful

The mineral hot pools that first drew settlers to Fairmont can be enjoyed at the resort, home to Canada’s largest natural hot springs. Those enjoying more than 1.2 million gallons of fresh water pools and soothing 30 to 39 degrees Celsius temperatures have a marvellous view of snow-capped mountain peaks as a backdrop. Commercial development of the hot springs began more than a century ago in 1912 when homesteader George Geary harnessed the springs, built a swimming pool, erected a ranch barn, started a restaurant, opened a campground and built bungalows. Today the resort includes a 143-room lodge with fitness and convention facilities, a full-service spa, an RV park,

riding trails, ziplines, tennis courts and eco-adventure programs. Aside from the hot springs, the resort’s offers an outstanding golf experience, with two 18-hole championship golf courses (Mountainside and Riverside) and a nine-hole course (Creekside).

The community’s business district has services including a grocery and liquor store, two gas stations, a pizza parlour, a candy store, gift shops, health and wellness offerings, and a friendly café and bistro, as well as Funtasia Fun Park. Fairmont also has great dining opportunities, both at the resort and in the community. Nearby things to do include hiking the Hoodoos, skiing at family-friendly Fairmont Hot Springs Resort Ski Area, horseback riding and many other outdoor activities. The Fairmont stretch of the Columbia River is popular for guided and self-guided float trips. In addition to lodge accommodation at the resort, as well as RV and camping sites, privately owned rental accommodations and timeshare villas can be found throughout the Fairmont community.

(Top) Floating on the Fairmont stretch of the Columbia River. (Bottom) The Fairmont Hot Springs Resort Ski Area.

Photos by © Ryan Watmough

Fairmont Hot Springs is on the banks of the winding Columbia River, just north of peaceful Columbia Lake. The community is home to the world-renowned Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, a cozy business community, and seasonal and year-round residents who delight in the picturesque surroundings and friendly atmosphere.

Canal Flats

Canal Flats is best known for three things: access to the backcountry, a hockey mecca with an atmospheric rink, and an outstanding beach with one of two access points to Columbia Lake.

The village is embarking on a new vision and they are reminding us of who they are as a community: to “The first choice for living and working in British Columbia” is bold but attainable when you consider their brand strategy is focused on being ‘A genuine lifestyle community’ This live.work culture is sought after by many entrepreneurs in the tech sector and the village is primed to capture this market.

Ambitious projects such as the new municipal childcare centre that opened in January are critical elements to success. The centre, for instance, is joining a new research group that focuses on childhood outdoor play yet has embraced new high tech applications to allow parents to engage on IOS and Android Apps. The Shoreto-Shore Pathway which, when completed, will link the Kootenay River to Columbia Lake via a non-motorized walking and biking pathway, public art, and numerous civic beautification projects channel that vision.

It’s not pioneering per se but building on the strengths of the community and culture. Picture a village centre featuring live.work buildings, new entrepreneur and employment opportunities created by the evolution of the village’s industrial lands into the largest employment centre development in the Columbia Valley, and enterprise that features food and beverage-based agriculture, renewable energy, handcraft and woodcraft, and creators inspired by the setting.

Picture lifestyle-priced housing innovation that enables you to buy a home at 25 instead of 35 and fosters your entrepreneurial vision. Retire from the city 10 years earlier and leave money in your pocketbook to do what you love.

Within five minutes you can boat on Columbia Lake, river raft or fish on the Kootenay River, or hike Mount Sabine. Or within an hour there are 15 golf courses, three mountain ski and summer resorts, a provincial park (which includes Lussier Hot Springs), a national park, and endless trails offering good things for the soul.

For more information visit www.canalflats.ca.

(Top) The beach at Tilley Memorial Park. (Middle) Canal Flats’s new gateway sign greeters visitors arriving from the south. (Bottom left) The Canal Flats Cruise In.

(Bottom right) Tilley Memorial Park in Canal Flats.

Photos by © Ryan Watmough

The headwaters of the Columbia Valley in Canal Flats.

Photo by © Ryan Watmough

Around the Valley

From north to south, the Columbia Valley is an adventure playground for all ages, all year long. The scope of things to do can be overwhelming, so here is a quick A-to-Z list to give ideas on how to spend your ‘valley time.’

the year. Check with local visitor centres for dates and locations. Pristine waterways make for incredible fishing, and in the winter the ice fishing is top notch. A wide range of species can be caught, from rainbow, cutthroat and Dolly Varden trout to bass, Kokanee and lingcod. Scenic flights over mountains and glaciers can be had in Cessnas, ultralights, helicopters or gliders.

The valley has plenty of sandy beaches on which to kick back and soak in some rays with warm water just a few steps away. The best include James Chabot Provincial Park and Kinsmen Beach in Invermere, Windermere Beach in Windermere, and Tilley Memorial Park in Canal Flats. The Columbia River Wetlands are a birdwatching paradise, with more than 265 species of birds recorded here. Don’t miss the annual Wings Over the Rockies Nature Festival held each May. Camping is spectacular, with a wealth of RV parks and campgrounds as well as backcountry rec sites throughout the valley.

The valley’s lakes, rivers and wetlands are great for canoeing or kayaking. Top rock climbing spots include Jubilee Mountain in Spillimacheen, Barbour Rock, and the Bugaboos. There are local curling clubs and, weather allowing, the annual Bonspiel on the Lake each winter drawing curlers from all over Canada and even further away.

The Columbia Valley is becoming renowned for its vibrant music and community festivals held through

The Columbia Valley is a mecca for golf, with 16 courses, from mini-golf to internationally known 18-hole courses, all situated within minutes of each other. Explore hidden backcountry corners from north to south with locals guide/outfitters offering big game hunts, horseback trail rides, fishing and hiking trips, and eco-tours. Excellent thermal conditions at Mt. Swansea make for some of the world’s best hang gliding and paragliding. Check out Invermere’s annual Lakeside Event (also known as the Lakeside Splash) in which gliders take off from Mt. Swansea and land in water targets near Lake Windermere.

Hiking options, either backcountry or frontcountry are endless and among the best in the world. See page 25 for an insider’s guide to the top trails. Horseback riding is a memorable way to experience the valley’s scenery and wildlife. Indoor arenas in Invermere and Canal Flats offer hockey or you can play outdoors at the rinks in Edgewater, Radium, Wilmer or on Lake Windermere. The valley is home to some of the most beautiful large recreational lakes in B.C.: Columbia Lake, Lake Windermere, and Whiteswan Lake, all perfect for fishing, boating and swimming.

Photos by © Ryan Watmough

Epic mountain biking trails can be found in every community, notably the Cross River Canyon Recreation Trails at Nipika Mountain Resort and the Lillian Lake trails near Invermere. Downhill diehards will love the technical steeps on the Mount Swansea and the lift-accessed trails at Panorama Mountain Resort. The Columbia Valley Cycling Society offers biking trail maps. History buffs can discover what shaped valley history at the Windermere Valley Museum. In the Columbia Valley there are 15 provincial and national

parks close by, including Bugaboo Provincial Park west of Brisco, Kootenay National Park right on the eastern doorstep of Radium, Dry Gulch south of Radium, James Chabot in Invermere, Whiteswan Lake southeast of Canal Flats, and Top of the World, Wasa Lake, and Premier Lake a bit further south.

Whitewater rafting is a big tourist draw with trips offered on the Columbia, the Kootenay and Toby Creek.

Gentler scenic floats around Fairmont and between Invermere and Radium are also popular. Invermere’s Mount Nelson Athletic Park is the place for skateboarding, featuring expansive plazas, large bowls, obstacles and more.

Photos by © Ryan Watmough

A river valley flanked by two rugged mountain ranges is the perfect recipe for fantastic skiing in winter months. Nordic skiers will find groomed trails scattered through the valley for both skate skiing and classic cross-country skiing, including the Lake Windermere Whiteway, the Lake Lillian Whiteway, Nipika Mountain Resort’s 50 kilometres of groomed trails, and the Panorama Nordic Centre. For downhill skiers, there are two family-friendly options to choose from: Panorama Mountain Resort and the Fairmont Hot Springs Ski Area. For those passionate about ski touring the Columbia Valley Hut Society maintains five backcountry cabins.

The Columbia Valley is a mecca for snowmobiling with the Forster Creek and Catamount Glacier (open from February 15 to May 31) areas near Radium Hot Springs, the Brewer Creek trail near Invermere and the Doctor Creek route near Canal Flats. SUP (stand-up paddleboarding) is a great way to enjoy the valley’s lakes and river, and rentals and tours are available. The valley has two zipline courses, the six-line Mountain Mineral Ziplines at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort and the seven-line Valley Zipline Adventures south of Radium.

Photos by © Ryan Watmough

A valley tradition for over 40 years. Specializing in European and Continental Cuisine. Famous for schnitzels, steaks and homemade desserts.

RADIUM: Our history is rich. For over 30 years and almost 1,000,000 customers the Old Salzburg has fed the people and been an attraction on its own. Our restaurant is a two story, two patio sensation with a Condo upstairs. At the heart of the Old Salzburg restaurant lies the family virtues that sets the scene for relaxing by our replace or enjoying an ice cold Stiegl beer on our patio in the summertime. You never know what’s happening at our restaurant from live music to steak and schnitzel specials there is always something in store for you! Authentic Austrian food is something of legends and we provide that experience day in and day out for our enthusiastic customers, family and friends. Come be our guest!

FREE WINERY TOURS

Wines, Ice WInes and Ports

400 Laurier Street, Invermere, BC located 1 block west of Dairy Queen majesticubrew@telus.net

Smokehouse 93 Restaurant | 250-342-9593

INVERMERE:

Quality Canadian meats prepared with care, rubbed with the nest seasonings, smoked low and slow to produce a product that falls off the bone, melts in your mouth and just tastes damn good. Smell the Smoke, Taste the Flavour!

INVERMERE:

Large outside Patio Interior Dining Licensed Catering

Open 7 days a Week

Ullr Bar is proud to offer hand crafted cocktails, made from scratch food, live music, DJ’s, outdoor patio, garden area, weekly games nights and the best events in the valley. Dine in or take out. Available for Private functions and events too! Ullr Bar allows accompanied minors until 9:00pm, licensed until 2:00am, outdoor seating, and no reservations required. Follow us on all of our socials at Ullr Bar or email for more information: info@ullrbar.com

INVERMERE: High quality, made-from-scratch, breakfast-inspired morning, afternoon and early evening food in the heart of beautiful Invermere. Casual family dining in a vintage atmosphere steeped in our region’s history, and a large outdoor patio to enjoy. Perfect for large groups and gatherings. Booking for weddings, business & travel groups available. Breakfast hours run from 8am till 3pm and we will be open for small plate dinners and cocktails from 6pm till late on Thursday, Friday and Saturdays during the summer months.

For more information, please email us at info@begginnings.com

Dining Guide

Coy’s Par 3 Golf and Bistro

| 250-951-0850

FAIRMONT: Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Relaxed and casual dining, inside or on the patio. Bring your pets on the patio. Fresh and delicious home made food. Extensive cocktail and beverage menu. Lattes, espressos, americanos and more. Home baked goods daily

Resorts, Condos & Chalets

TIMBERS RESORT

5966 Columbia Lake Rd.

Fairmont Hot Springs BC V0B1L2

Reservations: 1-877-646-5890

hello@timbersresort.com

www.timbersresort.com

Panorama Mountain Resort

2000 Panorama Drive

Tel: 250-342-6941

Email: information@panoramaresort.com

Web: www.panoramaresort.com

Panorama Vacation Retreat at Horsethief Lodge

2000 Panorama Drive, Panorama , BC

Tel: 250-341-3011

Email: info@vacationcondos.com

Web: panoramavacationretreat.com

Bighorn Meadows Resort

#10 Bighorn Blvd., Radium Hot Springs, BC

Phone: 250-347-2323

Toll-Free: 1-877-344-2323

Website: www.BighornMeadows.com

The Raven’s Nest Resort & Campground

Hwy 93/95 Fairmont Hot Springs

Phone: 250-688-6378

Takeout

Private Functions Licensed

Welcome to the most-complete mountainside destination resort in the Canadian Rockies region. Accommodation includes a variety of condos, townhomes and The Approach Hotel. All overnight stays include access to the famed Panorama Springs Pools. There’s an adventure for all abilities plus restaurants, shops, and cafés, and a calendar full of events.

Panorama Vacation Retreat at Horsethief Lodge is located in the lower village of Panorama Resort. Guests have access to the Panorama Springs Pools, the Toby Pool, and other resort amenities like tennis courts, hiking trails, and restaurants. Each unit has a full kitchen and a private BBQ on the deck, and there is a common BBQ area for larger groups to gather. The property features an abundance of floor plans, perfect for the whole family or just a few friends.

Located along the Springs Golf Course in Radium Hot Springs, Bighorn Meadows Resort offers premium 1, 2, & 3-bedroom vacation rentals with fully equipped kitchens, spacious living areas, in-suite laundry, and private balconies with BBQ’s. Amenities include: outdoor seasonal pool, two hot tubs, meeting space and fitness room.

The Raven’s Nest offers a quiet and peaceful getaway, overlooking the Columbia Valley Wetlands Nature Reserve. Nestle into one of our eight log cabins, each offering a full bathroom and kitchenette, plus outdoor space with a fire ring and picnic table. The view is one that will stay with you. A hidden gem for tent campers and an 18 hole disc golf course offering a full day of fun. 8 Log Cabins, 1 Tipi, 25 Campsites

Located above pristine Columbia Lake and just minutes from Fairmont Hot Springs, Timbers Resort is a pet friendly destination with seven rustic cabins nestled amid a stand of towering Douglas fir. Surrounded by a variety of recreational activities such as golfing, skiing, hiking and mountain biking, as well as three area hot springs.

Spur Valley Golf Resort - 250-347-6500

Fun, relaxing golf for everyone. Incorporating four par 4’s, four par 3’s and one par 5. This nine hole course features immaculate, gently sloping terrain, a cliff-side driving range, practice bunker, putting green, as well as a fully equipped pro-shop. The Cantina is open to the public for lunch and dinner, specializing in Tex-Mex fare, and daily specials. For tee times please call 250-347-6500, email golf@spurvalley.comor visit our website www. spurvalley.com

Windermere Valley Golf Course - 250-342-3004

Tucked in a gorgeous valley with 18 super-fun holes — and one of the longest playing seasons in the region — the Windermere Valley Golf Course has been a favourite for years. The course, which is well known for its excellent greens, plays to a par of 66. The course also offers a sunny patio and excellent lesson programs at their practice greens and driving range.

Edgewater Hilltop Par 3 - 250-347-6502

Celebrating their 23rd year, Edgewater Hilltop Par 3 is located just minutes north of Radium. As well, the golf course has opened an overnight RV Park to compliment the course. Professional tees and greens make this a standout course. Suitable for any golfing level, this quiet and scenic course is also an excellent place for any handicap golfer to practise their short game. Enjoy snacks, chips and delicious homemade pies are their specialty.

Coys Par 3 Golf - 250-345-6504

In the heart of the scenic Columbia Valley, nestled in the shadow of the majestic Rocky Mountains, enjoy the challenge, variety and fun that Coys Par 3 has to offer.

Spur Valley Golf Course. © Ryan Watmough

Arts and Culture

With its inspiring mountain landscape and vibrant waterside communities, it is no wonder the Columbia Valley is host to a dizzying array of galleries, artists and studios, art exhibits, live music and outdoor festivals all year long. Join us and get in on some of your favorite Kootenay culture.

The music festival scene kicks off in the summer when music lovers should watch out for the annual standout Steamboat Mountain Music Festival in Edgewater, and the lively Flats Fest in Canal Flats. Just be sure you bring your dancing shoes!

Arts and farmers’ markets throughout the valley are a great place to check out local artisans, pick up your favorite honey or that fabulous piece of handmade art created right here in the Columbia Valley. Radium’s weekly Friday night Market on Main and Invermere’s First Fridays kicks off some weekend fun, so pull that RV over and check out an evening of art, music and local flavour on show for everyone to enjoy and experience.

The Columbia Valley’s art studios and galleries showcase a broad spectrum of talented artists and artisans, so head on into your favorite valley town where you’ll find plenty of arts action to keep you busy. Don’t let the ghost stories stop you from visiting the Pynelogs Art Gallery and Cultural Centre for year round art shows and events, while outdoor exhibits, artist demos and arts workshops line local streets and sidewalks on the path to your own arts and culture adventure in the Kootenays

by © Ryan Watmough

Photos

Top Trails

The Columbia Valley is justly famous for its many recreational trails. The quality and sheer variety of these trails is draw for visitors, and in fact a big reason that many people chose to live here. If you want the scoop on each and every path, check with any local avid hiker (or the various visitors informations outlets throughout the valley).In the meantime, here’s the scoop on six of the best of these trails.

For backcountry: Lake of the Hanging Glacier

A long-ish drive to the trailhead and a somewhat longish climb up rewards the persistent. It’s one of the premier hikes in the Columbia Valley, if not the pick of the crop. Begin walking through forest, following the trail across Hellroaring and Horsethief creeks. Eventually you open out in alpine meadow carpeted (in late July and early August) with wildflowers. The trails ends in dramatic fashion, arriving at the north shore of the Lake of the Hanging Glacier. Behind the aquamarine lake a sheer rock wall soars to the sky, draped with the eponymous hanging glacier. Mini icebergs, calved off the glacier, sometimes bob in the waters. Magic.

For front country: Mt. Swansea

A Columbia Valley classic. Close to town, the entire trail offers beautiful west-facing views of Invermere and indeed the entire Columbia Valley. Swansea is also a favourite for mountain bikers (there are separate designated bike paths) and paragliders launching from the summit. It looses snow cover early in the spring, making it one of the first hikes of the season.

For biking: The Lillian Lake trail network

This network of multi-use sandwiched between Toby Creek Road and Toby Creek Canyon is probably the best place in the Columbia Valley for single track mountain biking. Along the Johnson is the longest of the many trail, at roughly 11 kilometres, and offers ups and downs, great flow for those on two wheels, and fantastic views over the canyon (be careful at the edge, it’s a steep drop off). These trails are very popular, so be mindful of other users.

Lake of the Hanging Glacier. Photo by © Ryan Watmough

Markin-MacPhail Westside Legacy Trail

Photo by © Ryan Watmough

Markin-MacPhail Westside Legacy Trail.

Photo by © Ryan Watmough

Lake of the Hanging Glacier. Photo by © Ryan Watmough

For fall colour: Brewer Creek

The golden larches of Brewer Creek are a can’t-miss fall experience in the Columbia Valley. Follow a tumbling creek up into a basin filled with lakes and alpine meadows. These are packed with stunning wildflowers in the summer, but the glowing gold-orange hue come mid to late September is perhaps even more mind-blowing. Most of the trail is intermediate-level going, perfect for families with kids. Those wanting more challenge can scramble above the lakes to the passes and ridges beyond, or, for the ultimate view prize, to the top of Mt. Brewer itself.

For winter wonder: The Lake Windermere Whiteway

When conditions get just right each winter, the Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club works its magic to turn the frozen surface of the local lake into the legendary Lake Windermere Whiteway. This multi-use winter recreation path is the world’s longest ice-skating trail, but is also fantastic for nordic skiing, kick sledding, winter trail running, snowshoeing, a gentle stroll, or pretty much any other ice-and-snow friendly means of self-propelling you can think of. The smaller, nearby Lake Lillian Whiteway is shorter, but often starts earlier and lasts later in the season.

For mutli-mode family fun: Markin-MacPhail Westside Legacy Trail

This multi-recreational, non-motorized paved trail has been in various stages of construction, and at last had its formal official opening celebration last year. It stretches 25 kilometres along the west side of Lake Windermere between Invermere and Fairmont Hot Springs. This trail is great for the whole family, all your friends and just about everybody else too, with some flat sections, some twisty, hilly sections and great views. It’s popular the whole year through, even more so in shoulder seasons, when conditions limit other trail options.

Lake Windermere Whiteway Photo by © Ryan Watmough

Old Coach Trail’ Photo by © Ryan Watmough