RadMag2019

Find Your Peace.

@TourismRadium

@Tourism.Radium

@Tourism_Radium

RadiumHotSprings.com | 888.347.9331

lk Park Ranch is a mountain development like no other; one which borders Kootenay National Park where future development is limited.

Whether looking for a property in the Elk Park Community, or on one of our Ranch properties, you will appreciate your ability to get back to nature, find your calm, and just reconnect in a relatively undisturbed mountain environment.

At Elk Park Ranch, we’ve taken the time and set strict architectural guidelines to ensure that the natural setting you want is preserved. This helps to keep the initial calm feeling you fell in love with consistent.

200+ acres in the north end of Radium Hot Springs

2 Brand New Show Homes

649,900 and $749,900 $

Scott Sauermann Rockies Realty Ltd. Each office is independently owned and operated.

scott.sauermann@century21.ca

Lots start from

89,900

$

Cell: 250-342-5889

www.C21rockiesrealty.com

Toll-free: 1-877-347-6838

Rockies Realty Ltd. Each office is independently owned and operated.

T: 778-527-2121 • F: 778-527-2122 rockiesrealty@century21.ca Left to right: Sherry Devlin (REALTOR®), Scott Sauermann (Owner/REALTOR®), Ken Becker (Managing Broker/REALTOR®), Joe Evanoff (REALTOR®), Dave McGrath (Associate Broker/REALTOR®)

www.C21rockiesrealty.com

Boutique Vacation Home Rentals Vacationing with Cobblestone Creek is a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of city living and enjoy a slower pace of life. Set amidst nature’s beauty, our boutique vacation rentals are fully equipped to provide you an experience of unparallel comfort and enjoyment. This means you can focus on the important things: enjoying your vacation with family and friends.

A stay with us is a chance to relax, unwind and create memories that will last a life time.

CobblestoneCreek.ca |

@CobblestoneCreekCottageandLodgingCo | 1.888.711.3722 R adi um H ot S pri ngs Vi si tor Gui de 2019 • 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS Relax into Radium

5

Gateway to getaways

22

Events

6

Zipping high

25

Authentic Mexican flair

9

Wetlands wonder

26

Soak in the experience

11

Teeming with trails

30

Land of links

14

Headbanger heaven

31

Nature in moderation

15

Backcountry paradise

32

Nature on your doorstep

16

Explore Kootenay

33

A fusion of feasts

19

BUSINESS LISTINGS Village accommodation ..................... 8 Neighbouring accommodation ......... 9 Health and wellness in Radium .......13 Neighbouring health and wellness ..13 Dining in Radium Hot Springs .......20 Neighbouring restaurants ...............20

Neighbouring campgrounds ...........20 Radium adventures and activities ...28 Neighbouring adventures and activities .................................... 29 Retail and community services .......34

Publisher: Dean Midyette Editor: Steve Hubrecht Graphic/Ad Design: Emily Rawbon Staff Writers: Lorene Keitch, Dauna Ditson, Dean Midyette Contributing Writers: Eric Elliott, Greg Amos, James Rose, Parks Canada Photography: Emily Rawbon, Kristin McCauley, Parks Canada, Summit Communications, Tourism Radium, Wings Over the Rockies Sales: Tourism Radium Cover Photo: Summit Communications Cover & Events Page Design: Summit Communications Ad Design: Will McKenzie Design & Summit Communications

RADIUM HOT SPRINGS POOLS - SUMMIT COMMUNICATIONS

Phone: 250-347-9331 Toll Free: 1-888-347-9331 Website: tourismradium.com Email: tourism@radiumhotsprings.com

The Radium Hot Springs Magazine is published annually and is a joint project of Misko Publishing Limited Partnership, Robert W. Doull, President, and the Tourism Radium Hot Springs Association. The entire contents are copyrighted and reproduction of all material including maps is strictly prohibited. All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy of information in this publication. However, the publisher accepts no responsibility for errors or omissions. Misko also publishes the weekly community newspaper, The Columbia Valley Pioneer.

N E W S PA P E R

Box 868, #8 -1008 – 8th Avenue, Invermere, B.C. V0A 1K0 Phone: 250-341-6299 www.columbiavalleypioneer.com info@columbiavalleypioneer.com ARIEL VIEW OF KOOTENAY NATIONAL PARK - PARKS CANADA

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KRISTIN MCCAULEY

KRISTIN MCCAULEY

KRISTIN MCCAULEY

RELAX INTO RADIUM

No matter the time of year, day of the week or hour of the day, you’re always going to be able to find a new and captivating experience during your time in Radium Hot Springs.

Travelling down Highway 93 South through the ravines and crevices carved out of the mountainside that are so characteristic of Sinclair Canyon at the west end of Kootenay National Park, you round a canyon corner and are greeted by the intimate yet expansive Village of Radium. Slowly entering town, you’ll be enchanted by the European-esque look to the village’s motels, and pleasantly surprised by the free and abundant parking that few other resort communities are able to boast.

After parking your car, the coziness and comfortability becomes abundantly clear with plenty of goods and services within walking distance for you to enjoy, starting with the famous hot springs.

Located inside Kootenay National Park, the hot springs are a favourite destination for both visitors and locals looking to relax while enjoying the mountainous backdrop. For those looking to stay dry, the Village of Radium Hot Springs has plenty to offer in its vibrant, friendly small-town atmosphere. The majority of the shops located in its core are locally owned, offering unique products that put a stamp on your Radium adventure.

On a warm summer Friday evening in July and August, you can check out the local community market — Music & Market on Main — on Main Street outside the Visitor Centre featuring a cadre of goods produced by local artisans and vendors.

From there, it’s only a short walk to the newly created Rotary Community Garden, created by the local Rotary Club in 2015.

Known as “the happiest place in Radium” to those who frequent

it, the garden was established as a tool of solidarity, enabling people throughout the community to use the 40 raised garden beds for planting while bringing the community closer together, encouraging mingling and socializing in a way that private gardens don’t. The Rotary Gardens double as a public park area with flowers, benches and a gazebo for all to enjoy.

This unique atmosphere of peace and tranquility attracts weddings and art shows.

Village efforts to create a new community hall came to fruition in 2018, with the opening of the brand new Radium Hot Springs Centre. The beautiful facility is modern in every respect and yet was designed to fit Radium’s mountain town feel, and its timber-clad motif has already earned the community a provincial architecture award. With a 200-seat capacity main hall, kitchen space, stage area and a multipurpose room, it’s the perfect spot to host gatherings, events, and weddings. The new centre also house Radium’s library and has meeting rooms open to the public.

If you find relaxation through athletic KRISTIN MCCAULEY activity, Radium will not disappoint with a mini golf course right in town that arguably boasts some of the best views around, and a number of biking and hiking trails nearby. There’s even a Pump and Jump Bike Park located a short walk from the village centre, perfect for kids and anyone wanting to hone their mountain biking skills. Legends Field — a grassy park located in the middle of Radium — provides a kids’ playground, ball diamond, outdoor fitness equipment and plays host to outdoor events and activities throughout the year. With the intimacy and relaxation offered

by Radium Hot Springs, the question isn’t why would you come to Radium, but rather, why would you go anywhere else?

SUMMIT COMMUNICATIONS

R adi um H ot S pri ngs Vi si tor Gui de 2019 • 5

2019 Events AUTUMN EVENTS RADIUM HOT SPRINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY SEASONAL CRAFTS COLUMBIA VALLEY CLASSICS AUTUMN SHOW AND SHINE • • • •

Always the 3rd weekend in September Market and Music on Main Radium Hot Springs Fire Department Pancake Breakfast Radium Hot Springs Public Library Car Show Themed Craft & Activities

RADIUM HOT SPRINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY BITES FOR BOOKS FOOD DRIVE • October - watch for details!

• Suporting the C.V. Foodbank

HEADBANGER FESTIVAL

• 1st weekend in November.

• A fall festival with a twist. The Headbanger Festival is a hands on event, full of interactive and educational workshops, unique presentations, and a whole lot of fun!

WINTER EVENTS RADIUM HOT SPRINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY SEASONAL CRAFTS NIPIKA LOPPET

• Last weekend in January.

• Nipika Mountain Resort and Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club host an amazing weekend of cross-country ski racing with classic races on Saturday and skate races on Sunday.

CROSS RIVER RIPPER FAT BIKE RACE

• Last Saturday in February.

• Fast, flowy, and a ton of fun! The course includes both of Nipika’s fat bike trails (singletrack-style, groomed specifically for fat bikes) and cross-country ski trails. It showcases the northern trails with plenty of rollers and mountain and river views.

HOSPICE TREE OF LIGHTS CELEBRATION

• Last weekend in November or 1st weekend in December.

• The Tree of Lights is a special evening of music, poems, and the lighting of a commemorative tree to honour those who are no longer with us.

CP HOLIDAY TRAIN

• December, watch for details!

• Radium Hot Springs welcomes the CP Holiday Train to town.

RADIUM HOT SPRINGS CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PARTY

• December, watch for details!

• Join the Radium Hot Springs Fire Department for an afternoon of family crafts, snacks, games and of course a visit from Santa.

VILLAGE OF RADIUM HOT SPRINGS CHRISTMAS EVE SLEIGH RIDES

• December 24th.

• Celebrate Christmas Eve in Radium Hot Springs with a beautiful sleigh ride around the community, followed by cookie decorating, hot chocolate and other family activities.

VILLAGE OF RADIUM HOT SPRINGS BIRTHDAY & NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION

• December 31st.

• Spend the afternoon tobogganing, skating, and enjoying hot chocolate, chili and birthday cake.

• Kickoff your New Year’s Eve Celebration with an incredible display of fireworks at 6:30 PM. Hosted by the Village of Radium Hot Springs and the Fire Department.

RADIUM HOT SPRINGS ROTARY CLUB - 2ND ANNUAL NEW YEARS EVE CELEBRATION

• December 31st.

• After an afternoon of family fun, tuck in the little ones, pull out your dancing shoes, and join the Radium Hot Springs Rotary Club for their 2nd annual New Year’s Eve celebration fundraiser.

• Must be 19+ to attend.

WINDERMERE VALLEY SNOWMOBILE SOCIETY FAMILY DAY BBQ AT FORESTER CABIN

• Saturday February 16, 2019.

• Celebrate Family Day by Sled! Join the Windermere Valley Snowmobile Society at the for Forester Creek Cabin for a Family Day BBQ.

WINDERMERE VALLEY SNOWMOBILE SOCIETY 2ND ANNUAL POKER RUN • Saturday March 9, 2019.

• Watch for details.

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SPRING EVENTS RADIUM HOT SPRINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY SEASONAL CRAFTS WINGS OVER THE ROCKIES

• Second week in May. • Bighorn Experience – Radium Hot Springs Visitor Centre • This interactive educational experience will help you understand what makes the Bighorn Herd so unique and why the Village of Radium Hot Springs finds these majestic animals so important to the community.

CRAZY SOLES NIPIKA TRAIL RUN

• Last Saturday in May. • The 25 km course incorporates a 10 and 15 km loop, all along the Kootenay and Cross Rivers.

Summer Fridays JUNE 28 AUGUST 30

KOOTENAY KRUSHER MOUNTAIN BIKE RACE

• Last Sunday in May. • The Kootenay Krusher course is a predominantly single track 25 km loop that follows the beautiful Kootenay and Cross rivers.

4pm-9pm

Music

RADIUM DAYS

• June, watch for details.

• Celebrate everything Radium! A fun-filled family and community event!

&

BRITSBEST CAR SHOW

• June, watch for details!

• Calgary MG Car Club calls on all British car and bike enthusiasts to join us for BritsBest, our annual celebration of all things automotive and British.

Market on

SUMMER EVENTS

Main

RADIUM HOT SPRINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY SEASONAL CRAFTS CANADA DAY MARKET & MUSIC ON MAIN • July 1st.

ADVENTURE RADIUM

• July & August.

• A summer program presented by the Village of Radium Hot Springs, tailored for 2 separate age groups. Let the adventure begin every Tuesday through Thursday!

FRIENDS OF KOOTENAY – ART WITH FRIENDS • Watch for details!

FRIENDS OF KOOTENAY - JR NATURALIST PROGRAM

• July & August.

• Learn about Kootenay National Park through games, puzzles, hikes, and more. The program runs weekly Thursday through Saturday.

RADIUM HOT SPRINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY SUMMER READING PROGRAM

• July & August.

• During the summer months, we offer a free literacy program for children. Members of our Summer Reading Club are able to track the books they have read with our Summer Reading Log.

Summertime Fridays in Radium are filled with excitement as we host a market and live music on Main Street.

Join us at the Visitor Centre where we sing, dance, eat and shop the evening away and celebrate the upcoming weekend.

MARKET: 4-9pm MUSIC: 7-9pm

RADIUM HOT SPRINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY & FIRE DEPARTMENT OPEN HOUSE FUNDRAISER • July or August, watch for details!

• A joint fundraiser open house and garage sale is being held at the Radium Hot Springs Fire Hall in support of both the Radium Fire Department and the Radium Public Library.

RADIUM HOT SPRINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY TEDDY BEAR PICNIC • Event coming this August, watch for details!

STAMPEDE PANCAKE BREAKFAST

• Friday, July 5th.

• An annual fundraising breakfast supporting the Radium Hot Springs Fire Department and hosted by Fire’d Up Breakfast & Burgers.

R adi um H ot S pri ngs Vi si tor Gui de 2019 • 7

Village Accommodation Village Accommodation

Phone

Website

Apple Tree Inn

1-250-347-0011 1-800-350-1511

www.appletreeinnbc.com

Bighorn Meadows Resort

1-250-347-2323 1-877-344-2323

www.bighornmeadows.com

Cedar Motel

1-250-347-9463

www.cedarmotel.ca

Cobblestone Creek Cottage and Lodging

1-778-527-4866 1-888-711-3722

www.cobblestonecreek.ca

Crescent Motel

1-250-347-9570 1-888-295-8822

www.crescentmotel.ca

Crystal Springs Motel

1-250-347-9759 1-800-347-9759

www.crystalspringsmotel.bc.ca

High Country Vacation Rentals

1-250-342-3887 1-800-665-1801

www.highcountryproperties.com

Inn on Canyon

1-250-347-9392

www.innoncanyon.ca

Motel Bavaria

1-250-347-9915 1-888-749-1119

www.motelbavaria.ca

Piccadilly Motel

1-250-347-9532 1-888-288-7799

www.thepiccadilly.ca

Piccadilly Vacation Rentals

1-778-527-5001 1-888-258-3962

www.piccadillyvacationrentals.com

Prestige Radium Hot Springs Resort

1-250-347-2300 1-877-737-8443

www.prestigehotelsandresorts.com

Radium Chalet

1-778-527-5033 1-844-849-4557

www.radiumchalet.com

Radium Elk Park B&B • Columbia Valley Suite • Taynton Lodge Rental Suite

1-250-347-9522 1-780-808-1630

www.radiumelkparkbnb.com

Radius Retreat

1-403-636-0343

www.radiusretreat.com

Rocky Mountain Springs Lodge

1-250-347-9548 1-877-457-1117

www.milliondollarview.ca

The Gateway v

1-250-347-9655 1-800-838-4238

www.radiumgatewaymotel.com

More accommodation options in Radium - Bighorn Motel, Celadon Lodge, Gables Motel, Lido Motel, Misty River Lodge, Motel Tyrol, Mountain Springs Motel, Radium Hot Springs Cabins, Radium Holidays, Radium Park Lodge, Sunrise Chalet, Sunset Motel

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CONRAD’S KITCHEN & GRILL

AUTHENTIC MEXICAN FLAIR IN RADIUM

It could be the industrial modern decor, the location inside the Prestige Radium Hot Springs Resort, or the varied menu that is making Radium’s newest restaurant a startup success.

FAJITIAS - CONRAD’S KITCHEN & GRILL

Or it could be the authentic, made-from-scratch salsa, complete with fresh tomatillos that draws patrons back again and again.

Transitioning to a Mexican-inspired menu just made sense for Francisco Guzman and Marisol Velazquez, Conrad’s Kitchen + Grill’s new owners. The couple moved from Guadalajara, Mexico, a cosmopolitan state capital rich in history (it is the birthplace of both tequila and mariachi music) to Radium Hot Springs in June 2018.

Marisol and Francisco, who have been married for 11 years and have two children, were looking for a new adventure and began eyeing opportunities. Friends had moved to Golden a few years ago and let the couple know about the opportunity. After a visit to the Columbia Valley, they were sold on the chance for a new life up north and took it.

The biggest change, confides Marisol, is moving from a bustling metropolis of 4.5 million to a village with a year-round population of 776.

“It is a gorgeous place,” says Marisol. “It’s very different than our country or city.”

They love looking out the large, sunlight-filled windows at the restaurant and watching bighorn sheep. The family has embraced the Canadian lifestyle, taking the kids sledding, ice skating, and skiing.

Conrad’s (named in homage to famed mountaineer Conrad Kain) offers Mexican as well as more traditional restaurant fare like burgers and ribs. Next door at the Don Agave Cantina, enchiladas cinco de mayo, tostadas, and super agave fajitas entice.

The hardest decision you will have to make at this restaurant (both menus are available at both locations), is what to choose for your next meal.

Neighbouring Accommodation Accommodation

Phone

Website

Addisons Bungalows

1-250-346-6888 1- 800-794-5024

www.addisonsbungalows.com

Copper Point Resort

1-250-341-4000 1- 855-926-7737

www.copperpointresort.com

Deere Ridge Cabins

1-250-341-3477

www.deereridge.com

Fairmont Hot Springs Resort

1-250-345-6000 1-800-663-4979

www.fairmonthotsprings.com

High Country Vacation Rentals

1-250-342-3887 1-800-665-1801

www.highcountryproperties.com

Mountain View Villas at Fairmont Hot Springs

1-778-525-0052 1-833-381-7625

www.mountainviewvillas.ca

Nipika Mountain Resort

1-250-342-6516 1-877-647-4525

www.nipika.com

Panorama Mountain Resort

1-250-342-6941 1-800-663-2929

www.panoramaresort.com

Windermere Creek Bed & Breakfast Cabins

1-250-342-0356 1-800-946-3942

www.windermerecreek.com R adi um H ot S pri ngs Vi si tor Gui de 2019 • 9

Invermere on the Lake Panorama Mountain Resort Just a few kilometres south of the Village of Radium Hot Springs are the stunning communities of Invermere on the Lake and Panorama Mountain Resort. Both provide a wealth of yearround activities for all ages and inclinations.

When visiting Invermere, rent canoes, kayaks or paddleboards and catch a guided trip down the Columbia River from Invermere to Radium. While visiting Panorama, you can enjoy horseback riding, whitewater rafting, backcountry ATV and snowmobile tours with Toby Creek Adventures. Or ride the Mile 1 chair lift and spend your day hiking and sightseeing or mountain biking.

Don’t miss the weekly Invermere Farmers & Artisan Market on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. then spend your Saturday strolling along Invermere’s vibrant Main Street enjoying the many shops, cafes and galleries.

Paddleboarding

estaurants Cafes , RShops &

The culinary scene in Invermere and Panorama offers something for every pallet. Check out Strand’s, Spice Hut, The Station Pub, Huckleberry’s, Fubuki Sushi or the Birchwood Restaurant and more, all located in Invermere. On the mountain at Panorama, check out the new clubhouse at Greywolf Golf Course, T-Bar and Grill, and Eleven 50 Grill. In the winter, Panorama Mountain Resort is a great stop on the “Powder Highway” and boasts one of the largest vertical ski areas in North America.

Free shuttles run to and from Invermere all winter long.

Springs at Panorama Panorama is also a great base for heli skiing and snowmobile tours. In Invermere, don’t miss the chance to experience the Lake Windermere Whiteway for noridc ski and ice skate trails.

For more information on lodging, activities and community and events, visit InvermerePanorama.com

Town Center Invermere

Greywolf at Panorama

Mounta

Book your stay now! InvermerePanorama.com

in Bikin

g

SOAK IN THE EXPERIENCE

RADIUM HOT SPRINGS POOLS - SUMMIT COMMUNICATIONS

One of Western Canada’s most beautiful and enduring mineral hot springs is found just a few hours drive from Calgary International Airport and within a short walking distance from the Village of Radium Hot Springs.

For many decades, the family-friendly pool facility, located within Kootenay National Park, has offered plenty of space to relax and rejuvenate.

Prior to the mid 19th century, when European settlers first began to inhabit and develop this corner of the Canadian Rockies, First Nations people long considered the hot springs a spiritual place and used the water as a source of rejuvenation and healing.

As the pool complex gradually developed through the years, people from far and wide visited to partake in some serious lounge time. Imagine Winston Churchill relaxing in the pool while puffing on one of his trademark cigars — he spent a week at the pools in the late 1920s. By the end of the 1960s, the facility as we know it today was completed. Since then, occasional renovations have taken place to incrementally improve the facility’s aesthetics and infrastructure.

Patrons have the pleasure of soaking in the pools of one of Canada’s largest hot springs complexes, surrounded by the rocky walls of Sinclair Canyon, or cooling off in the adjacent 25-metre swimming pool. Bighorn sheep and many other wild animals that call the Sinclair Canyon home can often be seen from the pool areas that feature naturally occurring mineral water (a mixture of sulphate, calcium, bicarbonate, silica, and magnesium) origi-

nating thousands of metres below the Earth’s surface.

Although the pool complex is located immediately inside the boundary of Kootenay National Park, a park pass is not required to visit the facility.

The clear and odourless mineral water has temperatures maintained between 37 C and 40 C for the hot pool, and roughly 10 C cooler for the swimming pool. There is also a hot-tub sized “plunge pool” that has a variable temperature because it is fed either directly from the Sinclair Creek running below the pool complex or from the source of the mineral hot springs itself.

Complementing the universal access pool facility are the many amenities in and around the complex.

These include interpretive signs, picnic tables, walking trails (connecting with nearby Redstreak Campground), spacious parking that accommodates RV vehicles, and the popular day spa, Pleiades Spa & Wellness.

With a focus on harnessing the healing power of the surrounding nature, Pleiades Spa & Wellness offers a variety of health-focused spa treatments and therapies sure to revitalize the body and mind (visit PleiadesRadiumSpa.com).

Thousands of visitors throughout the year plan their vacations around spending time at the pools and combine their hot springs experience with the multitude of activities the Columbia Valley offers.

What could be better than lounging in the pools after a day spent skiing at nearby Panorama Mountain Resort, or after hitting the links at one of the many world-class golf courses all within a short drive?

Radium Hot Springs pools are the ideal place to relax and rejuvenate, and will be for many years to come.

R adi um H ot S pri ngs Vi si tor Gui de 2019 • 11

RADIUM HOT SPRINGS SUMMIT COMMUNICATIONS

Radium Hot Springs Resort Fully renovated resort featuring: various guestroom types • Conrad’s Kitchen + Grill • Don Agave Cantina • meeting rooms • pool & hot tub kitchenette suites • athletic club • Elevation Spa • complimentary WiFi • free guest parking

7493 Main Street West (Hwy 95) prestigehotelsandresorts.com • 250-347-2300

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Health & Wellness in Radium Hot Springs Massage, Spa & Yoga Services

Phone

Website

Elevation Massage & Spa

1-778-527-5090

www.elevationmassage.ca

Pleiades Spa & Wellness

1-250-347-2288

www.pleiadesradiumspa.com

Prestige Radium Hot Springs Resort Fitness Centre

1-250-347-2300 1-877-737-8443

www.prestigehotelsandresorts.com

Neighbouring Health & Wellness Neighbouring Spas

Phone

Website

Columbia Valley Spa

1-250-341-4030

www.copperpointresort.com/spa

Natural Springs Spa

1-250-345-6007 1-800-663-4979

www.fairmonthotsprings.com/activities/spa

PLEIADES SPA & WELLNESS

R adi um H ot S pri ngs Vi si tor Gui d e 2019 • 13

LAND OF LINKS The Columbia Valley is home to a wealth of golf courses, some offering layouts that will challenge the most competitive players and others that cater to the casual golf aficionado.

Regardless of the courses you choose to play, you will be surrounded by the natural beauty that attracts visitors from around the world.

At the northern end of the Columbia Valley on Highway 93 you will find the Village of Radium Hot Springs, home to The Springs Golf Course and The Radium Course. A short 10 minute drive north from the four-way stop in the centre of Radium Hot Springs takes you to Edgewater Hilltop Par 3 and just a few kilometers further north rests Spur Valley Greens.

THE COURSES The Springs With breathtaking scenery, world class course design and exceptional service, The Springs is consistently recognized as one of British Columbia’s top golf courses. The Springs experience continues to improve year by year thanks to an ongoing refurbishment program guided by original course architect Les Furber. Players will experience exceptional sight lines with each of the 18 holes framed by the Purcell range to the west and the Rockies to the east. The second hole offers the greatest challenge to players, with an accurate tee shot required to land in the narrow fairway and tiered, revetted sand traps guarding an elevated green. Expect tour-speed greens and breathtaking views of the Columbia wetlands on the 1st, 2nd, 17th and 18th holes. After an unforgettable round be sure to stop at Elevations Restaurant which offers a diverse menu, chilled beverages and an outdoor patio with one of the best views in the valley.

5TH HOLE AT SPUR VALLEY GREENS

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The Springs and their hospitality group can assist you in booking tee times as well as play-and-stay packages with local valley accommodators.

The Radium Course The incredible setting and natural beauty of The Radium Course have made it a Columbia Valley favourite since 1957. Extensive renovations, including the recent addition of three new golf holes, have transformed the course into a championship par-72 layout with four sets of tees that play from 5,389 to 6,269 yards.

The Radium Course offers spectacular scenery, a well-stocked pro shop and first class service. Contact the Radium Course and their hospitality group can assist you in booking tee times as well as play-and-stay packages.

Edgewater Hilltop Par 3 Visiting Edgewater Hilltop Par 3 is about more than just playing golf. The challenging 9 hole layout is perfect for all ability levels with the restaurant offering home-cooked menu items and the best homemade pie in the valley. The recently constructed RV Park is now open, offering scenic views of the Purcells and Steamboat Mountain. The seven serviced sites include power, water, sewer and complimentary wifi access with five un-serviced sites also available. Newly constructed washroom and laundry facilities are on site. Come for the golf; stay for the pie.

Spur Valley Greens Spur Valley Greens is a beautiful 9 hole, par 33 golf course which features immaculate greens, white silica sand in the well-positioned bunkers, walk-able terrain as well as a cliff-side driving range and practice green. Adjacent to Luxor Creek is Spur Valley Resort, which offers both seasonal cabins and RV sites, all within walking distance from the golf course and open from April to October.

After your round be sure to grab a table in The Cantina, a licensed restaurant with patio featuring an authentic Tex-Mex menu. Taco Tuesdays at The Cantina are legendary among the locals and offers mouthwatering cuisine at a family-friendly price.

WILDERNESS IN MODERATION Want to get away from it all but still be walking distance from town? Wish you could go backcountry camping without having to carry your shelter on your back? Daydream about snowshoeing in the wilderness by day and warming up to a crackling fire in a wood-burning stove by night?

With its set of yurts on the hillside near Radium Hot Springs, Radius Retreat offers guests the chance to experience nature in moderation with minimal effort and maximal comfort.

“People are excited to have a little micro getaway,” says Loren Braat, one of the three partners who run Radius Retreat. “They don’t have to be incredibly well-versed explorers, and yet they can still have the experience of somebody whose hiked for five days.”

Radius Retreats offers an off-grid, sustainable hike-in experience. Amenities include water stations, composting toilets, outdoor fire pits, picnic tables, camp stoves, solar-powered lighting and a set of trails for guests to explore. One yurt, the Drey, is

accessible for those who use adaptive equipment and has ramps, rails and an accessible washroom.

Visitors snowshoe, ski or hike 100 meters to 2.5 kilometres to get to their yurts, which are canvas structures that seem like a cross between a cabin and a tent. Loren says guests who aren’t up for a long walk can book the closest yurt and arrive at their doorstep in less than two minutes.

From there, settling in consists of unrolling their sleeping bags on the custom-built bunks, hoisting their food into the trees with a simple set of pulleys, whittling some kindling and lighting a fire. That’s it.

“So many people want to experience backcountry yurts and backcountry cabins but it’s really hard,” she says. “You have to hike. You have to be prepared. You have to know all the dangers.

And here you get that backcountry experience of being in the solitude and peace and nobody near you, but in 10 minutes you can jump in your car and two minutes later you’re in Radium, which has everything you could ever need. So you can enjoy the peace and the next morning get up and go for coffee at the restaurant if you want.”

To make their yurt stay even simpler, guests can rent backpacks from Far Out Gear Rentals in Radium that come prepacked with all the wilderness equipment they’ll need for their yurt expedition, including sleeping bags, water bottles, soap, pillows and a hatchet.

“Now you can go hiking or skiing and enjoy it instead of having to do all the hard work of setting up,” Loren says.

With seven yurts spread over nearly 1,000 acres of land, Loren says “You feel like you’re a million miles away from everything... It’s untouched and it’s serene and it’s beautiful and (there are) mountain views everywhere.”

She experiences serenity in nature and says the peaceful feeling follows her inside when she stays in a yurt.

“You can hear the snow falling off the roof or the rain landing on it or the birds. It feels like you’re in nature,” she said. “You don’t have the walls that are stopping you from feeling the fresh air.”

RADIUS RETREAT

R adi um H ot S pri ngs Vi si tor Gui d e 2019 • 15

NATURE AT YOUR DOORSTEP

ROCKY MOUNTAIN BIGHORN SHEEP - KRISTIN MCCAULEY

GRIZZLY BEAR - KRISTIN MCCAULEY

While many may make their way into Radium Hot Springs for the golf, dining, hiking and other exceptional attractions the Village boasts, you may be quickly surprised to discover that it’s one of the best places in the country to view the magnificent mountain wildlife in its natural habitat.

Thanks mostly to the small area Radium encompasses, the town is perfectly situated to incorporate various species of wildlife on the borders of the community with numerous types making their way into the village itself. Combined with the wetlands to the neighbouring west and the rugged mountain landscape surrounding the other sides of the village, the area is nearly guaranteed to manifest a sighting of a unique wildlife species during a stay in Radium.

For many, the mere mention of Radium Hot Springs is synonymous with the bighorn sheep that surround the community and even call it home. The herd of approximately 150 animals roams throughout the village and are frequently seen just off Highway 93/95 south of Radium. Look for sheep sunning themselves on the side of nearby hills during the day or meandering their way to the outskirts of the village in the evenings.

It is the bighorn sheep that helped spawn one of Radium’s most celebrated annual events in the Headbanger Festival occurring in the late fall of each year. The popular multi-day event acts as an educational seminar for visitors and residents on the life of the sheep and other wildlife in the local area while also 16 • R adium Hot S pr in g s Vi s i to r Gu i d e 2 0 1 9

highlighting to people where to see wildlife and what to do if you were ever to find yourself in an encounter with one.

The sheer force that the male animals exert on one another during the fall rutting season should tell people that, although these animals may be adjusted to human life inside the village, it is not safe to approach them in hopes of getting a photograph or touching the sheep themselves.

While it may be more common to see ungulates like the bighorn sheep, mule and whitetail deer, elk and mountain goats, there are also more elusive animals such as grizzlies, black bears, coyotes, cougars and wolves that live in the surrounding areas around the village. It is important to remember that any interaction should be non-invasive and that feeding wildlife is not permitted in any way and can carry a significant fine.

For those visitors who don’t encounter wildlife during their stay or want a safe way to do so, the Visitor Information Centre has a unique display of five different forms of wildlife that people can view, in addition to a table full of antlers, skulls and claws people can touch to experience the real size and weight of the animal. Both the grizzly and black bear species BLACK BEAR CUB - KRISTIN MCCAULEY are on display, along with the mountain goat, bighorn sheep and cougar, which are all life-sized and include information to give visitors the opportunity to learn more about the animals in addition to viewing their magnificent frames.

A wildlife experience in Radium is one you can’t replicate anywhere else in Canada and is one visitors remember for a lifetime.

• Massage • Nail services • Body treatments • Gift certificates • Clean, Comfortable, Affordable • Ground level 1 & 2 bedroom suites • Kitchenette’s and BBQ’s available • Pets upon approval • Check in a “stranger”, check out a “friend” Located on Hwy 93 just 2 mins west of Hot Springs Pools

Box 213, Radium Hot Springs, BC V0A 1M0 Tel: 250-347-0011 · Fax: 250-347-0087 · 1-800-350-1511

10

Lakeshore Resort And Campground

% off

select services with mention of this ad Offer valid until November 30th 2019, some restrictions may apply.

elevationmassage.ca 778-527-5090 Located in the Prestige Radium Hot Springs Resort

• The largest campground located on Lake Windermere • Over 70 overnight camping sites • Seasonal rental sites • Boat launch and day-use facilities • Legacy Hall available for events • Swimming and picnicking day-use • Stunning views To make a reservation call 250-342-6352 or visit www.lakeshoreresortcampground.com

3151 Highway 93/95 Windermere, B.C.

Owned and operated by the Akisqnuk First Nation, Windermere, B.C.

Open every day: 8 am - 10 pm with extended summer hours Friday & Saturday Nights.

Located next to the Horsethief Creek Pub & Eatery Open 9am -11pm

7538 Main Street East · Radium Hot Springs BC · V0A 1M0 · (250) 347-6424

Radium Mountainside Market, Family owned and operated for over a decade!

Offering Fresh Deli Sandwiches, BC Produce, Alberta Beer and Local Favorites.

7546 Main Street East · Radium Hot Springs BC · V0A 1M0 · (250) 347-9600 Come visit us at our other location!

8-4992 Fairmont Frontage Rd Fairmont Hot Springs, BC (250) 345-0045

R adi um H ot S pri ngs Vi si tor Gui d e 2019 • 17

18 • R adium Hot S pr in g s Vi s i to r Gu i d e 2 0 1 9

A FUSION OF FEASTS To many visitors, the Village of Radium Hot Springs serves as the perfect place to access Kootenay National Park and all that the Columbia Valley has to offer.

With an abundant selection of golf courses to play, hiking trails to conquer and wildlife to gaze at, of course it’s no wonder.

Partaking in all of those activities, however, builds up an appetite, and to properly satiate that well-earned hunger, Radium’s many different restaurants and their chefs are here to serve you some downright delicious food.

If you do plan to play golf at one of the Radium area golf courses, both the Radium Course Restaurant at the Radium Course and Elevation Restaurant at The Springs Course offers mouth-watering food for breakfast, lunch and dinner that will make you quickly forget that bogey you made on 18.

If you are looking to try ethnic foods, there is plenty to offer in that regard as well with no passport required. For authentic Mexican food in a family atmosphere, head to Conrad’s Kitchen + Grill and Don Agave Cantina. Both of these restaurants are located inside the Prestige Radium Hot Springs Resort. If you’re in the mood for some delectable pizza, Wildside Pizzeria on Main Street West has certainly got you covered.

Radium Hot Springs is highly regarded for its authentic Austrian cuisine that features recipes passed down from generation to generation. For an outstanding variety of schnitzel and spaetzle dishes (among many others), try Helna’s Stube or The Old Salzburg. Spectacular mountain views and a unique European taste can be found by visiting the cozy Citadella Restaurant perched overlooking the Valley and within the Rocky Mountain Springs Lodge.

If you are still in the mood for some exotic food, but want to shift your geographical focus away from Europe, Leo Burrito specializes in serving outstanding Mexican-inspired burrito dishes with a Columbia Valley twist.

Yet despite Radium’s plethora of ethnic foods options, sometimes that hamburger, steak, or BLT is just too good to ignore.

For simple down-home Western classics, Riko’s Family Radium Restaurant is there to serve you breakfast, lunch and dinner at an affordable price while the Horsethief Creek Pub & Eatery will have you leave wanting more. For all-day breakfast, Rockies Restaurant has the pancakes that you crave along with pizza, pasta, and other traditional Italian foods A Radium staple is the rustic Back Country Jack’s Restaurant, which offers outstanding chicken, steak, fish and burger dishes.

Did someone say burgers? Fire’D Up Breakfast and Burgers also offer a great selection of burgers as well as breakfast items sure to please.

FIRE'D UP

HORSETHIEF CREEK PUB & EATERY

OLD SALZBURG RESTAURANT

 Continued on page 21

R adi um H ot S pri ngs Vi si tor Gui d e 2019 • 19

Dining in Radium Hot Springs Restaurants

` Phone

Website

Big Horn Cafe

1 -778-527-5005

www.bighorncafe.net

Citadella Restaurant

1-250-347-9548

www.milliondollarview.ca

Conrads Kitchen and Grill

1-250-347-2340

www.prestigehotelsandresorts.com

Don Agave Cantina

1-250-347-2340

www.prestigehotelsandresorts.com

Elevations Dining & Patio at the Springs Course

1-250-347-6205

www.radiumgolf.ca

Helna's Stube

1-250-347-0047

www.helnas.com

Horsethief Creek v Pub & Eatery

1-250-347-6400

www.horsethiefpub.ca

Riko’s Family Restaurant

1-250-347-2701

www.rikosfamilyrestaurant.com

Wildside Pizzeria

1-250-347-9765

www.wildsidepizzeria.com

Back Country Jacks, Fire’d Up Breakfast & Burgers, Gerry’s Gelati, Leo Burrito, Rockies Restaurant, Screamers

Neighbouring Restaurants Neighbouring Restaurants

` Phone

Website

Black Forest Steak & Schnitzel Haus

1-250-342-9417

www.blackforestrestaurant.com

Chill Out Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt

1-250-342-1678

www.chillouticecream.ca

Edibles Cafe

1-250-342-5330

www.winderberry.ca

Elements Grill

1-250-341-4002

www.copperpointresort.com/dining/

Mountain Flowers Restaurant

1-250-345-6070

www.fairmonthotsprings.com

Pizzeria Mercato

1-250-688-3344

www.pizzeriamercato.com

The Cantina

1-250-347-9081

www.facebook.com/cantinaatspurvalley/

20 • R adium Hot S pr in g s Vi s i to r Gu i d e 2 0 1 9

CONRAD’S KICHEN & GRILL

 From page 19

So now your main course is down the hatch — it’s time for dessert. The best gelato in town (Italian-style ice cream featuring a higher proportion of milk over cream) can be found at Gerry’s Gelati, which can be enjoyed while adventuring through an adjacent mini golf course. For some classic ice cream flavours, Screamers in the heart of the village is there for you.

Java fans can get their caffeine kick at the aforementioned Gerry’s Gelati, which serves locally roasted Stolen Church Coffee, and at Radium’s newest mocha stop, the Big Horn Café on Main Street West, which serves coffee creations and a variety of tasty treats in a sleek modern interior.

All told, visitors to the Village of Radium Hot Springs will not leave without their taste buds spoiled. And if you happen to get rained on while trekking the Juniper Trail, or score a snowman on that measly par three, at least you can count on a delicious meal to brighten your day. Bon appetit!

OPEN YEAR ROUND

CHECK OUT OUR! DAILY SPECIALS

Comfort food and authentic Mexican cuisine MADE FROM

SCRATCH!

NEW RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE • OPEN YEAR ROUND INSIDE THE PRESTIGE RADIUM HOT SPRINGS RESORT 7493 MAIN STREET WEST (HWY 95) • 250-347-2340

Fresh food made with fresh ingredients!

Fully licensed

Restaurant & Lounge

Authentic Mexican cuisine Modern lounge experience

Lunch: 11:30 a.m. June - September Dinner: open 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. December - October

Highway 93, Radium Hot Springs, B.C. Austrian and continental cuisine.

Schnitzel, steak, seafood, homemade pasta and desserts.

Daily 3-course dinner specials Private functions for groups.

For reservations, call 250-347-6553

www.OldSalzburgRestaurant.com R adi um H ot S pri ngs Vi si tor Gui d e 2019 • 21

BOULDERING IN THE PURCELLS – SUMMIT COMMUNICATIONS

A GATEWAY FOR GETAWAYS

The Village of Radium Hot Springs is the perfect launching pad for active families and adrenaline-seeking adventurers to explore a variety of awesome backcountry spots in all seasons. Lazy summer days can be spent floating down the Columbia River or enjoying local mountain biking, while winter adventures include motorized or self-propelled adventures in a world-class accessible Purcell Mountains wilderness.

Summer The arid Columbia River valley makes for a spectacular setting to explore in the summer months. The valley’s geographical position in the Rocky Mountain Trench, which divides the Rockies and the Purcell Mountain range, provides not one but two distinct backcountry playgrounds to explore.

Backcountry camping and fishing are abundant along the West- side Road, which runs north from Radium on the west side of the Columbia River. More than a dozen lakes offer two-wheel-drive accessible tent and RV camping at tranquil user-maintained recreation sites (free, but with minimal services available) on lakes, many of which offer great fishing for rainbow and westslope cutthroat trout. Local favourites include Cartwright Lake, Twin Lakes, Dogleg Lake and Dunbar Lake.

A top destination for cross-country trail runners and mountain bikers is the 50 kilometres of gnarly singletrack at Nipika Mountain Resort, found just 35 kilometres away from Radium.

The resort co-manages the Cross River Canyon trail network, highlights of which include the spectacular Natural Bridge and Cross River Canyon falls.

22 • R adium Hot S pr in g s Vi s i to r Gu i d e 2 0 1 9

Perhaps the greatest unplucked gem of Radium tourism is the incredible hiking found on both sides of the valley. A top-rated local favourite is the six-hour Kindersley Pass-Sinclair Creek loop in Kootenay National Park, which ends just a couple kilometres beyond the village boundaries. The Diana Lake area, found in the Brisco Range of the Rockies east of Spur Valley and about 20 minutes north of Radium, offers a very satisfying hike on a recently-improved trail leading to a gorgeous alpine meadow where the Diana Lake Lodge can be found.

A short scramble brings hikers to the summit of The Judge, a 2,730-metre peak offering great views towards Mt. Assiniboine and endless peaks in the national park.

To the west, amazing scenery can be found at Lake of the Hanging Glacier, a four-hour (one-way) hike that brings one to a lovely alpine lake in a basin below the (literally hanging) Jumbo Glacier, where mini-icebergs can be found floating in the frigid waters until mid-summer. The 700-metre vertical gain of the hike makes it moderately challenging, but the rewards are worth it: admiring the glacier from across the lake is spectacular, but even better views can be had by scrambling on the benches to the west of the lake, leading towards the Glacier Dome area.

Bold explorers (equipped with a rope and glacier travel gear) can continue onto the glacier from here. The lake is also a popular place to deploy a pack raft and paddle out for a closer look at the grandeur.

Traditional climbers from around the world come to Bugaboo Provincial Park every summer to challenge themselves with traditional climbing on the alpine granite faces of the Bugaboo Range. The world class rock is found just over an hour away from Radium Hot Springs, and for those who prefer hiking to climbing, the area is also worth a visit (or 10) to marvel at the amazing rock faces jutting out of glaciers and snowfields. A steep hike complete with ladders brings dedicated hikers to the alpine Conrad Kain Hut, surrounded by glacier and granite spires.

LAKE OF THE HANGING GLACIER - EMILY RAWBON

Winter Winter recreation adventure from Radium Hot Springs begins where the snow accumulates on the slopes. The fastest growing segment of adventure is snowmobiling, and the Forster Creek Meadows area is well established as a backcountry destination.

With a parking area found just 30 kilometres west of Radium, snowmobile riders can access the meadows via a groomed trail for just $20 per day. Thanks to funding from the Windermere Valley Snowmobile Society and local governments, a trail host is available to guide groups towards good riding areas and advise on avalanche safety. After mid-February, sleds are allowed to access the Catamount Glacier, a high-elevation expanse of low-angle snow with incredible views.

The nearby Farnham Glacier is also popular with snowmobilers and back- country skiers, and further south near the Panorama Mountain Resort, backcountry explorers can sled in and ski the Jumbo Pass area (made famous in 2016 thanks to the Jumbo Wild documentary). The Diana Lake area offers exciting winter backcountry skiing potential, with the Diana Lake Lodge under new ownership as of 2016. Heli-accessed five-day ski trips to the area began in mid-February 2017, costing just $800 for self-catered groups.

For the ultra-adventurous, ice climbing can be found at Horsethief Creek Falls west of Radium, a half an hour north at Cedar Creek near Spillimacheen, and at the four-pitch Gibraltar Wall an hour and a half south of Radium and east of Canal Flats.

For families and the younger crowd, accessible adventure is found within a short drive from Radium. Classic cross country skiing, skate skiing, snowshoeing and fat biking are available on another 50-kilometre Cross River Canyon trail network at Nipika Mountain Resort.

While there are no groomed trails within Radium, local skiers often set their own tracks at the Radium and Springs courses, creating scenic paths for others to follow.

And just a 20-minute drive south you can find the world-record breaking Lake Windermere Whiteway accessible via Kinsmen Beach in Invermere where all ages and abilities can enjoy the world’s longest outdoor ice-skating trail, or the choice of groomed classic or skate cross country ski trails across the lake’s frozen surface.

No Canadian winter destination would be complete without a place to play outdoor hockey, and Radium offers a free public outdoor rink right downtown, next to Brent’s Shack at Legends Field.

Whatever activity you pursue in whatever time of year, the village is the perfect starting point for outdoor getaways.

BACKCOUNTRY SKIING – SUMMIT COMMUNICATIONS

Our Vacation Homes offer all the conveniences of a home away from home for the week and are open year round.

Our RV Sites are full service with covered cabanas, gas BBQ, cable TV and wireless internet. The RV season runs April-October and we do offer camping with power only service in the winter season.

A beautiful Recreation Centre with indoor pool & hot tub, change rooms, exercise room, racquetball court, adult & family TV lounges, library, games room and vending machines. Our outdoor pool & snack bar are open seasonally.

Come and create vacation memories with RVVR today that you can enjoy year after year!

Conveniently located 1km North of the Radium 4-way stop

Ph: 250-347-9715 · www.radiumvalleyvacationresort.com R adi um H ot S pri ngs Vi si tor Gui d e 2019 • 23

Camping in Radium Hot Springs Campgrounds

Phone

Website

Canyon RV Resort & Campground

1-250-347-9564

www.canyonrv.com

Kootenay National Park

1-250-347-9505 (May - October) 1-888-773-8888 (Year Round)

www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/bc/kootenay/ activ/camping.aspx

Crooks Meadow Campground (Kootenay National Park)

1-250-347-2218

•

Marble Canyon Campground (Kootenay National Park)

1-250-347-9505 (May - October) 1-877-737-3783

•

McLeod Meadows Campground (Kootenay National Park)

1-250-347-9505 (May - October) 1-877-737-3783

•

oTENTiks at Redstreak Campground (Kootenay National Park)

1-877-737-3783

•

Redstreak Campground (Kootenay National Park)

1-877-737-3783

•

Radium Valley Vacation Resort

1-250-347-9715

www.radiumvalleyvacationresort.com

Neighbouring Campgrounds Campgrounds

Phone

Website

Dry Gulch Provincial Campground

•

www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/ explore/parkpgs/dry_gulch/

Edgewater Hilltop

1-250-347-6502

www.edgewaterhilltopgolf.com

Fairmont Hot Springs RV Resort

1-250-345-6000 1-800-663-4979

www.fairmonthotsprings.com

Lakeshore Resort and Campground

1-250-342-6352 Seasonal or 1-250-342-6301 yr round

www.lakeshoreresortcampground.com

Spruce Grove Campground

1-250-345-6561 1-888-629-4004

www.fairmonthotsprings.com/rv-camping/ spruce-grove-campground/

COLUMBIA WETLANDS - SUMMIT COMMUNICATIONS

24 • R adium Hot S pr in g s Vi s i to r Gu i d e 2 0 1 9

ZIPPING HIGH

Summertime in Radium is the stereotypical image of bliss: trees swaying in the breeze, wildowers blooming, the ping of a golf club strike, and skiing, skating and snowshoeing a distant memory.

But the Columbia Valley is continually adding more warm-weather attractions, bringing new zip, both figuratively and literally, to this classic stereotype. Perhaps none of these additions have been quite as eye-catching as a recently started zipline canopy tour company operating just south of Radium.

Dry Gulch-based Valley Zipline Adventures Ltd (VZA) aims to be the Columbia Valley’s adventure playground. “The central attraction is our seven zipline, 90 minute zipline tour,� says co-owner Krista Berg. “This tour is truly a unique one in the industry. What sets this tour apart is our Edelrid Smart Belay system, which allows guests to use their own zipline gear after a short mandatory training session.�

Once strapped in, guides accompany guests throughout the tour, as the group zig-zags across the Dry Gulch valley to a lookout featuring majestic views of the Columbia Valley wetlands. “The climax of the tour is the last zipline, which sends guests soaring up to 50 kilometres per hour down the monster line nearly 750 feet in length,� adds Krista.

VZA was founded

by Krista and business partner Patrick Tolchard, both graduates from the Ecotourism and Outdoor Leadership Program at Medicine Hat College. The two decided to combine their complementary skills and open the business in July 2017 after three years of research and planning.

For 2019, VZA is pleased to announce segway tours as its VALLEY ZIPLINE ADVENTURES LTD. newest attraction. “This guided tour will take six to eight participants riding through B.C. trails on X2 off-road segways,� says Krista. “Tours will run daily during summer and by appointment only during spring and fall.

A location for the tour has not yet been announced.�

Krista and Patrick also work closely with other Columbia Valley businesses to create packages and promotions. “Our Zip and Sip tour with Taynton Bay Distillery and Arrowhead Brewing Company, and our Zip and Ride package with Toby Creek Adventures are two great examples,� comments Krista. For more information about VZA attractions and to book a tour, visit valleyzip.com.

For more info or to book, call or visit

R adi um H ot S pri ngs Vi si tor Gui d e 2019 • 25

WETLANDS WONDER

COLUMBIA WETLANDS - KRISTIN MCCAULEY

Making the trip into the community of Radium, many are quickly mesmerized by the scenic landscape that consumes their view. Making up part of that landscape is one of the largest intact wetlands in North America — the Columbia Wetlands.

The Columbia Wetlands are known as one of the world’s most precious lands on a world scale. Winding their way through the valley bottom between the Purcell and Rocky Mountains, they are the source of the longest flowing river emptying into the Pacific Ocean in North America known as the Columbia.

The river starts at Columbia Lake, south of Radium near the Village of Canal Flats, and travels north, first through the stretch of wetlands near Fairmont Hot Springs to Lake Windermere, then north again from Invermere to Golden, creating the northern stretch of wetlands to which Radium Hot Springs offers great exposure in a variety of ways.

One of the living jewels of the Columbia Valley, the Columbia Wetlands are home to as many as 216 different animal species including hundreds of fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals. Among them, 300 pairs of blue heron make these wetlands their home, making it the second largest concentration of great blue herons in Western Canada. In spring 2017, over 26,000 birds were counted by volunteers for the Columbia Wetlands Waterbird Survey, which tracks the spring migratory 26 • R adium Hot S pr in g s Vi s i to r Gu i d e 2 0 1 9

birds each year.

Visitors may be surprised to find out that the wetlands are also home to moose, wolf, coyotes and larger predatory mammals such as black and grizzly bears that use the wetlands as a source of feeding.

Unknown to many, the Columbia Wetlands are the only GREAT BLUE HERON free-flowing section of the Columbia WINGS OVER River, which has 14 hydroelectric dams THE ROCKIES powering approximately half of British Columbia’s total electricity. It’s for this reason — dovetailed with the internationally recognized wildlife present in the area — that conservationists have fought hard in recent history to protect and preserve the wetlands for the future.

Over 20 years ago, the Columbia Wetlands first earned the protection of the B.C. government before they were granted full recognition as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance on World Environment Day in 2005 (the Ramsar Convention is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands). As the largest wetland in British Columbia, the Columbia Wetlands qualified for all eight Ramsar criteria.

PADDLING INVERMERE TO RADIUM - KRISTIN MCCAULEY

In 2016, the federal government adopted a 20-horsepower limit for boating on the Columbia River between Invermere and Golden as well as around Fairmont Hot Springs to help protect the fragile wetlands environment.

It’s this pristine, protected area that makes the Columbia Wetlands a must-see experience when in the Radium and Columbia Valley area. On a clear summer day, you’ll often see people setting out in their canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddle boards in the neighbouring community of Invermere and following the current down to Radium, even going as far as Brisco or simply starting in Radium, looking to experience nature in its truest, most undisturbed form.

Along the way, you’ll quietly float by beaver dams, osprey

nests and heron rookery while getting the rare experience of seeing birds such as bald eagles and the endangered Lewis Woodpecker.

For many, it’s this diversity in bird species that catches their interest with nearly 20 different species of water fowl alone in an environment that’s also home to rare species such as Breeding Song Birds and Bullock’s Orioles, which are hard birds to spot in areas outside the Columbia Wetlands.

If you’re a birder looking to take advantage of the opportunity the wetlands have to offer, plan your trip for June or July when the sheer quantity of migrating birds becomes aweinspiring, a phenomenon you may not experience at other times of the year.

KRISTIN MCCAULEY

R adi um H ot S pri ngs Vi si tor Gui d e 2019 • 27

Radium Adventure & Activities Adventure Service

Phone

Website

Adventure Radium

1-250-347-6455

www.radiumhotsprings.ca

Canadian Rockies Hot Springs - Radium Hot Springs

1-250-347-9485 1-800-767-1611

www.hotsprings.ca

Far Out Adventure Hub

1-778-527-5047 1-844-316-0632

www.rentfarout.com

Headbanger Festival

1-250-347-9331

www.radiumhotsprings.com/headbanger

Junior Naturalist Program

1-250-347-6828

www.friendsofkootenay.ca

Kootenay National Park Visitor Centre

1-250-347-9505 (May - Oct.) 1-888-773-8888 (Year-round)

www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/bc/kootenay

Kootenay River Runners

1-250-347-9210 1-800-599-4399

www.raftingtherockies.com

Lake Windermere Rod & Gun Club

•

www.lwdrodgun.com

Market and Music on Main

1-250-347-9331

www.radiumhotsprings.com

Radium Hot Springs Visitor Centre

1-250-347-9331 1-888-347-9331

www.radimhotsprings.com

Rotary Gardens

1-250-347-6455

www.radiumhotsprings.ca

The Radium Woodcarver

1-250-347-9208

www.radiumwoodcarver.com

Travel Columbia Valley

•

www.travelcolumbiavalley.com

True Key Adventures

1-855-544-2323

www.truekeyadventures.com

Valley Zipline Adventures

1-250-347-SOAR (7627)

www.valleyzip.com

Banff Upper Hot Springs – Miette Hot Springs

KOOTENAY RIVER RUNNERS

28 • R adium Hot S pr in g s Vi s i to r Gu i d e 2 0 1 9

KOOTENAY RIVER RUNNERS

Neighbouring Adventure & Activities Adventure Service

Phone

Website

Adventure Paddle School

1-250-342-7397

www.columbiariverpaddle.com

Columbia River Paddle

1-250-342-7397

www.columbiariverpaddle.com

Columbia Valley Escape Rooms

1-778-525-5001

www.cvescaperooms.com

Flying Max

1-250-342-7393

www.flyingmax.com

Fort Steele Heritage Town

1-250-417-6000

www.fortsteele.ca

Fairmont Hot Springs Pools

1-250-345-6000 1-800-663-4979

www.fairmonthotsprings.com

Fairmont Hot Springs Ski Area

1-250-345-6029 1-800-663-4979

www.farimonthotsprings.com

Funtasia - Fairmont Fun Park

1-250-345-4511

www.fairmontfuntasia.com

Invermere Farmers and Artists Market

1-250-668-0641

www.invermerefarmersmarket.net

Kimberley's Underground Mining Railway

1-250-427-0022

www.kimberleysundergroundminingrailway.ca

Luxor Corrals at Spur Valley

1-250-688-0280

www.luxortrailhorse.com

Mineral Mountain Zipline

1-844-888-6695

www.zipmineral.com

Nipika Mountain Resort

1-250-342-6516 1-877-647-4525

www.nipika.com

Panorama Mountain Resort

1-250-342-6941 1-800-663-2929

www.panoramaresort.com

RK Heliski

1-250-342-3889 1-800-661-6060

www.rkheliski.com

Toby Creek Adventures

1-250-342-5047 1-888-357-4749

www.tobycreekadventures.com

Wild Water Adventures

1-403-522-2211 1-888-647-6444

www.wildwater.com

Windermere Valley Museum and Archives

1-250-342-9769

www.windermerevalleymuseum.ca

Wings Over the Rockies

1-250-342-9464

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TEEMING WITH TRAILS The Village of Radium Hot Springs makes for a perfect launching pad to explore more than 200 kilometres of trails.

Hikers can meander through the village and into the Rocky Mountains with virtual ease. Below are some classics for the whole family to enjoy:

Sinclair Creek Trail (Radium) The Sinclair Creek Trail is relatively new and easy to follow. It begins by going up the Canyon’s left bank all the way to where Sinclair Creek emerges from a culvert under Highway 93/95.

Hikers can then choose to cross over the culvert and return part way down the right bank, and cross over again on a green bridge near the parking lot.

The trail has a number of interpretive signs installed, which explain the changes made to enhance the Kokanee spawning areas, as well as some of the history of the area. The trail is a short 3.5-kilometre round trip starting from the north end of Radium following Sinclair Creek. The trailhead can be accessed through Rotary Park (across from the Prestige Radium Hot Springs Resort) or by travelling down Forster’s Landing Road, turning right at the three-way junction near the mill, and then staying left at the fork to reach the trailhead and picnic area.

Old Coach Trail (Radium to Dry Gulch) The nine-kilometre Old Coach Trail was successfully completed in the spring 2007 and runs between the Village of Radium Hot Springs and the neighbouring community of Dry Gulch.

Many years ago, this historic trail was once travelled by horse carriages and Model Ts and is now perfect for the family to bike or hike.

The trail winds along the benchlands above the Columbia River, offering outstanding views of the Columbia Wetlands. Natural hoodoo formations are visible as hikers pass through grasslands, home to wildlife such as the Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep.

Interpretive signs throughout the trail provide more information.

For access from the village, park at the Radium Visitor Information Centre, cross to the west side of Highway 93/95 and walk down Main Street West to the corner of Edelweiss Street.

To access from Dry Gulch, travel south on Highway 93/95 and turn west opposite Eacrett Road and then take an immediate left. Follow the gravel road and park beside the south trailhead kiosk.

Redstreak Campground Trail

(Kootenay National Park)

The Redstreak Campground Trail is a 2.3-kilometre hike that explores a river ecosystem brimming with life. The trail meanders from the hot pools to Redstreak Campground with a quick stop at the Place of Silence Peace Park.

The trail begins over a small boardwalk footbridge that crosses the Sinclair Creek before heading into the forest containing a variety of different types of trees. Once there, the trail follows the banks of the Redstreak Creek to the base of Redstreak Mountain.

The one-way trail follows along a path with much of it under the cover of trees. Because of the forest cover, the moisture coming from the creek can make the trail a bit slippery. Total elevation gain during the hike is 193 metres and is achieved mainly through a series of switchbacks. This hike has an easy grade and offers a nice way to view the outdoors. Hikers can access the trail from the Radium hot pools upper deck by the bathrooms.

Juniper Trail (Kootenay National Park) Juniper Trail is a short trail exploring canyon walls and forest groves high above Sinclair Creek within Kootenay National Park. The trail is moderately difficult with a total distance of 3.2 kilometres that starts at the Radium hot pools and offers a spectacular view of Radium and the surrounding mountains from atop Sinclair Canyon.

Juniper Trail is one of the many hiking trails located in the park enabling visitors to explore the expansive backcountry. The trail is the first marked hiking trail when entering the park from the west gate, located just outside the Village of Radium Hot Springs.

To access, park at the hot pools parking lot and start to walk up the old access road behind the parking lot. The trailhead is on the left.

OLD COACH TRAIL – SUMMIT COMMUNICATIONS

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HEADBANGER HEAVEN Each fall the Village of Radium Hot Springs puts on an event to celebrate the community’s relationship with Rocky Mountain Bighorn sheep. The Headbanger Festival as it’s called, is an annual opportunity to learn about Bighorn sheep through interactive workshops, presentations and more. In 2019 the festival will take place the first weekend in November.

“When people first hear about us, they definitely think we’re holding some kind of rock concert,” says Headbanger Festival spokesman Kent Kebe with a laugh. “But really, it’s an opportunity to learn about the bighorn sheep who co-exist with us in our village.”

“Bighorn sheep are in the Village of Radium Hot Springs because the village is located in their traditional wintering grounds,” says Kent. “And with the enhanced food sources on the golf course, lawn grass, flowers and shrubs, and so on, the sheep have now grown accustomed to coming to our village.”

Suffice to say bighorn sheep are a symbol of the Village of Radium Hot Springs. “They provide a huge economical impact to the village and the entire Columbia Valley,” says Erin Palashniuk, the festival’s lead organizer. “By having the bighorn sheep in the area, it encourages visitors to come and spend time capturing that perfect picture almost anytime of the year, stay overnight, eat a meal or two, soak in our hot springs and

possibly fill up their vehicle when leaving our village, being that much more educated on our Radium bighorns.”

The Radium Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce started the Headbanger Festival and Tours in November 2005. Since then there’s been a variation of different schedules and venues, but with no change in the main theme of educating the participants regarding the species, their habit, their predators, their history and their unique situation of living in the Radium area.

“The sheep have been as much a part of the Village of Radium Hot Springs as are the Rocky Mountains,” adds Erin. “We look forward to their annual descent from the higher elevations to their wintering grounds in the village each autumn. We watch them cross the highway, bringing with them the latest crop of gangly youngsters and we can’t help but be fascinated by their yearly return, like clockwork, to our village.”

For this year’s festival, the Friday evening programming will be more activity based, unlike in past years. Saturday will consist of breakout sessions participants can attend. “Saturday evening, we have a dinner and plenary speaker, that person this year is renowned conservationist Brian Keating,” says Erin. Sunday will feature more breakout sessions, family based activities and interpretive hikes around Radium.

And if participants are lucky, they will have a front row seat to the annual rut. “One of the most amazing events to watch is the annual rut in which the rams compete for the ewes by challenging each other to head butting contests,” comments Erin.

“They charge one another at more than 20 kilometres per hour, banging their heads together with a cracking noise that can often be heard a mile away.”

Radium balances tourism and its associated environment impacts by trying, through events like the Headbanger Festival, to provide teachable moments to help protect the bighorn sheep and educate participants on the many issues, items and concerns facing the species. Festival registration will open June 2019.

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BACKCOUNTRY PARADISE Nipika Mountain Resort on the boundary of Kootenay National Park near Radium Hot Springs, B.C. Nipika is in an ideal location for those who wish to explore the spectacular Canadian Rockies.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN ECO-LODGE

Simply Spectacular...

Spectacularly Simple.

• Luxury Log Cabins • Guided Alpine Day Hikes • Whitewater Canoe Trips • Wetland Paddling • Mountain Biking

• Cross-Country Skiing • Fat Biking • Snowshoeing • Multi-Day Guided Trips

www.nipika.com

local 1-250-342-6516 toll free 1-877-647-4525 32 • R adium Hot S pr in g s Vi s i to r Gu i d e 2 0 1 9

Nipika Mountain Resort offers a variety of outdoor activities to guests, while accommodating them in comfortable handbuilt log chalets. In addition to its position right next door to UNESCO World Heritage Site Kootenay National Park (one of Canada’s most magnificent parks along the British Columbia and Alberta border), the resort offers 50 kilometres (31 miles) of groomed cross country ski trails, and another 50 kilometres of single track trails for snowshoeing, mountain biking, trail running, horseback riding and hiking. Nipika also has more than 30 kilometres of fat bike trails. Nipika’s location on the scenic Kootenay River is perfect for half-day, full-day and multi-day canoeing experiences. Guided canoe trips and rentals are available from May through September. If you prefer to see the Rockies by horseback, Nipika’s half-day and full-day trail rides are the ideal adventure. Multi-day horse packing trips can be arranged on request.Nipika provides rental equipment for cross country skiing, snowshoeing, fat biking, mountain biking, canoeing, and camping. The resort offers a full schedule of guided outdoor activities that cater to adventurers and naturalists alike. The multi-day Adventure Camps are the perfect way to experience the cross country skiing, hiking and paddling that surrounds the resort.

The pristine natural setting is just right for birding, wildlife viewing, and taking time out to refresh and relax in a beautiful natural setting. There is always something to do while at Nipika Mountain, or you can enjoy doing absolutely nothing! At the end of the day after exploring the area, guests are welcomed to use the woodfired sauna.

Whether seeking tranquility or adventure, Nipika’s eco-friendly log cabins are designed to operate in harmony with its wilderness location while ensuring guests enjoy a comfortable stay. The eco-friendly resort is solar powered utilizing green technologies.

Nipika is pet-friendly and welcomes all furry guests, and can even accommodate horses. The resort’s stables offer all the amenities for boarding a horse.

There are nine Nipika log cabins varying in size, accommodating up to 13 people. The rustic décor compliments the natural setting, with each cabin offering views overlooking the Stanford Range. If you are thinking of getting married, Nipika is the perfect location for weddings. Hosting a conference, management retreat or team building experience? Contact the Nipika events coordinator to set up your private function. For more information and to book your Nipika adventure visit www.nipika.com.

EXPLORE KOOTENAY At last! Time to relax and enjoy some well-earned vacation time.

It’s no secret, you’ve chosen the right destination to unplug, unwind and step into the beauty and history of Canada’s national parks.

Kootenay National Park is located in the heart of the UNESCO Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site and has a rich history of exploration and discoveries. Below is the ultimate itinerary for a full or multi-day trip in Kootenay National Park.

1

Download the Kootenay App and start your trip

The app offers a behind-the-scenes tour of the park. Listen to the best stories told by long-time Parks Canada staff. There is no cell reception in Kootenay National Park; you will need to download the app prior to your visit. Wifi is available in Banff National Park visitor centres. The App is available on iTunes and Google Play — just search for “Kootenay”.

2

Stop at the Continental Divide

Where else can you stand in two provinces at once? This is the continental spine of western North America. Snap a photo and head to your next destination.

3

Explore fossils on a Burgess Shale Fossil guided hike to Stanley Glacier

Led by a Parks Canada Heritage Interpreter, this is a family-oriented hike that

PARKS CANADA

provides an introduction to one of the Burgess Shale fossil sites on a relatively easy trail. This offers a glimpse into 505 million years of history unique to the Canadian Mountain Parks. Reservations are required and fees apply.

4

Unplug for a few days of backcountry camping

Kootenay National Park has unparalleled hiking and anyone, from beginners to experienced hikers, can explore the trails. For beginners, start with a two-day backcountry camping and hiking experience that will lead you to the Helmet and Ochre Creek junction. For the more experienced, try your hiking boots on the world-class trail that goes along the Rockwall for a full four- to five-day experience.

All details and camping reservations can be found at any Visitor Centre.

5

Year-round wander

Stop at Marble Canyon for a short walk that criss-crosses the turquoise, glacial waters of Tokumm Creek. In the winter, you can find ice climbers scaling the Tokumm Pole waterfall.

6

Roadside attractions

If you packed a lunch for the day, make sure to stop at the newly renovated Dolly Varden Day Use Area where you will find a kids’ playground and an interpretive exhibit of the newly installed wildlife crossings in the park. You could also keep going and stop at the breathtaking Kootenay Valley Viewpoint to take in the views of the Mitchell and Vermilion mountain ranges and the Kootenay River far below.

7

Do you still want to talk about fire?

8

Sinclair Canyon and the Redwall Fault

9

Relax in the naturally-heated, mineral-rich hot springs

Part of Kootenay National Park’s unique landscape comes from the fires that have burned through the valley. You will find fresh green trees and fireweed to remind us of the regenerative power of fire that is vital for forest renewal and health.

This signals the return to cell phone service and entrance into our modern world again. One of the most impressive gateways to a national park, it offers views of Sinclair Canyon below and the Redwall Fault cliffs above. There are trails on both sides of the highway if you haven’t had enough yet!

Found in the sheltering walls of Sinclair Canyon, the Radium Hot Springs are a wonderful place to relax and enjoy the rest of the day. They are luxurious in summer and magical in the winter.

10

Tuck in for the night

Book an oTENTik at Redstreak Campground and spend the night admiring stars or talking for hours in front of the fire. oTENTiks can be found at Redstreak Campground above the village of Radium Hot Springs. They offer “part-tent, part-cabin” comforts for up to six people.

Reservations are recommended.

Please visit pc.gc.ca/kootenay for all information, and visit the Kootenay National Park Visitor Centre located in Radium Hot Springs for more details.

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Retail and Community Services RETAIL AND COMMUNITY SERVICES

NEIGHBOURING RETAIL AND COMMUNITY SERVICES

Far Out Adventure Hub

Invermere Panorama DMO

www.rentfarout.com 1-778- 527-5047 1-844-376-0632

www.invermerepanorama.com

Radium Golf Group • The Springs Course • The Radium Course

Lambert Insurance Agencies

www.radiumgolf.ca 1-250-347-9311 1-800-667-6444

Friends of Kootenay

GOLF IN RADIUM HOT SPRINGS

www.invermereinsurance.com 1-250-342-3031

www.friendsofkootenay.ca 1-250-347-6525

Kootenay Savings Credit Union

Lambert Kipp Pharmacy www.invermerepharmacy.com 1-250-342-6612

NEIGHBOURING GOLF COURSES

Pynelogs Cultural Centre

Edgewater Hilltop Golf Course

www.kscu.com 1-250-342-2290

Lambert Insurance Agencies www.invermereinsurance.com 1-250-347-9350

Olde Tyme Candy Shoppe www.oldetymecandyshoppe.com 1-250-347-6878 1-250-347-6893

www.columbiavalleyarts.com 1-250-342-2243

Fairmont Creekside Par 3 Village Arts www.villagearts.ca 1-250-342-6151

Radium Blessings Thrift Store 1-250-347-9937

Radium Christian Fellowship www.radiumchristianfellowship.ca 1-250-347-9937

Radium Gas Plus www.gasplusinc.com 1-250-347-9726

Radium Liquor Store 1-250-347-6424

Radium Mountainside Market 1-250-347-9600

www.fairmonthotsprings.com/golf/creekside-course/ 1-250-345-6070

Fairmont Mountainside Golf Course

Radium Bighorn Gifts & Souvenirs 1-778-527-0027

www.edgewaterhilltopgolf.com 1-250-347-6502

RADIUM REAL ESTATE & DEVELOPERS

www.fairmonthotsprings.com/golf/mountainside-course/ 1-250-345-6070

Fairmont Riverside Golf Course

Bighorn Meadows Resort

www.fairmonthotsprings.com/golf/riverside-course/ 1-250-345-6346

www.bighornmeadows.ca 1-250-347-6907 1-888-776-9637

Spur Valley Golf Resort www.spurvalley.com 1-250-347-6500

Century 21 Rockies Realty www.columbiavalley.info 1-778-527-2121

Chattan Holdings www.chattan.com 1-250-347-6464 1-250-347-5755

Elk Park Ranch (Schickedanz West) www.elkparkranch.com 1-877-347-6838 1-250-342-5889

Radium Public Library www.radium.bc.libraries.coop 1-250-347-2434

Valley Visitor Services www.radiumhotsprings.com 1-250-347-9331 1-888-347-9331

Village of Radium Hot Springs www.radiumhotsprings.ca 1-250-347-6455

PARKS CANADA

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R E H T A E R B TAKE A

Ease your tired muscles at Radium Hot Springs and You’re onand hot springs time.

Pleiades Spa Wellness in Kootenay National Park.

With stunning views, an on-site spa and hot mineral water flowing 365 days per year, it’s easy to soak in some “me” time.

hotsprings.ca

R adi um H ot S pri ngs Vi si tor Gui d e 2019 • 35

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