Invermere Hotel and Resort Accommodations
| Nipika Mountain Resort borders Kootenay National Park on the mighty Kootenay River, offering guests a year-round recreational playground unparalleled in beauty and amenities. Stay in luxurious hand-built log cabins. XC ski, mountain bike, hike or run on our endless trails out the front door. Fish, canoe, kayak or raft the Kootenay River or just sit on the porch and watch wildlife graze on the meadow. | |
| The Park Inn | |
| The Park Inn offers you quiet comfort accommodations in Radium Hot Springs. Close to incredible outdoor activities and the world famous Radium Hot Springs pools. Whether you stay for a night, or two weeks, the Park Inn is the best place to stay in Radium Hot Springs. |
Invermere Real Estate - Columbia Valley Real Estate |
| Invermere - Between Radium Hot Springs and Kimberly, on Hwy 95, you will come across Invermere located on Lake Windermere. This valley, known as one of the sunniest spots in Canada, can be reached by jet or car, as there is a new airport at Fairmont Hot Springs serviced by flights from Vancouver and Calgary. |
| Radium Hot Springs - The Village of Radium Hot Springs has a lot to offer the visitor, golf, the famous Hot Spring Pools and Kootenay National Park. Radium Hot Springs is located at the junction of Highway 95 and Highway 93 and can be reached by taking Highway 95 south from Golden or north from Cranbrook. An alternate route, from Highway 1, is to head south on Highway 93 from Castle Junction, which is located between Lake Louise and Banff. |
| Windermere and Fairmont Hot Springs - Windermere Lake is one of the warmest in the Rockies. In the summer fishing, sailing, water-skiing, swimming and canoeing are the main activities. In October and September you can see Bald Eagles gathering to feast on spawning Kokanee at the mouth of Windermere Creek. The Ktunaxa people discovered Fairmont Hot Springs long ago. Since the early 1900s the property has been run as a ranch and resort. Since that time the resort has expanded and the ranch and its award winning cattle have ceased to exist. The Hot Springs are odorless and have no sulphur. The natural mineral waters of the pools are between 35C and 45C (95F and 113F). |
Nestled
between the Rocky Mountains and the Purcells & Selkirk Mountain Ranges
is the Columbia Valley. The Columbia Valley is in the Rocky Mountain Trench
which is a diverse eco system, varied in both wildlife and botany. The
range of ecological diversity includes the drier southern trench floor
consisting of Douglas-fir, lodgepole pine, ponderosa pine, Rocky Mountain
juniper and even a cactus. Paradoxically, the extensive wetlands of the
valley are lush and include white and black spruce, alder, willows, western
larch and more. Further north, the Columbia forest begins with a mix of
the aforementioned forest plus the additional red-cedar, hemlock and black
cottonwood.
Surrounding the mighty Columbia River is the largest intact landlocked wetlands in North America covering 64,200 acres and extending 108 miles along the river. These wetlands support an array of wildlife and are one of the most important wildlife areas in western Canada.
Located
on the Pacific Flyway, the Columbia Valley Wetlands are an important migration
route for many birds. The area boasts 264 species of birds including solid
numbers of nesting birds, such as osprey, Canada geese, great blue herons
and bald eagles. Approximately 100 species of song birds live in the wetlands
and many more stop-off while migrating.
Additional inhabitants include scores of beavers and muskrats, which build almost as many lodges. As well, there are big horn sheep, mountain goats, deer, elk, moose, caribou, coyotes, wolves, cougars, bobcats, grizzly and black bears. Commonly seen wildlife includes squirrels, deer, bighorn sheep and elk. There is a luck factor involved in seeing mountain goats, moose, coyotes, black and grizzly bears - but many are spotted daily in this region. If you happen to see a wolf, cougar, bobcat, river otter or wolverine, you can count yourself among the very lucky.
Indeed, the Columbia Valley Wetlands and surrounding mountain ranges offer a plethora of activities including hiking, mountain biking, climbing, fishing, wildlife viewing, bird watching, white water rafting, cycling, river rafting, boating, canoeing, flight-seeing and much more. Trails found in the area are 'less traveled' than those in the Alberta Rockies and boast 'unspoiled' terrain waiting to be explored.
Some
of the "must-see" outdoor destinations include the Bugaboo Glacier
Provincial Park, which is world-renowned for its beautiful spiral peaks.
Offering several good trails to the Conrad Cain hut and Cobalt Lake, you
can explore the area via foot or pack your climbing gear and enjoy some
of North America's finest climbing.
Backcountry hiking destinations are numerous, a couple of the area's
best include:
(1) Lake of the Hanging Glaciers - a moderately difficult but incredibly
diverse trail. You can look forward to thundering water, flower-filled
meadows and a fabulous glacier hanging into the lake. Excellent chance
of viewing wildlife.
(2) Top of the World Provincial Park - an easy day-hike with delightful
bio-diversity and a beautiful lake at the finale, this trail is well suited
to the beginner or the individual looking for an easy day out.
(3) Mount Swansea - a short steep trail brings you to a phenomenal view
of the Valley.
(4) Paradise Basin - a beautiful alpine basin, here you will find wonderful
views of the Purcell Mountains, including Mount Nelson.
Local and nearby rivers for canoeing, white water rafting and river kayaking
include:
Columbia River
Toby Creek
Kootenay River
Kicking Horse River
Outfitters and rentals are available in Invermere, Radium, Fairmont and
on hwy 93/95.
Flightseeing tours over the Rockies and Purcell Mountain Ranges are available, as are tours via airplane to glaciers. These spectacular flights offer panoramic views of beautiful lakes, fairways, hot springs, mountain peaks, glaciers and more. You can also look forward to spectacular heli-hiking and heli-skiing with local outfitters.
Visits: 8171