What is the Columbia Valley known for?

On the west side of the Canadian Rockies, the Columbia Valley is known for its warm weather, hot springs, golf courses, and swimming lakes.

COLUMBIA VALLEY WILDLIFE VIEWING focuses a few specific locations. The town of RADIUM HOT SPRINGS is well known for its population of bighorn sheep that spend winter in and around town (although you may see them at any time of year). The COLUMBIA RIVER WETLAND is a major birdwatching destination.

At the top end of the Columbia Valley is the town of GOLDEN, which has a gondola rivalling those in Banff and Jasper, good mountain biking, and a main street lined with interesting shops and restaurants.

COLUMBIA VALLEY GOLFING has many options, with the best courses at Golden, Radium Hot Springs, Invermere, Fairmont Hot Springs, Kimberley, and Cranbrook.

Two local towns are named for HOT SPRINGS. Go to RADIUM for springs nestled below a forested hillside and FAIRMONT for a full resort experience.

With relatively warm water, COLUMBIA VALLEY SWIMMING is a major attraction. Invermere is a bustling lakefront resort town, but we prefer heading further south to WASA LAKE for a quieter swimming and camping experience.

The best place to soak up local history is north of Cranbrook at FORT STEELE HERITAGE TOWN, where the past comes to life through costumed interpreters.

Fort Steele Heritage Town.