Choose wisely. Connect locally.Add your business Invermere is a lakeside town in the Columbia Valley of southeastern British Columbia, set between the Rocky Mountains to the east and the Purcell Mountains to the west.
Bavin Glass
Panorama Mountain Resort
Toby Creek Canyon
Mount Swansea and gliding
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The town itself is small and easy to walk, which leaves you free to spend your time on the lake, the trails and the valley around it.
Invermere sits on the northwest shore of Lake Windermere in the Rocky Mountain Trench, with a mild climate that is sheltered from the worst of the Arctic air by the Rockies.
It is popular with visitors from Calgary and Edmonton, but it never feels like a big resort town.
The lake is the heart of Invermere, and the beaches, docks and paths around its edge are where summer life happens. Allow an afternoon to swim, paddle or simply walk the shoreline.
In winter, a section of the frozen lake is cleared as the Whiteway, a naturally frozen skating trail of about 30 kilometres that is billed as the longest in the world.
This small museum on 6th Avenue is a good rainy-day stop that tells the story of the valley. Allow an hour, and check the current opening days since they can be limited.
In Athalmer, just a short drive from the town centre, Bavin Glass offers live glassblowing demonstrations. It is a fun stop for families and a good place to look for handmade souvenirs.
Panorama Mountain Resort lies in the Purcell Mountains west of Invermere. Photo: Benh LIEU SONG (Flickr), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Just a few kilometres north of Invermere, the Columbia Wetlands stretch along the headwaters of the Columbia River and are a Ramsar-designated wetland.
Panorama is about 14 kilometres west of Invermere on Toby Creek Road, and it is the valley's major ski area.
Toby Creek runs through the valley that leads up to Panorama. Photo: Vlad Podvorny, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
The drive up to Panorama follows Toby Creek, and the canyon is worth a slow trip with a few stops. The golf course winds along the edge, and you can look down into the canyon from several points.
The Columbia Wetlands are a Ramsar-designated wetland and a good area for birdwatching. Photo: Hollylewi, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Hang gliders and paragliders use designated launch sites on nearby Mount Swansea, and the Invermere Soaring Centre at the airstrip offers aerotow glider rides to the public. It is an unusual way to see the valley from above.
Radium Hot Springs lies in Kootenay National Park north of Invermere. Photo: Harmon, Byron: Photographer, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
The valley offers many hikes and mountain bike trails for different abilities, and local bike shops are happy to advise on what suits your skill level. You share the woods with bears, so carry bear spray, make noise on the trail and ask locals about current conditions.
Radium Hot Springs is about 14 kilometres north of Invermere, and the village is the gateway to the hot springs in Kootenay National Park.
Fairmont Hot Springs is one of the major developed hot springs in the valley. Photo: Royalbroil, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Fairmont lies about 37 kilometres south of Invermere, and its resort has developed hot spring pools and a ski area.
In the southern Columbia Valley, this park has less developed wilderness hot springs. Lussier Hot Springs is near the park's western edge, and it is a good choice if you prefer a natural setting.
Kootenay National Park begins a short distance north of town and combines hot springs with mountain scenery. Allow a day, check park rules and fees in advance, and carry layers for changing weather.
The Columbia Valley is berry country, so look for desserts made from local fruit. Huckleberry pie is a regional favorite, since huckleberries grow wild on mountain slopes across western Canada.
Another treat you will see on menus across the province is the Nanaimo bar, a no-bake chocolate, custard and coconut square named after a city in British Columbia.
For savory meals, the town has a Bavarian steak and schnitzel house, slow-smoked barbecue and family restaurants beside the lake.
Popular dishes to try in Invermere
Invermere is the best all-round base. It has the lake, the shops and restaurants, and it is close to every other spot on this list.
Panorama is the right choice for skiers and mountain bikers.
Radium Hot Springs is a village near the entrance to Kootenay National Park, and it suits anyone planning a day in the park or a long soak in the hot springs.
Fairmont Hot Springs is a resort community with its own pools and ski area. It is a good fit for families and for guests who want a hot springs stay at the south end of the valley.
Where to stay in Invermere
Summer is the busiest season, with warm days, lake swimming, golf and biking. Weather can alternate between hot, dry spells and cool, showery periods, so pack layers.
Winter brings skating on the Whiteway and skiing at Panorama and Fairmont.
Spring and fall are quieter. Some facilities at Panorama close between seasons, so confirm what is open if you travel in September to November or April to May.
The nearest airport with regular flights is in Cranbrook, about an hour and a half away by road via Highway 95. The nearest international airport is Calgary, around three hours away.
From Calgary, take the Trans-Canada Highway west to Castle Junction, then Highway 93 south through Kootenay National Park to Radium Hot Springs.
Public transport is limited. A BC Transit service runs between Golden and Cranbrook two days a week with a stop in Invermere, and reservations are needed at least a day ahead.
Within town you can walk to most facilities, but a car or a bike helps for the wider valley.
Arrive in Invermere and walk the lakefront, then visit the Windermere Valley Museum and Bavin Glass.
Drive up to Panorama for skiing in winter or mountain biking and a walk by Toby Creek in summer.
Spend a morning in the Columbia Wetlands for birdwatching, then head into Kootenay National Park for a short hike. If you have time, book a glider flight at the Invermere airstrip.
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