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The Columbia Valley, BC
Nestled between the Rocky Mountains to the east and the Purcell range to the west, the Columbia Valley lies in the southeast corner of the province of British Columbia. Stretching from Canal Flats in the south to the city of Golden in the north, the valley follows the meandering upper Columbia River from its headwaters at Columbia Lake.
Just a scenic 2½- to 3-hour drive from Calgary, Alberta, the valley is convenient to the US border and easily accessible from Canadian Rockies International Airport at Cranbrook, BC.
With an abundance of sunshine year-round and plenty of snow in winter, the valley is an all-season, second-to-none destination for vacationers from all over the world. They come for the clear, sparkling lakes, some of the most breathtaking mountain scenery in the world, hiking trails, ski resorts, championship golf courses, hot springs, unique shops and cultural festivals. The Columbia Wetlands is one of the largest wetland systems in the world, recognized by the United Nations as a ‘Wetlands of International Importance’ and designated as Canada’s 36th RAMSAR site. Each spring, as hundreds of bird species return to their nesting grounds in the north, it is celebrated by communities in the valley with the ‘Wings Over the Rockies’ festival.
The economic and cultural hub of the Columbia Valley is Invermere, a town of about 3,500 permanent, plus several thousand part-time, recreational residents. Located on the northern shore of beautiful Lake Windermere — its sandy beaches playgrounds for families — in summer Invermere is a magnet for enthusiastic crowds of golfers, boaters and fishermen. In winter, it is a favorite destination for cross-country and nordic skiers, skaters and even curlers, who come from all over North America to compete in the annual Bonspiel-on-the-Lake A 20-minute drive from Invermere will take you to Panorama Mountain Village, one of BC’s truly great ski resorts.
For further information about the Columbia Valley, explore our visitor guide — discover the area’s history and heritage, see places to visit, things to do, travel tips, local businesses, etc.
Whether your passion is golfing, boating, hiking, skiing or just relaxing on a sandy beach, the Columbia Valley has something for everyone. You’ll love it here.
