Invermere
Invermere, at the north end of beautiful Lake Windermere, is the economic centre of the Columbia Valley, home to slightly over 3,000 full-time residents. Only a short 3-hour drive from Calgary, the town is a year-round magnet to tourists and no matter what part of the valley you are visiting, you will likely at some point find your way to Invermere.
In summer, Invermere and the surrounding area abound with adventures for every taste. You can golf at one of the many 9- or 18-hole championship golf courses, surrounded by breath-taking scenery, take a trail ride in the backcountry or hike in the many local and provincial parks. You can go white-water rafting, see the valley from a different perspective in a helicopter, hang-glide from Mount Swansea, fish in the well-stocked lakes, and camp in a nearby campground.
If you want a day to just enjoy the town, you can visit the weekly Farmers Market, shop at the lovely little boutiques, watch a glass-blower at work or visit an art gallery. Grab a bite to eat or picnic at Chabot Park or Kinsmen beach while you and the kids play in the sand and splash in the warm water of Lake Windermere. Don’t forget to bring skateboards to Mount Nelson Athletic Park –- the kids will love it!
Invermere is also full of history, as memorialized by this local statue of David Thompson. (Photo by Lynn Knell)
Take a short ride north to Radium Hot Springs or south to Fairmont Hot Springs and soak to your heart’s content in the famed hot pools, then at the end of the day dine in style at one of Invermere’s fine restaurants.
In winter, Invermere plays in the snow! Locals and visitors from all over the world come to ski, snowboard and heli-ski at Panorama Mountain Resort. You can strap on some snowshoes and take to the many back-country trails, skate on Lake Windermere or enjoy the curling in the Bonspiel on the Lake, the only event like it in the world.
Invermere also has a vibrant arts and cultural scene year round. Located in the historic Pynelogs Cultural Centre, the Columbia Valley Arts Council brings quality films, renowned musicians and many artist shows to the valley as well as the week-long annual Wings Over The Rockies in May. This is an important event which brings nature lovers from all over the country to visit the wetlands and learn about the migratory habits of the local birds and the ecological impact human activity has on the habitats of birds and animals. The Windermere Valley Historical Society is home to a fine museum filled with artifacts from the earliest days of the area.
Invermere is a wonderful place to rear a family too. There are great schools, including the College of the Rockies, and recreational activities that the whole family will enjoy, like hockey, figure skating, martial arts, dance classes and much more.
If you are looking to get away from the hectic life of the city, there is no place like Invermere to kick back and leave the cares of the world for another day.
