Hiking is one of the top things to do in the Columbia Valley (next to ziplining, of course).
If flying through the air, with a few strings attached, isn’t for you—there’s still plenty for you to see and do near BC’s Fairmont Hot Springs, without leaving terra firma.
Finding things to do in the Columbia Valley is easy. It’s a great place to explore, offering geologically diversity that ranges from a large wetland and river system to the Purcell and Rocky Mountains towering high above the valley bottom.
Taking a Trip to Invermere, BC
Only a short drive away from Fairmont Hot Springs, Invermere is located on the northwest shore of Windermere Lake. If you’re looking for a historic small-town feel with delicious food, check it out! Some dining options include:
After (or before!) you’ve dined, keep heading north to Radium Hot Springs. These odourless springs have been serving the locals since before the 1840’s!
Hiking Around Mineral Mountain Ziplines
If you don’t feel the need to take a drive, Mineral Mountain Ziplines is situated right in the middle of a prime network of hiking trails. There is a trio of easily accessible trailheads in the area that connect more than a dozen unique paths, ranging from easy to difficult. Distances range from the .5km Overlook Trail, all the way up to the 7.2-km Valleyview Trail, which is certain to test your cardio.
The trail network covers an array of terrain types, including:
- Forests
- Grassland
- Rock bluffs
Some trails will even take you up to the Fairmont Hot Springs Family Ski Area, where you have a good chance of spotting local wildlife (more on that in a bit).
For longer hikes, it’s always a good idea to follow these basic safety tips:
- Carry adequate food and water
- Dress for current weather and pack for changeable conditions
- Tell someone where you’ll be hiking and when you expect to return
Calling All Nature Lovers
While you’re out on the trails, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for local flora and fauna. There is an abundance of wildlife right on the resort property, including:
- Bear
- Bighorn sheep
- Hawks
- Osprey
- Woodpeckers
- Deer
- Elk
There are also great wildlife viewing opportunities further away from the resort property, including Columbia Lake Provincial Park and the Columbia Wetlands.
Go Fore! It
If there’s one activity that’s fun to do on foot in Columbia Valley, BC, it’s golf (you can even cheat a little by renting a cart). Fairmont Hot Springs offers a trio of well-maintained courses that cater to every level.
Less experienced golfers will love the playability of the Creekside Course, a nine-hole course featuring unique eight-inch holes. In the immortal words of Happy Gilmore, it makes it that much easier to “just tap it in.” Golfers in search of a bigger challenge should opt for either the Riverside or Mountainside Courses.
For more on the local golf scene, read: Practice Your Swing, on the Ground and in the Air!
For a fun family outing in Fairmont Hot Springs in BC, check out Mineral Mountain Ziplines. With six unique ziplines ranging in length, height and speed, we’ll have you grinning from start to finish.