By Gina Begin – Kootenay Rockies.com
Here are the “things to do & see” in the Kootenays.
Birthplace of Heli & Cat Skiing
The birth of heli-skiing took place in 1965 by Hans Gmoser, Canadian Mountain Holidays(CMH) in our Purcell mountains. Now, CMH has 10 alpine lodges in the region, plus two additional lodges in BC.
Via Ferrata at Mt. Nimbus with CMH Summer Adventures
While, cat-skiing was pioneered in 1975 by Allan and Brenda Drury, Selkirk Snowcat Skiing (formerly Selkirk Wilderness Skiing) is located in the small community of Meadow Creek (north of Nelson). Today, Kootenay’s Powder Highway is home to 15 cat-ski and 20 heli-ski operators in the region.
Columbia River (headwaters at Columbia Lake/Canal Flats)
The Columbia River snaking through the valley near Invermere, BC, is near the headwaters of the fourth-largest river in North America.
Columbia River Wetlands near Golden, BC
Cycling the International Selkirk Loop. Over 200 km of the 450-km US-Canadian International Selkirk Loop resides within the Kootenay Lake region. Extend the main route with one of the ‘Super Side Trips’ options and you’ll get even more time in the larger Kootenay region: three of the six options are either partially or entirely within the Kootenays. Either way, your chosen route will lead you through glacial valleys, alongside rivers, past lakesides, and always within view of the Selkirk Mountains. The best time to take this on is before or after high season (late June – August).
Giant Cedars Boardwalk in Mt. Revelstoke National Park. Right along the highway in Mount Revelstoke National Park, see 500-year-old cedars.
The Great Divide in Kootenay National Park. The Great Divide Trail, called ‘one of the most spectacular and challenging long-distance trails on the planet’, travels through the Rocky Mountains that make up the lower provincial border between Alberta and British Columbia. Roughly half of the 1,100-km trail traces the Kootenay section of the Rockies, crisscrossing back and forth as it works through a vast mountain wilderness.
Kootenay-Columbia Discover Centre. This 17,000 acre area along the Kootenay River at Creston protects habitat for over 300 species of birds and nearly 100 other, non-avian creatures, including one of only two known breeding populations of the northern leopard frog in BC.
Kootenay Lake Ferry. Crossing Kootenay Lake between Balfour and Kootenay Bay, this ride is the longest free scenic ferry in the world. You can sit in your car while crossing, but with seats on deck and a view that is 360 degrees spectacular, even travellers in winter get out to catch a glimpse.
Kootenay Rockies Hot Springs
Most hot springs in Canada occur in British Columbia, and the Kootenays is blessed with one of the highest concentrations of these natural mineral pools. Some legendary natural mineral pools at Halcyon, Nakusp, Ainsworth, and Halfway River.
Kootenay Rockies Provincial & National Parks
The Kootenays is home to four National Parks and over 75 Provincial Parks Canada’s natural treasures are protected forever in these parks.
Burgess Shale, Kootenay & Yoho National Parks and Mt. Assiniboine Provincial Park are included in the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Meadows in the Sky Parkway in Mt. Revelstoke National Park
“A 26-km well-paved, winding road brings you to one of the most beautiful views in the world — the summit of Mt. Revelstoke,” says Revelstoke local, Meghan Tabor of the scenic drive in Mount Revelstoke National Park.
Go from the Trans-Canada Highway at 470m to the 1,835m summit with forests of cedar, hemlock, spruce, and fir and infamous alpine wildflowers at the summit’s Balsam Lake.
Mica and Revelstoke Dams
About half of BC Hydro’s total power generation comes from the Columbia River region in the Kootenays, and within that region, the two largest dams are the Mica and Revelstoke Generating Stations. The Mica Dam stands 244 metres above ground while the Revelstoke reaches 175 metres in height. The latter has a seasonal visitor centre that showcases First Nations galleries and interactive displays.
Mount Sir Donald in Glacier National Park
Named after Donald A. Smith who, in 1885, drove the last spike in the coast-to-coast Canadian Pacific Railway, this peak is the highest along the entire Trans-Canada Highway in Glacier National Park and is regarded as one of the ‘Fifty Classic Climbs of North America’ by the climbing and mountaineering community.
Mount Sir Sandford
Though sites rank this Selkirk peak anywhere from the 12th highest peak in BC to the 21st highest peak, one thing is certain: In Canada, Mount Sir Sandford ranks in the ‘top 10’ for the county’s ultra-prominent peaks. To make this list, a peak must reach or exceed 1,500 metres in height (or prominence) above its surroundings, including the summits of surrounding mountains. In short, Mount Sir Sandford commands attention on the skyline.
Parks (National & Provincial)
The total protected area in our corner of BC is 10,406 km2. The Kootenays is home to 76 protected areas (608,000 hectares), including four National Parks and 75+ Provincial Parks.
The Powder Highway
With over 7+ million acres (2.8+ hectares) and 100 ski operators serving up deep, dry powder, the Kootenay region is belted in by all the elements needed to deliver top-notch product for snow sports enthusiasts year after year. For skiers and snowboarders everywhere, this translates into the Kootenay region being one of the world’s most sought-after powder meccas (not to mention the highest concentration of skiing and riding in the world).
Revelstoke Mountain Resort
If you want the most vertical of your friends next winter season, get your pass at Revelstoke Mountain Resort and get your legs ready for the laps; the resort holds the title for North America’s greatest ski resort vertical at 1,713 metres.
Revelstoke Mountain Resort
Rossland’s Seven Summits Trail
This trail qualifies as an International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) ‘Epic’, one of only a few mountain bike trails worldwide to be designated as such. According to the IMBA, a trail must be a “…true backcountry riding experience–one that is technically and physically challenging, more than 80% single-track and at least [32 km] in length.” Climbing nearly 915 metres over 35 km, the technical single-track climbs ridgelines and descends over vews of the Columbia River Valley.
Takakkaw Falls in Yoho National Park
Tumbling 254-metres in a single stretch and 384-metres in total, Yoho National Park’s Takakkaw Falls is Canada’s second highest falls. To experience the power of these falls, extend the main walk in on the unpaved trail that ends in a scramble up to the base. You may want to leave an extra set of dry clothes — and your camera — back at the car for this extension; you will get soaked. And it will be worth it.
Via Ferratas
A Via Ferrata will have you clinging to the side of the mountain. If that’s your cup of tea (and for many visitors to the Kootenays, it is), then you’re ready for the via ferratas at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort and CMH’s Bobbie Burns/Bugaboo lodges (all three are located in the Purcell Mountains, near Golden). With Mt. Nimbus with CMH Summer Adventures offering North America’s longest via ferrata. Mt. Nimbus at CMH Bobbie Burns Lodge; photo courtesy of CMH Heli Adventures
Other Honourable Mentions
~ Bugaboo Provincial Park in the Purcell mountains (located between Golden & Radium Hot Springs)
~ The Enchanted Forest’s Tallest Treehouse in BC (west of Revelstoke)
~ Fisher Peak in our Canadian Rockies (near Cranbrook & Kimberley)
~ Monica Meadows in our Purcell Mountains (east of Kaslo)
~ The Pipe Mountain Coaster at Revelstoke Mountain Resort
~ Terex Titan Truck in Sparwood, BC