If you had to pick one defining feature that makes the Kootenays special, it would be hard to argue with our incredible mountain ranges – Canadian Rockies, Purcells, Selkirks and Monashees. Our lifestyles revolve around experiences in the mountains. In fact, many locals have made it their life mission to guide guests to the special locations dotted throughout our mountain paradise.
Ride that flowy singletrack on your downhill bike, hike through alpine meadows bursting with wildflowers and learn about the local flora and fauna with one of our knowledgable local guides this summer.
ARCTOS GUIDES
Explore the best of the Slocan Valley’s single track or gravel adventures on your bike with Arctos Guides. Book your custom mountain bike trip and have a tailored experience in one of the Kootenays most remote locations.
FLOW GUIDING SERVICE
Based in Golden, Flow Guiding Service is situated in the ideal location to explore Canada’s National Mountain Parks by foot. Take a single-day hiking adventure or plan an extended backpacking trip, and their ACMG certified guides will help you get to your destination.
KOOTENAY MOUNTAIN BIKING
Explore the Rossland area trails with the guides from Kootenay Gateway and Kootenay Mountain Biking. Take a lesson or explore new-to-you trails with their experienced guides. Alternatively, use their shuttle service to complete the legendary 7 Summits Trail.
NIPIKA MOUNTAIN RESORT
Just outside of Radium Hot Springs, Nipika Mountain resort offers guided day-hiking trips to some of the most stunning and sought after destinations in the Rockies, including Assiniboine Lake and Marvel Pass. Stay at their eco-resort to complete your adventure.
PARKS CANADA GUIDED HIKES
Join Parks Canada staff on guided conservation hikes to see the Burgess Shale Fossils in one of three locations – Stanley Glacier, Mount Stephens or Walcott Quarry. Mount Stephens and Walcott Quarry are perfect for the fit adventurer, while the Stanley Glacier is ideal for the family with kids aged 8 and up. The fossils at these sites are over 500 million years old!
Parks Canada also offers a guided hike to the Paget Fire Lookout in Yoho National Park. The Paget Lookout hike is difficult and involves a substantial elevation gain of 520 meters (1706 ft.) in moderately challenging backcountry terrain.
PLAYWEST MOUNTAIN EXPERIENCE
With day hikes from their base out of Invermere to backpacking trips in the remote reaches of the Kootenay region, Playwest Mountain Experience will guide you to incredible areas. They fully customizes each trip based on their clients needs; and are delighted to share their knowledge of the area, while you enjoy the awe-inspiring views of glaciers, alpine tarns and meadows chalked full of wildflowers.
RETALLACK LODGE
Featuring over 100-km of trails high in the alpine, Retallack Lodge is sure to satisfy any downhill mountain biking enthusiast. Van shuttles will help you maximize your day, with an average of 10 to 15 runs. Their longest run descends nearly 1,829 vertical metres (6,000 vertical feet), one of the longest downhill mountain biking trails anywhere in the world!
TOBY CREEK ADVENTURES
Suppose you prefer motorized transport to get around the backcountry. In that case, Toby Creek Adventures can get you to stunning waterfalls, historic mines and more via ATV. Take a 3-hour ride up to a private cabin located at the remnants of an early 1900’s mining town and experience the high alpine of the Toby Creek Valley.
VALHALLA MOUNTAIN TOURING
Bag a peak, explore high alpine lakes or meander through wildflower-filled meadows at Valhalla Mountain Touring just North of Valhalla Provincial Park. What you do is up to you, with custom trips based out of their backcountry lodge at 1700-m (5,577 ft) in the mountains.
VALKYR ADVENTURES
Hut to hut trips in the high alpine! For the super adventurous, take on their challenging 7-day hut to hut Valkyr Traverse. Certified ACMG guides are available for those looking to complete some mountaineering objectives in the area.
WANDERING WHEELS
Heli-biking, shuttles and all-inclusive mountain biking vacations are waiting for you at Wandering Wheels in Revelstoke. With trip options from Salmon Arm to Golden, Revelstoke to New Denver, the variety of terrain available to explore is endless. Take one of their coaching programs to improve your skills on the bike before tackling bigger terrain!
With so many options available to explore our mountain paradise this summer, you’ll be left wanting to come back for more, and more, and more!
Click on the above mini digital story for photos and video clips highlighting a Kootenay Rockies experience.
