Out here in the Kootenay Rockies, the area is jam-packed with epic mountain biking & remote alpine hiking trails to brilliant blue waters of our lakes and rivers. Our towns have a variety of accessible attractions, including adaptive mountain biking, fully accessible hot springs and more.
If you dare to look beyond, we also offer many legendary Kootenay attractions – not to be missed this summer. Here are a few gems (in alphabetical order):
CASTLEGAR SCULPTUREWALK
The self-guided Castlegar Sculpturewalk, in Castlegar, takes you on a short walking tour past over 30-sculptures crafted by local, BC and international artists. Vote for your favourite and the People’s Choice Winner will be added to the city’s permanent collection!
COLUMBIA VALLEY BIRD TRAIL
On the Birdwatchers Route, journey along the Columbia Valley Bird Trail from Golden to Radium Hot Springs to Invermere to Cranbrook and watch for migratory birds spending their summers in the Columbia River Wetlands. Hundreds of species including Cinnamon Teal Ducks and Horned Grebes call the wetlands home in the warm weather months.
Playwest Mountain Experience in Invermere, offers ‘Wild Wetland Adventures’. An easy walk/hike on the western bluff’s of the Columbia River just north of its true headwaters. The mighty Columbia is the longest in the pacific northwest and is the resting and nesting grounds of countless species of birds.
The Columbia Wetlands are one of the world’s living natural treasures and as such, they have been recognized as a Ramsar site, a wetlands of international importance. With more than 260 bird species recorded, as well as numerous fish, reptiles, amphibians, mammals species and countless invertebrates, the Columbia Wetlands is a hotspot of biodiversity. Nestled between British Columbia’s Rocky and Purcell mountain ranges, these wetlands are the source of the largest river flowing into the Pacific Ocean in North America—the mighty Columbia. It is here in our own wild backyard that everything begins.
GOLDEN SKYBRIDGE
Perhaps you do want to feel the thrill of falling off the side of a mountain? At the Golden Skybridge, you can launch yourself off the side of a canyon in their 2-person Giant Canyon Swing (bungee swing), before gently swaying back and forth to the canyon floor below. The Sky Zipline (350 m | 1,000 ft.) is a thrilling ride across the canyon (152 m | 500 ft.) in the air. There are four ziplines tracks so you can challenge friends and family to a sky-high race. And, with the RailRider Mountain Coaster you can glide, carve and dive down one kilometre of alpine scenery. After ascending the mountainside, riders pickup speed through the forest as the coaster curves and turns along the canyon edge for a total descent of 73 m (240 ft.)
For a milder experience, walk on the wild side on one of their two Suspension Bridges; the upper bridge straddles the banks 130-m (426-ft.) above the raging waters.
REVELSTOKE MOUNTAIN RESORT
For a summer ski resort adventure like no other, make your way to Revelstoke Mountain Resort to ride the Mountain Coaster: The Pipe. The roller coaster weaves its way through the glades, over the open ski runs and through an on-mountain tunnel. Let ‘er rip with top speeds up to 42-km/hr or ride the breaks to keep a nice steady pace – you’re the one in control.
NEW for 2023, you can “double the fun” with a second track for The Pipe Mountain Coaster! A second track is similar in length to the original track at 1.4 km, and starts and finishes in the same location as the original track.
SUPSQUATCHING THE ELK RIVER
Take a ride on Canada’s first ever giant, 8-man, paddle board – cruise your way down Fernie’s Elk River on the SUPsquatch with Tunnel 49 (formerly Mountain High Adventures) in Fernie.
SKYDIVE EXTREME YETI
Skydive over the Rocky Mountains! It is one of the most exciting sports you can do. Your first jump experience is like no other. Skydiving is an exhilarating and intense adrenaline rush that can’t be described.Enjoy the thrill of free falling at over 193 KPH (120 MPH), from about 3,048 m (10,000 feet). You’ll also experience the parachute, or canopy ride – two completely different sensory experiences. The professional skydiving team offer an atmosphere of fun. Try a new adventure – Open 7 days a week during the summer until late-September.
VIA FERRATA WITH CMH SUMMER ADVENTURES
Have you ever wanted to experience the thrill of mountain climbing, but are terrified of the thought of falling off the mountain? Sign up for a Mt. Nimbus Via Ferrata Adventure at CMH Bobbie Burns, or the Skyladder Via Ferrata at CMH Bugaboos. The guides will help you scale your way to the top of a peak using ladders and safety lines for protection.
Click on the above mini digital story for photos and video clips highlighting a Kootenay Rockies experience.
