Search results for: Purcell Mountains

Premier Listings for Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Park

The Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Park is 34,947 hectares of virtually undisturbed wilderness that will help maintain the viability and diversity of one of the largest intact ecosystems in southeastern British Columbia.

Purcell Wilderness Provincial Conservancy is in a class of its own. Early in this century, Earl Grey, then Governor-General of Canada, crossed the Purcell Mountains from Invermere in the Columbia Valley to Argenta on Kootenay Lake. His route followed a trail up Toby Creek and down Hamill Creek over a 7,401-foot (2257 m) pass. This […]

Wildlife Viewing Operators: Kootenay Rockies

Wildlife Viewing in the Kootenays

Crowsnest Highway: The West Kootenays
There is a spawning channel in Kokanee Creek Provincial Park where visitors can observe the remarkable transformation that spawning kokanee undergo in late summer. Their bodies become a deep crimson colour and their heads turn emerald green. Like other Pacific salmon, they die after completing their fascinating spawning activities, drifting downstream to the lake, their dead bodies enriching (and perfuming!) the area. During this time, park interpreters offer daily programs focusing on this important phenomenon.

The name alone is enough to […]

Columbia River Valley

Windsurfing can be an especially elevating experience when it takes place between the towering peaks of the Rockies and the serrated ridges of the Purcell Mountains. Windermere Lake is the place to go for this serene activity. Launch from the wide, sandy beach in James Chabot Provincial Park in Invermere, where strong winds arise with regularity on summer afternoons. This is also a delightful spot for swimming, canoeing, kayaking and trout fishing. Only day-use facilities are provided, including picnic tables, toilets, and drinking water. There is also a children’s playground […]

Premier Listings: Winter Activities in the Kootenay Rockies

There are 5 Ski Resorts in the BC Rockies:

• Fairmont Hot Springs Ski Resort
• Fernie Alpine Resort
• Kicking Horse Mountain Ski Resort
• Kimberley Alpine Ski Resort
• Panorama Mountain Ski Resort

Kootenay River and Cross River Valleys

The Cross River Canyon Trails are operated by Nipika Mountain Resort in partnership with the Province of BC (BC Ministry of Forest, Lands and Natural Resource Operations). The Cross River Canyon Recreation Site spans across 1500 acres and is designated as a non-motorized/ non-shooting Recreation Site specifically for skiers, […]

Premier Listings: Mountain Biking: Kootenay Rockies

In the Kootenay River and Cross River Valleys, the Cross River Canyon Trails are operated by Nipika Mountain Resort in partnership with the Province of BC (BC Ministry of Forest, Lands and Natural Resource Operations). The Cross River Canyon Recreation Site spans across 1500 acres and is designated as a non-motorized/ non-shooting Recreation Site specifically for skiers, snowshoers, cyclists, hikers and runners.

During cross-country ski season, the trails are regularly professionally groomed for both Classic and Skate Skiing. The trails from the resort to the Cross […]

Premier Listings: Hiking & Backpacking: Kootenay Rockies

Crowsnest Highway 3: The East Kootenays

In the rugged East Kootenays, Hwy 3 is the link to three great backcountry and hiking sites that hold their own in any claim-to-fame competition. Elk Lakes Provincial Park is about 30 miles (50 km) north of Elkford and borders the south side of Alberta’s Kananaskis Park, nestled above the tree line in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. The scenery is breathtaking – there’s just something about lakes set against massive cliff faces, headwalls, waterfalls, craggy summits, […]

Premier Listings: Cycling & Biking: Kootenay Rockies

Golden features superb road touring opportunities in a gorgeous mountain setting. The Golden Triangle is probably one of the most glorious and strenuous cycle circuits in Canada. This route follows the Rocky Mountain Trench between Golden and Radium Hot Springs, and crosses the Rockies and the Continental Divide.

The 105-km stretch between Golden and Radium Hot Springs follows Hwy 95 and the Columbia River along the valley floor, and is the easiest section. From Radium, follow Hwy 93 past Radium Hot Springs, through Sinclair Canyon and […]

Premier Listings: Private Campgrounds & RV Parks: Kootenay Rockies
Premier Listings: Camping Services: Kootenay Rockies

Crowsnest Highway 3: The East Kootenays

Yahk Provincial Park sits just north of the British Columbia – Idaho border on the banks of the Moyie River. Yahk is a pleasant little campground, on the south side of Hwy 3, 22 miles (35 km) east from Creston.

Moyie Lake Provincial Park occupies the north end of Moyie Lake, a large scenic lake on the eastern fringe of the Purcell Mountains. If you like cool, secluded picnics […]

Premier Listings: Horseback Riding: Kootenay Rockies

Two geographical features dominate the Kootenays: mountains and water. Four parallel mountain ranges, running in a generally northwest direction, march successively across the southeastern British Columbia landscape. The most westerly are the Monashees, followed by the rugged Selkirks, defined on their western flanks by the Arrow reservoir system and Slocan Lake, and on the east by the spectacular waters of Kootenay Lake. These two mountain ranges and accompanying lake systems define this district and provide endless opportunities for horseback riding amidst breathtaking scenery and fresh mountain air. Farther […]