Boasting the warmest lake in the Rocky Mountains, Wasa is a quiet cottage community in the Kootenay River Valley.
Named by a Finnish settler after his native town of Vasa in Finland, Wasa is based around the small Wasa Lake. The village features most tourism amenities and is a growing recreational area.
Location: Wasa is located on Highway 93/95 in the Kootenay River Valley, between Skookumchuck and Fort Steele, 24 miles (38 km) northeast of Kimberley and 16 miles (25 km) north of Cranbrook.
[FAGP id=26912]
Right on the doorstep is Wasa Lake Provincial Park, one of the best recreational lakes in the East Kootenays. The beaches here are very good, with excellent swimming conditions and sandy shores from which to launch car-top boats. In winter, the cross-country ski trails are well-groomed and there’s even a lit, maintained ice rink.
Wildlife Viewing: Wasa features excellent wetlands stemming from the Kootenay River, providing great bird and wildlife watching opportunities. Just 8 km south of the village is Bummer Flats, a series of potholes created by Ducks Unlimited to accommodate waterfowl. Along the way to Wasa, look for painted turtles, great blue heron, osprey, bald eagle, downy woodpeckers and turkey vultures, as well as the ever popular Canada Geese.
The Wasa Slough Wildlife Sanctuary is worth a visit by nature lovers, where you can view Canada Geese nesting on top of Muskrat mounds..
Live the excitement of an 1890s Boom Town, and kick up your heels in Fort Steele Heritage Town, the restored capital of the Kootenays, located 18 km south of Wasa.
Moyie Lake Provincial Park occupies the north end of Moyie Lake, a large scenic lake on the lower eastern slopes of the Purcell Mountains. This 61 hectare park encompasses lightly forested landscape, a small pond and several trails.
Whiteswan Lake Provincial Park is a favourite destination for anglers. Campsites are spread out among four locations in the park, all easily accessed from Whiteswan Forest Road. Lussier Hot Springs is located near the western boundary of Whiteswan Lake Provincial Park.
Skiing: Whether you’re looking for night skiing, recently groomed runs, mogols, tree skiing, a half-pipe or an untouched fresh powder run, Kimberley Alpine Ski Resort has it all. The resort’s challenging runs and friendly local ambience draw skiers and snowboarders of all abilities.
Golf: Golfers can head north to play the Th’Flats Golf Course in Canal Flats, where every hole presents a different challenge on this beautifully maintained executive 9-hole, par 30 public course. To the southwest, golfers can choose from 3 golf courses in Kimberley. The Kimberley Golf Club winds through towering ponderosa pines high above the St. Mary’s River, Trickle Creek Golf Resort is a thrilling course to play on North Star Mountain, and Bootleg Gap Golf Course is a 27-hole public golf facility located off Highway 95A in South Kimberley.
Golf Vacations in British Columbia.
Circle Tours: See the best of the area on the Okanagan and Kootenay Rockies Circle Tour or the Kootenay Rockies Hot Springs Circle Tour. Travel the sunny interior of British Columbia, north through the Okanagan to Sicamous, following Highway 1 into the mountains of the BC Rockies. From Golden, head south through the Columbia Valley to Creston, and west through Boundary Country and the Southern Okanagan to complete the loop.
Circle Tours in British Columbia.
Premier Listings
Biographical Info
Ski Vacation Rentals: Ski-in/ski-out chalets, condos, hotels, resorts, and vacation homes at BC’s top ski resorts. The Lodging Company features a selection of some of North America’s finest lodging for many of the top ski destinations. The Lodging Company has the perfect condo for your next getaway and can arrange discount lift tickets and airport transfers!
Our website gives you inside access to rate calendars and an unbiased view of the available collection of chalets, condos and hotels. This approach allows you to find the best vacation property at the best available rate. View our complete listing of properties online or call us Toll Free at 1-888-676-9977 for personal assistance in planning your vacation.
