British Columbia Destinations

Winter playground blows hot and cold

By Jamie Gripich and Margo Malcolm

Eastern British Columbia’s Columbia Valley is a land of contrasts. Sheer rocky cliffs meet meandering river valleys, and in winter, deep powdery snow meets geothermal hot pools.

The town of Radium Hot Springs is a great base for this natural playground that you can enjoy year round. Here you can enjoy an abundance of wildlife, such as big horn sheep; ride down a white-capped river; experience world class fishing; relax with a round of golf; ski a Rocky Mountain slope; or simply dissolve in the warmth of an ancient hot spring.

Winter fun for all

In winter the region is a magnet for people who are passionate about snow, featuring outdoor sport adventures such as alpine and cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and dog-sledding. This is also the heli-skiing capital of the world. Just a short drive from Radium, Panorama Mountain Village is the downhill and cross-country skiing destination selected for the “Best Family Skiing in Canada” by Ski Canada magazine. The mountain has one of North America’s longest vertical descents. From here, the incredible back country powder of the Purcell Mountains is accessible by helicopter.

Tour companies also offer snowmobiling tours to the high alpine and dog sledding adventures. Other winter events include winter wagon rides in December at nearby Fort Steele Heritage Park, and the week of January 17-24th, Radium hosts the Nordic Ski Festival.

After a day in the cold, nothing beats a soak in the hot spring waters of Radium, Canada’s largest mineral springs pool, surrounded by the incredible mountain scenery including the sheer rock wall that rises above the pool.

Year-round wildlife

The eastern slopes of the Columbia Valley and the southern part of Kootenay National Park surrounding Radium Hot Springs are home to about 160 bighorn sheep.

In the summer, the rams and the ewes mildly graze the mountain grass separately. In autumn, the sheep make a spectacle of themselves coming together for an all-out, head banging bash where the rams batter each other with their great coiled horns for supremacy and the ewes.

Throughout the year, including winter, the majestic creatures can be seen daily near the succinctly named Big Horn Meadows Resort located on a nine-acre site surrounded on three sides by the Springs at Radium Golf Resort.

Bighorn Meadows Resort provides a convenient and relaxing home and hub for winter activity in the Radium area. Its condos have expansive mountain views, gourmet kitchens and, especially important for winter evenings, fireplaces. There is also an outdoor swimming pool, hot tub, and a playground for the kids.

To make this winter’s vacation planning even easier, Radium Hot Springs and Panorama, along with resorts such as Bighorn Meadows, are offering ski and soak packages. You will find you won’t be tepid once you’ve experienced the hot and cold delights of this region.

IF YOU GO:

Bighorn Meadows Resort 1-877-344-2323
www.bighornmeadows.ca

Radium Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce 1-888-347-9331
www.radiumhotsprings.com

Panorama Mountain Village 1-800-663-2929
www.panoramaresort.com