Great places always have interesting histories and the valley’s lore is as colorful as its cosmopolitan, worldly residents. The rivers and the former great Pacific salmon spawning runs, which ended when the dams were built, provided local First Nations people with great quantities of food, so people have called the valley home for thousands of years. The rivers also brought Europeans to the region, beginning with legendary fur trader, cartographer and explorer David Thompson in 1807.

Thompson established a small settlement near Invermere and explored the Columbia and Kootenay valleys, searching for a route to the Pacific Ocean. He traded goods with the local First Nations people for large amounts of beaver and other pelts, which he transported back to Thunder Bay, Ont. before returning all the way back to this secluded Eden, nestled between the sawtoothed back range of the Rocky Mountains and imposing, ancient Purcell Mountains. Thompson was the first white man to realize the wealth contained within the large, lush Columbia River Wetlands. Today the wetlands are a fertile wintering ground for elk, deer, moose and many other creatures, the wetlands span over 180 km and are the longest continuous series of wetlands remaining on the continent.

The Region has also been significantly influenced by the discovery and development of mineral resources. In the early 1860's, placer gold was discovered on the Wild Horse River approximately 16 km northwest of the present location of Cranbrook. Several thousand prospectors and entrepreneurs joined in this gold rush and the famous Dewdney Trail was constructed across southern B.C. linking Vancouver to the gold fields. With increased settlement occurring as a result of the gold rush, conflicts between settlers and the indigenous Indian population grew.

To ease these tensions, a detachment of North West Mounted Police was dispatched to Galbraith's Ferry on the Kootenay River where a fort was established along with a permanent settlement in 1887. The Fort was later renamed Fort Steele after its first commander, Sam Steele. Fort Steele remained the dominant community in the Region until the development of other mineral resources and railway expansion bypassed it and created the growth centers of Fernie, Kimberley and Cranbrook.

Choose from over 80, high quality, creative and educational events to enjoy with your family. Discover the world of birds through activities such as guided nature walks, Columbia River floats, voyager canoe trips, horseback riding in the grasslands, art exhibits, evening presentations, workshops, children's festival, wings gala banquet, birdathon and much more!

Start the celebrations off with the FIREWORKS DISPLAY at one minute after midnight June 30/July 1. In Invermere there will be a Parade, Birthday Cake, Musical entertainment, Legion Family Barbecue 5PM-8PM, Childrens Festival. Prizes, Popcorn, FUN

We invite your corporation or group of friends to enter a team into this exciting and multi-cultural event. Come see how dragon boating can jump start your summer and make it better than the last. Dragon Boating is extremely user friendly and anyone young or old can quickly adapt to and develop a passion for this sport.

There is a mystical allure to hot springs. They offer a sense of sanctity which inspires calm — and are therefore quite indicative of what the valley offers to visitors.

The East Kootenay parks system is an important component of the regional economy, preserving spectacular scenery and environment for public enjoyment.

Sinclair Canyon: 1.5 km from Radium, offers a stunning entrance to the park (or the Columbia Valley, depending on which way you’re travelling). The iron-rich walls of the Redwall Fault just east of the hot pools are a splendour of colour. Keep an eye out for bighorn sheep.

Valley View Interpretive Trail: 2 km from Radium, starts near the entrance to Redstreak Campground, providing views of the Columbia Valley on the 2.8 km trail.

Olive Lake, 13 km from Radium, is a little, clear green spring-fed lake with a wheelchair accessible boardwalk trail featuring interpretive panels around it. Picnic tables offer a place to lunch or snack.

Kootenay Valley Viewpoint: 16 km from Radium, is a must for stretching the legs. The peaks of the Mitchell and Vermilion mountain ranges, as well as the Kootenay River Valley, make for spectacular scenery and great backdrops for snapshots

Sir George Simpson monument: 56.8 km from the village, this monument bears a plaque dedicated to the governor of the Hudson’s Bay Company, the first white man to visit the area in 1841. At the time he was attempting to go around the world in record time so he didn’t hang around for long.

The Continental Divide and Fireweed Trail: 10.4 km from the TransCanada/82.6 km from Radium, is the summit of the Vermilion Pass, dividing Kootenay and Banff National Parks, B.C. and Alberta and, of course, the Pacific and Atlantic watersheds. Observe the re-growth that has occurred since the wildfire of 1968. Fireweed trail takes one inside a young forest on a .8 km interpretive loop

Whether you are staying for one night or for a week, there is an accommodation suitable for your needs and budget. One of best Budget Hotels in Columbia SC and Budget Hotel Motel in Columbia.