The Kootenay Rockies is home to wonderful resorts, hot springs, mountain parks, stunning heritage sites and quaint towns – explore it all and expect to be awed.
The Kootenay Adaptive Sport Society offers a number of services including adaptive mountain bike rentals. And, the Recreation Adapted Society offers handy rental gear boxes for adaptive adventure and outdoor equipment.
Let’s begin this tour in the southeast corner of the Kootenay Rockies region, in a place known as the Elk Valley along Highway 3 & 43. This area includes the communities of Fernie, Sparwood and Elkford.
The town of Sparwood is located in the centre of the Elk Valley and the 350 ton Terex Titan truck welcomes you at the entrance. It is the world’s largest tandem axle dump truck. Two Greyhound buses and 2 pickup trucks can fit into the box!
Spend some time in Fernie and the Elk Valley:
ACTIVITIES |
ATTRACTIONS |
| Sparwood & Elkford both offer Leisure Centres with an all-season indoor pool (accessible).
Fernie’s network of accessible trails include level, well maintained trails along the Elk River, connecting Maiden Lake, Annex Park, Dogwood Park and James White Park. The Miners Walk, a short paved interpretive trail at City Hall showcases local and regional sculpture, interpretive panels, coal mining history and municipal gardens. An adaptive ski program is available in the winter with sit-skis and trained instructors on-site. |
Explore and discover at the Fernie Museum. It offers a wonderful artifact collection, rotating art exhibits, programs and events. The museum provides barrier free access. Art & Historical Tours are self-guided in the historic downtown – pick up a map at the Museum. Fernie also presents The Arts Station – accessible ground floor with art gallery and theatre offering regular live music and special events; the Heritage Library – barrier free access to 3 floors of books, media, special events and workshops. |
Travelling west on Highway 3, watch for signs to the Kootenay Trout Hatchery. This interesting and educational attraction rears up to 3 million baby trout each year to enhance recreational fishing opportunities. An extensive interpretive area with aquaria, educational models, displays and a turtle pond is open every day from 8am to 4pm.
As you approach the city of Cranbrook, Fort Steele Heritage Town is a quick trip north on Highway 93/95.
Cranbrook and Kimberley offer an array of activities, attractions and excellent overnighting options. Cranbrook is the business centre for the area while nearby Kimberley (Hwy 95A) also offers great services as well as one of Canada’s largest municipal parks.
ACTIVITIES |
ATTRACTIONS |
| Northstar Rails to Trails is a paved route between the cities of Cranbrook and Kimberley. The path is very popular for biking, walking, mothers with strollers, roller blading and skate boarding. The gentle grade makes it perfect for wheelchair travel.
Enjoy downtown Kimberley, the Platzl, an outdoor pedestrian mall with Canada’s largest Cuckoo Clock. Every Thursday, during the summer, a wonderful Farmers Market takes place on Howard Street. Also during the summer, all-day Arts & Culture celebrations take place on the first Saturday of the month. During the winter, the Kimberley Alpine Resort has runs and terrain suitable for all alpine disciplines and assist with the loading and unloading of sit-skis and other types of accessible ski equipment. The on-mountain Kimberley Athlete Training Centre is a modern facility designed also for disabled athlete training. The East Kootenay Adaptive Snowsports organization offers certified certified volunteers with a commitment to helping adults and youth with disabilities to learn and enjoy snow sports. |
Cranbrook’s Sam Steele Days takes place every third weekend in June. It includes a number of legendary fun spectator events such as sports tournaments, parade, community talent showcase.
Try your hand at the Casino of the Rockies. It features slot machines, table & lottery games and off-track betting. Cranbrook’s Key City Theatre is a premiere entertainment venue for the area. And, the Cranbrook History Centre houses the Canadian Museum of Rail Travel, Cranbrook Archives, Royal Alexandra Hall and Cranbrook Museum. Centre 64 is Kimberley’s arts and cultural centre – Join them for a fine art exhibition, live theatre performance, concert series or workshop. Theatre-goers and artists alike can access the theatre by taking the accessibility lift. The Kimberley Heritage Museum building and galleries are fully accessible by elevator from the Library or via ramp and doors to the second floor at the rear of the building. |
En route are two hot springs resorts: Fairmont and Radium Hot Springs and Skookumchuk offering lodging and access to Kootenay River.
INVERMERE |
HOT SPRINGS |
| Invermere on the Lake is a small, friendly town situated on the shores of one of the warmest lakes in the region. Spend the day at the beach and be sure to also explore the impressive shops, eateries and artisan galleries downtown.
Panorama Mountain Resort is minutes west of Invermere. It’s filled with activities, lodging, restaurants and of course the hot pools. During the winter, the Panorama Adaptive Sports Society offer ski instruction for guests with disabilities and special needs. |
Fairmont Hot Springs is a 10,000 square foot, odourless hot springs pool complex. Resort amenities include dining outlets, spa, lodging and deluxe RV resort and adventure centre. Accessibility details. Radium Hot Springs is a natural mineral pool set amidst the spectacular red rock walls of Sinclair Canyon in Kootenay National Park. The naturally heated mineral water is usually 39C (102F). They are compliant with federal codes for accessibility in all essential areas of the facility including parking lots, entry, change rooms and water access. Support, including use of a submersible wheel chair and entry for one caregiver are provided at no charge to the guest. |
Along the way:
The town of Golden is situated at the confluence of the historic Columbia and Kicking Horse rivers and is surrounded by three mountain ranges.
Spend some time exploring Golden:
ACTIVITIES |
ATTRACTIONS |
| During the summer, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort offers scenic gondola rides to Eagle’s Eye Restaurant – enjoy lunch at Canada’s most elevated dining experience. Depending on the size & style of wheelchair, it can be fit into the gondola. Staff are dependable to start & stop gondola for loading of equipment.
The resort’s Grizzly Bear Refuge offers a modified Ranger Assist Program for visitors with limited mobility and who would like to see Boo the Grizzly Bear. Participants are driven up the mountain and certain types of wheelchairs can be accommodated. Advance info & booking is required. Glacier Raft Company’s key activities are accessible to guests using mobility devices. During the winter, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is a world-class ski resort and are able to assist with the loading and unloading of sit-skis and other types of accessible ski equipment. |
Downtown Golden showcases the Kicking Horse Pedestrian Bridge at 8th Avenue N. It is the longest freestanding timber frame bridge in Canada and is set at Spirit Square, home to the Summer Kicks Concert Series.
Travel back to the early days at the Golden Museum. It features the history of the Canadian Pacific Railway, the historic Swiss Guides and David Thompson, a surveyor for the NW Co. who set up a trading post to trade with indigenous people and continue mapping the area. The museum has a one floor design, physically accessible. Golden’s newest, must-visit attraction – the Golden Skybridge, an amusement and theme park featuring Canada’s highest Suspension Bridges. |
Along the way, you will travel over Rogers Pass in Glacier National Park and through Mount Revelstoke National Park.
Glacier National Park is set in the Columbia Mountains; 1,349 sq km (521 sq mi) of land.
The city of Revelstoke has retained many of its original early 20th century business buildings and heritage homes. Enjoy the nightly music entertainment during the summer in the Grizzly Plaza.
Spend some time exploring Revelstoke:
ACTIVITIES |
ATTRACTIONS |
| The city is also a hot spot for backcountry adventure. The Revelstoke area offers the Miller Time Adaptive Trail Loop. It is a wide, easy trail for adaptive riders and offers beautiful old trees and views of Wells Creek.
Mount Revelstoke National Park offers the Giant Cedars Picnic Area and Meadows in the Sky Parkway. Pick up a Self-Guided Tour Map at the Visitor Centre and explore Revelstoke’s downtown. There’s also a Heritage Trail featuring interpretive panels and scenic view, near Centennial Park. |
The BC Interior Forestry Museum offers a vintage forest fire lookout cabin, gift shop and the best view of the Revelstoke Dam from the outcropped platform – a low angle access path leads to the viewpoint.
This museum is 95% accessible from the accessible parking spaces, ability to move throughout the venue indoor and outdoor exhibits. Washrooms are fully-accessible. Discover Revelstoke’s deep railway root and colourful history at the Revelstoke Railway Museum. |
Ferry crossing time is 20 minutes. The village of Nakusp offers a great downtown rich in history. Many services and attractions are also offered such as the waterfront promenade, playgrounds, parks, sandy beach, marina and boat launch.
Spend some time in the village of Nakusp:
ACTIVITIES |
ATTRACTIONS |
| Alongside Arrow Lakes and Highway 23, Mt. Abriel Trail offers adaptive biking, double track, family-friendly wonderful accessible routes and camping options. The Nakusp area offers a number of accessible mountain biking trails.
From Nakusp Hot Springs, take the short trail to the Kuskanax Creek Footbridge – a covered timber frame bridge with glass viewing panels. Trail and bridge fully-accessible. |
Relax your body and soul in the world renowned Halcyon Hot Springs mineral pools alongside Arrow Lakes with views of the Monashee Mountains. The resort offers an elevator to the pools.
Relax and refresh in the therapeutic Nakusp Hot Springs pools. There are two pools fed by water from natural mineral springs set in the forest a distance from the pools.Special needs washroom and pool lift. |
Take a side trip (about 45 km / 28 mi) southwest on Highway 6 to Burton City Cider. They offer a wheelchair accessible Tasting Room and Bistro. Whether you select Classic Apple or the Cider Maker’s special, the ciders on tap are crisp, dry and available to buy in refillable growlers.
The Slocan Valley is one of the most interesting places to explore in the region with pristine lakes and waterfalls, magnificent mountain peaks and spectacular Valhalla Provincial Park. Enjoy exploring the spectacularly beautiful Slocan Valley from New Denver to Crescent Valley along Highway #6 (79 km / 49 mi).
CULINARY DELIGHTS FOR THE ARROW / SLOCAN AREA
Castlegar is situated at the confluence of the Kootenay and Columbia Rivers. The city also thrives with rich culture and heritage – enjoy the Millennium Walkway & Ponds, Heritage Tour and Sculpturewalk.
CULINARY DELIGHTS FOR CASTLEGAR
Rossland is known as the ‘Mountain Biking Capital of Canada’. The beautiful alpine city is small but it’s pretty big on activities. Trail can proudly boast a surge in development in recent years. From industry to legendary sporting feats, experience the hometown pride that emanates from locals.
Champion Lakes Provincial Park is known for an ideal destination for family fun with its three lakes offering swimming, fishing and other watersports. Wheelchair accessible facilities include flush toilets in the Main Beach building at the day use / picnic area. A paved viewing area of the 3rd lake is located on the main road on route to the campground.
ROSSLAND |
TRAIL |
| Gold Fever Follies present live musical theatre shows, highlighting Rossland’s rich gold rush days of the late 1890s. Held in the Old Miner’s Hall; wheelchair accessible.
Explore local history at the Rossland Museum & Discovery Centre. The museum offers displays on Rossland’s social, cultural and sports history. The Centennial Trail in Rossland, is flat, smooth and wide for about one kilometre heading south. Best to access trail from the north end of the Star Gulch Reservoir. |
The Trail Museum & Archives is located in the Trail Riverfront Centre.
It displays exciting and engaging exhibits and is a year-round, completely accessible cultural amenity. |
CULINARY DELIGHTS FOR ROSSLAND and TRAIL
Nelson boasts a vivid past of Victorian architecture, cultural histories and a vibrant art scene. These qualities are complemented by world-class outdoor adventure plus great dining, shopping and lodging options.
The Kootenay Lake Ferry landing is located at Balfour.
Before heading across the lake, take a trip further north to Ainsworth Hot Springs Resort and the village of Kaslo.
CULINARY DELIGHTS FOR NELSON & KOOTENAY LAKE
Crawford Bay is home to one of the most vibrant and eclectic artisan groups in all of British Columbia. There are numerous quaint and tucked-away studios to visit. Blacksmithing, weaving, broom making, pottery and more.
The Kootenay-Columbia Discovery Centre is located in the Creston Valley Wildlife Management area, a lush wetland habitat 11 km (7 mi) west of Creston. The Nature Centre is a unique facility that offers a variety of services. The boardwalk is open to the public 24 hours a day and is wheelchair accessible. Experience the sights and sounds of the wetland – many other trails are flat top dykes that are wide with mowed grass.
Baillie-Grohman is a small family-owned vineyard and winery. Visit the tasting room in the summer and enjoy a glass of wine and the stunning view accompanied by a light snack from the menu or bring along your own picnic.
