Book a Family Stay & Ski Getaway at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort this Winter

Discover how much fun winter can be when you plan a Stay & Ski Getaway to Fairmont Hot Springs Resort in neighboring British Columbia. 

"Winter at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort is always exciting and the accessibility of activities is supreme.

Invermere boasts the 30-plus kilometre Whiteway skate pathway and here at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort we have a family-friendly ski hill with 13 diverse runs, a ski chalet, ongoing ski hill activities and the largest natural mineral hot springs in Canada to melt away the cold. 

During the magic of the Holiday season, the festivities are unending, and we are fortunate enough to be graced with stopovers from the beloved St. Nicholas himself!" - Fairmont Hot Springs Resort 

Winter is magical at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort

Discover Fairmont Hot Springs Resort this Winter

The resort community of Fairmont Hot Springs is located approximately 3 hours from Calgary across the BC border in the Columbia Valley. It's conveniently close for a short 2-night weekend getaway, or you can plan a more relaxed trip and make it a long weekend.

The resort offers a variety of accommodation choices from fully equipped cabins to lodge rooms and suites (some with lofts and kitchenettes,) to year round campsites for those with winterized RVs. 

You can browse the collection of  resort rooms here. And all stays at the resort include complimentary access to the hot springs pools.

My family personally loves the Mountain View Cabins and you can read about our previous stay here.

"Perfect for longer stays with your family and located a short walk from the main Lodge and our natural mineral hot springs pools, these 2 bedroom Mountain View Cabins have a queen size bed in one bedroom and a set of single bunk beds in the second as well as a full kitchen. Enjoy spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains from your own private deck."

If camping is more your style (or to your budget) check out the Fairmont Hot Springs RV Resort where you can book nightly power-only stays during the winter season.

Monthly winter RV stays include Free Wi-Fi, two complimentary hot springs pool passes, discounts on additional pool passes, and discounts on ski passes. 

Stay in a cozy cabin at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort this Winter

World Famous Natural Mineral Hot Springs

Spend your day playing in the snow and then come back to the resort to warm up in the mineral hot springs pools. The resort has a warm swimming pool along with a hot soaking pool located side by side. Resort guests get complimentary access to the pools with their stay.

There is also a small guest-exclusive pool similar to a large resort hot tub that is always reserved for guests only. I like coming here with my morning coffee in a travel mug.

Got kids that love swimming? Take them to Fairmont Hot Springs Resort this Winter (Credit FHSR)

Fairmont's Family Friendly Ski Area

The Fairmont ski resort is located a short drive up from the hotel and has a total of 13 runs ranging in difficulty from green to black, with two terrain parks, and a tube park.

There is one triple chairlift and beginners will also enjoy riding the Happy Trails Platter Lift to access short easy runs near the day lodge.

While the resort only has a vertical of 304 metres, it's a great hill to learn on, it's affordable for families, and the longest run is 1.5 km long - which isn't bad for a beginner skier making his/her way down a mountain.

Most of the runs are groomed but skiers wanting more of a challenge will find it on the black runs where you will definitely find moguls, glades, and the "real deal" for downhill skiing.

The Fairmont Hot Springs Ski Area is perfect for the whole family! (Credit: FHSR)

My family also loves the cozy day lodge, the family-friendly lounge, Desperados, and we've had a lot of fun on the tube park.

Best of all for resort guests, you can spend your day skiing and then return to the hotel to warm up in the hot pools each afternoon. Finish up in the pools, head back to the lodge for dinner, and then head back to the pools in the evening for a final soak before bed.

The Ski hill usually opens by mid December each season just in time for Christmas.

Try Tubing at the Fairmont Hot Springs Ski Area with your Family

Book a Stay & Ski Getaway at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort

Fairmont often offers special stay and ski packages where you'll enjoy a 2 night stay along with lift tickets for the ski hill. The hot springs of course are included for unlimited visits and sometimes you'll also receive resort credit to use at the restaurants.

Typically these packages are offered during the ski season from mid December until the end of March. Check with the resort closer to December for more information.

Book a Stay & Ski Getaway at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort this Winter

Enjoy the Holidays at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort

Celebrate the magic of  the Christmas holidays at the "Holiday Lights & Winter Nights Festival" at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. This festival is for resort guests only and runs from early December through New Year's Day.

If you time it right, you can enjoy both the Holiday Festival and a Stay & Ski Getaway at the resort if you plan your visit after the ski hill opens in December.

For more information on the Holiday Lights & Winter Nights Festival, read the description from the FHSR website below:

"LET THERE BE LIGHT! 

Celebrate the Holidays with us in our magical winter wonderland, re-connect with family and friends and create lasting memories. 

Wander around the mountain lodge decorated with twinkling holiday lights and melt into the spirit of the season. Enjoy the outdoor light displays, a visit with Santa, tons of fun activities for all ages and special food & beverage events during this festive time, your new family winter tradition!"

 

December is a magical time to visit Fairmont Hot Springs Resort (Credit: FHSR)

Holiday Events and Activities usually include:

• Fun family activities such as Campfire & Marshmallows, Crafts, Guided Snowshoe Tours (weather dependent), Chocolate Making Workshops & Christmas Bulb Painting
  
  
  
• An Official Light-Up Ceremony at Santa’s Cabin and Photos with Santa in his sleigh
  
  

• A Fabulous 3-Course Holiday Dinner at the Ski Hill Chalet and Antlers at the lodge
  
  
  
• Activities at the ski hill including an Elf Hunt, Campfire & Games
  
  
  
• A New Year’s Eve Family Celebration
  

Enjoy the Holiday Lights at Fairmont Hot Springs while soaking in the hot pools

Explore the Area around Fairmont Hot Springs

There are many multi-use trails around the resort for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, or fat biking. You can rent a pair of snowshoes from the Fairmont Resort Activity & Experience Center. They have sizes for adults and children (4-12 yrs.) They can also get you set up with a map and directions for a great trail.

You can also take a day trip to skate on the Lake Windermere Whiteway, the world's longest skating path looping the lake between the communities of  Invermere and Windermere. 

My family usually parks in Windermere at the public beach to skate and we stop for lunch in Invermere at the Station Pub, conveniently located across the road from Kinsmen Beach in Invermere. (Bring your boots or shoes in a backpack to change into for the walk over.) We have lunch and then we skate back to Windermere. It's always a fun day and the skating loop is 12 km.

Read more here: Winter Guide to the Columbia Valley (Golden, Radium Hot Springs, Invermere - and beyond!)

Skate the Lake Windermere Whiteway this Winter

This story was written in partnership with Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. For more information on the resort please visit their website directly. 

Autumn Family Fun at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort

We love Fairmont Hot Springs year round, but autumn is definitely one of our favourite times to visit once the crowds start to thin out and the temperatures drop, creating ideal conditions for enjoying a soak in the hot mineral pools.

Plan a trip to Fairmont Hot Springs Resort this fall (photo: Soaking in the Indigenous Baths)

We recently spent a long weekend camping at the Fairmont Hot Springs RV Resort, exploring both the public and natural hot springs around the resort, trying out some of the resort activities including mini golf and ziplining, biking on fabulous trails nearby, and exploring the Columbia valley.

5 Activities to Try at Fairmont Hot Springs this Fall

1. RV Camping or Glamping at the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort

The Fairmont Hot Springs RV Resort is open for reservations through the Thanksgiving weekend with power and water at all sites. After Thanksgiving you can still make a reservation for late season or winter camping but services may be limited.

 This is a very convenient place to camp if you want to spend a weekend soaking in the hot spring pools several times a day. You can purchase day pass for the hot pools and you'll receive a discount when you stay at the RV Resort. 

From the RV Resort we enjoyed running over to the hot pools in our bathrobes, so make sure you bring those with you. We also enjoyed the comfortable amenities at the RV Resort including full hook ups with power, water, and sewer. 

Autumn camping at the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort

Alternately, try one of the new mountain view cabins where you'll get more of a glamping experience! You can read more about our stay in one of these deluxe cabins in my previous story: Five Reasons you need to Visit Fairmont Hot Springs Resort with your family.

- and if you stay in one of the cabins, you'll get unlimited access to the hot springs pools with your stay.

Note: you must have a certified RV or motorhome to reserve a site in the RV Resort. Trucks with truck caps, roof top tents or converted vans or buses that are not certified are not allowed.

Warm up in the hot pools each morning before heading out for a hike or bike ride

2. Flying through the air on a Mineral Mountain Zipline Tour

We've tried a lot of zipline tours and my son would admit that he's a bit of a zipline junkie. The challenge of trying so many different zipline adventures though is that it becomes harder and harder to get a real thrill as each tour blends with previous ones.

Flying high on the Mineral Mountain Ziplines

Previous experience aside though, the Mineral Mountain Zipline Tour absolutely impressed my family. It was hands down one of the best zipline tours we've enjoyed in Canada and was not at all what I expected going in.

With 6 zipline crossings, I was expecting a "cute little family tour" that would be perfect for beginners or maybe those afraid of heights wanting to challenge themselves. The Mineral Mountain Ziplines are the REAL DEAL though! Young and old will find this zipline adventure to be thrilling and exhilarating as you fly high above a canyon up in the hills above the hot spring resort.

Our tour started with a van ride up to the zipline course which is located near the ski resort above the hot springs. We warmed up on two short practice crossings, and then the real fun began as we progressed from a 30-metre high crossing all the way up to a 60+ metre high crossing. The shortest practice line was 41 metres long and by the end, we were able to enjoy a crossing that took nearly a full minute to complete at 470 metres in length!

The Mineral Mountain Zipline Tours run from May through October so make sure you book a tour for the family if you're going to be out this way over Thanksgiving. It's recommended you pre-book your tour time to ensure they have space for your family. 

Our whole family enjoyed this adventure!

Other things to note:

• The tour takes 1.5 to 2 hours to complete
  
  
• This is a "no hands" tour meaning you don't have to do anything! The guides do everything for you and you don't even have to hold on while you cross. Just sit back and enjoy the ride.
  
  
• All guests need to wear closed-toe footwear (so leave the flip flops or sandals in the car.) I also recommend athletic shoes rather than ballet flats! One woman in our group nearly lost one of her slipper type shoes.
  
  
• You'll have a very short hike between two of the crossings at the end, but it only took us maybe 10 minutes, and you certainly don't need to be in peak physical condition or anything. At the end, participants walk back down to the resort, but it's all downhill. You'll be transported to the top at the beginning of the tour.
  
  
• Anybody can join a zipline tour here as long as you weigh between 50 and 265 pounds.
  
  
• You are welcome to bring a cell phone with you for photos or another camera that you can secure when in the air. And if you don't have a pocket for your phone, you can borrow a special holder for it to wear during your tour.

No hands required and you can fly upside down!

3. Playing endless rounds of mini golf at the resort

My son said our recent trip to Fairmont Hot Springs was one of his summer highlights and I know it was largely because of the amazing mini golf course that we discovered at the resort. I think it's safe to say we'll never be able to pop in for a day to soak in the hot springs without pleas to also stop for a round of mini golf.

Mini golf at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort

There is an upper 9 hole mini golf course that you'll see while driving up to the hot pools, but what you don't see is the amazing 18 hole course down in the trees. It was both fun and challenging, and each hole was unique. We also appreciated that we got to play both courses for the same price.

Mini Golf is free with all stays at the resort. Just pick up your clubs and balls inside the main lodge beside the check-in desk.

Lower 18 hole mini golf course at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort

4. Soaking in the resort hot springs

We spent hours in the hot pools at the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort when we were here for the weekend. The pools are especially nice first thing in the morning while you wait for the air to warm up before heading out on a hike or a bike ride. They also feel good at the end of the day after you've been out exploring.

And if you haven't been here recently, you're in for a treat when you see the upgrades that have been made to the pools. There's now a large waterfall sculpture in the hottest pool and I loved the cold water trickling down the side of it.

Read more about the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort Pools here with rates and schedule.

Now THIS is the way to spend a weekend!

Highlights of visiting the pools at Fairmont Hot Springs (while staying overnight or visiting for the day) include side by side pools, one hot and one warm, so the kids can play in the larger "swimming pool" while you soak in the hotter pool. 

My husband typically likes to hang out with my son in the warm pool while I stick to the hotter one, still able to watch the action and feel like I haven't totally abandoned them.

Spend a weekend camping and soaking at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort

I also recommend running up to the historical "Indigenous Baths" before or after visiting the main public pools.

"The Indigenous Baths, a treasured legacy of our history, were very popular among the Indigenous people and early settlers, including explorer David Thompson.  The stone bathhouse contains three of the original baths and there are several shallow tubs carved out of the tufa rock above the building."

You'll see the small stone house up above the overflow parking lot at the resort (near the zipline building.) And while you can't go inside the bathhouse anymore, you can still soak in the small warm mineral pool that you'll find up on the knoll by the bathhouse. The water isn't "hot" but it's warm enough for a comfortable soak when it's not too cold outside. There's also a shallow bathtub if you walk further uphill.

I personally recommend coming up here for sunset where you can enjoy views over the valley while you soak.

Thanksgiving soaking in the Indigenous Baths

I could spend hours soaking in the Indigenous Bath pools

5. Mountain biking or hiking on the Spirit Trail near the resort

You've got to do something between soaks in the hot springs, so I recommend heading out for a hike or a bike ride on the nearby Spirit Trail. The trailhead is a short 10 minute drive from the resort and the trail is relatively flat and easy enough for pushing a Chariot or a good outdoor stroller. 

The Spirit Trail is also great for a family bike ride and it's an easy double track trail. The kids will need to be off training wheels though and you will find a few short hills that you wouldn't notice on foot, but would definitely notice on a bike - especially without gears.

Bike or hike the Spirit Trail as far as you have energy for and then return the same way. If you go far enough you'll reach a narrow canyon section that will turn most families on bikes back. 

Family biking on the Spirit Trail near Fairmont

If you enjoy more "intermediate" mountain biking as a family, I recommend trying the singletrack trails which loop off the main double track road. My favourite loop can be seen here on the All Trails website. 

And while  All Trails says the loop is 23km long, I assure you it is 6-8 km at most for the shortest version we enjoy. First, start at the actual parking lot. That will help immensely. Second, start by biking out on the double track Spirit Trail. Do not climb to the upper singletrack trail shown on the map. 

Ride the Spirit Trail until you come to a four-way junction. Turn right as shown on the map and start heading back here on a great trail that's locally known as "Teen Spirit." You don't need to do the second (further) loop shown on All Trails. You'll end up back in the parking lot after approximately 2 hours of biking.

Biking along Columbia Lake on "Teen Spirit"

Autumn Events at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort 

I highly recommend visiting Fairmont Hot Springs for Thanksgiving where you'll get a second chance at "summer living." The trails are typically snow-free here well through the end of October, the air is warm mid-day, and you might even get to go biking or hiking in shorts and a tank top. 

Fall mornings are always chilly, but that's where the hot springs became appreciated and you'll enjoy camping on site. (And if camping isn't your thing, the resort has many hotel type rooms as well along with several kinds of cabins.)

Other fun events are often planned throughout the fall months so check the resort website for updates. One year we went to an incredible wine festival in November.

There are great hiking trails around the resort!

Recommended Reading and Resources

The Best of the Columbia Valley (Radium Hot Springs to Invermere - and beyond!) 


Plan a Spring Camping Trip at Fairmont Hot Springs 

Summer Vacation Camping at Fairmont Hot Springs 

PIN ME FOR LATER 

Disclaimer: Our zipline adventure was hosted by Fairmont Hot Springs Resort and we also received complimentary hot springs access during our stay.

Five Reasons you need to Visit Fairmont Hot Springs Resort with your Family

My family has spent a lot of time at the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort over the years and it's always been one of our favourite places to spend a day while exploring in the East Kootenay Rockies of British Columbia. Recently we got the opportunity to experience "winter at the resort" with skiing, tubing, and deluxe cabin camping.

Winter or summer, Fairmont Hot Springs is a vacation wonderland for families and you have to experience it yourself.

Summer at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort (vacation wonderland!)

Fairmont Hot Springs is located in the Columbia Valley between the communities of Radium Hot Springs and Invermere to the north, and the City of Kimberley to the south. From Calgary, the drive is just over 3 hours depending on where you live. It's easy enough to reach Fairmont on a Friday after work, and the drive is doable for a short weekend, returning to the city Sunday afternoon.

For a more relaxed visit, plan a trip out to Fairmont over a long weekend (Easter and Thanksgiving are beautiful times to travel here) or reserve one of the deluxe cabins for a week this summer. (It's a great vacation spot!)

Deluxe Cabin Camping at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort

Five Reasons you need to Visit Fairmont Hot Springs Resort with your Family 

One. The Hot Springs (of course!!)  - some of our favourite in fact!

It's no secret in our family that I love the Fairmont Hot Springs pools and that we will be visiting the resort (no matter where we stay in the Columbia Valley) for at least an afternoon.

Warm Swimming Pool at  the Resort (credit: Fairmont Hot Springs Resort)

Reasons to LOVE the Fairmont Hot Springs Pools:

1. They are hotter than the ones at Radium Hot Springs. And while I do love Radium Hot Springs in the summer, they just aren't hot enough for me in the winter.
   
   
2. The hot soaking pool and the warm swimming pool are side by side so I can spend my time happily soaking in the hotter pool while my son is playing with his friends in the other pool - and I can still keep an eye on them. (My husband also prefers the cooler pool so he's usually over there with the kids.)
   
   

Disclaimer: The dive tank has been closed for several years, but will be reopening in spring 2024 along with at least one small diving board.

Top Ten Adventure Highlights of 2018

I love writing this annual highlights post because it helps me plan for another adventurous year with my family. I get a chance to look back and to make notes for the upcoming year as I reflect on the kinds of trips we enjoyed the most, the activities we spent the most time pursuing, and the places we loved visiting the most.

Another year of adventure in the Canadian Rockies

Below are "some" of the highlights from this past year that I feel represent what made us truly happy in 2018 as a family. And spoiler alert: It comes down to two major activities - mountain biking and skiing.

Downhill skiing was an activity our whole family enjoyed this past year!

Top Ten Adventure Highlights of 2018 

One - Skiing "BIG" Trails as a Family 

Noah kicks my butt at downhill skiing and at mountain biking, but cross-country skiing had always been "my thing" that I enjoyed, and I had to ditch the family if I wanted to get a "good" ski day in.

Boom Lake Ski Tour, January 2018

Last winter however, things started to change, and Noah was suddenly able to ski the big trails with me! I don't know how we went from "skiing cute little family trails" together to a place where we could ski up mountains or go ski touring together, but suddenly overnight, Noah became a solid ski buddy, and we tackled some pretty amazing trails as a family.

Winter Guide to the Columbia Valley (Golden, Radium Hot Springs, Invermere - and beyond!)

For those of us living in Calgary, it is a 3 hour drive to reach either the Village of Radium Hot Springs or the Town of Golden (both, fabulous destinations for a winter getaway and fairly easy to access Friday after work.)

Skating on the world's longest ice skating path, Invermere

Without much extra distance you can also reach the Community of Invermere, Panorama Mountain Resort, or the resort community of Fairmont Hot Springs.

Drive an hour further south and you'll be in the small Bavarian themed City of Kimberley, an ideal destination for a long weekend or school holiday.

I've organized this guide by town, community, or resort area starting in the north and working my way south through the Columbia Valley.

Note this guide gets updated annually.

Fat biking at Nipika Mountain Resort

The Town of Golden 

Below are some of the key winter adventures you can find for your family in the Town of Golden:

• Spend the day downhill skiing or boarding at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort (and if you time your visit right, you can watch some of the World Free Ride events in February.)

Skiing at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort

• Enjoy cross-country skiing at Dawn Mountain Nordic Centre (with 35 km groomed for classic and skate skiing) - and the centre is located less than a kilometre from the base of Kicking Horse.

• Go for a winter hike or snowshoe around the Cedar Lake area. There are four different lakes to explore here.
  

Cross country skiing at Dawn Mountain Nordic Centre

• Go dog sledding with Golden Dog Sled Adventures (and if you want to enjoy some off-grid winter camping, you'll find four cabins here accessible via a 5-minute walk on snowshoes
  
  
• Take a day trip to Wapta Falls in nearby Yoho National Park (best reached on snowshoes)

Dog sledding in Golden (photo: Julie Brown and Golden Dog Sled Adventures)

For more information read my newest story on Golden:

 Read: 5 Reasons to Visit Golden, BC this Winter

Wapta Falls outside Golden 

The Village of Radium Hot Springs 

We spend a few nights here every year for New Years and frequently come out for the Family Day long weekend in February as well.

Winter activities I recommend are below:

• Visit the Radium Hot Springs Pool (of course!) There's also a heated swimming pool for the kids.
  
  
• Take a walk down Sinclair Creek (a beautiful little trail with bridges.)
  
  
• Hike the Juniper Trail if it's not too icy (or if you have ice cleats/spikes.) We also like checking out the frozen waterfall down in Sinclair Canyon off this trail.

Radius Retreat Winter Yurt Camping 

• Try winter yurt camping at Radius Retreat. They have six yurts (the closest one is a 300 metre walk from the parking lot and the most remote one is a 2.5 km hike.)
  
  
• Take a day trip to Nipika Mountain Resort, Invermere, Panorama Mountain Resort, or Fairmont Hot Springs.
  
  The beauty of staying in Radium Hot Springs is that you're at the centre of everything. You could even go skiing in Kimberley or Golden for the day.
  
  Use Radium as your base camp for adventure across the entire Columbia Valley.

For more information, visit the Tourism Radium Hot Springs website.

And check out my guide: Active Family Guide to Winter in Radium Hot Springs

Also read: Spring Adventure Guide to Radium Hot Springs and the Columbia Valley 

And for a cross-country ski getaway to Radium, read: Plan a Cross-Country Ski Getaway to Radium Hot Springs

Winter at Radium Hot Springs (photo: Tourism Radium Hot Springs)

Nipika Mountain Resort 

Nipika Mountain Resort is an eco-resort is located approximately 45 minutes outside Radium Hot Springs. Here you'll find over 50 km of groomed ski trails and 25 km of dedicated fat bike trails (groomed to perfection) along with snowshoe trails as well.

Fat biking at Nipika Mountain Resort

Stay overnight and you can ski, snowshoe, or bike out the front door of your own cozy cabin. There's even a small pond on site for ice skating.

You can also visit Nipika as a short excursion from Radium Hot Springs, using all their trails for a small day use fee. There is a great rental shop on site as well and they have two youth fat bikes (a 20" bike and a 24" bike.)

Ski in/out cabins at Nipika Mountain Resort

Visiting Nipika is always one of our winter highlights, and there's no other place I like fat biking more.

Read more: Family Fat Biking at Nipika Mountain Resort

Read more: Everything for a Family to Love at Nipika Mountain Resort 

Read more: The Ultimate Girls' Ski Getaway at Nipika Mountain Resort 

Skiing over the natural bridge at Nipika Mountain Resort 

The Community of Invermere

Winter Adventure on the Lake Windermere Whiteway

The biggest highlight here is skating on the Lake Windermere Whiteway between the towns of Invermere and Windermere on the world’s longest ice-skating path. The full track is 34 km long when the lake is fully frozen, and the Whiteway promotes community spirit as the entire valley gathers in the same location to skate or ski around the lake, with dedicated paths for both cross-country skiing and ice skating.

Skating on the Lake Windermere Whiteway

Local cyclists also like riding around the lake on fat bikes with studded tires, and the snowmobile community is out in force as well, using the middle of the lake as their recreational ground.

A $5 donation fee is requested from all Whiteway users (or a seasons pass can be purchased for locals) to support the efforts of the Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club who maintains the Whiteway.

This is a major highlight for us on every visit to the valley in winter and I have dreams of skating the entire path in a day. (some year...)

And you can watch a fabulous video of the experience here on the Columbia Valley website.

For up to date conditions on the Whiteway, visit the Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club website or check out their Facebook page.

Sunset on the Lake Windermere Whiteway

Skating and Skiing on the Lake Lillian Whiteway

Most people will be completely satisfied with the Lake Windermere Whiteway, but if you want a smaller lake to skate or ski on, Lake Lillian also gets groomed and tracked for skiing (and sometimes for ice-skating) by the Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club. It's located on the road up to Panorama and is only 10 minutes outside town.

More information on Lake Lillian can be found on the Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club site.

There are also groomed trails for cross-country skiing, fat biking, or winter hiking (separate trails for skiing Vs. multi use enjoyment) across the road from Lake Lillian on the Junior Johnson Trail. If you were to ski every groomed trail in the Junior Johnson network, it would be about 5 km of beginner/intermediate skiing.

Note that as with the Lake Windermere Whiteway, a $5 donation is requested per user for use of the Lake Lillian Whiteway.

And while we always stay in Radium Hot Springs, you'll find plenty of condos to rent in Invermere as well if you'd prefer to be closer to the Whiteways or to Panorama Mountain Resort (below)

Skiing on the Lake Lillian Whiteway 

Panorama Mountain Resort

I love ski or hike in/out locations, and this is a prime contender for one of the best spots to enjoy a variety of winter sports without ever having to drive anywhere. Walk out the door of your cozy condo in the Panorama Village and enjoy downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or fat biking – with rentals for all sports on site. With the amount of options here, you might just have to stay for a week!

First tracks at Panorama Mountain Resort

Panorama Mountain Resort is a short 20 minute drive if you are staying in Invermere as well and we usually visit this resort as a day trip from Radium to go cross country skiing over New Years.

Rent a condo in the village and you'll enjoy relaxing at the end of each day in the Panorama Springs Hot Pools, included with all stays in the Panorama Village.

Panorama Springs Hot Pools 

Read more: Plan a Ski Getaway to Panorama Mountain Resort (with affordable slopeside lodging at the Approach Hotel)

Read more: Family Guide to Panorama Mountain Resort 

Read more: Find it ALL at Panorama Mountain Resort

Read more: Panorama Mountain Resort (much more than downhill skiing) - Cross-country skiing and fat biking guide

Read more: Magic Carpet to Monster at Panorama Mountain Resort 

Cross-country skiing to the Hale Hut, Panorama Mountain Resort

Fairmont Hot Springs

We love the pools at the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. I like to soak in the hot pool while my boys swim and play around in the warm pool (situated side by side so I can keep an eye on them while I’m relaxing.) 

Fairmont Hot Springs in winter (photo: Fairmont Hot Springs Resort)

Spend the day skiing at the Fairmont Hot Springs Ski Hill and you'll receive day passes to visit the hot springs after as well. (Inquire directly with the resort to check on current availability of ski/soak passes.) 

Finally, Fairmont Hot Springs is a lovely family-friendly resort and I highly recommend spending a weekend here at the lodge.

Read more:  Five Reasons you need to Visit Fairmont Hot Springs Resort with your Family

Read more: Book a Family Ski and Stay Getaway at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort this Winter 

Read more: Hot Springs and Cross-country Skiing! The Ultimate Winter Getaway 

Fairmont Hot Springs Ski Hill (photo: Fairmont Hot Springs Resort)

Looking for other activities to do in the area:

• Hike to Findlay Falls near the Village of Canal Flats - A high clearance AWD or 4WD vehicle may be needed if it's recently snowed. You'll also want snowshoes if the trail hasn't been packed down.
  
  
• Visit Lussier Hot Springs, natural hot spring pools located near Canal Flats. They are accessed via a rough logging road followed by a short hike. - You may want an AWD or 4WD vehicle in the winter and snow tires would be very helpful.
  
  
• Explore the Spirit Trail, an old historic road that connects Fairmont with Canal Flats. Hike as far as you want and return the same way. Snowshoes may be necessary but chances are you should be fine in winter boots for this trail.
  
  
• Take a walk on the new Markin MacPhail Westside Legacy Trail which will connect Invermere and Fairmont when completed. The first 5 segments have been completed from the Invermere side and you'll find the trail off Westside Road. 

Findlay Falls Hike 

Kimberley

Kimberley is one of my favourite mountain towns with a quaint Bavarian themed plaza located downtown.

Below are a few highlights from a winter trip to Kimberley:

• Go cross-country skiing or snowshoeing in the Kimberley Nature Park, a large natural area located completely inside city limits and containing more than 30 miles of trails for skiing, hiking, or snowshoeing.
  
  It's also the largest municipal park in all of BC.
  
  
• Spend the day downhill skiing at the Kimberley Alpine Resort. And I highly recommend staying at one of the ski in/ski out condos on the property where you'll be close to both the alpine resort and the Nordic centre up above.

Kimberley Alpine Resort

• Go cross-country skiing at the Kimberley Nordic Centre, just up the road from the Alpine Resort. The Nordic Centre has 30 km of groomed trails and the Kimberley Nature Park is also accessible from this centre for backcountry touring or snowshoeing.
  
  You'll also find night skiing on a 3 km loop (which I found to be awesome while I was staying at the Alpine Resort down the road.)
  
  Note that there are trail fees to ski at the Nordic Centre.
  
  

• Join a fat bike or snowshoe tour at the Kimberley Alpine Resort. The Trickle Creek Snowshoe Tour is family-friendly and you'll enjoy a hot drink and s'mores on your outing. There's also a Kootenay Haus Chocolate Fondue and Snowshoe Tour where you'll ride up the chairlift for a gentle snowshoe tour up top followed by chocolate fondue.
  
  Adults can join a fat bike tour across the snowy Trickle Creek Golf Course with a hot drink and s'mores. (The resort has fat bikes to rent, but unfortunately only for adults.)
  
  
• Plan at least one dinner in the downtown Platzl. My personal favourite restaurant is the Pedal and Tap where I’m obsessed with their Vietnamese pulled pork subs with mucked-up fries. My son is a huge fan of their spaghetti balls and I have been known to plan ski trips to Kimberley around our family’s love of this restaurant.
  
  Tip: Dine early because I’m not the only one who loves this restaurant, and the dining room is small.

Snowshoeing through the Kimberley Nature Park (photo: Kimberley Tourism)

Read: Family Guide to Kimberley Alpine Resort

Read: The Ultimate Family Ski Weekend at Kimberley Alpine Resort 

Winter in the Platzl downtown Kimberley 

Planning to return in Summer? Check out the summer edition of this story:

Read: The Best of the Columbia Valley (Radium Hot Springs to Invermere - and beyond)