Stunning surroundings, a variety of accommodations, activities for every traveller, and delectable dining create the perfect recipe for a getaway for two.
We have ideas for you whether you’re an adventurous couple who wants to do *every* activity, an overworked couple who needs to relax and reconnect, a posh couple looking to indulge, or a combination.
Accommodations
Choose to stay in Radium Hot Springs, Invermere, or Fairmont Hot Springs with charming inns, spacious condos, warm motels, and everything in between.
Activities
Outdoor adventure
Skating, snowshoeing, skiing, fat biking? Check, check, check, and check!
Hit the Whiteway in Invermere or the rink in Radium’s Legend’s Field for outdoor skating at its finest. The Whiteway weaves on frozen Lake Windermere and was named the World’s Longest Skating Trail by Guinness World Records.
If you’re looking for a peaceful cross-country ski, try Nipika Mountain Resort, the groomed trail alongside the Whiteway, Panorama Mountain Resort, or Lake Lillian.
For downhill adventure, shred the mountains at Panorama Mountain Resort or Fairmont Hot Springs Resort.
Nipika has over 30km of groomed fat bike trails, Panorama Mountain Resort offers some, and the trails at the Johnson (about halfway between Invermere and Panorama) are groomed for riding, too.
Head out for a winter hike with snowshoes! Try one of Kootenay National Park’s trails, the Hoodoos in Fairmont Hot Springs, Sinclair Creek in Radium, or at one of the resorts.
Need equipment? No problem! Panorama Mountain Resort, Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, and Nipika rent equipment, as do many shops in Invermere and Far Out in Radium.
Shopping and the arts
Each community has its own shopping vibe. Invermere is the largest town and well-known for its art scene. Stroll Main Street and check out the boutiques and galleries. Fairmont, Radium, and Panorama also have their own unique shops on a smaller scale.
Spa-aaah
Go ahead and pamper yourself! There are spas throughout the Columbia Valley, all boasting full treatment lists with calm atmospheres to sooth away your stress.
Don’t forget about the Radium Hot Springs and Fairmont Hot Springs pools for a natural relaxation experience. (Fairmont Hot Springs pools are currently only open to resort guests.)
Dining
There are so many options for fuel from friendly pubs to elegant dining. Try Old Salzburg in Radium for authentic Austrian, From Scratch in Fairmont for seasonal Canadian food, or Birchwood in Invermere for an artisan menu.
Unwind with a tasting session at Taynton Bay Spirits Distillery, Arrowhead Brewery, or Radium Brewing. And the Horsethief Pub in Radium features live music on Sundays.
Whether it’s your first vacation as a couple, you’re celebrating a milestone anniversary, or are simply looking for a great getaway, there’s no better place for a romantic road trip than the Columbia Valley.
