FIND OUT WHERE LOCALS PLAY IN INVERMERE
It’s possible to enjoy this Columbia Valley jewel — without bumping into your neighbours
Looking to escape Calgary this summer? You could visit the stunning Columbia Valley region of Invermere, Radium and Fairmont and enjoy the beautiful climate, dramatic landscapes and populous wildlife. With one minor problem — from the May long weekend to Labour Day, it seems as if every other Calgarian has the same idea.
Invermere and its neighbouring communities have long been treated as the backyard playground for Calgarians, who own trailers, condos and summer houses in the region and don’t mind the threehour commute.
“According to the Kootenay Real Estate Board statistics, approximately 60 per cent of our buyers in the Columbia Valley are from Alberta,” says Barry Benson of Royal LePage Rockies West Realty. “Calgarians are a very important part of our business as we are continually assisting buyers and sellers in the Columbia Valley real estate market. They make up the majority of our real estate transactions.”
Contrary to other communities that detest their summer tourist invasions, “Invermere is a very open-minded, social community that embraces newcomers,” says Nicole Trigg, acting editor of the region’s two weekly newspapers, The Valley Echo and Columbia Valley Pioneer. “I should know, I am one! In the year I’ve lived here, I’ve discovered the locals to be warm-hearted, generous and very inter-connected. They are extremely passionate and proud about their community, and the valley and its natural beauty.”
It’s nice to know the locals don’t mind the hordes of my city brethren, but I wondered if it were possible to visit Invermere without running into the whole of northwest and southwest Calgary.
“Absolutely,” Trigg says. “It’s all about timing. Locals expect visitors to be in transit on a Friday night, early Saturday morning or late Sunday night, so if you arrive ahead of the masses, or extend your stay, you can sink into anonymity, whether it’s enjoying a night of live music or an early morning coffee.”
She suggests starting the day with local darlings Kicking Horse Coffee, and with nary an Alberta licence plate in sight in the packed parking lot, I knew I’d found my first local hideout.
After a hit of caffeine for me and milk for my eight-year-old daughter, who had accompanied me on the trip, we headed for Shadybrook Resort to meet longtime resident Mike DuBois for a tour of the lake by boat.
“The best way to live like a local is to avoid just staying in town all weekend,” DuBois explains.
A third-generation Invermere resident, he owns and operates the campground, RV resort and marina his grandfather built in 1957.
While his business is dependent on the very Calgarians I’m trying to avoid, he understands my desire to see Invermere from a different perspective.
“Invermere residents spend a lot of time up in the hills. We’re big into hiking and biking, or back-country camping is very popular.”
Matt Gunn, co-author of Hikes Around Invermere & the Columbia River Valley, grew up hiking in the Invermere backcountry, and offered us tips for an afternoon excursion.
“Invermere has a fantastic range of hikes, from short outings such as the Mount Swansea lookout, to rugged world-class alpine destinations like the Bugaboos. People who make the effort to get away from the crowds and venture into the mountains are blown away by the scenery.”
I was unsure how my city kid would handle the 10- to 12-kilometre loop of the Swansea Slopes trail. Instead, we drove up to the upper parking lot which allowed us to scramble just 500 metres to the Mount Swansea lookout, a popular hang-gliding launch.
The view was spectacular, and we picnicked on fresh sandwiches bought earlier from the Blue Dog Cafe.
Time ran out before we could make the trek out to the Lussier Hot Springs, just inside Whiteswan Lake Provincial Park. It’s a natural hot springs relatively undiscovered by visitors. We ended the night at the newly renovated The Station Neighbourhood Pub, where residents wanting a break from the kitchen after a day out in the wild can be found enjoying a locally brewed Arrowhead beer. The food is surprisingly gourmet, and the atmosphere convivial, especially during one of their frequent live music nights.
It turns out you can avoid Calgarians in Invermere if you follow three simple rules: Visit the local businesses early in the morning; spend the day in the mountains and waterways and always check the licence plates in the parking lot before stopping for a break!