BC6
—Best Impressions Photography
SPONSOR CONTENT
A Playground for all seasons
I
n the southeastern corner of British Columbia, the jagged peaks of the Rockies rise in parallel with
those of the Purcell, Selkirk and Monashee ranges. In between are valleys, rivers and lakes that have
enabled human existence for thousands of years.
— Best Impression Photography
Major rivers include the Kootenay
and the Columbia, North America’s
fourth largest, which, from its source
in the Rockies, circumnavigates the
region in a wide arc. Tributaries
such as the Kicking Horse River, Elk
River and Salmo River generate
some of the best whitewater conditions on the continent.
In the midst of this monumental landscape, geography, geology and history have conspired
to create utterly charming small
Victorian towns. This is the
birthplace of adventure tourism.
Picture Victorian men and women,
devoid of high-tech clothing,
roped to Swiss mountain guides as
they traverse the icefields and glaciers in our many national parks.
Today, visitors come to the
Kootenay Rockies for a rich palette of recreational activities
that includes world-class hiking,
biking, climbing, river rafting,
paragliding, canoeing, wildlife
viewing and golfing.
Typically, July and August are
the best months for most outdoor
activities, and for lazy days at the
beach. Count on a fabulous display of fall colours, and any time
of year is great for a soak in the
hot springs.
And, if you just want to enjoy
the view, there is no shortage of
tranquility in these mountains and
valleys. As playgrounds go, this one
is big.
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BC7
STAY & GOLF
Visit us in Kimberley
Kimberley,, BC
KOOTENAY ROCKIES
A golf course that is truly in tune with Mother Nature
with its natural contours, elevation changes and
gorgeous scenery.
We are very excited
to provide you
the opportunity of
an unforgettable
golfingexperience.
2010 Runner-up best new course in Canada - ScoreGolf
18 hole package includes one night accommodation plus hot
breakfast and power cart rental.*
$109
* based on double occupancy, taxes not included
Book your golf package at the Heritage Inn Hotel & Convention Centre in Cranbrook
1-888-888-4374 | heritageinn.net |
Relax
Full Service RV tenting pool putting course
•
•
•
• spectacular scenery • store, showers, laundry • playground & recreation park •
• Hotspot internet access • clean facilities • friendly staff • near all golf resorts •
kimberleycampground.com 1-877-999-2929
We’re very social!
in Nelson, Balfour, Ainsworth Hot Springs, Kaslo or Lardeau
...or golf, cycle, paddle, dine, shop, fish, paddle, celebrate
feels ood!
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Travel NOW!
nelsonkootenaylake.com
KootenayRockies.mobi
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BC8
Take a
hike in
some
scenic
parks
Natural wonders for
wanderers, include
cliffs, canyons and
meadows
By Gerald Vander Pyl
P
arks, parks everywhere.
At least that’s the impression
a visitor gets while travelling
through British Columbia, which is
dotted with thousands of parks, from
small municipal green spaces to provincial and national parks.
Calgarians heading west can take
Highway 93 through Kootenay
National Park, home to many great
shorts hikes and spectacular natural
wonders.
That includes Marble Canyon, a
deep chasm carved by a turquoise
river in the midst of a forest now
recovering from a wildfire, Numa
Falls, set in a black rock canyon, and
the Redwall Fault cliffs near Radium
Hot Springs.
If travellers choose to stay on the
TransCanada Highway into B.C., they
will go through several national
parks, including Yoho, with some of
its best scenery off short side roads.
Summer Special*
Book by June 15th
3rd Night Free
Book after June 15th
for 50% off 3rd Night.
At participating Fernie
accommodations,
valid for stays April
15th – Oct 31st.
*some conditions apply
See PARKS, Page 9
Book your Fernie Vacation today!
TOURISMFERNIE.COM
1 .8 7 7 .9 3 3 .7 6 4 3 | FACE BOOK.COM/FE RN IE .CA N A DA
— Kootenay National Park. Destination BC photo
KootenayRockies.mobi
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BC9
— Bugaboo Provincial Park. Destination BC photo
From PARKS, Page 8
The narrow road to Takakkaw Falls
is not suitable for RVs or trailers, but
is worth the effort for views of the
famous chutes and hikes to backcountry destinations such as Twin
Falls, located near a historic lodge
and tea house.
Other roads lead to serene
Emerald Lake and a natural stone
bridge carved by the Kicking Horse
River, and thundering Wapta Falls.
Past Golden, B.C. the TransCanada
climbs over Rogers Pass in Glacier
National Park, an area famed for
its numerous glaciers and abundant
railway history.
The Abandoned Rails and Loop
Brook trails have remnants of old
railway structures, including snow
sheds and stone towers from a former section of the Canadian Pacific
line that once crossed over the pass.
A small gem of a park is Mount
Revelstoke National Park, further
west on the TransCanada and a
place most travellers zoom past.
Its highlight is the Meadows in the
Sky Parkway, a road which climbs
switchbacks to the summit of a
mountain, where snowbanks linger
and wild flowers bloom profusely in
July.
The Kootenay region of British
Columbia is also home to many wonderful parks.
Some like Kokanee Glacier,
Bugaboo, and Top of the World
Provincial Parks are reached by driving sometimes rough gravel roads
and then hiking up steep trails.
These are wild and remote areas,
with limited facilities, but amazing
scenery, from the granite spires of
the Bugaboos, which lure climbers
from around the word, to the icy
marvel of Kokanee Glacier and the
peaceful backcountry campgrounds
of Top of the World.
A better option for families might
be Kokanee Creek Provincial Park,
on Kootenay Lake, which has a kilometre of sandy beaches and three
campgrounds with playgrounds.
Gardeners will want to seek
out the hidden gem of Cominco
Gardens, a park in Kimberley, B.C.,
that cover five acres and has more
than 45,000 flowers in bloom during
peak season.
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BC10
6 National Parks,
3 Mountain Range,
2 Historic Rivers,
1 Epic Adventure.
GOLDEN GOLF CLUB
The picturesque 18-Hole golf course is
characterized by gently rolling isolated holes
with great mountain views. 24 site RV Park
adjacent to course.
1.866.727.7222 www.golfgolden.com
HILLSIDE LODGE & CHALETS
WET N’ WILD RAFTING
Situated on 20 acres of serene river front
property, Hillside Lodge is perfect for a few
nights’ getaway or a stunning wedding venue!
Combine any whitewater rafting tour with
an overnight stay at the McLaren Lodge
B&B. Starts at only $245/couple!
Daily departures May – September.
All ages and levels of experience.
1.250.344.7281 www.hillsidechalets.com
1.800.668.9119 www.raftgolden.ca
GOLDEN CIVIC CENTRE FOR YOUR WEDDING
HYDRA RIVER GUIDES
Beautifully restored heritage hall surrounded by spectacular mountain
scenery less than 3 hours from Calgary at an affordable price.
Elegantly appointed interior and restrooms.
Full kitchen. State-of-the-art lighting, stage, and dance floor.
In downtown Golden close to everything.
Google “Golden Civic Centre” for more info.
Great value for reasonable cost
The Kicking Horse River is famous for big whitewater
and mighty rapids. Hydra River Guides has been
introducing guests to the “kicks” of rafting since 1986.
We know rafting! Are you ready to Join us?
1.250.344.6186 www.kickinghorseculture.ca/civic-centre
1.800.644.8888 www.hydrarafting.com
www.TourismGolden.com/discover 1.800.622.GOLD
DiscoverBC_Jun07.indd 10
@TourismGolden
CEDAR HOUSE RESTAURANT & CHALETS
Luxurious 1-6 bedroom chalets perfect for a
fall escape, wedding or family reunion.
Full amenities including private hot tubs!
Activities and organic restaurant on site.
1.250.290.OOO1 www.cedarhousechalets.com
SUMMER KICKS – THE WORLD COMES
TO PLAY IN GOLDEN THIS SUMMER
Check our website for weekly, free evening concerts
down by our covered bridge in Golden’s Spirit Square
featuring festival artists from around the world.
June through August. Brought to you by the Town of Golden.
1.250.344.6186 www.kickinghorseculture.ca
/VisitGoldenBC
Tourism Golden
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BC11
SPONSOR CONTENT
Z
Thrill-seeking
all summer long
ip lines and aerial parks make for
and adventurous and fun family
outing all summer long.
Those looking for the thrill of high
elevation gain and speed can climb
ladders, cross swinging bridges, bungee jump and zoom down zip lines all
around the Kootenay Rockies.
Several such attractions can be found
near Revelstoke, Golden and Fernie.
For an extra thrill, zipline over rapids
and canyons with Canadian Mountain
Holidays Summer Adventures at its
Bobbie Burns lodge.
Just as thrilling, not to mention cooling on a hot summer day are water
slides - with their twisting and turning
chutes, tube rides and splash parks.
Outdoor waterslide facilities are located in Nelson at Kootenay Rockies.
Then there’s also the chance for some
motorboat action on just about any lake
in the region, including waterskiing and
tubing. But if you prefer to paddle on
your own steam consider a kayaking
adventure. Many are available in the area
and offer a day long or multi-day trips
that bring you face to face with some of
the most pristine wilderness in B.C.
Two-wheeled adventures of the mountain
biking kind could keep riders busy all
summer long. Many mountain bike parks
offer lift-assisted trail riding for all levels
of riders, along with lessons to learn the
necessary skills.
There are bike parks at Fernie Alpine
Resort, Panorama Mountain Village
and Kicking Horse Mountain Resort.
For parents looking to sneak in a bit
of educational fun for their kids consider
visiting a historic park. Ride a train into
a tunnel and watch a mining demonstration at the Kimberley Underground
Mining Railway or pan for gold at Fort
Steele Heritage Town near Cranbrook.
—Best Impressions Photography
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