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What makes for a great city or town? Perhaps it’s breathtaking scenery and access to endless outdoor adventures like fishing, golfing, hiking or skiing. Or maybe it’s a solid economy built around tourism, natural resources, affordable housing and great public services.
Nestled within The Valley of a Thousand Peaks, located between the Rocky Mountains and the Purcell Mountain Range in the East Kootenays, is arguably one of B.C.’s best hidden gems: the Columbia Valley.
“Invermere and its neighbouring communities have long been treated as the backyard playground for Calgarians, but it’s still pretty much undiscovered in B.C.,” says Susan Clovechok, executive director, Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce. “Many people move here for the lifestyle and then they figure out how to make a living.”
Clovechok was one such tourist. She moved here after living in big cities such as Montreal and Calgary, because of the sheer beauty of Columbia Valley.
Source: Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce
“I also fell in love with the people and the sense of community—you really know your neighbours here,” she adds.
The Valley, which consists of Invermere, Windermere, Fairmont Hot Springs, Canal Flats, Panorama, Wilmer, Radium Hot Springs, Edgewater, Brisco and Spillimacheen, is also blessed with quality schools, great medical services, low crime, a lower cost of living and minimal commute times.
Driven by tourism The Valley’s number one economic driver is tourism. Each region is focused on capitalizing on the allure of its rural year-round outdoor playground. Many visitors come here for a round of golf. The Columbia Valley Golf Trail is home to eight golf courses between Radium Hot Springs and Fairmont Hot Springs – two of which are ranked among the top 100 in Canada. (ScoreGolf 2012)
“Invermere has a fantastic range of hikes, from short outings such as the Hoodoos and Mount Swansea lookout, to rugged world-class alpine destinations like the Bugaboos,” says Clovechok.
Another Columbia Valley treasure is Lake Windermere and Columbia Lake (headwaters of the Columbia River), which offers locals and visitors great spots to try every possible water sport. It is also home to the original spas—mineral rich natural hot springs in Radium and Fairmont.
Business friendly The Valley is also the perfect rural location for business meetings or corporate events, at a fraction of the cost of larger city venues.
“A small conference or management retreat here in the Columbia Valley would cost about 30 per cent less compared to doing the same in Banff, even if you were to charter a plane and fly into Fairmont’s Airport,” says Clovechok.
The beauty of technology The natural surroundings and beauty makes the Columbia Valley tops in recreational activities, and it is often the first reason people move here.
“Technology allows for many people to work from anywhere. You don’t have to be in an urban centre to work and you can do it here without all the stress and expense of city living,” she says, adding that the Valley is seeing an increase in young families moving here.
Image Source: Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce