Category: The Kootenays

I’ve lived in Vancouver for almost fourteen years.  Growing up in Saskatchewan, my family travelled to BC almost every summer to visit relatives in the central Prince George area and then made our way south through the Okanagan to pick fruit and just enjoy the spectacular scenery and weather. One of the areas I have never explored is the south east corner of the province, in the heart of the Rocky Mountains.  I’ve been through Golden and Revelstoke along Highway 1, many times, and also along Highway 3 through Fernie, Creston and Trail, but never the area in between.  I […]

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The Golden Golf Club is situated in the beautiful Columbia River Valley at Golden, British Columbia. It offers an extremely enjoyable golfing experience — as long as your game is in accord! The stunning Rocky and Purcell mountains frame the course and each beautifully groomed hole provides a spectacular view.

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The Modern Bakeshop & Cafe, Revelstoke is casual and excellent!!! Open Monday-Saturday, 7am-5pm. A wide selection of homemade breads, muffins, pastries, etc. Also, a breakfast and lunch menu, with a different homemade soup everyday. Cappacino’s, brewed with locally roasted coffee bean selections.

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Chercher la Vache Cafe** has homemade baked goods, gourmet coffees, a deli, and creative bistro within the walls of Field’s general store. An open kitchen permits guests to watch the chefs as they work, and the outdoor patio is a perfect place to rejuvenate after a long hike. The evening we dined two guitarists entertained  with folk music and song. www.chercherlavachecafe.com ** editor’s note … I can’t help but think of Monty Python and the Holy Grail and the Fetchez la Vache segement.

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Ainsworth Hot Springs is a sleepy little community of only 100 year-round residents, boasting one of the most unique Hot Springs and Natural Caves in the world. Nestled alongside the pristine Kootenay Lake, within the Selkirk Mountain Range, these are the Top Ten Things To Do: Luxuriate in the Ainsworth Hot Springs Pools & Cave Year-round. Hiking or Cross-country Ski Trails surround Ainsworth and area. Swim (July-Sept.) or Fish the Kootenay Lake (year-round) for the famous Kokanee (land-locked Salmon) or Gerrard Rainbow. Rent an affordable boat or ATV nearby to explore the Kootenay Lake or Kokanee Glacier trails. Explore the […]

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Known as the warmest and cleanest lake in BC, Christina Lake should be one of the must sees in British Columbia.  It is a very popular summer destination.  I would suggest booking your stay several months in advance for the mid-July to mid-August peak period.  There are several choices of accommodations: motels, campgrounds and rental cabins.  Several of the campgrounds and rental cabins offer beach front locations.  There are not as many campgrounds as there were 20 years ago.  Many have been converted to privately owned-permanent trailer or mobile home sites.  So if you are in a buying mood you […]

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For a backcountry skier, it’s hard to imagine a better place than this, or a better moment than now.  Myself and a group of old and newly met friends are standing atop the Wildcat Glacier at around 9000 feet having climbed here completely under our own power. Surrounding us in the crisp mountain air are literally dozens of stunningly beautiful snow-capped peaks stretching out in all directions. After a snack and a sip of hot tea, Dave Birnie, our guide and co-owner of Mistaya Lodge, gives us a quick reminder of avalanche safety’s golden rule, “ski one at a time, […]

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