The Columbia Valley is a beautiful destination featuring Radium Hot Springs, Invermere, Panorama, Windermere, Canal Flats, and Fairmont Hot Springs. It is conveniently located about three hours from Calgary and just 90 minutes from Banff. This picturesque valley acts as a corridor nestled between the Rocky Mountains and the Purcell Mountains, adjacent to Kootenay National Park in British Columbia.
During winter, visitors can relish snowy mountain landscapes, sunshine, frozen lakes, and soothing hot springs. The stunning views are complemented by a welcoming mountain culture, making it an ideal Canadian getaway for families eager to experience the charm of a true Canadian winter.
How to Spend 5 Days in the Columbia Valley with Kids
Where to Stay in the Columbia Valley During Winter with Kids
When traveling with children, convenience and comfort are crucial when selecting accommodations. Fortunately, the communities in Columbia Valley are relatively close to each other, allowing you to visit various locations in under an hour with a car. During our winter visit, we stayed for two nights in Radium and two nights at the Panorama Resort. For those with more time, extending your stay at Panorama Mountain Resort will provide additional opportunities for skiing.
Radium Hot Springs:
The charming village of Radium offers various motel-style accommodations, alongside condo-style options with full kitchens at Bighorn Meadows Resort. We appreciated the one-bedroom condo units at Bighorn Meadows, and we had the exciting opportunity to spot bighorn sheep daily! The resort also features an onsite hot tub.
Panorama Mountain Resort:
Consider the Approach Hotel at Panorama Mountain Resort for convenient ski-in/ski-out accommodations just outside Invermere. This family-friendly hotel offers spacious rooms that can accommodate up to six guests! Easy parking is available just a minute away, and guests can enjoy hot tubs nearby.
Day 1 in the Columbia Valley
Kick off your adventure at Fairmont Mountain Resort, which is about a 30-minute drive from Radium. Get acclimated to the slopes and enjoy a pleasant ski session!
After skiing, unwind in Canada’s largest hot springs pool before heading back to Radium. Nature lovers can also explore the nearby hoodoos, just a few minutes outside of town.
Dine at one of Radium’s local restaurants (we recommend Horsethief Creek Pub or Wildside Pizza for takeout) or pick up groceries at the local store to cook in your accommodation. Enjoy your overnight stay at Bighorn Meadows Resort.
Day 2 in the Columbia Valley: Skating and Hot Springs
Start your day with breakfast in your condo or visit Screamers Ice Cream Cafe or Bighorn Cafe for a meal. If it’s particularly cold (below -12°C), I suggest spending the morning at Radium Hot Springs. Otherwise…
Venture to Invermere and skate on the Windermere Whiteway. Rental skates are available in Invermere. If you enjoy hockey, check out the flooded hockey rinks if the weather is suitable.
Warm up with a latte flight at Kicking Horse Coffee (or a steamer flight for kids), and then have lunch in Invermere. In the afternoon, return to Radium for another soak in the hot springs.
Savor dinner in Radium Hot Springs or prepare a meal in your condo. Keep an eye out for the playful bighorn sheep that frequent the golf course. Enjoy your overnight stay at Bighorn Meadows.
Day 3: Skiing at Panorama
Indulge in breakfast at your condo or head to Bighorn Cafe or Screamers Ice Cream Cafe in Radium. After checking out from Bighorn, make your way to Panorama Mountain Resort, which is roughly 40 minutes away. The central check-in is very convenient.
Get geared up, rent equipment, and purchase lift tickets, then spend the day on the slopes. After skiing, indulge in dinner at the resort and wrap up the day with a relaxing evening in the hot pools.
Overnight at the Approach Hotel.
Day 4: More Skiing
Enjoy a buffet breakfast at Alto, served from 8 am to 10 am. After breakfast, grab your multi-day rentals from the ski locker, and you’ll only have to walk a short distance to the slopes. If you enjoyed the Windermere Whiteway, consider driving back to Invermere for another evening of skating. Alternatively, you can try skating on the pond at Panorama Resort.
Dine at Panorama Resort or in Invermere.
Overnight at the Approach Hotel.
Day 5: Last Day of Skiing
Deciding how many skiing days to fit in can be tricky, but we definitely wished for even more consecutive days on the slopes. I highly recommend skiing again on your fifth day if your schedule allows. To check pricing, refer to my post about family skiing costs at Panorama.
Overnight at the Approach Hotel.
Practical Information
- If you’re flying in, you can choose to arrive at either Calgary or Cranbrook. Calgary usually offers better international flight options and has more rental car availability. Cranbrook is more convenient for those coming from Vancouver.
- Make sure to book your rental car in advance. For winter driving conditions and for extra comfort transporting your gear, I suggest renting a small SUV; however, the drive is manageable with just a few hills leading to the ski resorts.
- Reserve two nights at Bighorn Meadows and three nights at the Approach Hotel.
- Purchase your lift tickets and equipment rentals online in advance for Panorama, as this can save you up to 20% off the day rate for skiing or snowboarding.
Lindsay Nieminen hails from Vancouver, Canada, and shares her passion for travel on this website. She is dedicated to showing others that they don’t have to postpone exploring the world due to having young children or being a single parent. Her goal is to inspire families to seek out adventure, whether locally or internationally, by providing information that makes any destination a potential exploration opportunity.
