The museum contains complete vintage passenger train sets representing various eras from the 1880s to the 1930s. The cars are luxuriously appointed with exotic inlaid woods, brass fixtures, plush upholstery, wool carpets, period furniture, stained glass and other displays such as railway china and silverware. The centrepiece of the train’s displays is the only complete surviving 7-car set of the famous 1929 Trans-Canada Limited – a vintage deluxe hotel-on-wheels. Other trains include the 1907 and ultra-luxurious Soo-Spokane Train Deluxe of 1907, royal cars and interpretive cars.

The centrepiece of the building complex is the spectacular Royal Alexandra Hall, the restored 3,000 sq. ft. and three-storey high Grand Cafe from the Canadian Pacific Railway’s former Royal Alexandra Hotel in Winnipeg. Demolished in 1971, the complete cafe was saved in hundreds of pieces and stored in a semi-trailer for 25 years before being purchased by the museum in 1999.;

Columbia Lake was at the time only 11 feet lower than the Kootenay River, so the engineering problems surrounding the plan were not insurmountable. Baillie-Grohman planned his canal to be 45 feet wide and 6,700 feet long to connect the two rivers across the gravel flat that lay between them. The outcome of the feat would drain the sloughs in the Creston Valley.

After a lengthy process, the B.C. government finally allowed the canal to be built, with a lock. At 100 ft. long by 30 ft. wide, the lock was completed around 1888, but by this time Baillie-Grohman had given up his dream and retired to England, while a year later the government voted to close the canal.

Only two boats ever went through the canal: the Gwendoline in 1894, going from Columbia Lake to the Kootenay River, and the North Star in 1902, headed to Golden from Montana.

But the North Star was too large, and the captain of the steamer, Francis Armstrong, had to blast the side of the canal to get his boat through.

The remains of the canal can still be seen today.

During all of this a small community had sprung up: Grohman. It consisted of four dwellings, a sawmill, warehouse, post office and a licensed hotel.

Eventually the community grew and was called Canal Flat, with the ’s’ added several years later, apparently, according to locals, because it was mistakenly added to a highway sign and it “just stuck.”

Today, Canal Flats (population 700) is one of the newest municipalities in British Columbia, having gained incorporation on June 29, 2004.

Primarily supported by the local mill, which is owned by Tembec Inc., Canal Flats is a bustling and growing centre.

Affordable land and housing prices make it a popular location for those seeking a residence or summer cottage in the Columbia Valley.

The community features restaurants, a pub, hardware store, post office, various stores and a great nine-hole golf course (th’ Flats). The ‘Flats, as locals call it, also boasts a community-run park which serves as the perfect setting for an afternoon travelling break, with swimming, a boat launch and picnic area.

Canal Flats is a gateway to several world-class backcountry parks, including Whiteswan, Top of the World and Premier Lake provincial parks.

It is also the entrance to the Kootenay River Road, which leads explorers into a vast Rocky Mountain wilderness, renowned for whitewater paddling, hunting, fishing and camping; and the gateway to Purcell Mountain wilderness areas, with Whitetail Lake and Blue Lake short drives from the town.;

Radium Hot Springs and Fairmont Hot Springs provide the spa experience, as well as food and beverage facilities.

Both facilities offer a large cool pool and the traditional hot pools that work wonders on tired, aching muscles and joints.

Radium Hot Springs still embodies the original spirit of the pools as it remains sheltered beneath the gaze of Sinclair Canyon, towering directly above the waters.

Radium has a 4,000 square foot spa located in the basement of the heritage pools building. Soothe away those aches and pains.

The Fairmont pools offer bathers stunning views of the chiselled Fairmont Range of the Rockies, and at sunset, spectacular views of the gently rolling foothills of the Purcell Mountains to the west. Fairmont has a spillway pool, located at the base of the hill where the hot pool is located.

If you’re looking for something a little more earthy, try Lussier Hot Springs, located at the entranceway to Whiteswan Provincial Park, southeast of Canal Flats.

Navigate the road with caution as it is heavily used by industrial, recreational and local traffic.

Located beside Lussier Creek, the pools have become a popular spot in recent years. Due to the smaller size of the pools, consisting of one hot pool located at the source, a second medium-temperature pool and two smaller cool pools (depending on how high the creek is at the time), they can’t accommodate too many people. Be prepared to wait.

Another rustic gem is Ram Creek Hot Springs, located on Ram Creek Forest Service Road, which runs between Sheep Creek/Skookumchuck and the Top of the World Provincial Park road. The water of the large main pool is cooler and deeper than Lussier and there is a second small, warmer pool at one of the sources.

The hot spring, located within the Ram Creek fire burn site, has become more popular, despite the roads being poorly maintained. The road up from Sheep Creek is steep and unfriendly to lower carriaged vehicles and the way in from the Top of the World road is now impassable after a landslide. Do not take RVs into this location.;

Originally founded as the Panorama Ski Hill Company in 1962, the resort became a reality thanks to three locals: Karl Strobl, Fritz Zehnder and Guy Messerli. Development continued under different owners through the 1970s and the 1980s and new lifts were added as well as slope-side accommodations.

Extensive snowmaking capabilities have been added to the mountain throughout the years to enhance the skiing and snowboarding experience, and in 2003 two new quad chairs were added to the mountain.

Decades of improvements and development made it possible for the mountain to host World Cup races in 1985, 1988, 1992 and again in November 2007.

Panorama is one of the premier resorts in the province. Alpine Canada Alpin recently named Panorama as the National Training Centre for all of Canada’s ski racers, and it is known as the training ground for national teams from around the world.

Since 1992, an increase in more advanced ski terrain, the development of a ’smaller by design’ mountain village and the construction of Greywolf Golf Course turned Panorama into a year-round resort. Greywolf is an 18-hole, 7,140 yard, par 72 golf course that is open from May to October.

This spectacular championship course, named the best new course in Canada in 1999 by Golf Digest, is literally carved into the side of Panorama Mountain and along Hopeful and Toby Creeks. Every hole offers something wild and wonderful for all levels of golfers.

A huge fun factor at the resort is the 6,000 square foot Panorama Springs Pools for exclusive use of their lodging guests.

Even with all the developments to the village, Panorama remains a comfortable outpost on the fringe of a famous wilderness.

Winter at Panorama is just as spectacular, if not more fun! Panorama boasts 4,000 vertical feet, one of the highest verticals in North America, and 2,847 acres of patrolled terrain, which is made up of 120 trails – 15% beginner, 55% intermediate and 30% expert, and is serviced by nine lifts.

Panorama is home to the Bilodeau School of Skiing & Snowboarding (SOS), one of the best in North America. SOS is owned and operated by locals Don and Heather Bilodeau, who also run the legendary on-mountain Elkhorn Cabin. The newly expanded cabin now offers memorable lunch dining with dramatic views, an excellent “All Canadian” menu and warm hospitality.

The Hal Bavin Heliplex located in the village, offers heli-skiing on 1,500 square kilometres/ 930 sq. miles of incredible terrain in the Purcell Mountains. On the edge of the Bugaboos, RK HeliSki makes the most of the largest heli-ski area in the world. For cross-country skiers, the Greywolf Nordic Centre features over 20 km of maintained and groomed classic and skate trails.

Other winter activities at Panorama include snowmobile tours with Toby Creek Adventures; sleigh ride and a chili cookouts, spa treatments; and apr

Mountain biking in the Columbia Valley is plentiful and picturesque. Everything from the most extreme downhill or free-riding trails to rockin’ cross-country rides to tame touring around any of the downtown areas, can be found in the valley.

Most prominently, Panorama Mountain Resort offers acres of lift-accessed riding for some hardcore thrill-seekers.

Once the snow melts and the resort has moved through its winter to summer transition, the chairlifts start ferrying bikes instead of skis and boards.

Panorama was the second in British Columbia to create a permanent bikercross course at its facility. In addition to a slew of awesome downhill and freeride trails, the bikercross course brings the resort’s summer vertical to 1,200 feet allowing for plenty of descent time. During the season a number of downhill races make stops at the resort.

Mount Swansea, located off Hwy. 93/95 between Invermere and Windermere, provides some equally insane downhill and freeride terrain. With trail names like Booty Call, Hula Girl, Gravy Train and Dirty Monkey, this stuff isn’t for the faint of heart. While most of the trails consist of natural features, there are a number of built structures including some set up for road gaps. Built over time by local riders, there are no official trailmarkings, maps or signs and those who go there, do so at their own risk. A 4×4 vehicle is also a necessity for shuttling up the unmaintained forest service road.

The Columbia Valley Cycling Society, formed by a group of local mountain bike enthusiasts has already garnered the support of the two local bike shops, which offer discounts to members.

Also affiliated with Cycling B.C. club members participating in trail maintenance days or races staged by the club will be covered by insurance.

For more information send an email to cvcyclingsociety@ hotmail.com.

Cross-country enthusiasts should be sure to check out the Toby Creek Canyon trails, located past David Thompson Secondary School, west of downtown Invermere. Again, used primarily by local riders who know the trails like they know the seats of their bikes, the trails are neither mapped nor marked. From increased usage over the last few years, the trails are well-established and easy to find.

A 15 km (approx.) loop meanders along the edge of Toby Creek Canyon. Through the forest, amazing views of the valley and the scenery of the canyon itself combine with some great, entry-level, intermediate and advanced cross-country trails to create some fantastic riding.

For more info about the bike club, trail conditions and specific directions to any of the local mountain biking hot spots, stop by Columbia Cycle or Rob’s Bicycle Works, both located in Invermere.;

Former Canadian National Nordic Ski Team coach Lyle Wilson, his wife Dianne and their staff maintain 20 km of marked and groomed trails at Nipika, which abuts the Kootenay River and Kootenay National Park.

The trails are for both skating and classic skiing and unlimited touring routes await. The trails take skiers to some spectacular scenes including a view of the Kootenay Valley, the incredible natural bridge and to a waterfall. There is also a warming hut about two kilometres from the start of the trip, where firewood is provided. An additional 30 km of hiking, snowshoeing and biking trails traverse the Kootenay and Cross Rivers enabling enjoyment of the facility year-round.

Beginner, intermediate and advanced skiers will find this territory – a pretty 30 minute drive from Radium Hot Springs – to their liking. The facility features a loppet race each year, too.

The resort features a beautiful timber frame lodge and comfortable cabins capable of accommodating 8-10 people, as well as a skating pond.

Take Hwy. 93 from Radium through Kootenay National Park for 21 km and turn onto Settler’s Rd. Keep going for another 13 km and follow the signs.;

The newest golf course of the valley is now a whole lot more – twice the fun, in fact.

Added to the splendid 18-hole, par 70 course Copper Point Golf Club has turned into the valley’s first 36-hole golf resort with the Masters style The Ridge at Copper Point course (pictured) opening for play last year.

While only open since late 2003, Copper Point has quickly become an important corporate citizen, helping community organizations such as the Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce, among others, raise important dollar figures, with annual tournaments.

Copper Point’s restaurant is appropriately named ‘The View’ and offers a full breakfast, lunch and evening menu. While you’re around, check out the fully-stocked pro shop and pick up a lesson brochure if, by chance, your game needs some work.

Whatever your needs are, the staff at Copper Point can accommodate all of your golfing, shopping and culinary tastes.

Eagle Ranch Golf Course

Voted as one of Canada’s best for course conditioning by SCOREGolf Magazine and rated four stars by Golf Digest, Eagle Ranch offers exceptional service, breathtaking views, and world-class golf.

This magnificent, full amenity 18-hole golf course has won accolades from professionals and golfers of all levels. There are other courses in the world that have made their reputations by challenging golfers with carries over ravines and water. But no other course has so brilliantly made use of canyon territory. With every shot, your ball soars against a picture-perfect backdrop of pure mountain beauty.

Eagle Ranch is much more than world-class golf.

It’s a place where spirits soar and your game takes flight. Enjoy this magical golf setting perched on bluffs overlooking the great Columbia River, world-renowned wetlands and the clear blue waters of Lake Windermere. This beautiful setting is further elevated with majestic 360-degree views of the Rocky and Purcell Mountain Ranges.

Eagle Ranch also offers casual dining with a 1,000 bottle temperature-controlled wine room and a private banquet and meeting room for those special occasions.

Setetkwa Golf Course

Setetkwa is a public nine-hole facility located half way between Radium Hot Springs and Invermere (seven km from both towns).

The par 29 course abuts the Columbia River Wetlands and offers spectacular views of both the Rocky Mountains, and Purcell Mountains to the west.

Setetkwa is the most affordable family-play of the valley’s many courses and tends to have the longest operating season, generally being the first of the valley’s courses to open for play in the spring.

Greywolf at Panorama

One year before it even opened, this spectacular course was being touted as one of the best golf courses in Canada.

And not to disappoint, it is.

In 1999, it was voted as the best new course in Canada by Golf Digest.

Greywolf’s (pictured) 18-holes are cut along the side of Toby and Hopeful Creeks and Panorama Mountain. This par 72 course is 7,140 yards from the black tees.

Greywolf, a feature course on XBox, has a pro shop, licensed clubhouse and course-side cappuccino shack at the sixth tee.

The course’s signature sixth hole, has an elevated green, which affords views up the Toby Creek drainage, and is located across a canyon – just one of this amazing course’s features.

Windermere Valley Golf Course

Located on Windermere Loop Road in Windermere, this always-maturing 18-hole course offers challenges ranging from a number of par 3s to one par 5.

It has a licensed restaurant, lounge, full-service pro shop, putting green and driving range.The course owners and staff pride themselves on customer service.

Windermere traditionally opens in mid-March and runs until at least the end of October/early November.

The Springs at Radium

This unique 18-hole course located in Radium Hot Springs (pictured) is consistently considered one of the best in British Columbia.

This par 72, at 6,717 yards, features a licensed dining room, lounge, power carts, club rentals, practise facilities, lessons and club storage.

Built to championship standards, the course overlooks the Columbia River wetlands and Purcell Mountains, with the Rockies standing guard to the east.

Its white sand traps and water hazards, as well as craftily located tee boxes make this course a challenge and a pleasure to play.

Radium’s Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep band also calls the Springs home.

Radium Golf Resort

This full-service resort is ideally situated two km south of Radium Hot Springs, at the top of the Mile Hill. The golf course is an 18-hole, par 69 featuring some dizzying tee shots.

The course is carved into Rocky Mountain hillside and provides beautiful views of the valley and Purcell Mountains.

The full amenity resort offers power carts, club rentals, lessons, a licensed dining room, swimming facilities and hotel and resort accommodations.

Riverside Golf Resort

Located in Fairmont, this 18-hole course features 6,507 yards of golfing delight.

Voted as the top course in Canada in 1998 by the Golf Course Owners’ Association, the course offers spectacular views of the Rockies and Purcells.

It winds along the headwaters of the Columbia River and golfers of all skill levels will enjoy this beautiful and sometimes challenging, sometimes forgiving course.

Riverside (pictured) has a driving range and putting green, along with the newly overhauled dining opportunities: The Rockies at Riverside Pub and the family restaurant Dapper’s Landing.

Leading Riverside, Mountainside and Creekside into this season is Peter Smith, who has come over after guiding Greywolf from its infancy to becoming one of Canada’s finest courses.

Mountainside Golf Course

Across the highway from Riverside on the way to Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, this 18-hole course features 6,267 yards of golfing fun.

A challenge for all skill levels, Mountainside also has a restaurant and lounge, dining room with evening entertainment, and a putting green.

Mountainside (pictured) is one of the oldest courses in the region and thus carries with it a venerable feel.

The course contains the famous Fairmonster, a 600-yard par five and in recent years the course has undergone upgrades, with more water hazards and bunkers added.

Creekside Par Three

The family-oriented Fairmont Creekside Par Three nine-hole course opened in 2002.

This is a perfect course for golfers looking to fine-tune their irons or play with their children.

Set between Fairmont’s two signature courses, Mountainside and Riverside, Creekside offers a sunny and scenic stroll for duffers of all levels.

th’ Flats Executive 9 Hole

This scenic par 30, 2,076 yard, nine-hole course is located in the heart of the Village of Canal Flats. Custom golfsmithing and repairs available. Canal Flats (pictured below) is 15 minutes south of Fairmont Hot Springs.

Coy’s Dutch Creek Ranch Par 3

Located south of Fairmont off Hwy. 93/95 at Columere Park, Coy’s is challenging but perfect for all ages and levels of skill. One go-round on this former ranch/pasture and you’ll see why!

Coy’s (pictured right) features a driving range, club rentals, a licensed restaurant and beautiful flower gardens.

Edgewater Hilltop Par 3

This is a fun nine-hole course which allows one to brush up on one’s iron shots.

It is a par 3, has club and cart rentals, a licensed restaurant specializing in homemade pies, pro shop and accommodates tournament bookings.

It is located 11 km N of Radium on Hwy 95.

Spur Valley Greens

This pleasurable nine-hole course is located 15 minutes north of Radium Hot Springs on Highway 95. The par 33 track is ideal for people needing to work on their irons but also allows you to pull the big dogs out of the bag on occasion. Spur Valley has a licensed clubhouse, driving range and RV park.;

If you are looking for inspiration or a new place of self-discovery – this is the place to be.

Adding to the essential needs and foods for an artist’s soul is the always important supporter, and growing even faster than the valley’s impressive roster of hometown talent is a well-organized and appreciative audience.

The most prolific of all artistically minded organizations in the valley is the Columbia Valley Arts Council (CVArts).

The council, a not-for-profit organization, receives funding from government and non-government agencies such as the Columbia Basin Trust and strives to provide both a source and showcase of local, regional or national talent. CVArts stages numerous colourful and entertaining events each year, including Mountain Mosaic.

The heart of the council lies in the Pynelogs Cultural Centre, which is located next to Kinsmen Beach in Invermere.

Pynelogs hosts a variety of arts events including art exhibits, theatrical productions, concerts, workshops and musical festivals.

The president of the CVArts is Chris Evans. Manager/ Gallery Operations is Jami Scheffer. They can be reached at 250-342-4423.

In the northern valley communities, leading the way in showcasing home-grown stage talent is the Columbia Valley Music and Festivals Committee, which has become synonymous throughout the valley with Sunday afternoon variety shows at the Edgewater Community Hall.

Arts in the valley also take on a less formal approach as concerts featuring local performers and international acts perform in pubs, cafes, community halls and churches throughout the valley.

Culture and history are found along Main Street in Radium, down the flower-and tree-lined main street of Invermere, in the small quiet working studios of Brisco and Spillimacheen, or in and around the Windermere Artisans’ Corner, located on the corner of Sinclair Avenue and Fairmont Street in Windermere.

Village Arts in downtown Invermere is a melting pot of valley arts talent.

Effusion Gallery and Artym Gallery, both located in downtown Invermere feature shows throughout the year, often with artists on location. Bavin Glassworks continues to provide glassblowing and glass art demonstrations, as well as a wide range of beautiful local and regional art works.;

It is believed that the area encompassed by the park (1,406 sq. km) was travelled on a seasonal basis by First Nations.

The Ktunaxa regularly crossed the Rockies via Whiteman Pass (south of the boundary), Simpson Pass and Vermilion Pass to hunt buffalo on the plains.

Archaeologists believe that people have lived in this area for 10,000 years or more.

Long before Europeans arrived, Aboriginal people bathed in the Radium Hot Springs.

The Paint Pots is another site respected as a sacred place by First Nations. Groups from both the east and west sides of the Rockies would visit the site for ceremony and to extract ochre dye used in traditional rituals, for decoration and trade.

The first recorded visit was by Sir George Simpson in 1841. Hard on Simpson’s heels was James Sinclair who came over Whiteman Pass leading a cavalcade of Red River settlers enroute to Walla Walla, Washington.

In 1858, geologist James Hector, led a branch of the Palliser Expedition into the north end of the Kootenay Valley.

By the early 1900s, local businessmen were lobbying for a road linking Windermere to Banff. Eventually the road was completed by the federal government in exchange for title to a strip of land on either side of the route. In 1920, this land was set aside as Kootenay National Park.

Characterized by overturned folds of sedimentary rock, serrated ridges and rounded crests, the Western Ranges are geologically complex structures found in the southwestern section of the park.

The Eastern and Western Main Ranges are represented in the northern sections of the park.

KNP is also the only national park that represents the Rocky Mountain Trench.

The trench, visible from space as a long linear valley stretching from the U.S. border to the B.C./Yukon border, is a major break in the earth’s crust.

The soothing waters of Radium Hot Springs, in a spectacular canyon setting, have long been a natural draw, from the first pool scooped out of the gravel by Aboriginal people to today’s extensively developed pools’ facility.

The hot springs, and their associated features of Sinclair Canyon and the Redwall Fault, are significant geological features.

The range in elevation (900m to 3,400m) and associated range in climate within KNP result in a variety of ecological zones, each characterized by flora and fauna typical of the western Rocky Mountains.

The southwestern corner of the park contains the only example of dry Douglas fir/ponderosa pine/wheatgrass vegetation in Canada’s national parks. This semi-arid area, where prickly pear cactus also grows, provides important winter range for wildlife, especially bighorn sheep.

Wildlife are a highlight of the Rocky Mountains. Characteristic species found within KNP include: grizzly and black bear, wolf, coyote, cougar, lynx, wolverine, marten, marmot, white-tailed and mule deer, elk, moose, mountain goat and Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep. The mountain goat is the park’s wildlife symbol.

A large population of goats inhabit the slopes of Mount Wardle year-round.

The park has numerous key features, including: Kootenay Parkway; Sinclair Canyon/Redwall fault; Olive Lake; Numa Falls; Kootenay Valley viewpoint; Simpson Monument; Paint Pots; Marble Canyon; Continental Divide; Crook’s Meadows; Valley View Trail; Fireweed Trail.

For more information about Kootenay National Park go to: http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/bc/kootenay/index_E.asp or stop into the Visitor Centre in Radium Hot Springs.;

Known nationally and internationally as a resort town, with 30 motels/hotels containing nearly 1,000 rooms, the village is geared to providing accommodation for the thousands of visitors who pass through every year.

Special vendors dot its main thoroughfare, Highway 93/95, which actually becomes that numerical configuration here. Highway 93 runs northeast through Kootenay National Park to the Trans-Canada Highway, 100 km away and Highway 95 heads north 110 km to Golden.

There are restaurants along the highway frontage roads and around the corner on the road up to the national park and hot springs.

The Village of Radium Hot Springs, population 750, was incorporated in 1992.

The progressive and picturesque village remains one of the fastest growing communities in British Columbia.

Another significant part of the village’s population is its 200 plus member Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep band.

While other communities along the Rocky Mountains in Canada and America call themselves bighorn sheep ‘capitals,’ few can match Radium for the number of sheep. Built on part of the band’s winter range, Radium and valley residents have learned to live side-by-side with the sheep.

The sheep are commonly seen in the village from late autumn to mid-spring.

Please be wary of their presence along and on the roadways. Sheep jams are common in April and November.

Thanks to a beautiful bronze, life-sized statue located at the Radium Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce Visitor Centre, the village’s ties to these animals are appreciated year-round.

The statue is a work of love created by Kaslo artist Rick Taylor.

Like most valley communities, Radium has an interesting past.

Back in 1920 when its population consisted of a handful of construction workers and lumberjacks, accommodations were neither so plentiful nor civilized as they are today.

Two dollars a week bought you space shared with strangers in a tent with a bed made of clean hay, illuminated by candles stuck in empty whiskey bottles. Use of the hot pool cost 50 cents or $1 a day for as many soaks as you wanted.

In 1923 an analyst from the Canadian government did some tests that showed the waters were radioactive, hence the name Radium.

It is believed the water is therapeutic, particularly for arthritis sufferers.

Even for completely healthy people, the water is certainly relaxing and soothing and the view provided from the pools of the red walls of Sinclair Canyon, named for explorer James Sinclair, is sheer beauty.

Geographical formations are the order of the area, as witnessed by the red rock wall and the dramatic canyon which you pass through upon entering Radium.

Kootenay National Park’s Redstreak Campground is located on the southeast side of Radium.

The village is also a golfer’s paradise, as it boasts two top-rated 18-hole golf courses, with the Springs at Radium and Radium Resort. Radium is the gateway to wild Purcell Mountain backcountry rife with four-season recreational opportunities.

Radium offers a great variety of dining and accommodation experiences and in June 2009, a new credit union. ;