Invermere, a charming community nestled in eastern British Columbia, Canada, is a hub of activity and natural beauty. Located near the Alberta border, Invermere is the heart of the Columbia Valley, situated between Golden to the north and Cranbrook to the south. This picturesque town, perched on the northwest shore of Windermere Lake, is a popular summer destination for visitors and second home owners from Edmonton and Calgary.
Invermere is conveniently located 14 kilometres south of Radium, and 104 kilometres south of Golden. It's a mere 102 kilometres from the Trans-Canada Highway, making it easily accessible for travelers. The town is also 37 kilometres north of Fairmont Hot Springs, 60 kilometres north of Canal Flats, 128 kilometres north of Fort Steele, 130 kilometres north of Kimberley, and 144 kilometres north of the hub of Cranbrook and the Crowsnest Highway.
Invermere is nestled within the Columbia River Wetlands, North America's largest intact wetland and a Ramsar-designated site. The town is situated in the Rocky Mountain Trench, just 17.5 kilometres from Kootenay National Park, and is near the Purcell Wilderness Conservancy.
Invermere boasts a climate characterized by warm summers and cool winters. The Rocky Mountains to the east shield Invermere from the Arctic air in winter, although extreme cold spells do occur on occasion. Spring arrives earlier than on the prairies to the east of the Rocky Mountains. Although warm, summers are variable, with weather alternating between hot, dry spells and cool, showery periods.
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Invermere had a population of 3,917 living in 1,660 of its 2,238 total private dwellings, a change of 15.5% from its 2016 population of 3,391. With a land area of 10.75 km2, it had a population density of 364.4/km2 in 2021.
Invermere is home to the annual Invermere MusicFest, which takes place on the Pynelogs greenspace for one weekend every August. The two-day festival attracts hundreds of people each day and delivers a high caliber of Canadian and international musical talent, including The Dead South and Lindi Ortega in 2018.
Invermere is a hub for sports and recreation. The Columbia Valley Rockies hockey team calls Invermere home, and former New York Islanders and University of Denver goaltender Wade Dubielewicz was born here.
Skiing enthusiasts will find plenty to love, with Panorama Mountain Village, Fairmont Hot Springs Resort ski area, Kimberley Alpine Resort, and Kicking Horse Mountain Resort all within easy reach.
Invermere also boasts the longest ice skating trail in the world on the Lake Windermere Whiteway. The naturally frozen trail measures 29.98 kilometres.
Golfers will find a wealth of options, including Copper Point Golf Club, Eagle Ranch Golf Course, Greywolf Golf Course, and several others.
The Invermere Airport is home to the non-profit Canadian Rockies Soaring Club, and the local area is a popular destination for hang-gliding and paragliding.
Curling enthusiasts can participate in the biggest outdoor bonspiel in Canada every January, held on the frozen Windermere Lake.
Finally, hot springs are numerous in the area, with the major developed ones being Fairmont and Radium Hot Springs. Less developed 'wilderness' hot springs can be found in the southern Columbia Valley, in Whiteswan Lake Provincial Park.
