| The Upper Columbia Valley is known for its | | | | a birdwatcher's paradise!When entering the |
| internationally famous resorts and resort | | | | town in the summer months, be advised traffic |
| villages, most with their own hot springs. | | | | can be slow, as visitors soak in the sights |
| The hub of the area is the town of Invermere. | | | | along the charming streets. Municipally |
| For a commercial center, it has a very laid | | | | funded flower beds and hanging baskets splash |
| back atmosphere; in fact some of it's | | | | color throughout the town, which has retained |
| picturesque shops are owned and operated by | | | | much of its turn-of-the-20th-century |
| flower children of the 1960s and now their | | | | architecture and the town's small parks over |
| children.Tucked along the north shore of | | | | quiet oases of peace and tranquillity.For art |
| beautiful Lake Windermere and watched over by | | | | lover Invermere is a beehive of activity. |
| the dramatic Mt. Nelson, the town of | | | | The recently renovated Pynelogs Cultural |
| Invermere has everything a traveler requires. | | | | Center displays the work of the vibrant arts |
| It is the economic hub of the valley | | | | community, as does the wonderful Village Arts |
| community, offering a wide variety of retail | | | | store right on the main street. In addition |
| stores, professional services, restaurants | | | | there are several small private |
| and cafes of all variety, accommodations and | | | | galleries.Invermere is a great place to base |
| more.Originally called Copper City when it | | | | yourself if you are planning to hit the many |
| came into existence in 1890, its name was | | | | golf courses in the area, such as nearby |
| changed to Canterbury in 1900 and nine years | | | | Eagle Ranch or Copper Point, located at the |
| later to Invermere when it was under the | | | | entranceway to town. Besides watersports on |
| control of the Columbia Valley Irrigated | | | | Lake Windermere, hikers can enjoy exploring |
| Fruitlands. Historically mining, agriculture | | | | the backcountry, including the many drainages |
| and lumber were the major industries in the | | | | spilling down into the Columbia Valley from |
| area, but the valley's breathtaking beauty | | | | the Rockies and the Purcells.Just six |
| and favorable mild climate have made it a | | | | kilometers northwest of Invermere is a quiet |
| world-renowned destination. As a result, the | | | | and charming village called Wilmer. It was |
| tourism and real-estate industries are now | | | | originally the valley's first community, |
| flourishing in Invermere and throughout the | | | | settled in 1896 with a handful of residents. |
| Valley.With two beautiful beaches, the town | | | | In three years it grown to 100, mostly miners |
| offers the most public access to Lake | | | | from the nearby Paradise Mine. Nowadays, |
| Windermere. All the recreational activities | | | | Wilmer is home to the beautiful Delphine |
| one can think of in a mountain resort town | | | | Lodge, the last remaining hotel from the |
| are available in Invermere, along with rental | | | | valley's heyday. It is now a country style |
| and specialty shops geared to the outdoor | | | | bed and breakfast.More information about |
| enthusiast.North of the town is one of the | | | | Invermere and environs can be found in the |
| finest examples of a wetlands ecosystem in | | | | local weekly, The Valley Echo, or on the |
| the world. The Upper Columbia River Wetlands | | | | town's website at If you have the |
| are internationally recognized and are the | | | | opportunity to visit the Columbia Valley |
| stage of a special annual event, the Wings | | | | area, be sure to investigate the many charms |
| Over the Rockies Bird Festival. It is held | | | | of Invermere. |
| from the beginning of May each year and it's | | | | |