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