The community of Invermere on the Lake sits on the north shore of Lake Windermere, enjoying outstanding scenic views. With the villages of Wilmer and Radium to the north and Fairmont Hot Springs to the south, Invermere enjoys a central valley location, with easy access to a wide range of recreation. The lake (actually a widening of the mighty Columbia River) connects Invermere to the community of Windermere, on the eastern shore.
Invermere is both a popular visitor destination and a thriving business centre. The vibrant community of 3,200 residents swells during the summer months, when seasonal home owners flock to the area to take advantage of the fresh air, crystal clear waters, rugged mountain peaks and endless opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors.
The pretty downtown district in Invermere is a hub of activity. The relaxed atmosphere allows visitors to soak up the delights of Invermere's galleries, boutiques, cafés, fine restaurants, gift and specialty shops, department, discount and grocery stores, pharmacies, bookstores, deli and bakery. The Saturday morning farmers' market is an Invermere summer staple, drawing crowds with its local arts and crafts, fresh foods, preserves, baked goods and street entertainers.
The work of talented local artists is on display at the amazing artists’ co-op called Village Arts. Nearby are two privately owned galleries, Artym and Effusion, which showcase works by local, national and international artists. No visit to Invermere is complete without a stop at Pynelogs Cultural Centre (at Kinsmen Beach), home to the Columbia Valley Arts Council, a gift shop, a café, public art gallery and a range of musical and other performances.
The industrial park on Invermere’s northern border is home to a popular antiques store and a variety of services including auto and boat care, pet supplies, recycling and printing. Invermere has two hardware stores, one en route to the industrial park and the other at the entrance to town.
Every January, Invermere hosts Canada’s only outdoor Bonspiel-on-the-Lake. The Summerlude Festival in July — which includes Valley Appreciation Day, Bull Riding in the Rockies and the Lake Windermere Regatta — is not to be missed. Canada Day (July 1st) is celebrated locally in grand style, with fireworks and outdoor fun for the whole family. The annual Lakeside Event, where dozens of paragliders and hang-gliders soar from Mount Swansea to splash-land in the lake is a must-see.
Lake Windermere has two public beaches: Kinsmen Beach, just south of downtown, and James Chabot Provincial Park, on the north lake shore. Golfers can choose from 16 outstanding courses situated within 45 minutes of the town. Panorama Mountain Village, just 30 minutes west, has some great downhill skiing.
Overnight accommodations are available downtown at the Best Western Hotel Invermere Inn and Mountain View Lodge, and nightly condo rentals from High Country Properties and Lake Windermere Pointe. Nearby Panorama Mountain Village offers full-service resort accommodations with conference facilities nearby. There are also a range of private rentals (short and long-term) and bed and breakfast operations throughout the district.
The Visitor Centre, at the crossroads of Athalmer and Highway 93/95, and the Map Book are your best sources of information on places to stay and play.
For more information, visit www.invermere.net.
Despite humble beginnings as a small settlement, Invermere gained the grandiose name of Copper City in 1890. Ten years later this would change to Canterbury, after the well-known cathedral city in England. The town’s identity crisis would be solved in 1909 when the name Invermere — Gaelic for “at the mouth of the lake” — was adopted. The town officially became a municipality in 1951.
Invermere’s history is well documented at the Windermere Valley Museum. There are displays on key local figures such as David Thompson and Conrad Kain, with carefully preserved documents and photographs. Among the museum’s treasured artifacts are a dug-out Shuswap canoe, a blunderbuss gun dating back to the early fur traders, and a copy of David Thompson’s journal, of which only 500 copies were made.
Designed by Shawn Wernig © 2011 Columbia Valley Pioneer • www.columbiavalleypioneer.com