Fairmont BC, suggesstions

[aaronck]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

That Whiteswan lake? Went camping, hiking and biking there once. Floated around on an air mattress. It was great.

Yup, totally the highlight of the summer, was gorgeous up there

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by Minnie

We were there last month and they have signs up all over at the public beaches, regarding swimmer's itch.

Really? We're going next week (first time)... should little kids (5 and under) steer clear of the shoreline then?

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

Really? We're going next week (first time)... should little kids (5 and under) steer clear of the shoreline then?

I'm no expert but I think as long as you hose them off after it's usually okay?

[Mass_nerder]

Take her for dinner at the Birchwood in Inveremere.
Took my girlfriend their last summer and really enjoyed it

[Minnie]

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

I'm no expert but I think as long as you hose them off after it's usually okay?

They just recommend rinsing off really well afterward. We puddled in the shallows, since we didn't have suits with us, and didn't rinse off after and were fine, however, we were only up to our calves and only for a few minutes - but they are warning about it and I imagine the longer you're immersed, the more the chance of having issues with SI.

Safta's in Invermere has great food too. It's where the old Angus McToogles was located. Rocky River Bar & Grill in Invermere has great breakfasts. If you decide to drive up to Panorama, there are a ton of great MTB trails in that area. Lillian Lake on the way up is a great little lake to stop for a swim - no motorized boats allowed on the lake, AFAIK, and we usually see people kayaking/SUP'ing/canoeing there, when we stop in.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Minnie

They just recommend rinsing off really well afterward. We puddled in the shallows, since we didn't have suits with us, and didn't rinse off after and were fine, however, we were only up to our calves and only for a few minutes - but they are warning about it and I imagine the longer you're immersed, the more the chance of having issues with SI.

Safta's in Invermere has great food too. It's where the old Angus McToogles was located. Rocky River Bar & Grill in Invermere has great breakfasts. If you decide to drive up to Panorama, there are a ton of great MTB trails in that area. Lillian Lake on the way up is a great little lake to stop for a swim - no motorized boats allowed on the lake, AFAIK, and we usually see people kayaking/SUP'ing/canoeing there, when we stop in.

Do they have showers at the public beach?

[undercoverbrother]

To those that made suggestions thank you:

White Swan lake was.....WOW!

We hit up From Scratch for breakfast, awesome.

Did the Hoodoo hike, pretty easy, but cool destination.

Also drove down to Kimberly to hit up one of the best burgers ever from Our Place.

FYI, swimmer itch signs are still up, so we didn't hit Windermere Beach.

[cral12]

a 9 yr bump lol
***
Have noticed some wildfires emerging in around Invermere area lasr week or so (including an evacuation of Nipika Mountain resort) - web cams and reports seem to show decent enough air quality.

Anyone out that way recently with first hand reports?

Also haven't been in this area for a few years, so any updated recommendations appreciated.

Merci.

[Lil Pedro]

Was up there at the end of July....was a little smokey but air quality wasn't bad. Honestly the biggest complaint my family had was the mosquitos, they were relentless

[Mazrim]

Originally Posted by cral12

a 9 yr bump lol
***
Have noticed some wildfires emerging in around Invermere area lasr week or so (including an evacuation of Nipika Mountain resort) - web cams and reports seem to show decent enough air quality.

Anyone out that way recently with first hand reports?

Also haven't been in this area for a few years, so any updated recommendations appreciated.

Merci.

My parents were just out at Radium and the smoke wasn't bad at all. They have it worse now in the Arrow Lakes area.

Mt. Swansea is still a great viewpoint to visit, but the road is only getting worse. When I went up there in 2022 I felt bad for anyone not driving a 4x4 truck.

[Swayze11]

Originally Posted by Lil Pedro

Was up there at the end of July....was a little smokey but air quality wasn't bad. Honestly the biggest complaint my family had was the mosquitos, they were relentless

I was there a few times this summer and I agree, the air quality was manageable but mosquitos were insane

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by cral12

a 9 yr bump lol
***
Have noticed some wildfires emerging in around Invermere area lasr week or so (including an evacuation of Nipika Mountain resort) - web cams and reports seem to show decent enough air quality.

Anyone out that way recently with first hand reports?

Also haven't been in this area for a few years, so any updated recommendations appreciated.

Merci.

I have a place in Radium - it was always OK and is better now. And a few places that were closed, like Lussier Hot Springs, are open.

I always recommend HorseThief Pub in Radium. Arrowhead Brewery, Taynton Bay Distillery are nice. The Sushi place in Invermere is very good (same chef as in Panorama if you go there).

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by IliketoPuck

If the weather is nice (28+ degrees), my suggestion is to buy a couple cheap inflatable rafts and float down the columbia river. The float starts just up the road from Fairmont and takes a couple hours meandering through the golfcourse. It is one of the most enjoyable things I can think of to do up there when the weather is nice. Load up on some beer and snacks and you're set.

You could also go for a glide at the airport, hike Mt. Swansea, go up to Panorama for the day, etc.

Also, don't forget to make a stop at the Whitehouse in Windermere on a Saturday night. It is a unique experience.

RIP Ted Alexander on the synth.

[IamNotKenKing]

Originally Posted by cral12

a 9 yr bump lol
***
Have noticed some wildfires emerging in around Invermere area lasr week or so (including an evacuation of Nipika Mountain resort) - web cams and reports seem to show decent enough air quality.

Anyone out that way recently with first hand reports?

Also haven't been in this area for a few years, so any updated recommendations appreciated.

Merci.

I left Windermere yesterday after being there for the weekend and it was fine. No smoke concerns.

[Zary's-Mustache]

Originally Posted by cral12

a 9 yr bump lol
***
Have noticed some wildfires emerging in around Invermere area lasr week or so (including an evacuation of Nipika Mountain resort) - web cams and reports seem to show decent enough air quality.

Anyone out that way recently with first hand reports?

Also haven't been in this area for a few years, so any updated recommendations appreciated.

Merci.

Was in fairmont last weekend and there was a small forest fire on highway 93 but there were 3 helicopters fighting it while we were passing by and didn't seem to get out of control.

It was smoky but not that bad when we were there. You hardly noticed it. Definitely wouldn't change my plans because of it.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by IliketoPuck

If the weather is nice (28+ degrees), my suggestion is to buy a couple cheap inflatable rafts and float down the columbia river. The float starts just up the road from Fairmont and takes a couple hours meandering through the golfcourse. It is one of the most enjoyable things I can think of to do up there when the weather is nice. Load up on some beer and snacks and you're set.

We do this every time we are out that way and love it.

This year we hired a boat/driver from Naiti Watersports for a couple of hours. Super fun for the kids to go tubing, etc. It was great to just show up and have someone else deal with everything.

[sevenarms]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

RIP Ted Alexander on the synth.

He died?? That guy was a beaut.