Fairmont Hot Springs

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History

The recorded history of Fairmont Hot Springs begins in the early 1800's, when explorers discovered the 'land of smoking waters', where the warm springs were soothing, and where there was a lack of sulphur and its distinctive smell (common to many hot springs).

The first homesteader in the Fairmont Hot Springs area was George Geary, an Englishman, who came to the area in 1887 and homesteaded a vast tract of land that included the hot springs. However, he was a pioneer, and soon yearned to travel. In 1888 he turned his holdings over to Sam Brewer, who came to Canada from the United States. Geary's home still stands at the south end of the Mountainside Golf Course.

Sam Brewer operated a stopping place for stagecoachs running through the valley. His house still stands at the entrance to the Resort, and today is the family home of one of Lloyd Wilder's sons.

The name Fairmont Hot Springs was given to the area by Mrs. John Galbraith, wife of a ferry operator, at Galbraith's Landing near Fort Steele. Fort Steele, north of Cranbrook, was once a North West Mounted Police fort. It has now been reconstructed and restored, and is well worth visiting.

In the early 1900's, W. Heap Holland, a manufacturer from Manchester, England, came to the area. Intrigued by the flowing hot waters, he purchased the property from Sam Brewer and operated it as a ranch and resort. Upon his death, his son took over as absentee owner with a manager in residence.

In 1957, brothers Earl and Lloyd Wilder, moved from Saskatchewan, and purchased the Fairmont Hot Springs property with a group of investors.

In 1965, Lloyd purchased Earl's share to become the sole owner. He immediately began major expansion which resulted in the transformation of the area into the internationally recognized destination resort you see today. This transformation has taken over 40 years, and has been achieved with the loyalty and dedication of a very committed group of employees.

More that 800 home sites have been developed at Fairmont to meet the demand for retirement and vacation homes, and more recently, for full-time residential homes as families seek the peace, safety and quality of life that Fairmont offers. Future development will be done with an on-going commitment to preserve the natural beauty and unique environment of the area.

Location

Fairmont Hot Springs is located on Highway 93/95 at the northern end of Columbia Lake in the Kootenay River Valley, between Canal Flats and Invermere, 130 km (81 mi) north of Cranbrook.

Places to See

• Fairmont Hot Springs

Fairmont Hot Springs Resort is a world class, four season resort located on the eastern side of the valley, just north of the limestone hoodoos at the end of Columbia Lake. The resort features mineral hot springs pools, hiking, biking, golfing, skiing and much more.  

Things to Do

• Golfing

Fairmont Hot Springs features three championship golf courses: Riverside Golf Resort, Mountainside Golf Course, and Creekside Golf Course. 

The beautiful, award-winning Riverside Golf Course allows you to challenge the mighty Columbia River, which you cross twice on the signature No. 5 hole. 

Mountainside Golf Course is an unparalleled golfing experience. With a backdrop of the majestic Canadian Rockies that challenges you to focus on the ball instead of the view, Mountainside's 18 fairways wind through mature pine and spruce trees and provide a fantastic view of the Columbia Valley.

Creekside Golf Course offers 9 holes of Par 3 challenge, featuring ponds, cascading creeks, and unique fairways. Creekside is perfect for all levels and is great for working on those mid-irons and around the green.

• Skiing

Excellent downhill skiing and snowboarding can be found on the Fairmont ski hills near the Hot Springs Resort. Twenty kilometres (12 mi) of groomed trails are available for cross-country skiing, and night skiing is available on four nights a week.

• Heli-Sightseeing

Non-skiers and adventure buffs can take an exciting 20-minute Heli-Sightseeing tour that will thrill all ages. Fly to Goat Ridge to view the Delphine Glacier, site of Walt Disney's Alive movie, past precipitous rock faces and tumbling icefalls. Disembark and take in the breathtaking scenery.

• Kayaking

Go on a 3 to 5 day paddle down the Columbia River and marvel at the beautiful scenery and abundant wildlife.

• Windsurfing

Nearby at Canal Flats Provincial Park, windsurfers can breeze along on Columbia Lake, getting a head start on the same waters that eventually flow through the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon, one of the preeminent windsurfing spots on the continent.

• Fishing

Whiteswan Lake Provincial Park contains abundant fish populations in Whiteswan Lake and Alces Lake. Both lakes have been stocked by rainbow trout since 1961, with annual releases of about 30,000 fingerlings. Boat ramps are located at Whiteswan Lake, and car-top boats can be launched at the Alces Lake campground.

Nearby Communities

Contact Information

Fairmont Hot Springs Resort
5225 Fairmont Resort Road
Fairmont Hot Springs, BC V0B 1L1
Tel: (250) 345-6311
Fax: (250) 345-6616
Toll Free: (800) 663-4979
Email: info@fairmonthotsprings.com
Website: www.fairmonthotsprings.com