Sicamous

History

Sicamous was unofficially formed in 1885, and prospered during the years following the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railways in the late 1880s, as it was a key point on the trans-continental mainline, as well as an important paddle wheeler connection to the rail lines and paddle wheelers of the Okanagan and Kootenays.

Sicamous was incorporated in December 1989, becoming the 148th municipality of British Columbia, and is also the home of Mr. Moose Mouse. The name Sicamous derives from the Shuswap First Nations term for Narrow. First Nations pictographs can be seen on the shores of Mara and Shuswap Lakes.

Places to See

Known as the 'Houseboat Capital of Canada', Sicamous is located on the northern end of the Okanagan Valley, between Mara Lake and Shuswap Lake. The city is approximately halfway between Calgary and Vancouver at the junction of the Trans-Canada Highway and Highway 97A.

Places to See

• Eagle Valley Museum & Heritage Society
  
  Open from late June to late August, the Eagle Valley Musuem features exhibits of native, railway, and settlers history and artifacts.
  
  
• "D" Dutchmen Dairy
  
  "D" Dutchmen Dairy was founded in Sicamous, British Columbia, Canada in 1978 by Chris and Nellie Dewitt and their family. The Dairy continues to be wholly-owned and operated by the family and provides employments for 20 non-family members.
  
  Visiting "D" Dutchmen Dairy at the farm store has become a tradition for thousands of families traveling through Sicamous. Not just for the fabulous ice-cream, but for the chance to visit with the animals at the farm adjacent to the dairy, and with the animals in the mini-zoo.
  
  
• Shuswap Lake Marine Provincial Park
  
  Shuswap Marine is comprised of 26 sites located around the perimeter of Shuswap Lake. All locations are popular for fishing and water sports; hiking and nature study are popular at some sites. Some sites are road accessible, but most are water-access only. Facilities at the sites vary from nothing to 3 or 4 wilderness tenting sites with a pit toilet. Anglers take note: Shuswap Lake contains 19 species of fish!
  
  Shuswap Lake is shaped like an addled H, and is made up of four large arms: the Shuswap Lake Main Arm, Seymour Arm, Anstey Arm, and Salmon Arm. The product of the glacial scouring that also rounded the surrounding Shuswap Highlands, all four arms converge at Cinnemousun Narrows, northeast of Sicamous.
  
  
• Silver Beach Provincial Park
  
  Silver Beach Provincial Park is located on the north end of Seymour Arm of Shuswap Lake, on the site of an historical gold rush town called Ogden City (now called Seymour Arm). The campground has sites located next to the beautiful sandy beach of the Seymour River estuary. The park provides destination camping for people arriving by boat, by vehicle (Forest Service road from Anglemont), or by ferry (from Sicamous).
  
  Silver Beach provides the ideal summer holiday for those whose interests are swimming, house-boating, scuba-diving, fishing, water-skiing or just soaking up the sun.
  
  
• Larch Hills Cross-Country Area
  
  The Larch Hills cross-country ski area, 20 kilometres from Salmon Arm, is home to some of BC's finest ski trails. With 125 kilometres of trails, about 43 kilometres of which are track set, there is no shortage of variety for the cross-country ski enthusiast - classic, skating, and backcountry/unset.
  
  The Larch Hills Nordic Society maintains a chalet next to the parking lot, Cec's Cabin about 6K up Larch Hills Road, and Tom's Shelter about 4K up Woodlot Ramble. It also maintains all the tracksetting equipment, including a Pisten Bully 200 and safety toboggans. There are no trail fees but donations are encouraged to help with these expenses.

Things to Do

• Lake Tours
  
  Cruise beautiful Shuswap Lake aboard the Phoebe Ann, which can hold 40 passengers (and canoes or kayaks). Take a tour to the Cinnemousun Narrows, one of the more popular cruises. Many of the sights can only be seen from the water, like the Indian pictographs, estimated to be hundreds of years old. The Phoebe Ann stops at numerous lakeside locations year-round, except when ice makes travel impossible.
  
  
• Golf
  
  Try out your beluga swing at the Eagle River Golf & Country Club, a local nine hole course located near the Eagle River. Regardless of your golfing ability, Hyde Mountain on Mara Lake Golf Course will take your breath away with its dramatic elevation changes, phenomenal lake views, and cliffside golf shots.
  
  
• Water Sports
  
  Rent a canoe, ski boat, pedal boats, water skis, & water toys from the many rental companies in the community.
  
  
• Fishing
  
  Shuswap Lake contains 19 species of fish. Hire a fishing charter and try to catch the 'Big One'.
  
  
• Hiking
  
  Slow it down a bit and enjoy the sights of the alpine and sub-alpine areas of the North Shuswap/Monashee range.

Events

• Children's Variety Fun Day
  
  Held annually at Centenoka Park in Salmon Arm, Fun Day is a fundraiser for Variety - the Children's charity. The public is invited to come, bring the kids, have lots of fun, and donate to the cause.
  
  
• Shuswap International Film Festival
  
  A renowned long-running festival in a unique theatre. Held every year at the Salmar Classic Theatre in Salmon Arm.
  
  
• Canada Day Celebrations
  
  Held across the Shuswap region, this event features parades, pancake breakfasts, children's activities, music, entertainment, games, races, loggers show, crafts, beer gardens, Strawberry Socials, concessions, and fireworks.

Contact Information

Sicamous & District Chamber of Commerce

PO Box 346
Sicamous, BC
V0E 2V0

Telephone: (250) 836-3313
Fax: (250) 836-4368
Website: www.sicamouschamber.bc.ca