Sicamous

Time to try a different sort of vacation perhaps? How about renting a houseboat? Sicamous is known as the ‘Houseboat Capital of Canada’. Located in the Shuswap area, between Mara Lake and Shuswap Lake some 200 houseboats are rented out annually. Slowly navigate the quiet waters of these lakes and enjoy the scenery and relaxed atmosphere that this region offers. There are also many other activities and areas to explore. Golfing, fishing and hiking are popular and you can try some fabulous locally-made icecream from the farm store at the “D” Dutchmen Dairy. And the kids will love the animals too. In the winter cross-country skiing is a popular pastime.

The beautiful community of Malakwa is just 19 km (12 mi) northeast along the Trans Canada Highway, and well worth the trip.

Location

Located in BC’s Thompson Okanagan region 30 km (19 mi) east of Salmon Arm and 73 km (45 mi) west of Revelstoke on Hwy 1 and 77 km (48 mi) north of Vernon on Hwy 97A.

A Step Back in Time

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

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