Valemount

Valemount is on the steps of magnificent Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. Many trails offer a variety of options for hiking, horseback riding and more. If you enjoy wildlife viewing then the Robert W. Starratt Wildlife Sanctuary is one of Canada’s finest birding locations. Located along the path of a major migration route, it’s visited by more than 140 bird species a year. If you want a water adventure embark on an exciting half-day whitewater rafting trip on the Thompson River, the longest and most historic river in British Columbia. Golfing, fishing, canoeing and skiing in the winter are among the activities on offer in the Valemount area.

Valemount | Thompson Okanagan/Kelly Funk

Location

Located in the Wells Gray to Mt. Robson area of BC’s Thompson Okanagan on Hwy 16/Hwy 5, 294 km (183 mi) east of Prince George and 322 km (200 mi) north of Kamloops.

A Step Back in Time

The history of Valemount dates back to the arrival of the first European fur traders David Thompson and Pierre Hatsination around 1805. The Overlanders passed through the area in 1862, en route from Ontario to the Cariboo Goldfields. The Great Northern and Grand Trunk Railroads came into the area about 1910, with railroad activities centred around Tete Jaune Cache, 25 kilometres to the north. Valemount became a railway station in 1928 and expanded gradually until the 1960s with the development of improved highways. The economy of Valemount today is based on forestry, ranching, and a very strong tourism industry.