Radium Hot Springs BC is located in the Columbia Valley and is best known for the Hot Springs Mineral Pool; a natural mineral-rich hot spring that’s like a gigantic hot tub surrounded by the Rocky Mountains… What’s not to like?
Kara Cassidy of Tourism Radium Hot Springs issued the invitation; ”Come up and visit us. We’ve got great accommodations, great places to eat…It’s a great area from Radium all the way down to Fairmont.”
Courtney Allen, past Marketing Director for Tourism Radium, “Radium Hot Springs has more accommodations than people living in the actual area, so we’re ready for you.”
We spoke to Scott Barsby, owner of Toby Creek Adventures to find out about the sledding opportunities around Radium Hot Springs. Just fifteen minutes west of town is the trailhead leading to Foresters Creek. From there a groomed trail leads to an alpine base that provides everything from family trail riding to alpine lakes and glaciers for advanced sledders. Paradise Mine is another riding area in the vicinity of Radium Hot Springs. It’s the home base of (and is managed by) Toby Creek Adventures and ascends to a height of 8,000 feet for some of that unbeatable BC powder play.
There are also three unmanaged riding areas nearby leading to alpine bowls that will challenge the advanced rider. And to cap it off, the Hot Springs will be there to help you unwind when your day of riding is done.
Scott describes the Catamount Glacier (about 40 kilometres total from Radium Hot Springs); “It’s white gold, endless powder… you’re awestruck. You’re looking at intermediate to advanced riding. We get about 40 feet annual snowfall up here”
According to Courtney, “You get to go up to this amazing area that has not been available to legalized motorized use for about a decade or so. It’s pretty exciting as far as epic mountain sledding goes. It’s fairly advanced, so if you’re going to be a newbie up there you have to make sure you’re going with a proper guide.” She describes the riding as “life changing” for advanced sledders.
Scott also emphasizes that you have to know where you are at all times. There are pamphlets available and signs posted at the base of the climb to inform riders of the route up. “It is your responsibility to know where you are at all times.”
Keep in mind that if you’re travelling from another part of the country to enjoy this riding experience, you can come fully equipped or just bring your luggage and be fully outfitted on location. There are lots of other local activities if you have a non-sledder in the group.
Local Resident Grigg Swayze summed it up; “The whole area is just awesome. Radium Hot Springs with the hot pools, access down to the lakes; Lake Windermere all the way up to the Fairmont area. Invermere right in the middle. Can’t say enough about it- it’s a beautiful valley… one of the reasons I built a house and moved here.”
LINKS: www.radiumhotsprings.com will link you to the trail map, Forest Service road information, accommodation and dining. www.tobycreekadventures.com for a range of touring options in the Radium Hot Springs area.