We explore the peaceful trail along Sinclair Creek or we head down into Sinclair Canyon for a hike before we head to the hot springs to warm up and relax.
 |
| Active Family Guide to Winter in Radium Hot Springs |
From Calgary (where we live) it is a 3 hour drive to the Village of Radium Hot Springs and the gateway to the Columbia Valley. The drive is very doable for a 2-day weekend and many local families head out after work on Friday. You can spend all day Saturday and most of Sunday exploring before you have to head home Sunday afternoon. (And sometimes if we leave late on Sunday, we'll just stop in Canmore for dinner on our way home.)
 |
| Take a walk around the Springs Golf Course in the village and you'll see lots of bighorn sheep |
We spend many winter weekends in Radium Hot Springs and we still have trails we haven't explored or hikes we'd like to check out. My top ten list below is just the beginning of places you can (and should) visit next time you visit Radium Hot Springs with your family in the winter season.
This story has been updated for the 2023-24 season.
We love walking around the Springs Golf Course in winter searching for the herd of bighorn sheep that makes Radium their home. Walk around the course, and you'll almost always find large numbers of sheep hanging out in the morning or late afternoon.
We also love the views over the Columbia River wetlands that you can enjoy as you walk around the golf course in the winter months when it's closed for the season. We particularly like the views from the back nine where you can look down on the river from the escarpment beside the 18th hole.
Note you can usually just walk around the golf course in winter, but if there's enough snow, you could also snowshoe or cross-country ski.
If you don't find enough wildlife on the golf course, I recommend walking around the quiet village streets where you're almost guaranteed to find at least a couple of deer munching on the plants in somebody's front yard.
If you're lucky, you'll also find the flock of wild turkeys that roams the neighborhood near Legend's Field behind the main street in town. In the large park you'll also find the new library, a sledding hill, a brand new hockey rink, and a really nice playground.
And while you're out, I recommend stopping in at the Bighorn Cafe on the main street. Personal menu favourites include their breakfast burritos and their cinnamon buns. Most importantly, they serve good strong coffee.
The Sinclair Creek Trail is another good walk for those wanting to find the local wildlife. We often see deer when we're exploring along Sinclair Creek in the winter.
The easiest way to access this trail is from the official parking lot off Forsters Landing Road where you turn into the Canfor Sawmill (a fun adventure in and of itself for the kids as you drive through the middle of the mill.)
The trail is relatively flat and offers very easy walking. There are a couple of pretty little bridges and the creek is fun to explore year round. From the parking lot you can either follow the official trail or you can head left and ramble off trail through the wetlands. We tried this for the first time on our last visit and it was very pretty.
Note that the trail is usually well packed down and you shouldn't need snowshoes or anything. You might need ice cleats though if it hasn't snowed recently.
This trail officially puts you into the category of "winter hiking" and I wouldn't recommend it with exceptionally young children. You'll also want ice cleats or spikes (especially if dropping down from the highway.)
There are two main ways to access the canyon and the first one is by far the easiest (and best for small children.)
Access one: Drive down into the Canyon RV Resort (the road is open in winter) and park beside the entrance to the "Creekside in the Canyon" property. Hike through the streets of Creekside, until you reach the trailhead for the Sinclair Canyon trail which follows Sinclair Creek.
And in case you're confused, yes, this is the same creek I wrote about above, but there is no tunnel under highway 95 so you can not access the canyon from the Sinclair Creek parking lot in the sawmill.
If you access the Sinclair Canyon Trail from the RV Resort you'll enjoy a pleasant walk on a relatively flat trail through a beautiful forest. (Tell the kids they're searching for elves or fairies and they'll definitely believe you.) The hike is less than a kilometre one way until you reach the end of the trail at a large waterfall.
Access two: Take highway 93 up the hill towards the hot springs and park along the side of the highway at a viewpoint where you'll see a sign for the trail heading down into the canyon. The parking lot is just past the west gate and is on your left hand side as you leave Radium.
From here, you can expect a very steep descent down into the canyon which I don't recommend with young children in winter. The trail is very slippery so you'll need ice cleats or spikes for sure.
Once you reach the bottom you can hike left towards the RV resort or go right to see the waterfall. If you cross the bridge you'll be on the Juniper Trail which climbs to the hot springs pools. Unless you want to follow the Juniper Trail, return the same way you came by climbing back up to the highway.
Extension for a more challenging hike: From the bottom of the canyon, cross the bridge and start climbing up the Juniper trail which gains 260 metres of height. The trail is 3.2 km long, one way, including the descent down from the highway.
The trail switchbacks steeply to a couple of beautiful viewpoints over the canyon and the highway before it drops back down to the hot springs pools.
I recommend returning to your initial parking lot on the Redstreak Campground Trail (3.2 km in length) which starts behind the hot springs pools.
Follow this link for more information and trail descriptions for the Sinclair Canyon and Juniper Trails on the Parks Canada website.
There is also a great trail map that you can download at the bottom of the Parks Canada page.
Using the map above you can see several trails that start from the Redstreak Campground. You can't drive all the way up to the campground in winter but you can get as far as the Valley View lookout. Park there and continue on foot. (Fortunately, most of the height gained on the climb up to the campground is before this viewpoint, and is done with your car.)
Trail options from Redstreak:
If you've fully explored Radium Hot Springs or your feet are getting tired from walking all over the village, grab your skates, jump in your car and head to the Community of Invermere, located beside Lake Windermere, and only a short 15 minute drive away.
Most families will park at Kinsman Beach in Invermere to access the Lake Windermere Whiteway and you can easily skate to the Community of Windermere approximately 6 km down the lake. When the skating trail on the west side of the lake is open, you can complete a 12 km loop between the two communities.
My family personally likes to access the Whiteway from the public beach in Windermere so that we can skate to Invermere for lunch. We bring our boots with us in a backpack so we can walk across the road from Kinsman Beach to reach the Station Pub, a great family-friendly restaurant.
Day use fees are requested, $5 per person, to use the Whiteway, and can be paid at either of the trail kiosks in Invermere or Windermere.
Also in the area:
If you drive up the road towards Panorama Mountain Resort, you'll also be able to access the Lake Lillian Whiteway, located just 10 minutes outside of Invermere. This small lake has a 3 km ski loop, set for classic or skate skiing.
This is one of the best places in the Columbia Valley for an easy family cross-country ski outing (and because you're on a lake, the trail is 100% flat and beginner-friendly.)
We absolutely LOVE Panorama Mountain Resort and we visit the resort at least 2-3 times every winter to either go downhill skiing or to explore the Nordic trails on our cross-country skis.
The resort is located a short 20 minutes from Invermere and is an easy day trip from Radium Hot Springs.
You can read all about the resort in my previous stories:
Read: Find it ALL at Panorama Mountain Resort
Read: Family Guide to Panorama Mountain Resort
Read: Panorama Mountain Resort - (much more than downhill skiing)
The resort is only 30 minutes south from Radium. We love the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort pools and kids will have fun in the large warm swimming pool. The hot soaking pool and the swimming pool are also side by side so you can watch your competent swimmers from the hot pool.
If you enjoy downhill skiing, you'll also find a great family-friendly ski hill here that is very affordable. The hot pools are often included with lift passes as well (inquire with the resort on this one.)
Read more about our winter adventures at Fairmont Hot Springs here:
Read: 5 Reasons you Need to Visit Fairmont Hot Springs Resort with your Family
We love being able to walk all around town from this resort looking for wildlife, accessing the trails, and exploring the quiet village. Walk around the closed golf course looking for bighorn sheep, walk downtown to access coffee shops or restaurants, or take the kids over to the playground and sledding hill - all without having to hop in a car.
In winter there's a small outdoor hot tub, and in the summer, there's also an outdoor swimming pool.
We love staying in the vacation homes here for the privacy that they afford in your own individual house. They are also very comfortable if you want to go away with friends or extended family for a weekend. We've stayed here with friends and we had plenty of room in our house.
Disclaimer: We have received hosted stays at both the Bighorn Meadows Resort and at the RidgeView Resort. As always, all words and opinions are my own.
All photos used in this story are my own (unless otherwise credited.)
We have personally enjoyed all of the activities mentioned in this story and I have written from my own personal experience.
Active Family Guide to Winter in Radium Hot Springs
1. Visit the Radium Hot Springs Pools
We absolutely love visiting the Radium Hot Springs mineral pools where you can enjoy both a large hot soaking pool along with a separate heated swimming pool, open year round (complete with slide and diving board in the summer months.)
Note as of fall 2023, the cold swimming pool is closed for repairs.
 |
| The Radium Hot Springs hot soaking pool is magical in winter (credit: Tourism Radium Hot Springs) |
2. Search for Bighorn Sheep on the Springs Golf Course
We love walking around the Springs Golf Course in winter searching for the herd of bighorn sheep that makes Radium their home. Walk around the course, and you'll almost always find large numbers of sheep hanging out in the morning or late afternoon.
 |
| Bighorn sheep relaxing on the Springs Golf course late afternoon |
We also love the views over the Columbia River wetlands that you can enjoy as you walk around the golf course in the winter months when it's closed for the season. We particularly like the views from the back nine where you can look down on the river from the escarpment beside the 18th hole.
Note you can usually just walk around the golf course in winter, but if there's enough snow, you could also snowshoe or cross-country ski.
 |
| Looking down over the Columbia River from the Springs Golf Course |
3. Walk around the Village Looking for Local Wildlife
If you don't find enough wildlife on the golf course, I recommend walking around the quiet village streets where you're almost guaranteed to find at least a couple of deer munching on the plants in somebody's front yard.
 |
| Wild turkeys hanging out on the main street in Radium Hot Springs |
If you're lucky, you'll also find the flock of wild turkeys that roams the neighborhood near Legend's Field behind the main street in town. In the large park you'll also find the new library, a sledding hill, a brand new hockey rink, and a really nice playground.
 |
| You don't usually have to go far to find a herd of sheep in Radium (often right on the main highway through town) |
And while you're out, I recommend stopping in at the Bighorn Cafe on the main street. Personal menu favourites include their breakfast burritos and their cinnamon buns. Most importantly, they serve good strong coffee.
 |
| Always my second home when I'm in Radium Hot Springs |
4. Take a Walk along Sinclair Creek
The Sinclair Creek Trail is another good walk for those wanting to find the local wildlife. We often see deer when we're exploring along Sinclair Creek in the winter.
 |
| Easy hiking along Sinclair Creek where you'll often see at least a couple of deer |
The easiest way to access this trail is from the official parking lot off Forsters Landing Road where you turn into the Canfor Sawmill (a fun adventure in and of itself for the kids as you drive through the middle of the mill.)
 |
| Sinclair Creek is a fun place to explore year round in Radium Hot Springs |
The trail is relatively flat and offers very easy walking. There are a couple of pretty little bridges and the creek is fun to explore year round. From the parking lot you can either follow the official trail or you can head left and ramble off trail through the wetlands. We tried this for the first time on our last visit and it was very pretty.
Note that the trail is usually well packed down and you shouldn't need snowshoes or anything. You might need ice cleats though if it hasn't snowed recently.
 |
| The wetlands are very pretty to explore if you venture beyond the official trail along Sinclair Creek |
5. Hike Sinclair Canyon
This trail officially puts you into the category of "winter hiking" and I wouldn't recommend it with exceptionally young children. You'll also want ice cleats or spikes (especially if dropping down from the highway.)
There are two main ways to access the canyon and the first one is by far the easiest (and best for small children.)
 |
| Hiking along Sinclair Creek in the bottom of Sinclair Canyon |
Access one: Drive down into the Canyon RV Resort (the road is open in winter) and park beside the entrance to the "Creekside in the Canyon" property. Hike through the streets of Creekside, until you reach the trailhead for the Sinclair Canyon trail which follows Sinclair Creek.
And in case you're confused, yes, this is the same creek I wrote about above, but there is no tunnel under highway 95 so you can not access the canyon from the Sinclair Creek parking lot in the sawmill.
If you access the Sinclair Canyon Trail from the RV Resort you'll enjoy a pleasant walk on a relatively flat trail through a beautiful forest. (Tell the kids they're searching for elves or fairies and they'll definitely believe you.) The hike is less than a kilometre one way until you reach the end of the trail at a large waterfall.
 |
| Sinclair Canyon is a magical place in any season |
Access two: Take highway 93 up the hill towards the hot springs and park along the side of the highway at a viewpoint where you'll see a sign for the trail heading down into the canyon. The parking lot is just past the west gate and is on your left hand side as you leave Radium.
From here, you can expect a very steep descent down into the canyon which I don't recommend with young children in winter. The trail is very slippery so you'll need ice cleats or spikes for sure.
Once you reach the bottom you can hike left towards the RV resort or go right to see the waterfall. If you cross the bridge you'll be on the Juniper Trail which climbs to the hot springs pools. Unless you want to follow the Juniper Trail, return the same way you came by climbing back up to the highway.
 |
| Photo opp on the bridge at the bottom of Sinclair Canyon |
Extension for a more challenging hike: From the bottom of the canyon, cross the bridge and start climbing up the Juniper trail which gains 260 metres of height. The trail is 3.2 km long, one way, including the descent down from the highway.
The trail switchbacks steeply to a couple of beautiful viewpoints over the canyon and the highway before it drops back down to the hot springs pools.
 |
| Hiking along the Juniper Trail from Sinclair Canyon |
I recommend returning to your initial parking lot on the Redstreak Campground Trail (3.2 km in length) which starts behind the hot springs pools.
 |
| Viewpoint at the top of the Juniper Trail |
 |
| HIking through Sinclair Canyon beside the highway |
Follow this link for more information and trail descriptions for the Sinclair Canyon and Juniper Trails on the Parks Canada website.
There is also a great trail map that you can download at the bottom of the Parks Canada page.
 |
| Download a larger copy on the Parks Canada website |
6. Go for a Hike around the Redstreak Campground Trails
Using the map above you can see several trails that start from the Redstreak Campground. You can't drive all the way up to the campground in winter but you can get as far as the Valley View lookout. Park there and continue on foot. (Fortunately, most of the height gained on the climb up to the campground is before this viewpoint, and is done with your car.)
Trail options from Redstreak:
- Valley View Trail - Follow the trail from where you park your car up to the campground entrance.
- Redstreak Restoration Interpretive Trail - This trail starts beside the large campground wood pile. The trail follows a scenic bench that looks over the village. We've often seen sheep on this trail.
- Redstreak Loop Trail - This trail starts in the E loop and climbs to a gorgeous viewpoint over the village. It's a steep trail and you may want ice cleats or spikes if it's icy.
- Redstreak Campground Trail - You can take this trail to the hot springs. It's a pretty forest trail that we've always enjoyed.
 |
| Valley View Lookout at the winter gate before the Redstreak Campground |
7. Take a Day Trip to Invermere to Skate the Whiteway
If you've fully explored Radium Hot Springs or your feet are getting tired from walking all over the village, grab your skates, jump in your car and head to the Community of Invermere, located beside Lake Windermere, and only a short 15 minute drive away.
"In 2014 the Lake Windermere Whiteway was named the world’s longest skating trail by Guinness World Records. At over 30 km in length, this multi-use trail offers ice-skating as well as groomed skate and classic cross-country ski trails." - Toby Creek Nordic Club
 |
| Ice skating on the Lake Windermere Whiteway |
Most families will park at Kinsman Beach in Invermere to access the Lake Windermere Whiteway and you can easily skate to the Community of Windermere approximately 6 km down the lake. When the skating trail on the west side of the lake is open, you can complete a 12 km loop between the two communities.
My family personally likes to access the Whiteway from the public beach in Windermere so that we can skate to Invermere for lunch. We bring our boots with us in a backpack so we can walk across the road from Kinsman Beach to reach the Station Pub, a great family-friendly restaurant.
Day use fees are requested, $5 per person, to use the Whiteway, and can be paid at either of the trail kiosks in Invermere or Windermere.
 |
| One of our favourite ways to spend a day in the Columbia Valley! |
Also in the area:
If you drive up the road towards Panorama Mountain Resort, you'll also be able to access the Lake Lillian Whiteway, located just 10 minutes outside of Invermere. This small lake has a 3 km ski loop, set for classic or skate skiing.
This is one of the best places in the Columbia Valley for an easy family cross-country ski outing (and because you're on a lake, the trail is 100% flat and beginner-friendly.)
 |
| Learning to ski on the Lake Lillian Whiteway outside Invermere |
8. Take a Day Trip to Panorama Mountain Resort
We absolutely LOVE Panorama Mountain Resort and we visit the resort at least 2-3 times every winter to either go downhill skiing or to explore the Nordic trails on our cross-country skis.
The resort is located a short 20 minutes from Invermere and is an easy day trip from Radium Hot Springs.
 |
| Mornings are magical on the slopes of Panorama! |
You can read all about the resort in my previous stories:
Read: Find it ALL at Panorama Mountain Resort
Read: Family Guide to Panorama Mountain Resort
Read: Panorama Mountain Resort - (much more than downhill skiing)
 |
| We love cross-country skiing up to the Hale Hut at Panorama Mountain Resort |
9. Take a Day Trip to Fairmont Hot Springs
The resort is only 30 minutes south from Radium. We love the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort pools and kids will have fun in the large warm swimming pool. The hot soaking pool and the swimming pool are also side by side so you can watch your competent swimmers from the hot pool.
 |
| You can't go wrong with a relaxing day trip to the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort |
If you enjoy downhill skiing, you'll also find a great family-friendly ski hill here that is very affordable. The hot pools are often included with lift passes as well (inquire with the resort on this one.)
Read more about our winter adventures at Fairmont Hot Springs here:
Read: 5 Reasons you Need to Visit Fairmont Hot Springs Resort with your Family
Read: Book a Family Stay and Ski Getaway at Fairmont Hot Springs this Winter
Nipika Mountain Resort is an eco resort set amid a large trail network maintained for cross-country skiing, fat biking, and snowshoeing in the winter months. In summer you can enjoy mountain biking, hiking, and trail running.
The resort is located 40 minutes east of Radium Hot Springs and it's a great place to visit on your drive back to Calgary because you'll take Highway 93 back into Kootenay National Park to access the resort.
Nipika has 50 km of trails groomed and maintained for classic and skate skiing. You'll also find 30 km of trails groomed for fat biking along with other trails designated for winter hiking or snowshoeing.
We enjoy both cross-country skiing and fat biking here and you can rent any equipment that you need including fat bikes. They even have two youth fat bikes (one 20 inch bike and one 24 inch bike.)
The trails are always meticulously cared for and you won't find better grooming in the Columbia Valley.
 |
| Family-friendly ski resort at Fairmont Hot Springs (Credit : Fairmont Hot Springs Resort) |
10. Take a Day Trip to Nipika Mountain Resort
The resort is located 40 minutes east of Radium Hot Springs and it's a great place to visit on your drive back to Calgary because you'll take Highway 93 back into Kootenay National Park to access the resort.
 |
| Skiing over the Natural Bridge at Nipika Mountain Resort |
Nipika has 50 km of trails groomed and maintained for classic and skate skiing. You'll also find 30 km of trails groomed for fat biking along with other trails designated for winter hiking or snowshoeing.
We enjoy both cross-country skiing and fat biking here and you can rent any equipment that you need including fat bikes. They even have two youth fat bikes (one 20 inch bike and one 24 inch bike.)
The trails are always meticulously cared for and you won't find better grooming in the Columbia Valley.
Read more about Cross-country skiing around Radium Hot Springs here:
Read: Plan a Cross-Country Ski Getaway to Radium Hot Springs
We've enjoyed several stays at the Bighorn Meadows Resort, centrally located within walking distance to everything in the village.
Rent a luxurious two or three bedroom townhouse backing onto the Springs Golf Course and you'll be able to watch bighorn sheep right outside your window in the morning. Also enjoy easy access parking outside your door, convenient for unloading the vehicle when you arrive.
The resort also has condo suites (one, two, or three bedroom,) loft suites, or smaller hotel style guest rooms.
Features of townhomes and condos:
 |
| Fat biking at Nipika Mountain Resort |
Where to Stay in Radium Hot Springs - Bighorn Meadows Resort
We've enjoyed several stays at the Bighorn Meadows Resort, centrally located within walking distance to everything in the village.
 |
| One fabulous recommendation for lodging in Radium Hot Springs |
Rent a luxurious two or three bedroom townhouse backing onto the Springs Golf Course and you'll be able to watch bighorn sheep right outside your window in the morning. Also enjoy easy access parking outside your door, convenient for unloading the vehicle when you arrive.
The resort also has condo suites (one, two, or three bedroom,) loft suites, or smaller hotel style guest rooms.
 |
| This beauty was walking across the golf course right outside our townhouse |
 |
| You'll see lots of sheep when you stay at the Bighorn Meadows Resort |
Features of townhomes and condos:
- Televisions with a DVD player with the main television in the living room. (You can rent movies from the office if you didn't bring your own.)
- A fully equipped kitchen
- A pull out sofa in the living room
- In-suite laundry
- An electric fireplace
- A BBQ outside each unit on a private balcony or patio
In winter there's a small outdoor hot tub, and in the summer, there's also an outdoor swimming pool.
 |
| A look at the townhouse we stayed in at Bighorn Meadows Resort |
Where to Stay in Radium Hot Springs - RidgeView Resort
We've also enjoyed several trips at the RidgeView Resort in Radium Hot Springs.
RidgeView Resort has 9 vacation homes and there's also a luxurious RV Park.
Promoted as Canada's best RV Park and Vacation Club, the Holmgren Family has owned and operated the RidgeView Resort for over 20 years.
 |
| Vacation homes at RidgeView Resort |
The resort describes their property below:
"Located on the edge of Radium Hot Springs, and immersed in the beautiful Columbia Valley of British Columbia, RidgeView offers over 100 acres of peaceful wilderness. The Club includes paved roads and RV lots which accommodate Class A, C, and Super B motorcoaches, in addition to rental houses for the non-campers among us. RidgeView is the mountain oasis you have been searching for. A perfect place to choose your own adventure on, or off the resort."
RidgeView Resort is technically a "vacation club" where members pay for their vacation week and return to the same RV site or vacation home on an annual basis. Non-members can still stay at the resort however, and are extremely welcome here. RV Sites or vacation homes that are not going to be used by members get released into the general rental pool (usually by September or October for the following season.)
Summer availability is limited (so make your reservation early,) but there is always lots of availability in spring/fall as well as in the winter season for a ski getaway.
 |
| Luxury Vacation Homes at RidgeView Resort |
Features of the vacation homes include:
- 3 bedrooms in each home
- 2 full bathrooms
- A fully equipped kitchen
- A gas burning fireplace
- A private sun deck with BBQ
- High speed WiFi
- Access to resort amenities including an indoor swimming pool and hot tub in winter, an outdoor pool in summer, fitness centre, arcade room, pickle ball court, beach volleyball, and mini-golf (May - September.)
My son LOVES the indoor pool and it's a great place to unwind after a day of skiing or hiking. The hot tub feels great at the end of the day as well.
 |
| RidgeView Resort has a fabulous recreation centre with indoor pool, hot tub, and gym |
Recommended Reading
Disclaimer: We have received hosted stays at both the Bighorn Meadows Resort and at the RidgeView Resort. As always, all words and opinions are my own.
All photos used in this story are my own (unless otherwise credited.)
We have personally enjoyed all of the activities mentioned in this story and I have written from my own personal experience.
No comments:
Post a Comment