Life in Southeast British Columbia

Locals in The Birthplace of Adventure

One step in front of the other until you reach the summit.

In the Birthplace of Adventure in British Columbia, the real reward is in the climb itself. This area is a playground for outdoor adventures: four mountain ranges, world-famous parks, and humble communities living in tune with nature.

We headed to this southeastern part of BC to meet the locals who call it home. And we found they’re just built differently. They crave the burn of the climb, they make their own tracks, and they carry a deep respect for nature. Watch the short documentary below to meet one of many mountain-loving locals shaping an outdoor culture rooted in climbing, backcountry skiing, hiking, and mountain biking.

Jasmin Caton

Jasmin Caton is equal parts athlete, mountain guide, and mom of twins. A legend in mountaineering circles, she’s summited some of the world’s most challenging peaks, but her heart is always in the Birthplace of Adventure in southeast British Columbia. As the owner of Valhalla Mountain Touring backcountry lodge, her “office” is the Selkirk Mountains, a place that raised her. Now, she’s passing down her passion to the next generation of adventurers.

Watch Video

Meet Other Locals

In the Birthplace of Adventure, life revolves around rugged landscapes. Meet the spirited folks who thrive off mountain adventure.

Feel the beat of the mountains with hiking guide Chris Skinner.

Outings with Chris go beyond just a hike –they become lessons in the Columbia valley’s rich flora and fauna, distinctive geology, and layered history. A trusted ACMG-certified hiking guide, wilderness professional, and owner of Playwest Mountain Experience, Chris is all about trading the digital leash for off-grid nature experiences.

Flying adventurist Max Powers spent his life in the air—until the river called him home.

Ever since he took to the skies paragliding and hang gliding in Germany, Max Powers never looked down. At least not until he settled in the Columbia Valley and, alongside his late wife Penny, took over Columbia River Paddle—running canoe and kayak tours through the Columbia Valley Wetlands. Still an avid aviator, Max now offers tandem paragliding at Panorama Mountain Resort and in Invermere.

Lorraine Blancher: A powerhouse in the mountain biking world.

A former champion of Canadian National Downhill, Masters World, and Crankworx Whip Off World, Lorraine has ridden some of the world’s most epic trails. These days, she champions sustainable and responsible riding, leading women’s mountain biking retreats in the stunning Columbia Valley with Toby Creek Adventures. Her words say it all: “When I’m in the mountains, I feel the most alive.”