A group walking at the top of a mountain in BC, Canada

Experience the Birthplace of Adventure

From heart-pounding to soul-soothing mountain adventures.

In this southeastern corner of British Columbia, a powerful landscape shapes how people move on the land and live day to day.

With towering peaks, deep valleys, wild rivers carving the terrain and a legacy of exploration from First Nations trail makers to boundary‑pushers who opened the alpine, this is a place where nature commands respect, communities are close‑knit and adventure runs deep.

From energetic mountain towns to artsy enclaves and resource‑driven hubs, people here share a deep relationship with the outdoors that continues to evolve. Adventure shifts easily from heart‑racing to heart‑resting, on the water, in the mountains or soaking in mineral hot springs, often all in the same afternoon. There’s a good reason this place is known as the Birthplace of Adventure.

Three friends heli-hiking in the Bugaboos during a guided trip with CMH Bugaboos.

Peaks, parks & valleys

The Purcells, Selkirks, Monashees, and Canadian Rocky Mountains rise in waves, surrounding glacial rivers, old-growth cedar stands, ancient canyons, four national and more than 60 provincial parks. Animals like deer, moose, elk, bears, bighorn sheep, eagles, and trout abound. Tucked into the mountains, natural hot springs also invite a chance to pause and relax in healing waters.

Land, water, and creatures are seen as part of one living system here. In late summer, the salmon run in the Columbia and Kootenay rivers offers a rare chance to see this cycle in action as it nourishes everything around it.

To the west, Mount Revelstoke National Park protects alpine meadows and ancient forests, while Glacier National Park safeguards one of the world’s few inland temperate rainforests. Further east, the UNESCO-recognized Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks—which include Kootenay and Yoho national parks—preserve dramatic icefields, Emerald Lake, Lake O’Hara, and Takakkaw Falls, and the globally significant fossil beds of the Burgess Shale. The views are year-round, but in the fall, larch trees turn gold (especially at Kootenay National Park, but also in Kimberley and Cranbrook), adding a fleeting blaze of colour before winter.

Alpine access continues at Revelstoke Mountain Resort, Panorama Mountain Resort, and RED Mountain Resort. In Mount Revelstoke National Park, the Meadows‑in‑the‑Sky Parkway brings you near the summit, with paths leading into subalpine meadows—rare in Canada. In Glacier National Park, trails can carry you into the high alpine. Near Golden, the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort gondola offers panoramic views and one of North America’s highest‑elevation dining spots.

Three friends enjoy a bike ride in downtown Revelstoke as locals grab a bite to eat on The Taco Club patio.

Mountain town culture

In the home of the Ktunaxa Nation, Secwépemc Nation and Métis Nation, the area’s mountain towns buzz with creativity and the energy that comes from being outdoors.

Culture here mirrors the landscapes outside and the strong sense of community within. Near Cranbrook, St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino stands as a powerful reclamation. Once a residential institution, it has been transformed by the Ktunaxa Nation into a resort, gathering place, and the home of the Ktunaxa Interpretive Centre.

In towns like Kimberley, Nelson, Rossland, and Revelstoke or Fernie, you’ll find art galleries, one-of-a-kind studios, museums, live music venues, heritage buildings, and festivals that feel welcoming and down to earth.

Join guided experiences hosted by the Ktunaxa Cultural Society or attend events like Bringing the Salmon Home in the Columbia Valley, the Tobacco Plains/ Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi ‘it Border Walk in Fernie, and the Truth and Reconciliation Walk in Cranbrook—opportunities to listen, reflect, and connect with place. Off-grid retreats like Raven’s Nest Resort and Campground also provide more than outdoor outings: culture comes by shared meals, place-based learning, and quiet moments.

Two friends biking down Mount 7, Golden's hotspot for downhill biking.

Steeped in adventure

From the legendary trails of Rossland—widely known as the Mountain Bike Capital of Canada—to the downhill parks of Revelstoke, Fernie, Red Mountain and Golden, this region is a paradise for riders chasing flow without the crowds. Tracks wind through forest, alpine, and valley, while a variety of rail trails offer a more relaxed and scenic way to roll.

Come also for the waterfalls—tumbling, thunderous, and unforgettable. The hike to Takakkaw Falls in Yoho National Park is among the most rewarding in BC, especially when fall colours frame the mist. Paddling the Columbia Wetlands, one of the largest intact wetland ecosystems in North America, offers another peaceful way to travel.

For a dose of adrenaline, raft the glacier-fed Kicking Horse River, take on Golden Skybridge’s record-setting suspension span, or try heli-rafting, ziplining, or rock climbing. These are raw places—spectacular but challenging—so it’s wise to travel with local guides and know the conditions. And with adaptive paragliding, accessible trails, and inclusive cycling programs in places like Nakusp and Revelstoke, there are ways for everyone to feel the land’s energy.

Travel with care

The Columbia Valley, Selkirks, Purcells and Rockies are full of adventure, with big views and big rewards. But they’re also true mountain country. Trails can be remote, the weather can flip fast, and help isn’t always nearby. Before you head out, check the BC Wildfire Service and DriveBC websites, know your route, and pack the gear that’ll keep you safe and comfortable.

While you’re out there, think about how you move through the landscape. Stick to marked trails, carry out what you carry in, and give wildlife space (bring bear spray and skip the selfies). Wetlands, alpine meadows and other sensitive spots need a light touch, too. Clean your bike, boots and boats so you’re not bringing in invasive species, and keep things quiet and respectful—toward nature and the communities you pass through.