Kelowna 
Eastern British Columbia’s Columbia Valley is a true hub of winter fun and adventure. The main communities along this scenic stretch of Highway 93 also help add to the area’s appeal as a vacation destination or as a base camp for more remote adventure. Those smaller mountain towns include Invermere, Windermere, and Fairmont, all located on or near the Columbia Valley’s Lake Windermere.
Credit: Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club
With Lake Windermere, as well as its unique winter attraction, it is especially easy to explore all of these communities in one visit. This is because the expansive lake is home to an equally as expansive ice-skating trail. The Lake Windermere Whiteway is, however, no ordinary skating trail. This Whiteway, intended for skiing and skating, holds the title of the world’s longest skating trail (certified by Guinness World Records in 2014).
Contents:
- Activities at The World’s Longest Ice Skating Track
- Winter Adventures around Invermere
- Dining Opportunities in Invermere
- Hot Springs on Both Sides of the Lake
- Planning Your Trip to Lake Windermere Whiteway
Activities at The World’s Longest Ice Skating Track
Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club’s Lake Windermere Whiteway is a 31km ice skating trail which allows skaters, cross-country skiers, hikers, and fat bikers alike to see nearly the entire lake. This extensive skating trail, or Whiteway, is sectioned into four main loops with access available in Invermere, or Windermere Beach.
- A 31km skate or ski day will get you across the entire lake. However, there are ways to shorten your trip while still having a memorable day on the ice in the Columbia Valley.
- The James Chabot loop closest to Invermere is also the shortest at 5km. This then connects to the 12km Windermere Loop, then a 6km Indian Beach Loop, and lastly, the 8km Rushmere Loop near Windermere Lake Provincial Park.
- These routes are also open as cross-country ski trails that are groomed by the Toby Creek Club, and which follow the Whiteway.
- Plus, the whiteway can also be used for fat biking and walking.
- Each year, from January 1st to February 28th, the Ski Club hosts the Whiteway Challenge. The “skate, ski, or run” challenge requires individual or team registration before you set a goal to hit in those two months. There will also be community meetups for the different sports throughout the two months. Track your activities at Toby Creek, Nipika Mountain Resort near Radium, or Panorama Mountain Resort.
Winter Adventures around Invermere
The Lake Windermere Whiteway is not the only “whiteway” near Invermere. Follow the highway west of Invermere to the Lillian Lake Recreation Site to find a shorter trail on the frozen surface of Lillian Lake. The 3km trail on the lake is groomed for ski skating and cross-country skiing. A bit further down that same highway, to the west of Invermere, is one of Canada’s top destinations for winter adventure.
- The Panorama Mountain Resort offers cozy and comfortable options for a place to stay while you explore the area’s lakes and Whiteways, as well as more winter adventures. This Columbia Valley ski and snowboard destination is home to all types of runs in terms of difficulty levels and is a great spot for more Nordic skiing.
- The network of trails at the resort also has plenty of space for snowshoeing, hiking, and fat biking. Plus, the resort maintains a skating rink. And no matter the adventure you choose- ski, snowboard, Nordic ski, skate, bike, or snowshoe – Panorama Mountain Resort offers equipment rentals for each of those activities.
- Nipika Panorama Loppet: This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Nipika Panorama Loppet, a two-day cross-country ski event hosted by the Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club. The first day of the 2025 Loppet will take place at the Nipika Mountain Resort and the Cross River Canyon Recreation site, and the second day’s events will take place at the Panorama Mountain Resort. Each day will have different races for varying lengths with 1.5km as the shortest, and 30km as the longest race.
Where to Eat: Dining Opportunities in Invermere
The winter adventures will certainly cause the need to find a place for a hearty meal, a warm and cozy drink, or something sweet. There are many options for all of the above between Invermere and the Mountain Resort.
- Get those comfort foods or drinks from local cafes like Kicking Horse Café (home of the coffee brand of the same name!), Stolen Church Gelato & Coffee (also its own coffee brand!) both in Invermere, or Fireside Café & Lounge in Panorama.
- Grab full, casual meals for the entire family with restaurants like Smokehouse 93, Hot Spot Bistro, Peppi’s Pizza, the Spice Hut, or Beginnings Restaurant.
- Plenty of more family dining opportunities await in Panorama Village with Elkhorn Lodge, Last Chance Pizza, or The Cliffhanger Restaurant.
Hot Springs on Both Sides of the Lake
To the north of Invermere and Lake Windermere, and closer to the Alberta border, is Radium Hot Springs. The pool area enables you to soak in the natural hot springs while surrounded by modern amenities like washrooms and locker rooms.
To the south of Lake Windermere is the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. The area at the base of the mountain and closest to the highway is where you’ll find the hot spring pools, lodge rooms, and dining. Take a drive up the mountain for a more thrilling day spent at the Fairmont Ski Hill.
Planning Your Trip — Lake Windermere Whiteway
Credit: Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club
What: Maintained by Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club, the Lake Windermere Whiteway, certified as the world’s longest ice skating trail, is a 31km ice skating trail and multi-use trails with accompanying ski trails beside the cleared ice. The skating area is great for recreation and is a unique, but completely Canadian way to commute between Invermere and Windermere Beach.
There are plenty of skate rental shops in Invermere.
Location and how to get there: The Whiteway has two main entry points:
- Kinsmen Beach Whiteway access in Invermere; 18th Street and 4th Avenue, Invermere, BC
- Windermere Beach access in Windermere; Selkirk Street and Columbia Avenue, Windermere, BC
Invermere/Windermere is approximately 2 hours from Banff (AB) 3 hours from Calgary (AB), 2 hours 30 minutes from Revelstoke (BC).
Best time to go: weather dependent; usually frozen from December to February or early March – Check Status Here/Nordic Pulse/Facebook Page
Cost: day pass $5 per person to access Windermere Whiteway
For more information:
