15 Best Things to do in Fairmont Hot Springs BC
When it comes to the best things to do in Fairmont Hot Springs, the hot springs are just one activity in Fairmont of many.
Whether you’re on a Kootenay road trip in BC or live nearby, this guide to what to do in Fairmont Hot Springs has plenty of ideas to keep you entertained.
Fairmont Hot Springs is located in the Kootenays a short 20-minute drive south from Invermere. It’s mostly known for the Fairmont Hot Springs resort where you can soak in natural hot springs or camp at their RV campsite.
However, there are also many other awesome things to do in Fairmont Hot Springs BC, and the surrounding area.
From floating down the river to hiking in the nearby National Parks and white water rafting near Radium, below are my top recommendations.
Best things to do in Fairmont Hot Springs BC
Whether you’re visiting in the summer and looking for the best things to do in Fairmont BC in summer, or are visiting Fairmont in winter, there are plenty of things to do there.
Here are some of the best activities in Fairmont Hot Springs no matter the season.
1. Float down the Columbia River
One of the most scenic and fun Fairmont BC activities is to go river tubing where you float down the Columbia Valley River!
There are several different places you can put in depending on how long you want to go.
We sat at the banks of the river and watched people float past on paddleboards, kayaks, and tubes.
If you don’t have your own tube you can rent from nearby gas stations, Basecamp at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, or buy one from the store in Fairmont Hot Springs.
A popular place to start is from under the bridge by Spruce Grove Campground. There’s a road where you can park up and then launch from the river banks. Alternatively, you can put in along Columbia River Road.
You’ll need two cars to do this (unless you don’t mind walking) since you’ll start and end at a different place.
2. Play Golf at Fairmont Hot Springs
There are plenty of places to go golfing at Fairmont Hot Springs BC. There are two 18-hole courses and another 9-hole course. You can play along the riverside, the creekside and on the mountainside golf course.
Whichever one you opt for you’ll be able to enjoy epic mountain views as you play in the beautiful Columbia River Valley.
3. Go Hiking in Fairmont Hot Springs
There are plenty of trails within the Fairmont Hot Springs resort area and also up towards Invermere.
The Johnson is mostly a mountain biking area but hiking is possible too and you’ll get great views of the hoodoos and Toby Creek.
AllTrails is my go-to hiking app for finding, planning, and navigating while I’m out on the trails. With offline maps on AllTrails+ you can be confident you’re still on the right track, even without mobile signal.
4. See the Hoodoos
There are quite a few hoodoos in and around BC with some over in Kamloops as well as the ones in Banff National Park in Alberta.
These hoodoos near Invermere are closer to Fairmont Hot Springs and are probably the most impressive of the lot and can be seen both from the road as well as by hiking out to them.
If you’re driving along Highway 93/95 you can pull off into the bays to view the hoodoos. If you want to get closer, take the Hoodoo Trail which is a 3 km trail that gives you awesome views of not only the hoodoos but the surrounding area
5. Set up Camp for the Weekend
The RV park at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort is in a great location right by the hot springs and near to the trails. There are shower blocks and laundry facilities, and the spots were large enough that you won’t feel like you’re on top of people.
Alternatively, there is Spruce Grove Campground down by the river which also had good facilities.
6. Soak at Fairmont Hot Springs Pools in the Resort
The Fairmont Hot Springs pools are the ideal place to relax. You’ll be surrounded by panoramic mountain views in Canada’s largest natural mineral hot springs.
The water temperature is at an average of 39°C and there are some swimming and dive pools which are kept slightly cooler. Another great thing about these hot spring pools is that they’re odorless!
- Fairmont hot springs hours: 7 am to 10 pm daily
- Fairmont hot springs prices: Hotel guests, free. Single entry CAD $16, day pass $24
7. Find the Fairmont Natural Hot Springs Waterfall
While you’ll have to pay for the above hot springs pools, there are some free hot springs in Fairmont.
You have two options, a small pool by the old bath house, or the Fairmont natural hot springs waterfall.
8. Go Skiing
You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to skiing near Fairmont Hot Springs. Not only do you have Fairmont Hot Springs Ski Area right near the hot springs resort, but there’s also Panorama Mountain Resort which is one of BC’s best ski hills.
Panorama has 139 runs which is plenty to keep you entertained for several days. The runs are typically wider and fairly empty making it great for beginners, but there’s also a large number of black diamond runs with the Taynton Bowl being a favorite of locals and visitors alike.
At Fairmont Hot Springs Ski Hill you’ll find a total of 14 runs from green to black. The trails are uncrowded, lift lines are pretty much unheard of and you’ll get stunning views of the Purcell and Rocky Mountain ranges.
Skiing is definitely one of the best things to do in Fairmont Hot Springs in winter!
9. Explore the Columbia River Valley
The Columbia River Valley is full of awesome BC mountain towns and places to see. The best way to see them is to plan a road trip such as our Kootenay Hot Springs Road Trip.
Some of the best towns include Invermere which is close to Fairmont Hot Springs, Kimberley to the south, and Radium. There’s also the Kootenay National Park, the Bugaboos, and Golden not too far away.
10. Relax at the Natural Springs Spa
Unique to Fairmont Hot Springs Resort is the Natural Springs Spa which uses the waters from the hot springs to give you the best spa experience.
You can get all types of treatments from massage and facials to manis and pedicures.
11. Go Ice Skating on the World’s Longest Skating Trail
When it comes to things to do in Fairmont BC in winter, it’s got to be ice skating!
Lake Windermere freezes over and is transformed into The Whiteway; the world’s longest skating trail.
You can access the rail from Kinsmen Beach in Invermere and at Windermere Beach too.
The track is 34km long and there are 4 different loops so you can pick and choose a distance that suits you. The loops range from 5-12km. There’s also a separate path for x-country skiers and parts of the lake that are best suited to fat bikes.
While it’s free to skate on the lake, it’s recommended you donate $5 for maintenance of the trails which is done by the Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club.
You can bring your own skates or rent from Inside Edge Boutique and Sports in Invermere and then hit the trail! How’s that for fun things to do near Fairmont Hot Springs?!
12. Take a Snowmobiling Tour
Snowmobiling is an exhilarating sport and one of the best ways to get started is to take a snowmobile tour where you’re in the hands of experienced guides who know where to go.
Toby Creek Adventures offer several tours from a full-day tour to half-day and even a quick 2-hour trip. You’ll head out into the BC forest from Panorama Mountain Resort and experience frozen waterfalls, bowls full of powder, and incredible valley views.
13. Go White Water Rafting
Kootenay River Runners has 3 locations in the Kootenays; Golden, Radium, and up at Toby Creek near Panorama. During your trip to Fairmont Hot Springs, you have to go out with them!
We did the Radium Hot Springs river rafting tour where you go into Kootenay National Park and spent a couple of hours rafting down the river.
They also do full-day trips.
Along the way, you see waterfalls, and interesting rock formations and will definitely have a laugh with their guides!
14. Go Ziplining with Mineral Mountain
The Fairmont Resort is home to ziplining at Mineral Mountain. The ziplining tours are about 2 hours long and cost around $120 for adults. You’ll get to take on 6 lines and enjoy mountain and forest views at the same time!
15. Go Biking!
Another of the best things o do in Fairmont Hot Springs Canada is to go mountain biking.
Fairmont Hot Springs Resort has over 50km of trails within its property boundary.
There’s something for everyone with flat, easy trails for youngsters and beginners and more strenuous trails that take you through open meadows and up to stunning viewpoints.
You can also ride the Markin MacPhail Westside Legacy Trail runs to Invermere from Fairmont Hot Springs, or head up to ride the trails at Panorama for some mountain biking.
Where to stay in Fairmont Hot Springs BC
When it comes to accommodation in Fairmont Hot Springs, there’s quite a lot to choose from since it’s a popular vacation destination. Below are some of the best-rated places to stay and Fairmont Hot Springs hotels.
- $$$ – Fairmont Hot Springs Resort: Stay right next to the hot springs and enjoy free access at the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort.
- $$ – Fairmont Mountain Bungalows: The mountain bungalows offer self-catering accommodation great for families and groups. There’s also a pool and a hot tub.
How to get to Fairmont Hot Springs British Columbia
The closest airport to Fairmont Hot Springs is in Calgary, and you’ll need to drive from there. Visiting this area is best done as part of a road trip either through Kootenay National Park or down from Golden to Radium and on to Fairmont Hot Springs.
Some driving times are listed below to help you get your bearings.
- Vancouver to Fairmont Hot Springs: 9.5 hours driving over the Coquihalla and through Kamloops, Revelstoke, and Golden.
- Calgary to Fairmont Hot Springs Canada: 3 hours 20 minutes driving through Banff and the Kootenays.
- Golden to Fairmont Hot Springs: 1.5 hours driving south
If you’re visiting from out of town and don’t have a car, your best options are renting a camper van or a car. For car rentals, consider checking both DiscoverCars and RentalCars, as these platforms make it easy to compare prices among different companies to secure the best deal for your trip.
For RV rentals, Outdoorsy is my go-to choice. It provides a variety of options, from trucks and vans to more spacious vehicles, catering to different camping styles and needs.
I use comparison sites like DiscoverCars and RentalCars to book my car rentals as it’s easy to check prices and compare the best deals!
FAQs on the best things to do in Fairmont BC
What heats Fairmont Hot Springs?
What river runs through Fairmont Hot Springs?
Is Fairmont Hot Springs worth visiting?
What are the most popular things to do in Fairmont Hot Springs with kids?
What are the top attractions to visit in Fairmont Hot Springs?
Is Fairmont Hot Springs in a national park?
Final thoughts on what to do in Fairmont BC
This list of the best Fairmont hot springs things to do has included hiking, soaking in hot springs, floating down rivers, and Fairmont golfing too.
As you can see planning a summer vacation in BC to Fairmont Hotsprings is far from boring. Whether your chosen Fairmont Hot Springs activities are active and full of adrenaline, or more relaxed, you’re sure to have a great trip.
If you’re staying in the area and are looking for things to do around Fairmont Hot Springs, be sure to check out this guide of things to do in Radium BC, or things to do in Invermere.
Also, check out all of my Rocky Mountains travel guides since you’re so close by! That’s where you’ll find all my itineraries and travel guides for Banff, Jasper, and Yoho National Park amongst other things to do in towns like Canmore.
Canada Travel Planning Guide
Should I buy Canada travel insurance?
100% YES! — You should have travel insurance for all your trips. Though Canada has “free” healthcare, it’s only for residents. If you’re just visiting, you’ll need travel insurance should you need medical care. It also helps you claim for delayed flights or lost/stolen baggage. We use SafetyWing for our travel insurance!
Is it safe to rent a car in Canada?
Yes — Renting a car is a good idea in most of Canada as public transit isn’t the best!
Car hire is usually quite reasonable, especially compared to some other countries and they’ll all be automatic so you shouldn’t have a problem driving it if you’re used to manual transmission.
I personally use a mix of DiscoverCars and RentalCars to find the best deal that works for me when I rent a car. I used them in Norway, Italy, and Canada when we first moved, and have never had an issue. For RV rental I recommend Outdoorsy.
What’s the best way to pay/exchange money for Canada?
Wise (formerly Transferwise!) — I use my Wise card everywhere these days. I fill it with a certain currency and then I can spend it in countries across the world, online and even for direct debits. Wise has the best currency exchange rates (and they’ll even tell you when you can get it cheaper elsewhere!). When you pay in another currency through chip and pin or tap/wireless, they’ll automatically convert it for you – it’s easy! This link gets you a fee-free transfer.
Do I need a visa for Canada?
Many countries do not need a visa to travel to Canada — However, you may need an ETA which costs $7 (you need this if you’re from the UK). You can buy them online and they usually take a few hours to come through though it can take longer. Only ever buy from this official website otherwise you’ll end up paying more money necessarily. If you want to move to Canada, check out my guide to the Working Holiday Visa which is how we first moved there! Always check the official Canadian Immigration website to see whether you need a visa to travel there.
Will my phone work in Canada?
It depends — Some American and European companies work in Canada for a certain amount of data or time but many will not work at all. Getting a Canadian SIM card will help you get around with Google Maps and stay in touch with people back home. There isn’t much free WIFI in Canada so you can’t really rely on that, especially if you’re heading outside of major cities.
Where can I book my Canada accommodation?
I always check Booking.com for hotels or Hostel World for hostels. If I’m looking for something for a bigger group of people, or a bit more unique (cosy cabins, luxury beach houses) then I use VRBO.
When we first moved to Canada we used Trusted Housesitters to get free accommodation!
What’s the best site to buy Canada flights?
I only ever use Skyscanner to find cheap flights no matter where I’m travelling!
Last Updated on August 17, 2023 by Hannah
Hannah started That Adventurer after graduating back in 2013 and has documented all of her adventures since then. From backpacking South America to city breaks in Europe, a 3 month road trip across the USA in a self-converted van and 6 years living in Canada, you’ll find posts on all of this.
Hannah specialises in active travel and on That Adventurer you’ll find hiking, walking, biking, skiing and all sorts of active travel guides to allow you to see a destination in an adventurous way.
Now back in Europe, you’ll find new guides as Hannah and her husband spend the next year ‘digital nomading’ from Norway to Portugal, Switzerland to Scotland and places in between.
