8 Most Eccentric Towns In British Columbia

British Columbia is a quirky place. This, the westernmost Canadian province, stands out from the rest of the country in terms of its climate, culture, and aesthetic. Flanked by the Rocky Mountains in the east and the Pacific Ocean in the west, with temperate rainforest, semi-arid zone, and even subarctic ecosystems in between, it's the type of place in which you can potentially ski, surf, and hike the same day. Given this range in conditions and recreation, the types of people who tend to live in (and visit) BC are equally as eclectic. Ultimately, the vibe is one of adventure, curiosity, creativity, and joy. As a former Calgarian, I benefited from many excursions into British Columbia. These are some of my favorite, quirky towns I've discovered along the way.

Invermere

Before my travel-writing days, I was a rep for a running shoe company tasked with servicing the mom n' pop shops within reach of Calgary. This mission regularly brought me to Invermere. Unlike some business-as-usual spots, the owners of the local sports store would sit down for a pint on the patio, insist that I stay with them, and take me out on full-throttle trail runs. The thing is, with each subsequent visit, I started to notice that most people in Invermere had these fun-loving, laid-back, and communal sensibilities about them. In the summer, they welcome paddlers and sun-bathers to the north shore of Windermere Lake, mountain bikers to their Columbia Valley trail systems, and shoppers to their sunny commercial stretch along 7th Ave (which often sprouts outdoor markets, vendors, and small-scale events). And in the winter, the town shovels out the longest skating path in the world (ratified by Guinness World Records): the 34-kilometer "Whiteway," which loops around the inside of the aforementioned (but now frozen-over) lake.

Radium Hot Springs

Just north of Invermere, Radium Hot Springs is a must-visit spot in the Columbia Valley region. Located at Highway 95 and the Banff-bound Kootenay Highway (Hwy 93), this village offers a perfect starting or ending point (depending on your direction) for exploring the East Kootenays, also known as the "warm side of the Rockies." Radium's main attraction is its series of artificial pools that tap into the geothermal energy of the surrounding mountains. You can relax in the slightly sulphurous steam, try a cold plunge, or just splash around in the regular swimming pool. Then, choose among the European-style motels with their balcony-lined flower beds before enjoying a plate of schnitzel and a stein at the Austrian-themed Old Salzburg Restaurant. Just a block further, you'll find the heart of town, full of ice cream, candy, pizza, and coffee shops. And nearby, golf courses and ziplines wait to be explored.

Fairmont Hot Springs

Speaking of spa towns near Invermere, Fairmont Hot Springs (just minutes south along the Kootenay Highway) is another great spot to relax. Its renowned pools draw visitors year-round, but its nearby natural hot springs boost the experience even more. The first is a short hike from the formal resort, while the less-known but still popular Lussier Creek Hot Springs is located down the Whiteswan Lake Forest Service Road. When you feel pruney and in need of a reset, consider visiting the Mineral Mountain Ziplines, enjoying bumper cars and mini-golf at Funtasia, hitting the ski resort in winter, or grabbing a fire oven pizza at From Scratch (their breakfast is fantastic too). Fairmont also offers excellent accommodations. My girlfriend and I always enjoy renting one of the surprisingly affordable mountain bungalows.

Fernie

Fernie is another mountain town that’s both fun and stunning. Located on the Elk River, near Mount Fernie Provincial Park and the Fernie Alpine Resort, this small city focuses on outdoor adventures like skiing, mountain biking, and hiking. Personally, I enjoy the Castle Rocks trail on the east side of the valley and Mount Fernie on the west. But Fernie also knows how to relax. Sunbathers gather by the river for picnics and swimming in natural pools formed outside the steady current, or they share their day's adventures over a pint at Fernie Brewing Company. In the center of town, Fernie's Main Street (also known as 2nd Ave) resembles a modernized frontier town. The red and sandstone brick buildings are home to bookstores, coffee shops, organic grocers, outdoor gear stores, and more.

Tofino

Nestled on the secluded Esowista Peninsula of western Vancouver Island, Tofino has two faces. On the one hand, this oceanfront district appeals to affluent vacationers looking to hunker down in a cozy lodge, indulge in some fine dining, take a whale-watching tour, and maybe hit the spa or a yoga class. At the same time, Tofino's wild yet serene beaches attract surfers, paddlers, and car campers looking to lap up a bit of that pura vida. Depending on the tides, these salty-haired travelers may also be drawn to the patios of the casual eateries and cafes or the palate-cleansing selections at the local brewery or distillery, but will always return to the coast for one of Canada's best sunsets. The only thing better might be the misty mornings that follow when frisbees are thrown across flat beaches to elated canines while the rest of the granola crowd does up/down dog to the rhythm of the waves.

Kaslo

Little old Kaslo hides in the West Kootenays, on the west side of the northern third of the long, slim Kootenay Lake. With just over 1,000 residents, the village is able to fit into a few square blocks of commercial and residential spaces. So, simply pick a side and start exploring. If you choose a site at the lakeside Kaslo Village Campground, then begin by visiting the SS Moyie National Historic Site, where you'll find the oldest intact passenger sternwheeler in the world. This sturdy steamboat shuttled miners, farmers, and pioneers along the Kootenay waterway starting in 1898. And I must say, the vintage vessel looks pretty neat on the shoreline. If, on the other hand, you’re staying at the Victorian-style Kaslo Hotel, then stroll down to the Kaslo River Trail, where a beautiful, red, Japanese-inspired covered bridge guides hikers into the lush, moss-laden forest on a gentle dirt path. Keep an eye out for the little garden gnomes that, one way or another, have found their way out there. Either way, end your visit by meeting the friendly, quirky folks who live and work in the gaps between, throughout the businesses of Front Street.

Nelson

Bopping down from Kaslo to the moderate-sized city of Nelson introduces motorists to the northernmost segment of the 450-kilometer (280-mile) International Selkirk Loop—a wild and scenic road trip through not only the West Kootenay part of British Columbia but also some of the coolest towns in the Idaho Panhandle and the Washington communities bordering Colville National Forest. Just don't rush out of Nelson too quickly. Located on the east bank of the Kootenay River and surrounded by the lush Selkirk Mountains (where the Whitewater Ski Resort sprawls), this outdoor recreation hub proudly takes the torch from its fellow active inland town. At the center of it all, Nelson offers a vibrant downtown with a higher per capita selection of restaurants and cafes than San Francisco. If formal spots don't satisfy your quirky cravings, explore the alternative artsy scene, which may gather in the grass or on river beaches beneath the Big Orange Bridge of Rotary Lakeside Park, busking in the streets, or hanging out at the latest Moonflower Collective (by member invite only).

Nakusp

Let's complete the full circle back at a lakeside mountain town dotted with hot springs. The village of Nakusp is situated on the east side of the clear, fresh, and again quite lengthy Arrow Lake. A peaceful boardwalk begins at the historic Leland Hotel (built in 1892, with 21 rooms still in operation) and runs along the town border to the sandy municipal beach, welcoming municipal campground, and large recreation park that features an enshrined Canadian Pacific Rail car (part of the Nakusp Rail Society museum). Then, venture out from downtown toward the geothermal attractions. Take the short drive (or, if you're feeling adventurous, hike the Kuskanax Creek Trail) to the Nakusp Hot Springs spa and campground. Or, if you're seeking a more authentic experience and have extra time, head north on 23 to the turn-off for Halfway Hot Springs—a series of riverside natural pools with no more than a trail and a wooden changing room for infrastructure.

Parting Thoughts

British Columbia has epic mountains, beautiful coastlines, and unique climate bubbles plunked throughout. Even better, these eight towns that scatter this diverse landscape take full advantage of its outdoor recreation bounties, as well as the weather that the rest of us Canadians covet. Whether its mountain bikers zipping down a forested trail, organic farmers at a pop-up street market, hippies selling artisanal soaps out of their cutesy stores, or everyday Joes and Janes enjoying live music at the local watering hole, BC always brings a bit of zest, a bit of benevolence, and undeniably, a bit of quirk.