It’s not all downhill ‘round here...

Some other things you can do outside this winter

This region is famous for its biodiversity—amongst scientists, anyway. To the general public, though, it’s more famous for the downhill skiing. But what else do people get up to when the weather turns cold? Here’s a sampling.

Ice skating on Lake Windermere

Lake Windermere has an 11-kilometre long skating loop. By comparison, Ottawa’s famous Skateway on the Rideau Canal is a mere 7.8 kilometres long. This winter, Invermere hosts the national pond hockey tournament. But anyone can join in shinny at the rink by Kinsmen Beach. The District of Invermere will open a new concession and washroom building this winter, making it even more pleasant to go for a skate on the lake.

“Winter on Lake Windermere is incredible,” says Heather Leschied, Wildsight’s Water Stewardship program manager. “There are so many people skating, skiing, walking and even bicycling! My favourite is going for a skate with my family on Christmas Day. There are usually hundreds of people out there.”

TIP: If you bring your dog, bring a doggie bag, too. Everything left on the ice in the winter ends up in the lake when it thaws—and dog waste isn’t good for water quality. (Lake Windermere is a source of drinking water.) The Toby Creek Nordic Club has installed doggie bag stations on the kiosks at the loop entry points.

Bird Watching in Creston Valley and Columbia Wetlands

The Creston Valley and Columbia Wetlands are special places for bird watching. Both are Ramsar-designated wetlands, which means they are “Wetlands of International Importance.” Wetlands provide many services, from cleaning water to lessening impacts of climate change. They also attract birds—migratory and overwintering birds love wetlands. Look for raptors such as rough-legged hawks and pygmy owls. There are several species visible from the country roads and from the dykes in the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area. 

TIP: Visit www.CrestonWildlife.ca/Recreation/Trails to find out about year-round trail access in the Creston Valley.

And for the après...

Warm up afterward with some Wildsight tea!