Visitor Centre

The Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce Visitor Centre is located just south of the crossroads into Invermere. We offer washrooms, free WiFi, ample parking, and friendly travel advice. Whether you are passing through or planning a long term stay in the Columbia Valley drop in and say hello!

Invermere-on-the-Lake is a community of 3,500 permanent residents on the northern shore of Lake Windermere.

There are two public beach areas—Kinsmen Beach near the downtown, and the James Chabot Provincial Park at the north end of the lake.

The downtown centre—the entrance marked by a bronze statue of explorer David Thompson and his wife Charlotte Small—has a charming, flower-lined main street with shops, pubs and restaurants. Among many other businesses, there is a bakery and a delicatessen; two pharmacies, an artists’ co-op, bicycle shops, a health food store, three banks,a furniture store, two antique stores, three large grocery chain outlets, a pioneer village museum, and a historic movie theatre.

During the summer, many festivals and events take place. Wings Over the Rockies, a birding festival, is held each May. Every Saturday morning, there is a thriving Farmer’s Market downtown. Canada Day offers a parade, beachside events and fireworks. Valley Appreciation Day in July draws thousands of visitors. Loop-the-Lake in August continues to be a valley favourite as people run or walk 60 kilometres around the entire lake. There is also a triathlon, a wakeboard competition, a mountain bike race, a paragliding competition. December – March is the Winter-in-Motion Festival one of the highlights being the biggest outdoor bonspiel in the world is held on the surface of Lake Windermere along with the annual Snowflake Festival and Taste of the Valley in January.