Invermere Ski Guide

Where does Invermere sit and how is lift access?

Invermere sits on the shore of Windermere Lake in the Columbia Valley of British Columbia, at the edge of the Canadian Rockies, with no ski lifts of its own. It is a base town for Panorama Mountain Resort, which lies about 18 km west and up the hill, roughly a 20 to 30 minute drive away, so Invermere works as a lower cost, real town alternative to staying in Panorama's slopeside village.

Day to day access to Panorama is by car or by scheduled shuttle, which typically runs a couple of times daily, so a car is the more flexible choice for skiing on your own schedule. Kimberley Alpine Resort is the second mountain in reach, about an hour and a half to the south, making it a feasible day trip or a stop on a multi resort Canadian Rockies trip. The honest trade off is the daily drive up to Panorama rather than skiing from the door, but Invermere skiers accept that for the lower prices and the life of a real lakeside town below.

What is the town of Invermere actually like?

Invermere is a relaxed Columbia Valley town that lives all year round, popular as a lake destination in summer as well as a ski base in winter, so it has a genuine community feel rather than a seasonal resort facade. It has a walkable main street with cafes, restaurants, pubs, outdoor shops and supermarkets, plus easy lake access, which makes self catering simple and cheap and gives non skiing days plenty to do.

The evening is easygoing and local rather than a resort party. You will find good casual restaurants and pubs, but the slopeside apres ski and the ski in ski out village atmosphere live up the hill at Panorama. Invermere rewards families, groups, value seekers and travelers who want a real town with shops, dining and lake views, and who do not mind driving up to ski. Skiers who want to step from their lodging straight onto the snow, or who want a compact resort village with apres ski at the door, should base in Panorama's village and pay the premium.

Where should you stay in Invermere?

Stay near the main street and the lakefront to be within walking distance of Invermere's restaurants, pubs and shops and close to the road up to Panorama. The town is small and centered on the lake, so the bigger choice is Invermere itself for value and town life versus the slopeside village at Panorama for ski in ski out convenience.

Accommodation is mostly hotels, motels, lodges and vacation rentals and condominiums rather than catered chalets, and prices undercut the slopeside Panorama village. A Canadian Rockies ski week can be good value from Invermere: a self catered rental with a group can sit in the $2,000 to $4,000 per person band, while a peak week with international flights, multi day lift tickets, rental gear and dining out more often lands in the $4,000 to $8,000 per person range. Buying lift access ahead almost always beats the window price. Share your dates and group below and vetted operators return lodging and quote details in USD with no fee to you.

How do you get to Invermere?

Invermere is reached by road, with Calgary International Airport the main gateway at roughly a three to three and a half hour drive away through the Rockies and Banff National Park, a scenic but long transfer. The Canadian Rockies International Airport at Cranbrook is a closer alternative at around two hours south, with more limited flight options, so most international visitors arrive via Calgary.

Most visitors rent a car, which is the practical choice for the long transfer and for moving between Invermere, Panorama and Kimberley through the week; scheduled and private shuttles from Calgary are available for those who prefer not to drive. The catch is mountain weather and the long highway distance: the route through the Rockies can be slow or hazardous in heavy snow, so build in generous buffer time on travel days, carry winter tires or check conditions in a storm, and confirm your transfer plan before booking flights.

Is Invermere right for your trip?

Skiing near Invermere

These resorts are within reach of Invermere, each with our full review:

• Panorama. About 20 to 30 minutes up the hill, a tall, uncrowded Purcell Mountains resort with big vertical and reliable grooming.
• Kimberley. Around an hour and a half south, a sunny, relaxed resort that makes a good day trip or multi resort add on.

Common questions