The Basics

Population

3,917

Average Age

44

Typical Assessed Value

$707k

Hospital

In town

Nearest Airport

Cranbrook · 1 hr 40 min

Setting

Lake Windermere · Columbia Valley hub

Population & age: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census. Typical home value: single-family median assessed value, BC Assessment 2026.
Proximity to Calgary has influenced the pace of life in Invermere. Seasonal fluctuations of tourists and vacation homeowners make for very busy summers on the lake and in town. Prices are high as a result. On the benefits side, there is a hospital, a college campus, and a lively coffee and restaurant scene. Residents are a combination of established families, retirees and entrepreneurs. Common ground is an affinity for time spent outdoors and socializing. Skating on the Whiteway track is a winter highlight.

Distances: to Nelson — 275 km | 3 hr 15 min; to Cranbrook — 132 km | 1 hr 40 min; to Calgary — 270 km | 3 hr
Good to know

Honest Trade-offs

If you are drawn to…

  • Lively, busy recreation seasons and facilities. Ski, golf, bike, paddle.
  • Relatively more year-round sunshine, hot summers, lower snow.
  • Walkable downtown with a bit of spread. Wildlife in town.
  • A strong community of year-round residents who value preservation.

Challenges to be aware of…

  • Seasonal influxes of tourists and vacation home occupants.
  • Resort town designation means higher prices and more people.
  • The nearest commercial airports are in Cranbrook or Calgary.
  • Nightlife is not a priority. Recreation tops the list.
Everyday Life

Daily Living

Healthcare

  • Invermere & District Hospital is in town — acute care, laboratory and 24-hour emergency (7 days a week) — the Columbia Valley’s hospital.
  • A full range of medical clinics, plus dental, pharmacy and vet services, are all in Invermere.

Education & services

  • A full K–12 path in town: Eileen Madson and J.A. Laird elementary schools and David Thompson Secondary (the valley’s high school), all in SD6, plus a College of the Rockies campus.
  • Complete shopping, hardware and banking round out the valley’s main service centre.

Getting around

  • Invermere sits on Highway 93/95, the Columbia Valley’s main corridor — ~1 hr 40 min south to Cranbrook (the nearest commercial airport) and ~3 hr north to Calgary through the national parks.
  • The valley floor is mild in winter; the Calgary route through Banff and Kootenay parks is mountain driving (check closures and avalanche control).

Recreation & lake life

  • Panorama Mountain Resort (~20 min) for downhill and heli-skiing; the ~30 km Lake Windermere Whiteway (one of the world’s longest skating tracks) for winter; and the Columbia Valley golf belt (Greywolf, Eagle Ranch, Copper Point) for summer.
  • Lake Windermere for beaches, boating and paddling; the Columbia Wetlands alongside; Radium (~15 min) and Fairmont (~30 min) hot springs; and Kootenay National Park next door.
How far to…

Distances

Panorama

20 min

ski resort
Radium

15 min

hot springs
Cranbrook

1 hr 40

airport
Calgary

270 km

3 hr
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Useful local links



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Properties for Sale in Invermere

About Castlegar

Community Information

A curated collection of useful tidbits of information. 

The Basics

Population

8,338 (2021)

Average Age

45 (2021)

Average Home Price

$443,076

Community Site

Education, Healthcare, and Transportation


Education
Healthcare
The Castlegar Health Centre is a vital part of the Castlegar community. The centre provides much-needed emergency services, x-ray and medical lab services to local residents and Area I and J of the Central Kootenay Regional District.

Transportation
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Testimonials